Helen Hayes Portrait

Helen Hayes

Labour - Dulwich and West Norwood

18,789 (41.4%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 7th May 2015


Shadow Minister (Education)
4th Dec 2021 - 30th May 2024
Environmental Audit Committee
22nd Feb 2021 - 7th Mar 2023
Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill
14th Dec 2022 - 11th Jan 2023
Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [HL]
23rd Nov 2022 - 29th Nov 2022
Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
10th Apr 2020 - 30th Dec 2020
Opposition Whip (Commons)
27th Jan 2020 - 10th Apr 2020
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
13th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee
13th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Helen Hayes has voted in 69 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

29 Nov 2024 - Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - View Vote Context
Helen Hayes voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 147 Labour No votes vs 234 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 330 Noes - 275
View All Helen Hayes Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(5 debate interactions)
Nusrat Ghani (Conservative)
(3 debate interactions)
Bridget Phillipson (Labour)
Minister for Women and Equalities
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department of Health and Social Care
(6 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(4 debate contributions)
Home Office
(3 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Helen Hayes has not made any spoken contributions to legislative debate
View all Helen Hayes's debates

Dulwich and West Norwood Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Helen Hayes has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Helen Hayes

20th June 2022
Helen Hayes signed this EDM on Tuesday 21st June 2022

Windrush Day 2022

Tabled by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Clapham and Brixton Hill)
That this House celebrates the 74th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Dock on the 22nd June 1948; recognises that Windrush has become a key symbolic moment in the history of both the Black British contribution to Britain and the broader post-war Commonwealth migration that reshaped …
45 signatures
(Most recent: 17 Apr 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 19
Scottish National Party: 12
Independent: 7
Plaid Cymru: 3
Liberal Democrat: 2
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
6th June 2022
Helen Hayes signed this EDM on Wednesday 8th June 2022

Treatment of Liverpool fans at the 2022 Champions League Final in Paris

Tabled by: Ian Byrne (Independent - Liverpool West Derby)
That this House condemns the deeply disturbing treatment by French police of Liverpool and Real Madrid fans outside Stade de France at the Champions League Final in Paris; notes catastrophic failures in stadium management by UEFA and French authorities which threatened the lives and wellbeing of supporters; further notes the …
81 signatures
(Most recent: 20 Feb 2023)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 49
Independent: 12
Scottish National Party: 7
Liberal Democrat: 4
Plaid Cymru: 3
Conservative: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Alba Party: 1
Green Party: 1
Alliance: 1
View All Helen Hayes's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Helen Hayes, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Helen Hayes has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Helen Hayes has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

4 Bills introduced by Helen Hayes


A Bill to give social housing tenants the right to continuity of secure tenancy in circumstances when they have to move because of a threat to the personal safety of the tenant or someone in their household; to place associated responsibilities on local authorities and social housing providers; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 6th May 2022

A Bill to make provision about the weapons to which section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 applies; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 23rd January 2024
(Read Debate)

A Bill to make provision about the branding, promotion and advertising of electronic cigarettes, for the purpose of preventing electronic cigarettes from being marketed in a way which appeals to children; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 5th September 2023
(Read Debate)

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to define affordable housing in relation to household incomes; to amend the law relating to land valuation and compensation; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 27th February 2019
(Read Debate)

Latest 41 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the total cost to the public purse was of out of court settlements for employment tribunal cases across Government in each of the last five years.

The total cost of special payments for the Cabinet Office, which includes - but is not limited to - any out of court settlements for Employment Tribunals is provided in the department’s annual report and accounts each year, which is published on gov.uk.

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that support is available for households that (a) are not on low incomes and (b) do not have access to capital upfront to retrofit their homes.

As part of the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1 billion of this allocated to next year. Additional funding will be considered in Phase 2 of the Spending Review, as the Warm Homes Plan is further developed.

In addition, the Government is exploring the role of incentives and private finance for households to support homeowners with the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating. This includes the Green Home Finance Accelerator Programme which has made £20 million available to support in developing green finance products.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to enable community energy schemes to sell their power to local residents.

Community energy will play an essential role in meeting our mission for clean power by 2030.

