Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of integrating new automated external defibrillators into existing national databases to help increase (a) the accessibility and (b) awareness of those devices.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) mandating and (b) incentivising the inclusion of defibrillators in (i) existing housing estates and (ii) urban developments.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of automated external defibrillators in (a) residential areas where cardiac arrests are most prevalent and (b) other residential areas.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking with housing developers to support (a) the installation of automated external defibrillators and (b) other public health initiatives.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to educate the public about the (a) use and (b) availability of defibrillators.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to collaborate with (a) emergency services, (b) local councils and (c) charities to coordinate automated external defibrillator (i) installation and (ii) maintenance.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to improve (a) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and (b) automated external defibrillator training for the public (i) in residential areas and (ii) generally.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the (a) long-term maintenance and (b) functionality of publicly accessible defibrillators.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to ensure access to defibrillators in (a) rural areas and (b) areas where ambulance response times are longer.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces, and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed the funding applications against the requirements specified by the Department. These requirements are to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance in remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.

As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society, in partnership with London Hearts charity. When an AED is installed on the external wall of a building, Smarter Society advises the guardian that the AED is listed on the public liability insurance in case of loss or theft.

Once installed, these defibrillators are required to be registered on The Circuit, a national defibrillator and ambulance service database, operated independently by the British Heart Foundation, in collaboration with the National Health Service. Upon registration, contact details are provided for the nominated AED guardian or guardians, who are local to the defibrillator’s location, and conduct checks when required. The registered guardian receives an automatic email or text message notification if the defibrillator has potentially been used, therefore prompting the guardian to conduct a check. The Circuit records the potential use of each registered defibrillator. The registered guardian of the defibrillator will automatically be contacted if their AED is potentially used, and may therefore require replacement pads. In addition, The Circuit will also send out an automatic notification to the guardian approximately three months before the AED’s battery or pads expire.

Following the use of an AED machine, they do not require resetting. The only maintenance required is to change battery after five years. The pads must be replaced at the point of expiry, with a minimum three-year lifespan, or after each use. London Hearts, the supplier for the Community AED programme, runs a free pad program and discounts the costs for replacements.

The Department does not hold data on AEDs installed on Government buildings, or whether those AEDs are registered on The Circuit.

The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators, and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.

NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development, to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services entitled PEEL 2021/22 – An inspection of Essex Police, published on 14 October 2022, what steps her Department plans to take to help improve Essex constabulary's response time to calls from the public.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is the responsibility of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to assess the operational performance of forces in England and Wales. We work closely with the Inspectorate to monitor individual forces’ performance.

Roger Hirst, as the directly elected Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex, is responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account for the performance of Essex Police.

To drive up performance and standards across forces, ensuring communities can have confidence in their local police force, the Home Secretary announced on 19 November that she intends to create a new Performance Unit in the Home Office. This will harness national data to monitor performance and direct improvements, building on the existing work of the College of Policing, HMICFRS, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and PCCs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services entitled PEEL 2021/22 – An inspection of Essex Police, published on 14 October 2022, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of Essex Police.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is the responsibility of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to assess the operational performance of forces in England and Wales. We work closely with the Inspectorate to monitor individual forces’ performance.

Roger Hirst, as the directly elected Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex, is responsible for holding the Chief Constable to account for the performance of Essex Police.

To drive up performance and standards across forces, ensuring communities can have confidence in their local police force, the Home Secretary announced on 19 November that she intends to create a new Performance Unit in the Home Office. This will harness national data to monitor performance and direct improvements, building on the existing work of the College of Policing, HMICFRS, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and PCCs.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure a smooth transition of schools from the Ortu Federation to the Mossbourne Federation in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Departmental officials have worked closely with the Ortu Federation and Mossbourne Federation since the decision was taken to transfer the schools.

As well as supporting both trusts to complete the necessary legal and financial processes, the department has agreed a funding package that will enable significant capital investment in the school buildings.

