Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking with policing partners to help ensure that allegations that a person has falsely claimed to hold power of attorney in order to obtain or exercise control over a vulnerable person's finances are appropriately identified and investigated as potential fraud.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government recognises fraud by abuse of position is a serious and often hidden threat, where someone in a position of trust abuses their position for financial personal gain. Allegations that an individual has falsely claimed to hold, or has abused, a power of attorney in order to obtain or exercise control over a vulnerable person’s finances may constitute fraud and should be reported to Report Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting service.
Report Fraud uses the latest technology to improve the reporting experience for victims, provide case updates and improve the speed and quality of information shared with police to boost the chances of successful prosecutions. Where there is sufficient evidence and a viable lead, reports are referred to the appropriate police force or law enforcement partner to determine whether investigation or other enforcement activity should take place.
Through the Fraud Strategy 2026-2029, the Government is strengthening its response to fraud, including through a dedicated cross sector working group on fraud by abuse of position focused on developing a system-wide response to protect vulnerable and older people who rely on legal protections such as powers of attorney.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 126283 on Ribble Valley Line, what recent steps she has taken to restore Northern Rail services on Sundays between Clitheroe and Blackburn.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is encouraging the train operator, Northern, and the RMT trade union to continue discussions with a view to reach an agreement so that reliable Sunday services can be provided across the North of England, including between Clitheroe and Blackburn.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) accessibility and (b) affordability of legal remedies available to beneficiaries and relatives seeking to challenge an executor or personal representative who they suspect of financial abuse; and whether he plans to review the support available to people who cannot afford the costs of contentious probate proceedings.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The position of personal representative or executor is one of significant responsibility; they are under a statutory duty to administer the deceased person’s estate according to the law and can be held personally liable if they do not.
There are a wide range of safeguards available to hold personal representatives accountable for the performance of their duties. This includes the ability to apply for a court order requiring the personal representative to provide inventory and account, allowing interested parties to understand how the estate has been administered. Applications can also be made to remove an executor, while allegations of criminal offences such as fraud can be investigated by the police.
Where disputes arise, the Government’s recognises the value of mediation in contentious probate proceedings and encourages parties to consider it as route to resolve their dispute. In some instances, the courts will be best placed to resolve a dispute. It is for those adversely affected to decide whether or not to take action.
As with any civil claim, there are costs involved, such as the cost of seeking professional advice. There are several options for support, including contingency fee or litigation funding arrangements, and the “Help with Fees” remissions scheme which is available to eligible users who are less able to reasonably afford to pay a court fee.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of safeguards against financial abuse where an individual (a) falsely represents that they hold power of attorney for another person during that person's lifetime and (b) subsequently acts as executor or personal representative of that person's estate.
Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Government recognises concerns about the financial abuse of older and vulnerable people, including abuse by individuals in positions of trust, and is committed to taking action under the Fraud Strategy 2026-2029.
The law contains a range of safeguards to protect older and vulnerable people from financial abuse in relation to powers of attorney. Lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) require a certificate provider to confirm there was no fraud or undue pressure in making the LPA, and they must be registered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before use. OPG can investigate concerns about how attorneys exercise their powers, and where necessary will refer matters to the Court of Protection, local authorities or the police.
However, where no LPA exists, for example if an individual is falsely claiming to act under a power of attorney, responsibility sits with the relevant organisation, such as a bank, to undertake appropriate checks before accepting the individual’s authority. The Government’s modernising LPA project will further increase protections by giving legal status to OPG’s use and view service, which allows parties to check the status of an LPA in real time.
The law similarly contains a range of safeguards in relation to wills and the administration of estates. For a will to be valid, the testator must have the required testamentary capacity, intend the document to operate as their will, understand and approve its contents, and make it free from undue influence, fraud or forgery. The validity of a will may be challenged before the courts on any of these grounds. Personal representatives and executors are also under a legal duty to administer estates properly and may be subject to court action, including being removed or replaced by the court, or to criminal investigation where misconduct or fraud is alleged.
The Government is currently considering the recommendations made by the Modernising Wills Law report published by the Law Commission in 2025 (Modernising wills: Final report – Law Commission), including recommendations intended to strengthen protections for vulnerable testators, and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the City of London Police figures published on 7 September 2026 on fraud by abuse of position, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing safeguards against the financial abuse of older and vulnerable people through (a) powers of attorney and (b) the administration of estates.
Answered by Jake Richards - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The Government recognises concerns about the financial abuse of older and vulnerable people, including abuse by individuals in positions of trust, and is committed to taking action under the Fraud Strategy 2026-2029.
The law contains a range of safeguards to protect older and vulnerable people from financial abuse in relation to powers of attorney. Lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) require a certificate provider to confirm there was no fraud or undue pressure in making the LPA, and they must be registered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before use. OPG can investigate concerns about how attorneys exercise their powers, and where necessary will refer matters to the Court of Protection, local authorities or the police.
However, where no LPA exists, for example if an individual is falsely claiming to act under a power of attorney, responsibility sits with the relevant organisation, such as a bank, to undertake appropriate checks before accepting the individual’s authority. The Government’s modernising LPA project will further increase protections by giving legal status to OPG’s use and view service, which allows parties to check the status of an LPA in real time.