Great British Energy will provide support to deliver the Local Power Plan, putting communities at the heart of restructuring our energy economy. Through partnering with and providing funding and support to Community Energy Groups, the Local Power Plan will roll out small and medium‑scale renewable energy projects, using established technologies to develop up to 8GW of cheaper, cleaner power. This will include shared ownership projects in partnership with private developers.

Some suppliers already offer local tariffs, and other products and services are available that provide community benefits. Small-scale generation sites can benefit from an exemption, which means that they do not require a licence from Ofgem to generate electricity or to supply to local customers. Ofgem has further flexibility to award supply licences to generation sites that are above the exemptions threshold when they are restricted to specified local area.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 6 March 2024 to Question 16490 on Special Educational Needs: Codes of Practice, what steps her Department is taking to review the contents of SEND information reports.

The requirement for all schools to publish Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Information Reports was introduced in the Children and Families Act 2014. Information Reports must contain details of a school’s provision for pupils with SEND and must be reviewed annually.

As part of the department’s work on long-term options for improving the SEND system, we will explore the role of SEND Information Reports.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to respond to the consultation entitled Strengthening protections in unregistered alternative provision, which closed on 9 May 2024.

On 9 May, the department published the consultation ‘Strengthening Protections in Unregistered Alternative Provision (AP)’ which sought views on proposals intended to improve practice and raise standards in unregistered AP. The consultation closed on 5 July.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities or who are in AP, including those in unregistered AP, receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Departmental officials are currently analysing the responses of the consultation, and the department will set out the next steps in due course.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate has she made of the current (a) average time and (b) maximum times for Social Work England to conclude fitness to practice cases.

As set out in Social Work England’s board report dated 19 July 2024, the current median time to conclude a fitness to practise case is 128 weeks and the maximum time is 319 weeks.

The department and Social Work England have taken several steps to reduce processing times including making changes to legislation in 2022 for operational efficiencies and providing additional funds of £7.1 million to clear the backlog of cases inherited from the previous regulator. Further activities being undertaken by Social Work England are set out in its annual business plan and in reports to Social Work England’s board.

As at 31 August 2024, 113 Social workers are currently subject to an interim suspension order and unable to practise whilst awaiting the conclusion of their fitness to practise case.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps is she taking to reduce the average time for Social Work England to conclude fitness to practice cases.

As set out in Social Work England’s board report dated 19 July 2024, the current median time to conclude a fitness to practise case is 128 weeks and the maximum time is 319 weeks.

The department and Social Work England have taken several steps to reduce processing times including making changes to legislation in 2022 for operational efficiencies and providing additional funds of £7.1 million to clear the backlog of cases inherited from the previous regulator. Further activities being undertaken by Social Work England are set out in its annual business plan and in reports to Social Work England’s board.

As at 31 August 2024, 113 Social workers are currently subject to an interim suspension order and unable to practise whilst awaiting the conclusion of their fitness to practise case.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate has she made of the number of social workers unable to practice whilst awaiting the conclusion of fitness to practice proceedings by Social Work England.

As set out in Social Work England’s board report dated 19 July 2024, the current median time to conclude a fitness to practise case is 128 weeks and the maximum time is 319 weeks.

The department and Social Work England have taken several steps to reduce processing times including making changes to legislation in 2022 for operational efficiencies and providing additional funds of £7.1 million to clear the backlog of cases inherited from the previous regulator. Further activities being undertaken by Social Work England are set out in its annual business plan and in reports to Social Work England’s board.

As at 31 August 2024, 113 Social workers are currently subject to an interim suspension order and unable to practise whilst awaiting the conclusion of their fitness to practise case.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
29th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the average level of profit made by (a) private and (b) local authority-managed residential homes for looked-after children in the latest period for which data is available.

The department does not hold or collect data on the profit levels of children’s social care providers. However, the Competition and Markets Authority detailed in their 2022 report that the largest fifteen providers made, on average, 19.4% profit on fostering provision, 22.6% on children’s home provision, and 35.5% on supported accommodation provision. The full report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-market-study-final-report/final-report.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
20th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that care leavers aged between 18 and 25 can access affordable public transport; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the English National Travel Concession Scheme to care leavers.

This government recognises the importance of supporting care leavers, and is keeping public transport affordable having announced a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London throughout the entirety of 2025.