Mossbourne Federation has provided leadership support in the schools since the start of the year and is well placed to ensure pupils at these three schools achieve and thrive.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has plans to (a) introduce and (b) increase the requirements whereby academy trusts engage with local communities when implementing major changes.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The department’s ‘Making significant changes to an academy’ guidance, sets out the process academy trusts must follow when making changes to an academy, such as expansion or removal of capacity, by more than 30 places, or a change in age range. Academy trusts are required to undertake a fair and open local consultation on any significant changes they are proposing, prior to submitting proposals to the department.

The consultation is a key part of the process and allows both proposers and decision makers to take on board the views of those affected by any proposed change. The department expects a wide range of stakeholders to be consulted, including the local authority, parents in the area and other schools and providers in the area. We expect all academy trusts to work collaboratively with local authorities and other local partners on place planning matters.

This is why, in the King’s Speech, the government committed to legislating on requiring all schools to cooperate with their local authorities on issues such as admissions and place planning.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with National Grid about the estimated cost of the Norwich-to-Tilbury pylon project.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of exploring alternative funding models for academy schools.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The schools national funding formula (NFF) distributes funding for mainstream schools based on schools’ and pupils’ needs and characteristics. This treats academies and local authority-maintained schools equivalently.

In 2025/26, as in previous years, local authorities will be responsible for deciding local funding formulae that determine the actual funding allocations for individual mainstream schools in their area. The department uses the respective local funding formulae to calculate funding allocations to academies, which again ensures that academies and maintained schools are funded on an equivalent basis.

The schools NFF for 2025/26 was published on 28 November, with details of the provisional allocations at local authority and school level available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-tables-for-schools-and-high-needs-2025-to-2026.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of large electricity pylons on housing prices.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices.

Landowners, businesses and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation.

More broadly, government is committed to ensuring that communities who live near new clean energy infrastructure can see the benefits and is currently considering how to deliver this most effectively.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is providing support for academy schools facing financial difficulties.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts rests with the trustees themselves, supported by the financial management and governance requirements set by the department in ‘Academy and free school funding agreements’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-and-free-school-funding-agreements, the ‘Academy trust handbook 2024’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2024-to-print, and ‘Academies Accounts Direction’, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academies-accounts-direction.

Academy trusts are delivering a high standard of financial management and governance, and the latest published data shows that 98.2% of trusts had a cumulative surplus or a zero balance.

The department supports all schools to manage their resources effectively by providing high-quality advice, support and development to help them protect against financial difficulty. Where academy trusts are experiencing significant financial difficulty, we are clear that our starting approach will always be to have a supportive conversation to explore the challenges trusts are facing and suggest the practical ways we may be able to support them.

The department can also provide additional financial support to academy trusts where required. This support might be a short-term advance to enable the trust to manage cash flow effectively over a period up to 12 months, or longer term support that aims to both prevent financial failure in the short-term and secure the trust’s long term sustainability. Additional financial support may be subject to conditions, but we are clear that our focus is on considering how we can support academy trusts. The guidance ‘Financial support for academy trusts in financial difficulty’ is available on GOV.UK and can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty/financial-support-for-academy-trusts-in-financial-difficulty. It sets out the types of support the department may provide, the eligibility criteria and potential conditions of financial support.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with (a) Mossbourne Federation and (b) Ortu Federation on academy schools in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Departmental officials have held regular meetings with both the Mossbourne Federation and the Ortu Federation. Discussions have focused on ensuring the successful transfer of the three Ortu Federation academies to the Mossbourne Federation. We are confident that the Mossbourne Federation is well placed to provide the support these schools need.

The transfer is scheduled to take place on 1 January 2025.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has plans to review the adequacy of transparency requirements for academy trusts, including (a) financial reporting and (b) decision-making processes.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government is clear that strong accountability is non-negotiable. That is why it has committed to bring multi-academy trusts into the inspection system, to ensure every part of our school system is driving forward the best outcomes for children.

