Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many looked after children there were in each year since 1994 by reason the episode of care ceased.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Information on children looked after, including those ceasing care, for the latest five years is published in the annual statistical release: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2024.

Data on placements with foster carers, for the last five years, is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/769dd855-b3f1-4884-95dc-08de11382822. Information is not collected on the specific relationship to the child, so we are not able to distinguish between friends, relatives or parents as the responsible person(s).

Information for the latest five years, as at 31 March, on children looked after by legal status can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f866f48d-beea-4067-95e8-08de11382822.

Information for the latest five years on the children who ceased care, by reason episode ceased and age on ceasing, can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/e784faaa-438e-4d3e-7abd-08de11c58191.

Figures for years from 2006 are contained in previous years’ releases at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children.

Figures for years 1995 to 2003 can be found in the statistical release children looked after by local authorities, year ending 31 March: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http:/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/Statisticalsocialcare/DH_4086766.

Similarly data for 2003/04 can be located at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906154947/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000533/index.shtml.

Data for 2004/05 can be found at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906153807/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000615/index.shtml.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many looked after children there were (a) in foster placement with (i) relatives and (ii) friends, (b) placed with (A) parents and (B) other persons with parental responsibility, (c) placed for adoption and (d) in total as of 31 March in each year since 1994.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Information on children looked after, including those ceasing care, for the latest five years is published in the annual statistical release: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2024.

Data on placements with foster carers, for the last five years, is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/769dd855-b3f1-4884-95dc-08de11382822. Information is not collected on the specific relationship to the child, so we are not able to distinguish between friends, relatives or parents as the responsible person(s).

Information for the latest five years, as at 31 March, on children looked after by legal status can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f866f48d-beea-4067-95e8-08de11382822.

Information for the latest five years on the children who ceased care, by reason episode ceased and age on ceasing, can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/e784faaa-438e-4d3e-7abd-08de11c58191.

Figures for years from 2006 are contained in previous years’ releases at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children.

Figures for years 1995 to 2003 can be found in the statistical release children looked after by local authorities, year ending 31 March: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http:/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/Statisticalsocialcare/DH_4086766.

Similarly data for 2003/04 can be located at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906154947/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000533/index.shtml.

Data for 2004/05 can be found at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906153807/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000615/index.shtml.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many looked after children there were subject to (a) a care order and (b) voluntary agreements under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 as of 31 March in each year since 1994.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Information on children looked after, including those ceasing care, for the latest five years is published in the annual statistical release: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2024.

Data on placements with foster carers, for the last five years, is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/769dd855-b3f1-4884-95dc-08de11382822. Information is not collected on the specific relationship to the child, so we are not able to distinguish between friends, relatives or parents as the responsible person(s).

Information for the latest five years, as at 31 March, on children looked after by legal status can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f866f48d-beea-4067-95e8-08de11382822.

Information for the latest five years on the children who ceased care, by reason episode ceased and age on ceasing, can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/e784faaa-438e-4d3e-7abd-08de11c58191.

Figures for years from 2006 are contained in previous years’ releases at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children.

Figures for years 1995 to 2003 can be found in the statistical release children looked after by local authorities, year ending 31 March: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http:/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/Statisticalsocialcare/DH_4086766.

Similarly data for 2003/04 can be located at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906154947/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000533/index.shtml.

Data for 2004/05 can be found at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906153807/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000615/index.shtml.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many looked after children there were in each year since 1994 by age of the child on ceasing to be looked after.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Information on children looked after, including those ceasing care, for the latest five years is published in the annual statistical release: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2024.

Data on placements with foster carers, for the last five years, is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/769dd855-b3f1-4884-95dc-08de11382822. Information is not collected on the specific relationship to the child, so we are not able to distinguish between friends, relatives or parents as the responsible person(s).

Information for the latest five years, as at 31 March, on children looked after by legal status can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f866f48d-beea-4067-95e8-08de11382822.

Information for the latest five years on the children who ceased care, by reason episode ceased and age on ceasing, can be found at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/e784faaa-438e-4d3e-7abd-08de11c58191.

Figures for years from 2006 are contained in previous years’ releases at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children.

Figures for years 1995 to 2003 can be found in the statistical release children looked after by local authorities, year ending 31 March: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http:/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/StatisticalWorkAreas/Statisticalsocialcare/DH_4086766.

Similarly data for 2003/04 can be located at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906154947/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000533/index.shtml.