Any change to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) would require careful consideration for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. However, local authorities in England have implemented a wide range of their own local fares initiatives, including some discount schemes for care leavers, utilising alternative funding, such as Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding. On 17 November, the government confirmed £712 million funding for local authorities in 2025/26 to deliver their BSIPs and protect services, as part of an over £1 billion investment in buses confirmed at the Budget.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
20th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to provide targeted employment support for unemployed care leavers.

We recognise the challenges care leavers face as they move out of the care system and are working closely with Department for Education to ensure care leavers can access the right skills, opportunities, and wider support, to move towards sustained employment and career progression.

Under the new Youth Guarantee, all young people between 18-21 years will be able to access support to enter employment, education and training opportunities. This includes Care Leavers who we know are more likely than their peers to not be in education, employment or training and may benefit from more tailored support to support their transition as they leave the care provided by their Local Authority.

We are working closely with the Department for Education on the design of the Youth Guarantee, which is in the early stages of development. The Autumn Budget announced that we will establish eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazer areas to test new ways of supporting young people into employment, education or training, by bringing together and enhancing existing programmes in partnership with local areas. Further details will be set out in the up-coming ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper.

Meanwhile, care leavers who are in receipt of Universal Credit and available for work will continue to be supported by the DWP Youth Offer. This provides individually tailored work coach support to young people aged 16-24 who are in the Universal Credit Intensive Work Search group and can include access to specialist work coaches, for example the Youth Employability Coaches, which help address complex barriers to work, as well as the partnership led Youth Hub network.

We have also taken steps to improve the career opportunities of care leavers through government recruitment schemes such as the Civil Service Care Leaver Internship, the Social Mobility Apprenticeship Scheme and our ongoing partnership with Movement to Work. These are all designed to consider challenges disadvantaged young people face as they take their first steps on the career ladder.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of early pregnancy services in A&E departments (a) at weekends and (b) overnight.

No assessment has been made of the adequacy of the availability of early pregnancy services in accident and emergency departments. It is vital that women seeking support, including in early pregnancy, get the care they need. We will continue to work with NHS England to improve the Early Pregnancy Assessment Units’ (EPAUs) services, where the Pregnancy Loss Review found variation in the availability of EPAUs.

We encourage all women who have concerns about their pregnancy to seek help from a healthcare professional. Accident and emergency departments are 24-hour services, so a person presenting with concerns related to early pregnancy would initially be assessed by an emergency medicine clinician. Where further specialist care is needed, the person would be supported in an Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic, or through the attendance of an obstetrician at the accident and emergency.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of a (a) safe and (b) effective Group B Streptococcus vaccine.

The UK Health Security Agency’s Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) has been supporting the creation of a safe and effective maternal vaccine for Group B Streptococcus (GBS).

A maternal vaccine for GBS, which protects infants from both the early and late onset of the disease, will have a positive impact on infant mortality and morbidity. It will also lead to a sharp reduction in the use of antibiotics in neonatal units worldwide. By focusing on effectiveness, through advanced immune response evaluations, these efforts are accelerating the development of a reliable GBS vaccine that can protect vulnerable populations worldwide. Further information on how VDEC is supporting a GBS vaccine to prevent newborn deaths is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/vdec-is-supporting-a-gbs-vaccine-to-prevent-newborn-deaths.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the results of the GBS3 trial can be acted upon (a) quickly and (b) effectively.

Recruitment to the GBS3 trial ended in May 2024. The researchers are analysing the data, and a report is expected in Summer 2025. The UK National Screening Committee Secretariat is in close and regular contact with the researchers. The committee will review its recommendation, considering the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.

As part of this, the UK National Screening Committee will engage with stakeholders, in line with its usual processes.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will meet with Group B Strep Support to discuss the importance of (a) early and (b)consistent diagnosis of Group B Streptococcus.

Recruitment to the GBS3 trial ended in May 2024. The researchers are analysing the data, and a report is expected in Summer 2025. The UK National Screening Committee Secretariat is in close and regular contact with the researchers. The committee will review its recommendation, considering the evidence from the trial, once the report is available.

As part of this, the UK National Screening Committee will engage with stakeholders, in line with its usual processes.