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts rests with the trustees themselves, supported by the financial management and governance requirements and framework set by the department in academy trusts’ Funding Agreements, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-and-free-school-funding-agreements.

Further guidance is provided by the academy trust handbook accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2024-to-print, and the Academies Accounts Direction, found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academies-accounts-direction.

This framework states that all academy trusts must have an annual external audit of their annual accounts by a registered statutory auditor. This external scrutiny provides the department with a high level of confidence that oversight is professional and consistent, as the external auditors must comply with auditing standards set by an independent regulator.

Auditors must also give an opinion on whether the accounts are true and fair and provide an opinion to the department on regularity and compliance by the trust, reporting any transactions they have identified which have breached our requirements. Additionally, auditors prepare management letters, describing any weaknesses in the trust and recommendations for improvement. The department require trusts to respond to audit findings in an appropriate and timely manner.

The framework also outlines that all academy trusts must:

• Implement robust financial procedures including internal checks of the suitability of, and compliance with, their financial systems.
• Have an audit committee to manage their risks and oversee the checks of systems of control. This committee must ensure an appropriate approach to scrutiny, such as the appointment of internal auditors, report on this work in their annual accounts and take ownership of balancing their budget and send a copy to the department in advance of each year.
• Publish their annual audited accounts and details of their objectives, achievements and future plans and set out what they have done to promote value for money in support of those objectives as part of their annual report and accounts.

Where concerns are identified, the department will intervene in a way that is proportionate to the risk and preserves education provision. This can include issuing a trust with a Notice to Improve (NtI) or, in the most serious cases, termination of the Funding Agreement. Where academy trusts are experiencing significant financial difficulty, the department is clear that its starting approach will always be to have a supportive conversation to explore the challenges trusts are facing and suggest the practical ways it may be able to support.

The department will consider the financial, educational and governance aspects of the trust and work through budget returns with trusts, including discussing revisions to the forecasts as necessary based on recent pressures.

Academy trusts are delivering a high standard of financial management and governance. The latest published data shows that 98.2% of trusts had a cumulative surplus or a zero balance, 99.8% of academy trust accounts received unqualified opinions. In addition, independent auditors concluded that there were no regularity exceptions in trust accounts for over 92% of trusts, and less than 1% of academy trusts are subject to an active NtI.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department takes to ensure adequate financial oversight of academy trusts; and how often financial audits are conducted of underperforming trusts.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government is clear that strong accountability is non-negotiable. That is why it has committed to bring multi-academy trusts into the inspection system, to ensure every part of our school system is driving forward the best outcomes for children.

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts rests with the trustees themselves, supported by the financial management and governance requirements and framework set by the department in academy trusts’ Funding Agreements, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-and-free-school-funding-agreements.

Further guidance is provided by the academy trust handbook accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academy-trust-handbook/academy-trust-handbook-2024-to-print, and the Academies Accounts Direction, found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academies-accounts-direction.

This framework states that all academy trusts must have an annual external audit of their annual accounts by a registered statutory auditor. This external scrutiny provides the department with a high level of confidence that oversight is professional and consistent, as the external auditors must comply with auditing standards set by an independent regulator.

Auditors must also give an opinion on whether the accounts are true and fair and provide an opinion to the department on regularity and compliance by the trust, reporting any transactions they have identified which have breached our requirements. Additionally, auditors prepare management letters, describing any weaknesses in the trust and recommendations for improvement. The department require trusts to respond to audit findings in an appropriate and timely manner.

The framework also outlines that all academy trusts must:

• Implement robust financial procedures including internal checks of the suitability of, and compliance with, their financial systems.
• Have an audit committee to manage their risks and oversee the checks of systems of control. This committee must ensure an appropriate approach to scrutiny, such as the appointment of internal auditors, report on this work in their annual accounts and take ownership of balancing their budget and send a copy to the department in advance of each year.
• Publish their annual audited accounts and details of their objectives, achievements and future plans and set out what they have done to promote value for money in support of those objectives as part of their annual report and accounts.