Data for 2004/05 can be found at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20110906153807/http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000615/index.shtml.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of including credit unions in the forthcoming National Financial Inclusion Strategy.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the importance of the credit union sector in promoting the financial inclusion, education, and resilience of communities throughout the country.

Today, I will publish the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, setting out an ambitious programme of measures to improve financial inclusion and resilience for underserved groups across the UK.

The strategy builds on the Government’s recognition of the key role credit unions play in serving underserved groups, with interventions to support the credit union sector scale and serve its members more effectively.

Action to improve financial inclusion requires a joined-up approach and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the sector to deliver on the important interventions set out in the strategy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what percentage of small cider producers produce less than five hectolitres of pure alcohol and are exempt from alcohol duty payments.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Alcohol duty on all products collectively raises over £12bn a year, helping to fund vital public services as well as reduce harmful drinking.

The 2023 alcohol duty reforms brought much greater consistency of treatment between different types of alcohol. The reforms also increased duty on cider above 4.5% ABV, particularly targeting high-strength white ciders that have been linked to harmful drinking.

HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of these reforms three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023, and the Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

HMRC does not collect data on cidermakers producing less than 5 hectolitres of pure alcohol in a year. This is because, as per Section 5.2 of the Alcoholic products technical guide, producers are not required to submit a return if they produced 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the previous year and have estimated that they will produce 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the current year, across all premises. More information on the Alcoholic products technical guide can be found here:
Alcoholic products technical guide - Section 5 — returns and payments - Guidance - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of equalising cider and beer duty.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Alcohol duty on all products collectively raises over £12bn a year, helping to fund vital public services as well as reduce harmful drinking.

The 2023 alcohol duty reforms brought much greater consistency of treatment between different types of alcohol. The reforms also increased duty on cider above 4.5% ABV, particularly targeting high-strength white ciders that have been linked to harmful drinking.

HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of these reforms three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023, and the Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

HMRC does not collect data on cidermakers producing less than 5 hectolitres of pure alcohol in a year. This is because, as per Section 5.2 of the Alcoholic products technical guide, producers are not required to submit a return if they produced 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the previous year and have estimated that they will produce 5 hectolitres or less of alcohol in the current year, across all premises. More information on the Alcoholic products technical guide can be found here:
Alcoholic products technical guide - Section 5 — returns and payments - Guidance - GOV.UK

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in his Department is made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Catering facilities across the property portfolio are managed and operated by either Government Property Agency, landlords and/or their respective contractors, who supply all necessary tableware and crockery.

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how veterans can obtain replacement medals when originals have been (a) lost and (b) stolen in cases where ill health has delayed the submission of (i) police and (ii) insurance reports.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) maintains a long-established policy whereby, upon receipt of proof of loss, due to fire or flood (a successful insurance claim), or theft (a police report), our Medal Office will provide replacement medals.

The requirement for documented proof of loss is applied without exception to all applications, even when illness or other circumstances prevent the individual from expediting their claim. This is to protect the integrity of medallic recognition, and the wider UK Honours system by ensuring, as far as possible, that duplicate copies of medals are not in circulation and to reinforce the intrinsic value of the medals themselves.

The policy and procedure for replacement medals is to be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/replace-a-medal-or-badge

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in her Department was made by a British manufacturer.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses and ensuring they have the best chance to win public contracts.

The new Procurement Act creates a simpler and more transparent system that will support British businesses bidding for work.

The Act also allows contracting authorities to set standards that recognise the quality and standard of UK businesses and products.

Alongside this, the National Procurement Policy Statement encourages contracting authorities to consider this government’s Industrial strategy and the sectors vital to our economic growth.

DCMS does not own its offices, and therefore decisions regarding formal crockery and tableware are largely made by the property management companies.

However, to supplement this, the department did purchase some crockery in early 2024, before the Procurement Act came into place, that were procured through a British company but manufactured in China.

Found: Democrat; Witney) Andrew Pakes (Labour; Peterborough) David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour; Hendon) Gareth Snell

Found: Democrat; Witney) Andrew Pakes (Labour; Peterborough) David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour; Hendon) Gareth Snell

Found: Democrat; Witney) Andrew Pakes (Labour; Peterborough) David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour; Hendon) Gareth Snell

Found: Democrat; Witney) Andrew Pakes (Labour; Peterborough) David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour; Hendon) Gareth Snell

Found: Democrat; Witney) Andrew Pakes (Labour; Peterborough) David Pinto-Duschinsky (Labour; Hendon) Gareth Snell

On the 4 September 2025 the House agreed the following Resolution: