Kirith Entwistle

Most people use fireworks in a responsible, safe, and appropriate manner and there are laws in place to address situations where fireworks are misused. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property.

The police and local authorities have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by fireworks. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers, based on their specific circumstances.

To inform any future decisions I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities shortly after the fireworks season to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks.

Ensuring that parents are able to access affordable and high quality childcare is a priority for this government. Our focus in reforming the system will be to ensure that there are greater and more equal opportunities to access early education for every family, and that there are greater opportunities for children to thrive and develop. As an initial step, we are progressing work to deliver new places in 3,000 nurseries through upgrading space in primary schools.

It is our ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, improving the life chances for every child and the work choices for every parent.

From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds have able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare per week (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child’s birthday. From September 2024, this was extended to parents of children aged 9 months and above, and from September 2025, working parents will be able to access 30 hours per week (over 38 weeks a year) for children from age 9 months to when they start school.

The government has committed to continue to roll out the expanded childcare entitlements for eligible working parents of children aged from nine months. We are also growing the provision of ‘wraparound’ before and after school provision of childcare for primary school children.

In 2024/25, we expect to provide over £1.7 billion to support local authorities and providers deliver the childcare expansion, rising, in 2027/28, to over £4.1 billion. By the same year we expect to be providing over £8 billion every year overall on new and existing early years entitlements.

The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing, including supporting them through our childcare delivery support contract where appropriate.

The government is committed to delivering a modern childcare system from the end of parental leave to the end of primary school, providing every child with a firm foundation which sets them up for life and ensures parents are able to work the jobs and hours they choose effectively breaking down the barriers to opportunity for every family.

Under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area. The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, departmental officials discuss with them what action they are taking to address those issues, and whether they need any additional support.

As of now, there are no scheduled visits for the Foreign Secretary to Bolton. However, the Foreign Secretary welcomes correspondence from the Bolton Council of Mosques to learn more about their initiatives and efforts.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

We are committed to delivering an additional 13 000 police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles so residents know who to turn to when things go wrong. We will crack down on those causing havoc on our high streets by introducing tougher powers, including new Respect Orders to tackle repeat offending and to get persistent offenders off our streets.

Excess speed is still a major cause of death and serious injury on our roads. Anyone who breaks the speed limit should expect to face a swift and strong sanction.

Enforcement of speeding offences in Bolton North East constituency and the deployment of available resources and capabilities is an operational matter for Greater Manchester’s Chief Constable and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Police to determine, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

The Electoral Commission and the Office for National Statistics review and publish statistics on electoral registration and participation in elections. The Government will examine and reflect on this data when it is available following the 2024 general election.

The Government has no plans at this time to introduce overseas constituencies for elections to the House of Commons. We are focused on delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen our democracy and encourage participation – including by giving 16- and 17- year olds the right to vote in all elections