Where concerns are identified, the department will intervene in a way that is proportionate to the risk and preserves education provision. This can include issuing a trust with a Notice to Improve (NtI) or, in the most serious cases, termination of the Funding Agreement. Where academy trusts are experiencing significant financial difficulty, the department is clear that its starting approach will always be to have a supportive conversation to explore the challenges trusts are facing and suggest the practical ways it may be able to support.

The department will consider the financial, educational and governance aspects of the trust and work through budget returns with trusts, including discussing revisions to the forecasts as necessary based on recent pressures.

Academy trusts are delivering a high standard of financial management and governance. The latest published data shows that 98.2% of trusts had a cumulative surplus or a zero balance, 99.8% of academy trust accounts received unqualified opinions. In addition, independent auditors concluded that there were no regularity exceptions in trust accounts for over 92% of trusts, and less than 1% of academy trusts are subject to an active NtI.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what early intervention measures are in place to identify (a) financial mismanagement and (b) declining performance in academy schools.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Ofsted routinely inspects academies and must notify my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education when an academy is causing concern. Where an academy is causing concern, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has powers to intervene which can result in it being transferred to a different academy trust where necessary.

In addition, the department monitors the financial performance of academy trusts and if it identifies concerns, will intervene in a way that is proportionate to the risk and preserves education provision. This can include issuing a trust with a Notice to Improve setting out the remedial action it must take and, in the most serious cases, terminating funding agreements so that the trust’s academies can be transferred to alternative trusts.

The government is committed to bring multi-academy trusts into scope for inspection which will enhance the department’s ability to act where a trust which is responsible for a number of academies is not managing them effectively.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure budget constraints in academy schools do not disproportionately affect provisions for students with special educational needs.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

All schools are responsible for ensuring that they make the best use of their budgets to support all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs. The overall Core Schools Budget is rising by £2.3 billion to £63.9 billion in the 2025/26 financial year. Within that, the department is providing an increase of almost £1 billion for local authorities’ high needs budgets, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. Local authorities use their high needs budgets to support SEND provision for pupils in both mainstream and special schools, whether they are schools maintained by a local authority or academies.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will meet with the hon. Member for South Basildon and East Thurrock to discuss academy schools in that constituency.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

As the Minister responsible for academies, I will happily consider a meeting with the hon. member for South Basildon and East Thurrock. In addition, the Regional Director for the East of England offers regular meetings with Members of Parliament to discuss matters of interest. He has been asked to contact you to discuss academy schools in your constituency.

Regional Directors work locally across children’s social care, special educational needs and disabilities, schools and area-based programmes to improve outcomes for children, families and learners. They offer support and intervene where necessary to deliver rapid improvement.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the compatibility of plans to access to benefit claimants' bank accounts with existing (a) data protection restrictions and (b) human rights privacy rights.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Eligibility Verification Measure will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information as to what claimants spend their money on. The proposed new power instead helps verify benefit eligibility, using very limited information from banks and other financial institutions

DWP will ensure that any data is processed and held in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Department routinely handles large volumes of data and has robust security processes in place to manage this. The department will conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment at the appropriate time.

DWP will also ensure that any interference with the rights to private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights is justified as in accordance with the law and proportionate

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help academy schools under financial pressures handle the potential loss of experienced staff; and what support her Department offers staff facing possible redundancy.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The department supports academy trusts to have the capability to manage their resources effectively by providing high-quality advice, support and development to help schools protect against financial difficulty. Where academy trusts are experiencing significant financial difficulty, the department engages supportively to provide practical advice and guidance.

A key element of the department's support are School Resource Management Advisers (SRMAs), practising sector experts such as school business professionals that work collaboratively with schools and trusts. SRMAs provide independent, expert and tailored advice to trusts on how they should make best use of their resources to deliver the best possible educational outcomes for their pupils. This support is for the whole sector and SRMAs have completed more than 2,000 visits to schools, trusts and local authorities, with 92% of survey respondents rating their experience of an SRMA as good or very good.

