Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the classification of ketamine as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing that classification.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
No recent assessment has been made. Ketamine was moved from Class C to Class B in 2014, in accordance with advice provided by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The ACMD’s recommendation was based on evidence of ketamine’s potential for harm at that time. The Government continues to assess any emerging evidence of harm and keeps drugs controls under review. Any decisions about drug classification are made after seeking expert advice from the ACMD.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2024 to Question 10959 on British Nationality: Assessments, what her planned timescale is for reviewing the Life in the UK handbook; and if she will take steps to introduce practical citizenship classes to support the integration process.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The Life in the UK handbook is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains up to date and correct. The current impression of the handbook, published in 2023, was reviewed earlier this year. We aim to publish the next impression, with amendments, before the end of 2024. We expect to finalise the next periodic review of the handbook towards the end of 2025.
The Home Office works with its commercial partners to ensure a range of learning materials are available to support those who wish to study for the Life in the UK test. These include a mobile app, an e-learning zone and study guides available in digital and paper formats.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
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 effectiveness of support available to businesses developing technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government policies supporting businesses to develop technologies to reduce carbon emissions adhere with the Department's published monitoring and evaluation framework, which sets out our commitment to robust and proportionate monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of our policies (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/desnz-monitoring-and-evaluation-framework).
Example programmes through which the Government provides support for low carbon technology development include the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio and its predecessor, the Energy Innovation Programme. Both of these are monitored through Key Performance Indicators and subject to external evaluations. An evaluation of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, for instance, found that it was effective at accelerating technological progress (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-entrepreneurs-fund-phases-1-7-final-evaluation).
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) updating the Life in the UK (i) handbook and (ii) citizenship test and (b) introducing integration classes to help people adjust to life in the UK.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The Life in the UK test is important for anyone applying to settle permanently in the UK to ensure they have an understanding of the democratic principles underlying British society and aspects of our culture and traditions. The handbook and questions are periodically reviewed to ensure the information is up to date and correct.
Individuals granted asylum have access to work and to mainstream services that support their integration, and receive a Welcome Guide to provide information to support their cultural orientation and integration into life in the UK.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to question 726 on Emergency Services: Medals, if she will take steps to introduce a medal for seriously injured and medically retired emergency service personnel.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and the Home Office is happy to consider proposals for new medals for members of the emergency services.
Any official policing medal is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new medal requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle Islamophobia.
Answered by Angela Rayner - Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Islamophobia, and all forms of religious and racial hatred, have absolutely no place in our society. No one should be targeted because of the colour of their skin, or their faith. This Government is clear that perpetrators of such hate crimes will face the full force of the law.
Up to £29.4 million per year will be made available for protective security at mosques and Muslim faith schools until 2027/28. The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides physical protective security measures (such as CCTV, intruder alarms and secure perimeter fencing) to mosques and associated Muslim faith community centres.
British Muslims are a crucial part of Britain’s history and British life today. This Government will not tolerate Islamophobia in any form and has committed to a more cohesive and integrated approach to ensure that all forms of hatred are stamped out of our communities. We will keep the House updated on this work to strengthen our communities.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of safeguards against the misuse of online application forms for Lasting Power of Attorney and (b) potential merits of only providing forms following discussions with officials who are satisfied that Lasting Power of Attorney would be in the interests of vulnerable people.
Answered by Heidi Alexander - Secretary of State for Transport
Under the current system, the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a prescribed paper form, which to be used must be made validly and registered by Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The form can be completed online but must then be printed, signed, and sent to OPG for processing.
LPAs are private agreements between individuals. While the OPG has a role in checking these documents meet the requirements for registration prior to use, and in investigating any alleged misuse, it cannot prevent an eligible person from making one.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities, published on 22 February 2018, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the guidance on (a) priority need and (b) emergency accommodation provision for single men who (i) do not fit the priority categories and (ii) are rough sleeping.
Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Homelessness legislation and guidance makes clear people who are vulnerable have priority need. This includes a duty to provide the household with temporary accommodation until settled accommodation is secured.
Homelessness levels are far too high. We are determined to tackle this and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country, to get us back on track to ending homelessness once and for all.
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to improve the (a) process and (b) tools used to diagnose SEND in children.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department wants to drive a consistent and inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with SEND through early identification, effective support, high quality teaching and effective allocation of resources. The department’s approach will support families, breaking down the barriers to opportunity for their children.
The department knows that parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan processes. The department wants to make sure that EHC plan applications are processed promptly and, where required, are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need. The department has listened to a wide range of people such as children and young people, parents, schools, colleges and local authorities and their partners, and it is deciding how to proceed based on these insights.
The department is also investing heavily in the SEND system, for example:
Asked by: Oliver Ryan (Labour (Co-op) - Burnley)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce the time taken for Access to Work benefit applications to be approved.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to reducing waiting times for new applications for Access to Work, as well as renewals. We are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims and have prioritised applications from customers who are about to start a job, and renewals.