Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of people (a) sentenced to, and (b) still serving a sentence of imprisonment for public protection have previously been living in local authority care.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

On 1 September, the Lord Chancellor announced that the Government will bring an end to the IPP sentence for those who continue to serve it and will bring forward legislation to do this by the end of this Parliament.

The Government also remains determined to support the rehabilitation of IPP prisoners, through the IPP Action Plan, which we published on 9 July 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate her Department has made of the annual cost to the NHS arising from duplicated referrals, repeated diagnostic investigations and missed outpatient appointments associated with asylum seeker dispersal.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment has been made.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people (a) serving, and (b) not serving an IPP sentence have been detained under the Section 47/49 pathway before release from prison, since 2016.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Section 47/49 of the Mental Health Act (1983) allows for the transfer of a serving prisoners to psychiatric hospital, where the statutory criteria for transfer under the Act are met. The specific information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many IPP prisoners who completed the Building Better Choices programme and were recalled in 2025 were recalled without being charged with a further offence.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Building Choices is an accredited cognitive-behavioural programme informed by the latest evidence and thinking about what works to reduce reoffending. It is accredited for delivery to adult men and women in prison and community settings and is inclusive, open to those with learning disabilities and challenges (LDC). Building Choices provides a person-centred, needs-led approach which enables participants to explore both offence-specific and wider antisocial behaviours to target the versatility of their offending. Rollout has completed across custody and community, beginning with a small number of Design Test sites in December 2023 and full rollout ending in October 2025.

On 1 September, the Lord Chancellor announced that the Government will bring an end to the IPP sentence for those who continue to serve it and will bring forward legislation to do this by the end of this Parliament. These are complex cases, involving important public protection and victim considerations. Reform will take time to get right.

The Government also remains determined to support the rehabilitation of IPP prisoners, through the IPP Action Plan, which we published on 9 July 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people serving an IPP sentence who had completed (a) the Building Better Choices programme and (b) any successor programme providing equivalent offending behaviour intervention were recalled to custody in (i) 2024 and (ii) 2025.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Building Choices is an accredited cognitive-behavioural programme informed by the latest evidence and thinking about what works to reduce reoffending. It is accredited for delivery to adult men and women in prison and community settings and is inclusive, open to those with learning disabilities and challenges (LDC). Building Choices provides a person-centred, needs-led approach which enables participants to explore both offence-specific and wider antisocial behaviours to target the versatility of their offending. Rollout has completed across custody and community, beginning with a small number of Design Test sites in December 2023 and full rollout ending in October 2025.

On 1 September, the Lord Chancellor announced that the Government will bring an end to the IPP sentence for those who continue to serve it and will bring forward legislation to do this by the end of this Parliament. These are complex cases, involving important public protection and victim considerations. Reform will take time to get right.

The Government also remains determined to support the rehabilitation of IPP prisoners, through the IPP Action Plan, which we published on 9 July 2026.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on improving coordination between asylum dispersal decisions and continuity of NHS care.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) work in partnership on matters relating to the health of the asylum-seeking cohort. The subject of continuity of healthcare is a key topic referenced in the National Partnership Agreement, a document setting our key working principles for 2025-28. Priority 5 details that we are working on continuity of access to health and wellbeing support at the move on stage.

You can find more information here: National partnership agreement on meeting the health and wellbeing needs for people seeking asylum in England 2025-2028 (accessible) - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Schools White Paper, what progress her Department has made on further embedding education on legal rights, the justice system and the rule of law across the school curriculum, including through the expansion of earlier citizenship education in primary schools covering law and rights.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, published in November 2025, recommended that all pupils are taught citizenship content at primary as a statutory part of the curriculum, and that a new programme of study should ensure that pupils develop an understanding of rules and laws, why they are important, who makes them and the consequences of not following them.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, is considering the recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review in line with the government’s ambition to transform technical education from age 14 to 16.

The department expects there will be a public consultation on the proposals for the curriculum and assessment system in due course.

Through the existing national curriculum for citizenship, pupils are taught about the nature of rules and laws and the justice and legal systems, as well as different sources of law and how the law helps society deal with complex problems.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of large food businesses in England reporting food waste data voluntarily through WRAP's Food and Drink Pact; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a public reporting requirement.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government recognises the importance of improving food waste data to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. Defra has not separately estimated the proportion of large food businesses in England that voluntarily report food waste data through WRAP’s Food and Drink Pact. However, WRAP reports that 364 food and drink businesses have committed to the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap and 191 large businesses have evidenced implementation of food waste reduction measures.

Defra engages with industry on policy options to improve reporting and data quality and mandatory food waste reporting remains one of several options under consideration.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues (b) employers and (c) trade unions regarding the shortage in seafarer Ratings grades in the UK shipping industry over the next decade forecast by the Seafarer Projections Review published by her Department in April.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the importance of maintaining a strong pipeline of UK seafarers to support maritime growth and resilience. To support this, maritime skills and training are regularly discussed with ministerial colleagues, industry stakeholders, and trade unions.

Policy discussions are informed by the recent Seafarer Projections Review which identified a potential shortfall of around 8,900 seafarers by 2035, and also by the Review of the Effectiveness of Funding for UK Seafarer Training which has provided an updated evidence base on the long-term sustainability of the workforce. We also note that recent reforms to the Tonnage Tax regime have contributed to growth in participation, with ship numbers in the regime increasing by 22% over the last two years, supporting the Government's ambitions for maritime growth, skills development and cadet training, and demonstrating the value placed on the regime by the maritime industry.

Work is underway to future proof seafarer training through the Cadet Training and Modernisation programme and the Ratings Review. We also strive to increase officer cadet recruitment by funding 50% of the cost of cadet training through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, whose budget for 2026/27 stands at £19.4m. Our focus is now on taking forward the recommendations of the funding review and ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to invest, train and operate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues in the Treasury regarding the recommendations in the review of the effectiveness of funding for UK seafarer training published in April.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the importance of maintaining a strong pipeline of UK seafarers to support maritime growth and resilience. To support this, maritime skills and training are regularly discussed with ministerial colleagues, industry stakeholders, and trade unions.

Policy discussions are informed by the recent Seafarer Projections Review which identified a potential shortfall of around 8,900 seafarers by 2035, and also by the Review of the Effectiveness of Funding for UK Seafarer Training which has provided an updated evidence base on the long-term sustainability of the workforce. We also note that recent reforms to the Tonnage Tax regime have contributed to growth in participation, with ship numbers in the regime increasing by 22% over the last two years, supporting the Government's ambitions for maritime growth, skills development and cadet training, and demonstrating the value placed on the regime by the maritime industry.

Work is underway to future proof seafarer training through the Cadet Training and Modernisation programme and the Ratings Review. We also strive to increase officer cadet recruitment by funding 50% of the cost of cadet training through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, whose budget for 2026/27 stands at £19.4m. Our focus is now on taking forward the recommendations of the funding review and ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to invest, train and operate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the value of the Support for Maritime Training Scheme to shipowners that qualify for the Tonnage Tax.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the importance of maintaining a strong pipeline of UK seafarers to support maritime growth and resilience. To support this, maritime skills and training are regularly discussed with ministerial colleagues, industry stakeholders, and trade unions.

Policy discussions are informed by the recent Seafarer Projections Review which identified a potential shortfall of around 8,900 seafarers by 2035, and also by the Review of the Effectiveness of Funding for UK Seafarer Training which has provided an updated evidence base on the long-term sustainability of the workforce. We also note that recent reforms to the Tonnage Tax regime have contributed to growth in participation, with ship numbers in the regime increasing by 22% over the last two years, supporting the Government's ambitions for maritime growth, skills development and cadet training, and demonstrating the value placed on the regime by the maritime industry.