The law similarly contains a range of safeguards in relation to wills and the administration of estates. For a will to be valid, the testator must have the required testamentary capacity, intend the document to operate as their will, understand and approve its contents, and make it free from undue influence, fraud or forgery. The validity of a will may be challenged before the courts on any of these grounds. Personal representatives and executors are also under a legal duty to administer estates properly and may be subject to court action, including being removed or replaced by the court, or to criminal investigation where misconduct or fraud is alleged.
The Government is currently considering the recommendations made by the Modernising Wills Law report published by the Law Commission in 2025 (Modernising wills: Final report – Law Commission), including recommendations intended to strengthen protections for vulnerable testators, and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in offering apprenticeship opportunities, and what steps are needed to address these.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 12 June 2026 to Question UIN 7073.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that apprenticeship reforms support employers and employer engagement, particularly in engineering and manufacturing sectors.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This Government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, giving employers greater flexibility, including within the engineering and manufacturing sectors, creating more opportunities for young people, and directly supporting the Industrial Strategy.
In April 2026, we launched the first apprenticeship units focussing on priority sectors including in engineering and manufacturing. These short courses will help employers upskill their workforces quickly and flexibly.
Additionally, we have introduced new foundation apprenticeships, to give young people a route into careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn a wage while developing vital skills. The first foundation apprenticeships were focussed on industrial strategy and priority areas including engineering and manufacturing. They are underpinned by an employer incentive payment of £2,000 to contribute to the extra costs of supporting someone at the beginning of their career.
More widely, to support non-levy paying employers (typically SMEs) to meet the additional costs associated with employing young apprentices, we are introducing a new apprenticeship hiring payment of £2,000 when they take on eligible 16–24-year-old apprentices, at all levels, as new employees.
The government will also fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers for all eligible young people aged under 25 from the next academic year, to boost small business starts. At the moment, this only happens for apprentices aged 16 to 21 and apprentices aged 22-24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in local authority care.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of potential merits of releasing surplus Strategic Industrial Location at Park Royal for affordable housing.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
No such assessment has been made by the government.
The use of Strategic Industrial Land in London is a matter for the Mayor of London and considered through his London Plan.
I understand that the Mayor intends to consult on a new draft London Plan in the near future.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of police misconduct proceedings being publicly available on police officer mental health.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government recognises the significant psychological demands of policing and is committed to ensuring officers are supported throughout their careers, from initial training through to retirement. The College of Policing sets clear standards for forces through the National Policing Curriculum for initial training. This includes required content on preparing officers for the operational and emotional demands of the role.
We are also taking further action through the Government’s Police Reform White Paper, including strengthening trauma prevention and early intervention and providing protected time for trauma and suicide prevention training for new recruits and supervisors to help build resilience and ensure officers receive the support they need throughout their careers.
While the Home Office is not undertaking research in this area directly, we continue to fund the College of Policing’s National Police Wellbeing Service, which works to develop and promote evidence-based approaches to psychological wellbeing and trauma support.
The presumption is that misconduct hearings, held for officers facing serious allegations of gross misconduct, should be open for the public and media to attend. This is in keeping with a general principle that discipline proceedings are as open, transparent and fair as possible for both the public and parties to the procedures.
However, by exception, misconduct hearings may be held in private, or reporting restrictions may apply when circumstances outweigh the public interest. This could be to protect sensitive operational or national security material or to safeguard individuals involved.
It is critical that officers involved in disciplinary procedures receive the support they need and that due process is maintained in accordance with principles of fairness and natural justice. The Police Reform White Paper commits to improving the consistency of wellbeing support across policing, including introducing more consistent wellbeing checks throughout officers’ careers to help identify and respond to wellbeing needs at an early stage.
Asked by: Jonathan Hinder (Labour - Pendle and Clitheroe)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what research is being undertaken into building mental resilience and treating trauma in serving police officers.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government recognises the significant psychological demands of policing and is committed to ensuring officers are supported throughout their careers, from initial training through to retirement. The College of Policing sets clear standards for forces through the National Policing Curriculum for initial training. This includes required content on preparing officers for the operational and emotional demands of the role.
We are also taking further action through the Government’s Police Reform White Paper, including strengthening trauma prevention and early intervention and providing protected time for trauma and suicide prevention training for new recruits and supervisors to help build resilience and ensure officers receive the support they need throughout their careers.
While the Home Office is not undertaking research in this area directly, we continue to fund the College of Policing’s National Police Wellbeing Service, which works to develop and promote evidence-based approaches to psychological wellbeing and trauma support.
The presumption is that misconduct hearings, held for officers facing serious allegations of gross misconduct, should be open for the public and media to attend. This is in keeping with a general principle that discipline proceedings are as open, transparent and fair as possible for both the public and parties to the procedures.
However, by exception, misconduct hearings may be held in private, or reporting restrictions may apply when circumstances outweigh the public interest. This could be to protect sensitive operational or national security material or to safeguard individuals involved.
It is critical that officers involved in disciplinary procedures receive the support they need and that due process is maintained in accordance with principles of fairness and natural justice. The Police Reform White Paper commits to improving the consistency of wellbeing support across policing, including introducing more consistent wellbeing checks throughout officers’ careers to help identify and respond to wellbeing needs at an early stage.