Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will make an estimate of planned defence spending in the next two years as a share of GDP using NATO's definition of defence expenditure.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Based on the OBR's latest GDP projections, defence spending is currently expected to be 2.29% of GDP in financial year (FY) 2024-25 and 2.30% in 2025-26. Future FYs' figures are subject to the outcome of the second phase of the Spending Review.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an estimate of the number of armed forces veterans who will no longer be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment as a result of proposed changes to eligibility criteria.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
We have made no such estimate and are not able to do so as we do not collect specific data on veterans over pension age receiving benefits and pensions.
Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 and over.
This means that the Winter Fuel Payment will be better targeted to low-income pensioners who need it. The UK Government wants those eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming it to receive the benefits they are entitled to, including their Winter Fuel Payment.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help increase the (a) availability and (b) affordability of childcare in Epsom and Ewell constituency.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
It is the department’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, improving the life chances for every child and the work choices for every parent.
From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged nine months and above can access 15 hours government funded childcare a week over 38 weeks a year. From September 2025, this will be extended so eligible working parents will be able to access 30 hours per week (over 38 weeks a year) for children from the age of 9 months to when they start school.
The government has committed to continue to roll out the expanded childcare entitlements for eligible working parents of children aged from nine months. The department is also growing the provision of wraparound before and after school provision of childcare for primary school children.
In 2024/25, the department expects to provide over £1.7 billion to support local authorities and providers to deliver the childcare expansion. In Surrey, the hourly rate for government funded childcare entitlements for 3 to 4 year olds is £6.77, which is an increase of 5.8%. For two year olds, this figure is £9.61 per hour and for under 2’s, £13.04 per hour.
The government has also committed to upgrading unused space in primary schools to create much needed places in 3,000 nurseries by working in partnership with all parts of the sector and local authorities.
In addition to the entitlements, parents may also be eligible for childcare support through Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit. Parents can check what childcare support they are entitled to via the Childcare Choices website.
The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing, including supporting them through its childcare delivery support contract where appropriate.
The government is committed to delivering a modern childcare system from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school, providing every child with a firm foundation which sets them up for life and ensures parents are able to work the jobs and hours they choose to effectively break down the barriers to opportunity for every family.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of SEND provision in (a) Epsom and Ewell constituency and (b) Surrey; and what steps she plans to take with Surrey County Council to help improve their delivery of SEND services.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
Surrey had their Ofsted and Care Quality Commission Local Area special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) inspection in September 2023 which identified inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND. The report, published on 24 November 2023, included four areas for improvement.
The department’s regional team has put in place systems to track outcomes against the areas for improvement found by inspectors and the progress made by children and young people with SEND. Surrey County Council are committed to working closely with the department to improve services.
Surrey County Council entered into a Safety Valve agreement with the department in March 2022 with a view to addressing the effectiveness and financial sustainability of the local high needs system.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the conclusions of the Senior Coroner for Surrey’s Prevention of Future Deaths report following the murder of Emma and Ellette Pattison, published on 12 August 2024, whether she plans to take steps with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure licensing authorities are made aware of online GP consultations as a further safeguard.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Secretary, alongside others, has received a Prevention of Future Deaths report from the Senior Coroner for Surrey regarding the deaths at Epsom College in February 2023. The Government will be responding to the Coroner’s recommendations in due course.
Asked by: Helen Maguire (Liberal Democrat - Epsom and Ewell)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the conclusions of the Senior Coroner for Surrey’s Prevention of Future Deaths report following the murder of Emma and Ellette Pattison, published on 12 August 2024, whether she plans to review how licensing authorities could obtain details about an applicant’s history of coercive controlling behaviour.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Secretary, alongside others, has received a Prevention of Future Deaths report from the Senior Coroner for Surrey regarding the deaths at Epsom College in February 2023. The Government will be responding to the Coroner’s recommendations in due course.