Work is underway to future proof seafarer training through the Cadet Training and Modernisation programme and the Ratings Review. We also strive to increase officer cadet recruitment by funding 50% of the cost of cadet training through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) fund, whose budget for 2026/27 stands at £19.4m. Our focus is now on taking forward the recommendations of the funding review and ensuring the UK remains an attractive place to invest, train and operate.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking with (a) Skills England, (b) employers and (c) trade unions to help increase the (i) range and (ii) uptake of seafarer apprenticeships in maritime communities.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government recognises the importance of maritime apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce and in creating opportunities for people in maritime communities to enter rewarding careers at sea. Skills England works with employers and sector bodies to develop and maintain a range of maritime apprenticeship standards, ensuring they reflect employer needs.

To increase apprenticeship opportunities, the Government is introducing a £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for non-levy paying employers who recruit 16 to 24-year-olds as new apprentice employees. In addition, apprenticeship training is now fully funded for all eligible under-25s at employers of all sizes, helping more young people access opportunities in sectors such as maritime.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the answer of 22 July 2026 to Question 12810, what general policy criteria are applied when determining whether a proposed allied military activity supported from UK territory falls within the Government’s stated defensive purpose; and whether those criteria are set out in any published policy or guidance.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to Question 12810 published on 22 July 2026.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-06-24/12810

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department are taking to improve data collection into inequalities in maternal mental health outcomes for Black women and birthing people.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

It is a priority for the Government to ensure that all women and babies receive the high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their background, location or ethnicity.

The Department has funded the PRiSMM programme through the National Institute for Health and Care Research. It will report England-wide data on severe maternal morbidity and evaluate the Maternal Care bundle, including an intervention to improve the identification and referral of women at risk of maternal mental health conditions. Data will be available by National Health Service trust, maternal ethnicity and measures including social deprivation, with initial findings due by the end of September 2026.

The first Maternity and Neonatal Equalities dashboard, published in January 2026, includes metrics by ethnicity and deprivation; further metrics, including maternal mental health, are being considered. The dashboard is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/dashboards/maternity-and-neonatal-equalities-dashboard

Baroness Amos’ investigation highlighted the need for better data collection and analysis to address inequities in access, experience, safety and outcomes. The forthcoming National Maternity and Neonatal Action Plan will consider these recommendations alongside those from Donna Ockenden’s review and the forthcoming Thirlwall Inquiry, including further use of data to tackle inequalities across the maternity and neonatal pathway.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people (a) serving, (b) not serving an IPP sentence have been released directly into the community from a secure hospital, since 2016.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Transport regarding Skills England’s live review of maritime apprenticeship standards.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government recognises the importance of maritime apprenticeships in helping employers develop a skilled workforce. Ministers and officials engage regularly with colleagues across Government on matters relating to skills and workforce development, including sectors of strategic importance such as maritime.

Cammell Laird 37

Birmingham Four

Deported Chinese seafarers

Human rights in Bahrain

Seafarers and the Employment Rights Act 2025

Cable Street 90th anniversary

Fur Belongs to Animals campaign

Death sentences in Iran

Planned job losses at Greggs plc

Post-16 education

Garvaghy Road

Retaining the Triple Lock on pensions

Abuse Doesn't Fly campaign

Taxation of bank windfall profits

Consultation on an alternative second chamber

Treatment of security staff employed at the National Gallery

Contribution of cinemas to local communities

Sickle Cell Awareness Month and blood donations

90th anniversary of the Jarrow Crusade

Stem cell transplant policy

Undercover Policing Inquiry

Support for hospices

National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers

Passenger safety, security and accessibility on East West Rail

Independent Office for Police Conduct findings on Norman Bettison

50th Anniversary of the Grunwick Strike

Funding of Jodrell Bank Observatory

Radiotherapy road map to improved cancer treatment plan

Industrial action at V&A Museum