High-quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education. This is why we will recruit 6,500 new expert teachers. We will get more teachers into shortage subjects, support areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackle retention issues. There are now 468,693 full-time equivalent teachers in state-funded schools in England. The department’s initiatives are aimed not only at increasing teacher recruitment in key subjects and areas, but also at ensuring teachers stay and thrive in the profession.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of alternative methods to reduce fraud and error in the benefits system that would not involve granting her Department's investigators access to claimants’ bank accounts.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled to the money. This Government will reduce these levels to stop those looking to defraud the system and reduce the risk of individuals building up large overpayments.

The Eligibility Verification Measure, which will allow banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility, has been proposed after extensive consideration and policy development as the most effective way to prevent incorrect payments and crucially, help prevent debts accruing for claimants. As the National Audit Office pointed out, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments.

The Eligibility Verification Measure will not give DWP powers to access anyone’s bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. Claimants fulfilling their responsibilities by promptly and accurately reporting any changes in their circumstances will not be impacted by these changes.

We will ensure that these powers are proportionate by setting out key safeguards, reporting mechanisms and independent oversight, to give greater confidence to claimants that the powers are being used fairly and effectively.

We will rely on Codes of Practice where they already exist and, where they do not, we will consult on and produce new Codes of Practice to provide further reassurance on the safe use of the powers.

Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to conduct a public consultation on the proposed powers for her Department's investigators to scrutinise benefit claimants’ bank accounts.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled to the money. This Government will reduce these levels to stop those looking to defraud the system and reduce the risk of individuals building up large overpayments.

The Eligibility Verification Measure, which will allow banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility, has been proposed after extensive consideration and policy development as the most effective way to prevent incorrect payments and crucially, help prevent debts accruing for claimants. As the National Audit Office pointed out, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments.

The Eligibility Verification Measure will not give DWP powers to access anyone’s bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. Claimants fulfilling their responsibilities by promptly and accurately reporting any changes in their circumstances will not be impacted by these changes.

We will ensure that these powers are proportionate by setting out key safeguards, reporting mechanisms and independent oversight, to give greater confidence to claimants that the powers are being used fairly and effectively.

We will rely on Codes of Practice where they already exist and, where they do not, we will consult on and produce new Codes of Practice to provide further reassurance on the safe use of the powers.

Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what types of data would be collected from benefit claimants’ bank accounts under the proposed policy.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will require banks and financial institutions to look within their own data to highlight where someone may not be eligible for the benefits they are receiving. Banks will share minimal information which will be used by DWP to support further inquiry into potential incorrect payments if there is a possible conflict with the benefit eligibility rules, such as the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit or individuals living abroad without notifying the Department.

EVM will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. The State Pension will be excluded from the scope of this measure given its near universality and minimal eligibility requirements.

DWP will ensure that any data is processed and held in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Compliance with data protection legislation is also overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Department routinely handles large volumes of data and has robust security processes in place to manage this. DWP will draw on that experience in designing the processes needed for the EVM and delivery will be built in collaboration with the banking industry to ensure it is as secure as possible. The Department will conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment at the appropriate time.

Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to monitor the use of powers granting her Department's investigators access to benefit claimants’ bank accounts.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. We are determined to reduce those levels.

As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules – for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity.

The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent. If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes.

Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to allow benefit claimants to challenge or appeal decisions made based on scrutiny of their bank accounts.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. We are determined to reduce those levels.

As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules – for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity.

The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent. If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes.

Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how data collected from benefit claimants’ bank accounts will be used to inform decisions about (a) fraud, (b) eligibility and (c) compliance.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and, since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled. We are determined to reduce those levels.