Andrew Gwynne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent guidance his Department has issued to NHS Foundation Trusts on the provision of early pregnancy services (a) at weekends and (b) overnight.

The Government is determined to make sure all women and babies receive safe, personalised, and compassionate care, particularly when things go wrong.

We will continue to work with NHS England to ensure that we listen to women and their families, and learn lessons from recent inquiries and investigations, including recommendations from the pregnancy loss review.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
20th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the affordability of NHS prescriptions for care leavers aged between 18 and 25.

There has been no recent assessment of the feasibility of extending free prescriptions to care leavers aged between 18 and 25 years old.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman on the proportion of cases referred to the Ombudsman from the independent care sector.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulations 2014) requires that anyone who has seen or experienced poor-quality care must have a route available to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care.

To meet this requirement, adult social care providers must have an effective and accessible system in place for identifying, receiving, handling and responding to complaints from people using the service, or people acting on their behalf. All complaints must be investigated thoroughly and any necessary action taken where failures have been identified.

This means that although adult social care providers are not required to signpost to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), there are clear avenues for individuals to raise concerns or complaints about their care and support. If an individual is not satisfied with the way a provider or local authority has dealt with a complaint, they may escalate it to the LGSCO who can investigate individual concerns.

The LGSCO has recently published its annual report of social care complaints, which provides information on the numbers of complaints received. Departmental officials meet regularly with the LGSCO.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that social care providers make their clients aware of the services provided by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulations 2014) requires that anyone who has seen or experienced poor-quality care must have a route available to complain to the organisation that provided or paid for the care.

To meet this requirement, adult social care providers must have an effective and accessible system in place for identifying, receiving, handling and responding to complaints from people using the service, or people acting on their behalf. All complaints must be investigated thoroughly and any necessary action taken where failures have been identified.

This means that although adult social care providers are not required to signpost to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO), there are clear avenues for individuals to raise concerns or complaints about their care and support. If an individual is not satisfied with the way a provider or local authority has dealt with a complaint, they may escalate it to the LGSCO who can investigate individual concerns.

The LGSCO has recently published its annual report of social care complaints, which provides information on the numbers of complaints received. Departmental officials meet regularly with the LGSCO.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to improve treatment for people with a glioblastoma brain tumour.

Like so many Hon. members across the House, I dearly miss the late Baroness McDonagh, who was sadly taken from us by glioblastoma. I’m determined to improve overall survival rates and treatment for rarer cancers like these and I met with officials and leading clinicians on glioblastomas this week to discuss what more we can do.

Wes Streeting
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
24th Oct 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Lifetime ISA withdrawal limit for home purchases in London in the context of average house prices in London in 2024.

The Lifetime ISA (LISA) property price cap supports most first-time buyers across the UK while targeting households that might find it most difficult to get on the property ladder. Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the LISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.

Any unauthorised withdrawals are subject to a 25% withdrawal charge. This recoups the Government bonus, any interest or growth arising from it, and a proportion of the individual’s initial savings.

The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.

Tulip Siddiq
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
24th Oct 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will review the Lifetime ISA withdrawal limit to support first time buyers in London.

The Lifetime ISA (LISA) property price cap supports most first-time buyers across the UK while targeting households that might find it most difficult to get on the property ladder. Data from the latest UK House Price Index shows that while the average price paid by first-time buyers has increased, it is still below the LISA property price cap in all regions of the UK except for London, where the average price paid is affected by boroughs with very high property values.

Any unauthorised withdrawals are subject to a 25% withdrawal charge. This recoups the Government bonus, any interest or growth arising from it, and a proportion of the individual’s initial savings.

The Government keeps all aspects of savings tax policy under review.

Tulip Siddiq
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Sep 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has taken steps to establish an independent review of HMRC's implementation of the Loan Charge.

The Chancellor and I know the loan charge is a very important matter for many members and their constituents. We have been considering this matter since taking office and will provide an update in due course.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of UK bank accounts held by UK citizens living in European Union member States that have been closed since the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

The Government recognises the importance of a bank account for day-to-day life and understands the frustration of UK citizens living in the EU who have had their accounts closed.

