Neil Shastri-Hurst

The Government recognises the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. We recognise that there are limitations in the existing evidence on the societal cost of gambling harm and that there is a need for better data and further research on this topic. As stated in its manifesto, the Government is committed to strengthening the protections for those at risk and working with industry on how to ensure responsible gambling. We are considering the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to inform decisions on how best to fulfil the manifesto commitment to reducing gambling-related harm.

All state-funded schools are required to teach about first aid as part of the statutory health education set out within the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance. Independent schools are required to cover health education as part of their responsibility to provide personal, social, health and economic education.

The statutory guidance includes basic first aid for primary school children. For example, dealing with common injuries, such as head injuries. Pupils in secondary schools will be taught further first aid. For example, how to administer CPR and the purpose of defibrillators.

Schools also have the autonomy to decide how they teach first aid and which resources to use, so schools are free to incorporate citizenAID’s materials into their lessons if they choose to.

The department is currently reviewing the statutory RSHE curriculum, which includes considering whether any additional content is needed, including first aid and life-saving skills.

Approximately 50 mainstream private schools close each year. There are a range of reasons for closure, including financial viability and action taken by the department where schools are not meeting standards. We expect the number of private school closures to remain relatively low, and be influenced by various factors, not just the VAT policy.

The government is aware there may be a temporary increase in the schools closure rate over the normal rate during the few years after implementation of the VAT policy. It is estimated that this may be broadly equivalent to 100 schools in total closing over the next 3 years, in addition to the normal levels of turnover, after which closures would return to historic norms. The government has conducted a thorough and detailed analysis of this policy’s impacts and published a Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN), which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/ac8c20ce-4824-462d-b206-26a567724643#summary-of-impacts.

Historically, there has been significant turnover within the sector. Since 2000, average fees in the sector have increased by 75% in real terms, while pupil numbers have remained stable, as have total school numbers.

Local authorities routinely support parents who need a state-funded school place, including where private schools have closed. The department works with local authorities to support place planning and ensure there is capacity in the state-funded sector to meet demand. Parents can seek places in other private schools or find a state-funded place through their local authority.

The department does not collect data about the value of charity given to state schools and local communities by private schools. Therefore, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has not made an estimate of its value in each of the last five years.

The Independent Schools Council, which represents over 1,400 private schools belonging to an association, publishes an annual report which sets out the support private schools give to schools in the state sector through partnership working and bursaries.

Statistics on reported road injury collisions in Great Britain are published based on data reported by police via the data collection known as STATS19.

Within STATS19, reporting police officers can assign up to 6 factors which they believe may have contributed to the collision, including ‘poor or defective road surface’. Contributory factors are assigned based on the opinions of the reporting officer at the scene or within a short time of the collision, rather than a detailed investigation.

The number of road fatalities where a police officer assigned the contributory factor “poor or defective road surface” in Solihull Borough, the city of Birmingham, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Worcestershire for the last 4 years for which data are available totalled 1 fatality. This fatality occurred in Warwickshire in 2020.

The previous bus fare cap was unfunded beyond 2024. The Government is stepping in and investing over £150 million to ensure single bus fares in England outside London remain capped at £3 throughout 2025. The cap ensures that millions can continue to travel for less and access better opportunities with potential savings of up to 80% on some routes.

We continue to work closely with Chiltern Railways to support delivery of its train fleet renewal programme to improve passenger experience and drive sustainable growth across the region.

Chiltern is exploring options to procure additional trains, while following robust assurance steps to ensure it has a strong business case that delivers value for money for the taxpayer.

The UK is an active and committed member of IMO, the international body with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping.

As a contracting Government to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), and other safety related instruments, the UK has implemented regulations that require UK-flagged merchant ships to comply with internationally agreed safety standards when operating on any international route.

The UK shares information and guidance with Red Ensign flagged vessels to support them in implementing adequate and proportionate measures to support safe operations in challenging environments.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are reviewing the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 regarding provision of disposal facilities in workplace toilets.

This work is included within the government’s wider plans under Make Work Pay, and HSE will hold appropriate consultation in due course.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that its investigators handling sexual harassment cases are accredited and equipped with the necessary skills to conduct trauma-informed investigations, compliant with best practice. All DWP investigators assigned to these sensitive cases have undergone specialised training and have successfully completed the Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigative Practice.

This certification ensures they are proficient in best practices for handling complex and sensitive investigations, including:

• Trauma-Informed Approaches: Understanding the impact of trauma on individuals, employing empathetic and non-judgmental communication, and avoiding re-traumatisation during interviews.

• Compliance with Legal and Procedural Standards: Adhering to relevant laws, such as the Equality Act 2010, and ensuring fair, impartial, and thorough investigations.

• Advanced Interview Techniques: Using open-ended, non-leading questions to gather accurate information while being sensitive to the needs of all parties involved.

• Impartial Analysis and Reporting: Maintaining objectivity throughout the investigation, analysing evidence comprehensively, and delivering well-structured and unbiased reports.

By requiring this certification, DWP demonstrates its commitment to fostering a respectful and supportive environment, ensuring that all investigations are handled with the highest standards of professionalism and care.

DWP internal guidance encourages those experiencing sexual harassment to come forward via their choice of several available routes:

Line Managers

DWP colleagues can speak to their own or a trusted alternative manager.

Ambassadors for Fair Treatment

DWP has over 500 Ambassadors for Fair Treatment (AFTs) who support colleagues to speak up about all forms of bullying, harassment and discrimination. AFTs are ACAS-trained volunteers who provide confidential listening and signposting to any colleague who believes they are facing, have witnessed, or have been accused of bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment) or discrimination. AFTs also deliver information sessions across the department to raise awareness of bullying, harassment and discrimination, and to signpost to further sources of support.

Speak Up Safely helpline

DWP operates a “Speak Up Safely” helpline, which colleagues can call, anonymously if they choose, and in confidence, for advice and signposting. From the 4^th – 8^th November 2024 DWP ran its annual Speak Up Safely week as part of the wider civil service Speak Up campaign. The week featured a range of events for colleagues across DWP focused on the important role of line managers in creating teams where colleagues feel safe to speak up on concerns and on demystifying the concern raising process in DWP to help colleagues understand the informal, formal and protected way colleagues can speak up on any concerns.

Whistleblowing helpline

Colleagues may raise concerns, including concerns relating to sexual harassment, by speaking to senior managers or through independent routes including the confidential Whistleblowers’ Hotline or via email to the Counter Fraud and Investigation team. Colleagues may choose to raise concerns anonymously.

To ensure protection during the reporting process, managers provide support including regular check-ins with colleagues reporting harassment, to ensure they are not experiencing any repercussions as a result of the report made, and that they feel adequately supported. There is a range of support available to colleagues including Mental Health First Aiders, counselling services, temporary or permanent relocations or change of role, and signposting to external support and advice bodies.

Confidentiality is guaranteed throughout the process.

As a public sector organisation, DWP have a duty to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). In line with this we regularly carry out mandatory PSED training across DWP. The most recent training data shows that almost 99% of the target audience completed this learning.

DWP policies are currently being reviewed in line with the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act.

DWP offers the provision and delivery of a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme delivered by People Asset Management (PAM). The provision is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed either via telephone or email for in the moment support and referrals for counselling by trained personnel.

DWP also has:

• A community of 600 trained Ambassadors for Fair Treatment, who are trained volunteers and whose remit is to be approachable at a time of need, to listen in confidence and to empathise with anyone who believes they are facing bullying, harassment or discrimination, as well as anyone who has been accused of it, and to signpost to further support where appropriate.
• A community of 1600 trained Mental Health First Aiders who are a point of contact for any DWP colleague in need, offering initial help, to listen and reassure, and guide a person towards the right support.

All formal cases of harassment, bullying and discrimination are required to be flagged with the DWP’s expert HR Investigation Service. In the past year (Dec 23 - Nov 24) the HR Investigation Service has investigated 24 cases of alleged sexual harassment.

DWP is currently defending Employment Tribunal 34 cases, lodged within the past two years, with harassment as one of the heads of claim. The ET1 claim form specifies only “harassment” so the 34 cases include cases of harassment on grounds other than sexual harassment.

DWP has improved data collation and insight over the past year. Data for each of the past 5 years can only be provided at disproportionate cost as it would require collecting data from local managers across the Department.

DWP has not taken formal steps to estimate the number of cases of sexual harassment that are unreported. DWP attaches the highest priority to investigating allegations of alleged sexual harassment and will always listen sensitively to employees raising concerns about alleged harassment and ensure they are fully supported. There are a number of alternative routes for possible reporting of concerns and these are regularly publicised to all colleagues