As set out by the National Audit Office, access to data is key to prevention and detection of incorrect payments. The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. It will require banks and financial institutions to share limited information with the DWP to help verify benefit eligibility by flagging possible conflicts with eligibility rules – for example the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit. The information gathered will help DWP identify incorrect payments, prevent debts from accruing for the claimant and help identify where there may be fraudulent activity.

The legislation will set out key safeguards, including reporting mechanisms and independent oversight. No benefit entitlement decision will be made solely because of the data obtained under EVM and a final decision on benefit entitlement will always involve a human agent. If a claimant wishes to challenge or appeal a benefit decision, they can do so following DWP's appeals processes.

Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure the safe storage of data collected from benefit claimants’ bank accounts.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Eligibility Verification Measure (EVM) in the proposed Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will require banks and financial institutions to look within their own data to highlight where someone may not be eligible for the benefits they are receiving. Banks will share minimal information which will be used by DWP to support further inquiry into potential incorrect payments if there is a possible conflict with the benefit eligibility rules, such as the £16,000 capital limit in Universal Credit or individuals living abroad without notifying the Department.

EVM will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. The State Pension will be excluded from the scope of this measure given its near universality and minimal eligibility requirements.

DWP will ensure that any data is processed and held in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Compliance with data protection legislation is also overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Department routinely handles large volumes of data and has robust security processes in place to manage this. DWP will draw on that experience in designing the processes needed for the EVM and delivery will be built in collaboration with the banking industry to ensure it is as secure as possible. The Department will conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment at the appropriate time.

Further details will be set out when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what measures are in place to support academy schools rated as (a) inadequate and (b) requires improvement by Ofsted in tackling problems related to (i) leadership, (ii) the curriculum and (iii) student outcomes.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The department is focused on driving high and rising standards across all our schools, with a particular focus on those judged to be in need of additional support and intervention.

The School Improvement Offer provides ten days of support from a system leader to help the leadership team review a school’s improvement plan and ensure actions are in place to rapidly improve the education and experience of children. Full details can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trust-and-school-improvement-offer.

The School Improvement Offer is available for schools of concern to Ofsted and those which were previously judged below ’good’ and subsequently receive a requires improvement sub-judgement in either leadership and management or quality of education between September 2024 and February 2025.

The department also provides support through a range of curriculum hubs which offer support and training to help schools enhance their curriculum planning and implementation. These can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-support-from-school-hubs/subject-hubs.

In addition, attendance and behaviour hubs have been introduced to support schools in developing effective whole-school cultures that promote excellent attendance and behaviour, which are important factors in improving student outcomes. Attendance hubs can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/attendance-hubs. Information on behaviour hubs is available at: https://behaviourhubs.co.uk/.

The department‘s suite of National Professional Qualifications are designed to support school leaders to develop their skills across a range of areas, including leadership skills, pedagogy, behaviour management and setting culture, with the aim to improve school outcomes.

Where necessary, in cases of the most serious concern, the government will continue to intervene and transfer schools to new management, including by issuing an academy order. Guidance on governmental support and intervention in schools can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-causing-concern--2.

From early 2025, new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) teams will support all state schools by facilitating networking, sharing best practice and empowering schools to feel they can better access these supports and learn from one another. For schools requiring more intensive support, RISE teams and supporting organisations will work collaboratively with their responsible body to agree bespoke packages of targeted support, based on a school’s particular circumstances.

Further information on support for schools, including those previously judged by Ofsted as ’inadequate’ or ’requires improvement’ can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/school-improvement-support.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential long-term impact of (a) leadership changes and (b) staff reductions in academy schools on trends in the level of (i) academic performance and (ii) student well-being.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has a central mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost life chances for every child. High-quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education. This is why the department will recruit 6,500 new expert teachers. We will get more teachers into shortage subjects, support areas that face recruitment challenges and tackle retention issues.

There are now 468,693 full-time equivalent teachers in state-funded schools in England. The department’s initiatives are aimed not only at increasing teacher recruitment in key subjects and areas, but also at ensuring teachers stay and thrive in the profession, including by improving teacher wellbeing and workload.

All state schools are free to decide which qualifications they will offer in each subject they teach, including GCSEs and A levels. All schools must appoint staff in accordance with employment law.

Academies and free schools have greater freedom and autonomy in how they operate, including staffing and the curriculum, but they are expected to teach a curriculum that is broad and balanced. Schools' decisions on curriculum will be determined by a range of factors, including the level of demand from pupils for particular courses, the availability of suitably qualified teaching staff, accommodation and facilities, and the practical constraints of the timetable.

All state schools, including academies and free schools, will be held accountable for their performance, including in tests and exams. We publish key stage 2 and key stage 4 school attainment data every academic year.

Key stage 2 data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-2-attainment/2023-24.

Key stage 4 data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance.

This government is committed to enabling schools to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This is critical to breaking down barriers to opportunity and learning. The right support should be available to every young person that needs it, which is why the department will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in levels of academy staffing on the range of subjects offered in those academies for students already enrolled in (a) GCSE and (b) A Level courses.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has a central mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost life chances for every child. High-quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education. This is why the department will recruit 6,500 new expert teachers. We will get more teachers into shortage subjects, support areas that face recruitment challenges and tackle retention issues.

There are now 468,693 full-time equivalent teachers in state-funded schools in England. The department’s initiatives are aimed not only at increasing teacher recruitment in key subjects and areas, but also at ensuring teachers stay and thrive in the profession, including by improving teacher wellbeing and workload.

All state schools are free to decide which qualifications they will offer in each subject they teach, including GCSEs and A levels. All schools must appoint staff in accordance with employment law.

Academies and free schools have greater freedom and autonomy in how they operate, including staffing and the curriculum, but they are expected to teach a curriculum that is broad and balanced. Schools' decisions on curriculum will be determined by a range of factors, including the level of demand from pupils for particular courses, the availability of suitably qualified teaching staff, accommodation and facilities, and the practical constraints of the timetable.

All state schools, including academies and free schools, will be held accountable for their performance, including in tests and exams. We publish key stage 2 and key stage 4 school attainment data every academic year.

Key stage 2 data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-2-attainment/2023-24.

Key stage 4 data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance.

This government is committed to enabling schools to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This is critical to breaking down barriers to opportunity and learning. The right support should be available to every young person that needs it, which is why the department will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that academy trusts consult with the wider school community in cases where significant (a) staffing and (b) curriculum changes are proposed.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has a central mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost life chances for every child. High-quality teaching is the factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s education. This is why the department will recruit 6,500 new expert teachers. We will get more teachers into shortage subjects, support areas that face recruitment challenges and tackle retention issues.

There are now 468,693 full-time equivalent teachers in state-funded schools in England. The department’s initiatives are aimed not only at increasing teacher recruitment in key subjects and areas, but also at ensuring teachers stay and thrive in the profession, including by improving teacher wellbeing and workload.

All state schools are free to decide which qualifications they will offer in each subject they teach, including GCSEs and A levels. All schools must appoint staff in accordance with employment law.

Academies and free schools have greater freedom and autonomy in how they operate, including staffing and the curriculum, but they are expected to teach a curriculum that is broad and balanced. Schools' decisions on curriculum will be determined by a range of factors, including the level of demand from pupils for particular courses, the availability of suitably qualified teaching staff, accommodation and facilities, and the practical constraints of the timetable.

All state schools, including academies and free schools, will be held accountable for their performance, including in tests and exams. We publish key stage 2 and key stage 4 school attainment data every academic year.

Key stage 2 data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-2-attainment/2023-24.

Key stage 4 data can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance.

This government is committed to enabling schools to support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. This is critical to breaking down barriers to opportunity and learning. The right support should be available to every young person that needs it, which is why the department will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure students have access to a broad curriculum that supports diverse career pathways, especially in schools undergoing staffing reductions.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.

The review will seek to deliver an excellent foundation in core subjects of reading, writing and maths, alongside a broader curriculum, so that children and young people do not miss out on subjects such as music, art, sport and drama, as well as vocational subjects.

It will also seek to deliver a curriculum that ensures children and young people leave compulsory education ready for life and ready for work, building the knowledge, skills and attributes young people need to thrive.

The review is taking place in the context of an education system facing considerable challenges and staff shortages. It will recognise and seek to account for these issues when considering how a broad curriculum can be delivered. The Terms of Reference for the review can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66d196b7d107658faec7e3db/Curriculum_and_assessment_review_-_aims_terms_of_reference_and_working_principles.pdf.

The department has announced its intention to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers and to encourage more teachers into shortage subjects, support areas that face recruitment challenges, and tackle retention issues.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department issues academy trusts on implementing uniform policies.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The department publishes non-statutory guidance for all publicly funded schools, including academies, to support them in developing and implementing their school uniform policy. It covers a range of issues relating to uniform including supporting schools in meeting their obligations under equalities legislation. The guidance is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-uniform/school-uniforms.

In addition, schools and their governing boards must have regard to statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms, also issued by the department. The guidance outlines the cost considerations which schools should consider when developing uniform policies and managing their uniform supplier arrangements. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms.

However, the government knows that too many families still struggle with the costs of school uniform. That’s why in the Kings Speech the new government legislated to go further and cut the cost of uniforms for families, by legislating to limit the number of branded items of uniform and physical education kits that a school can require. The statutory guidance will be updated to reflect this limit at the appropriate time.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of large electricity pylons on (a) green spaces and (b) ancient woodlands.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Developers of electricity transmission projects and all nationally significant infrastructure projects in England and Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals. This includes conducting assessments of projects’ impacts on the environment and habitats through Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments. Additionally, developers engage with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders through consultations to ensure their feedback is considered in project proposals. All of this is considered in the independent and robust project assessment process.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of electricity pylons on wildlife.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Developers of electricity transmission projects and all nationally significant infrastructure projects in England and Wales must assess the impacts of their proposals. This includes conducting assessments of projects’ impacts on the environment and habitats through Environmental Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments. Additionally, developers engage with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders through consultations to ensure their feedback is considered in project proposals. All of this is considered in the independent and robust project assessment process.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed increases in stamp prices on (a) consumers and (b) businesses.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial decisions, including the prices of stamps and other services.

In setting its prices, Royal Mail must observe the regulatory framework set by Ofcom which imposes price controls, ‘safeguard caps’, on certain second-class products to ensure a basic universal service is available to all at affordable prices.

Information on Ofcom’s decisions regarding retail price caps on Royal Mail’s universal postal services to apply from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 is available on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/deliveries-and-charges/consultation-review-of-second-class-safeguard-caps-2024.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that her proposed policy of accessing benefit claimants' bank accounts does not disproportionately impact (a) people with disabilities and (b) other vulnerable groups.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Eligibility Verification measure will not give DWP access to any bank accounts, nor any information on how claimants spend their money. The proposed new power instead helps verify benefit eligibility, using very limited information from banks and other financial institutions.

DWP has existing safeguards in place to support our most vulnerable claimants and under the Public Sector Equality Duty, the impacts of this policy will continue to be monitored to mitigate any potential unintended, negative consequences.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill on the (a) mental health and (b) wellbeing of (i) benefit claimants with (A) disabilities and (B) long-term illnesses and (ii) other benefit claimants.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Safeguarding vulnerable claimants is always a priority. All the powers included in the Fraud, Error and Debt Bill will include strong safeguards to ensure they are only used appropriately and proportionately – including new independent oversight and reporting mechanisms. The Bill will be clearly defined in its scope and there will be clear limitations for the use of all the powers we are introducing. DWP staff will receive training on the use of any new powers. We will rely on Codes of Practice where they already exist and, where they do not, we will consult on and produce new Codes of Practice to provide further reassurance on the safe use of the powers.