The Government does not hold statistics on account closures for UK citizens living abroad. UK banks take these decisions on closures according to a variety of factors including the local law and regulation in individual countries, an assessment of profitability, or other commercial drivers.

Some UK banks offer specific accounts aimed at citizens living abroad, which may provide an alternative option. People who have had their accounts closed may also wish to refer to MoneyHelper - which offers free, impartial guidance on financial decisions - for further advice on their options.

Tulip Siddiq
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Jul 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she is taking steps to protect access to UK banking services for UK citizens living in European Union member States.

The Government recognises the importance of a bank account for day-to-day life and understands the frustration of UK citizens living in the EU who have had their accounts closed.

The Government does not hold statistics on account closures for UK citizens living abroad. UK banks take these decisions on closures according to a variety of factors including the local law and regulation in individual countries, an assessment of profitability, or other commercial drivers.

Some UK banks offer specific accounts aimed at citizens living abroad, which may provide an alternative option. People who have had their accounts closed may also wish to refer to MoneyHelper - which offers free, impartial guidance on financial decisions - for further advice on their options.

Tulip Siddiq
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her Department's planned timetable is for announcing future funding settlements for (a) Violence Reduction Units and (v) the London Violence Reduction Unit.

We recognise the valuable work and significant progress that Violence Reductions Units (VRUs), including the London Violence Reduction Unit, have made in understanding and preventing serious violence.

All decisions on funding post March 2025 will be subject to the spending review.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
25th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to exemptions under Section 21 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of police powers to investigate criminal abuse at Ofsted regulated residential schools.

Ensuring that all children are effectively safeguarded is a key priority for this Government including those who are looked after, and in whatever type of placement they may be.

The Children’s Wellbeing Bill will put children and their wellbeing at the centre of the education and social care systems, and make changes so they are safe, healthy, happy and treated fairly.

The police have a range of powers to investigate allegations of criminal offences. This includes the power to apply for search warrants to search and seize relevant evidence and to enter properties without a warrant to arrest suspects for indictable offences.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
25th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to (a) review and (b) update her Department's list of subcontractors working on behalf of (i) Serco, (ii) Mears and (iii) Clearsprings Ready Homes to provide asylum accommodation.

Yes, the Home Office plans to review the list of material sub-contractors.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
25th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to collect data on the performance of (a) Serco, (b) Mears, (c) Clearsprings Ready Homes and (d) other providers of asylum accommodation.

This government is committed to improving service delivery of the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC).

The Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contracts (AASC) Statement of Requirements below gives a detailed breakdown of all of the services to be undertaken by our accommodation providers and the standards expected. Details can be found at:

AASC_-_Schedule_2_- _Statement_of_Requirements.pdf (parliament.uk)(opens in a new tab).

Since 2020, the Home Office accommodation providers are required to visit each property at least monthly, and assurance that contractual requirements are met is tested by the Home Office Contract Assurance Team, which inspects properties and undertakes other assurance activities on an intelligence-led basis. Formal governance mechanisms are in place, to oversee performance and delivery against contractual requirements.

The Home Office has published the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) regime covering the contractual obligations accommodation providers and others working in the asylum sector are required to deliver. This has been done since April 2020. The most recent data is available at:

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
25th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she is taking steps to increase the number of inspections of asylum accommodation.

This government is committed to improving service delivery of the Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC).

The Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contracts (AASC) Statement of Requirements below gives a detailed breakdown of all of the services to be undertaken by our accommodation providers and the standards expected. Details can be found at:

AASC_-_Schedule_2_- _Statement_of_Requirements.pdf (parliament.uk)(opens in a new tab).

Since 2020, the Home Office accommodation providers are required to visit each property at least monthly, and assurance that contractual requirements are met is tested by the Home Office Contract Assurance Team, which inspects properties and undertakes other assurance activities on an intelligence-led basis. Formal governance mechanisms are in place, to oversee performance and delivery against contractual requirements.

The Home Office has published the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) regime covering the contractual obligations accommodation providers and others working in the asylum sector are required to deliver. This has been done since April 2020. The most recent data is available at:

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the total cost to the public purse of out of court settlements for employment tribunal cases across local government in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not held centrally.

Jim McMahon
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2024 to Question 2960 on Insulation: Housing, what discussions her Department has had with mortgage lenders on (a) the installation of spray foam insulation and (b) its impact on lending.

We are aware of the issues some homeowners are facing in obtaining finance where spray foam insulation has been installed. Officials in the department have previously consulted UK Finance and the Building Societies Association, the trade bodies for lenders about this matter, who advise that their members rely on the views of valuers and surveyors on this issue.

Whilst the department cannot comment on the decisions made by individual lenders, the presence of spray foam should not automatically prevent lending, and decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis following a survey.

That is why it is important that surveyors continue to follow published protocols published in March 2023 to support these assessments, which can be found here: https://www.property-care.org/resources/spray-foam-insulation-inspections(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab) and Guides & Documents - IMA (insulationmanufacturers.org.uk)(opens in a new tab).

The Government do not specify or recommend which types of insulation are appropriate for a particular property, and all measures installed under government schemes must be installed by TrustMark registered installers.

Rushanara Ali
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2024 to Question 2960 on Insulation: Housing, what steps she is taking to ensure homeowners who retrofit their homes with recommended measures are not penalised by mortgage lenders.

We are aware of the issues some homeowners are facing in obtaining finance where spray foam insulation has been installed. Officials in the department have previously consulted UK Finance and the Building Societies Association, the trade bodies for lenders about this matter, who advise that their members rely on the views of valuers and surveyors on this issue.

Whilst the department cannot comment on the decisions made by individual lenders, the presence of spray foam should not automatically prevent lending, and decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis following a survey.

That is why it is important that surveyors continue to follow published protocols published in March 2023 to support these assessments, which can be found here: https://www.property-care.org/resources/spray-foam-insulation-inspections(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab) and Guides & Documents - IMA (insulationmanufacturers.org.uk)(opens in a new tab).

The Government do not specify or recommend which types of insulation are appropriate for a particular property, and all measures installed under government schemes must be installed by TrustMark registered installers.

Rushanara Ali
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of homeowners unable to sell their home due to the installation of spray foam insulation.

We are aware of the issues some homeowners are facing in obtaining finance where spray foam insulation has been installed. In response, the insulation, lending, and surveying communities published protocols in March 2023 to support surveyors to assess spray foam and provide reassurance to lenders. This can be found here: https://www.property-care.org/resources/spray-foam-insulation-inspections(opens in a new tab) and Guides & Documents - IMA (insulationmanufacturers.org.uk).

Whilst the department cannot comment on the decisions made by individual lenders, the presence of spray foam should not automatically prevent lending, and decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis following a survey.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) ensure that the installation of spray foam insulation is regulated and (b) support homeowners unable to sell their homes due to the installation of that insulation.

We are aware of the issues some homeowners are facing in obtaining finance where spray foam insulation has been installed. In response, the insulation, lending, and surveying communities published protocols in March 2023 to support surveyors to assess spray foam and provide reassurance to lenders. This can be found here: https://www.property-care.org/resources/spray-foam-insulation-inspections(opens in a new tab) and Guides & Documents - IMA (insulationmanufacturers.org.uk).

Whilst the department cannot comment on the decisions made by individual lenders, the presence of spray foam should not automatically prevent lending, and decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis following a survey.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to prevent private rented landlords from seeking rents above the advertised price.

The Government is committed to bring forward a Renters’ Rights Bill as a priority. The Bill will decisively level the playing field between landlord and tenant by providing renters with greater security, rights and protections and we will crack down on the minority of unscrupulous landlords who exploit, mistreat or discriminate against tenants.

The Bill will introduce new laws that will prohibit the practice of rental bidding, which unfairly pit tenants against one another.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
20th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to review the impact of the 2019 HMPPS Strategy for Care-Experienced People.

We know that people taken into care as children are disproportionately likely to end up in the criminal justice system, with research estimating that 24-31% of the adult prison population spent time in care as children.

We are committed to addressing this disproportionality, both by improving support for people with care experience while in the criminal justice system, and by working with colleagues across government to reduce the number of people with care experience who enter the criminal justice system.

As part of this, we are reviewing existing support available to people with care experience in the criminal justice system, and considering how to build on the work set out in the 2019 strategy. We are developing our approach to this currently and will say more once our plans have been finalised.

Nicholas Dakin
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury