Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of five year olds were school ready in (a) Birmingham Edgbaston constituency, (b) Birmingham and (c) the West Midlands in each of the last 10 years.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances. That is why the department’s Plan for Change set out our ambition for a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn in the classroom. We will measure our progress through 75% of children reaching a good level of development in the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile assessment by 2028.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Profile was significantly revised in September 2021. It is therefore not possible to directly compare assessment outcomes since 2021/22 with earlier years.

The department has published data through the early years foundation stage teacher assessment since 2021/2022 which can be accessed at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results/2023-24.

Local authority and regional data from 2013 to 2019 can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results-2018-to-2019.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a dedicated Road Safety Investigation Branch to (a) investigate road deaths and incidents and (b) recommend necessary improvements.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Improving road safety is a key priority. Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government is working hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users.

The Department is continuing to review potential future road safety interventions and available options to increase the overall safety of our roads.

We are committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy – the first in over a decade - and will set out next steps on this in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) practical and (b) theory driving (i) lessons and (ii) tests are accessible for people who are d/Deaf.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) works with publishing partners, the Stationary Office, to publish The Highway Code and other materials to help people when learning to drive. The DVSA wants the content it produces to be as accessible as possible to everyone.

When booking a theory or practical test, candidates are advised to say if they have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition.

DVSA has recently worked with Cabinet Office to identify how the customer journey can be improved for d/Deaf candidates working towards their theory test. As a result, DVSA will be introducing improvements to British Sign Language (BSL) learning, theory test content, the theory test booking journey (including using BSL), and the experience at the theory test centre.

Candidates can already take their theory test in BSL if they are d/Deaf or have a hearing impairment; a BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.

Other options for theory test candidates include:

• having a sign language interpreter or lip speaker with them during the test

• using a listening aid (hearing loop)

It usually helps BSL users to learn their theory with a d/Deaf-aware driving instructor. The Disabled Driving Instructors association can help d/Deaf people with learning to drive and can be accessed at: www.disabilitydrivinginstructors.com/driving-advice/hearing-difficulties

When taking a car practical driving test, candidates can use a BSL interpreter, who can also be their driving instructor.

When taking the test, the driving examiner can use prompt cards to support a candidate that is d/Deaf or has hearing loss. These prompt cards give short written instructions and diagrams, so candidates know what they need to do.

These prompt cards are published on GOV.UK so learners can familiarise themselves with them before the test, and so that driving instructors can use them as part of their training or mock tests. Driving tests: prompt cards to support learner drivers who are deaf - GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what resources and support are available to people who are d/Deaf (a) in preparation for and (b) during their driving (i) theory and (ii) practical tests.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) works with publishing partners, the Stationary Office, to publish The Highway Code and other materials to help people when learning to drive. The DVSA wants the content it produces to be as accessible as possible to everyone.

When booking a theory or practical test, candidates are advised to say if they have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition.

DVSA has recently worked with Cabinet Office to identify how the customer journey can be improved for d/Deaf candidates working towards their theory test. As a result, DVSA will be introducing improvements to British Sign Language (BSL) learning, theory test content, the theory test booking journey (including using BSL), and the experience at the theory test centre.

Candidates can already take their theory test in BSL if they are d/Deaf or have a hearing impairment; a BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.

Other options for theory test candidates include:

• having a sign language interpreter or lip speaker with them during the test

• using a listening aid (hearing loop)

It usually helps BSL users to learn their theory with a d/Deaf-aware driving instructor. The Disabled Driving Instructors association can help d/Deaf people with learning to drive and can be accessed at: www.disabilitydrivinginstructors.com/driving-advice/hearing-difficulties

When taking a car practical driving test, candidates can use a BSL interpreter, who can also be their driving instructor.

When taking the test, the driving examiner can use prompt cards to support a candidate that is d/Deaf or has hearing loss. These prompt cards give short written instructions and diagrams, so candidates know what they need to do.

These prompt cards are published on GOV.UK so learners can familiarise themselves with them before the test, and so that driving instructors can use them as part of their training or mock tests. Driving tests: prompt cards to support learner drivers who are deaf - GOV.UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many firearms-related offences there were by the type of offence in (a) Birmingham and (b) the West Midlands in each of the last five years.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office collects and publishes official statistics on offences involving firearms recorded by the police in England and Wales at the Police Force Area level.

These data, by offence group and type of weapon, are published in Open Data Tables, available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6793b6b48a0829895f24bf55/prc-firearms-open-data-march2009-onwards-300125.ods

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many firearms-related offences there were by the type of firearm in (a) Birmingham and (b) the West Midlands in each of the last five years.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office collects and publishes official statistics on offences involving firearms recorded by the police in England and Wales at the Police Force Area level.

These data, by offence group and type of weapon, are published in Open Data Tables, available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6793b6b48a0829895f24bf55/prc-firearms-open-data-march2009-onwards-300125.ods

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many non-air firearms-related offences were recorded in (a) Birmingham, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England in each of the last 15 years.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office collects and publishes official statistics on offences involving firearms recorded by the police in England and Wales at the Police Force Area level.

These data, by offence group and type of weapon, are published in Open Data Tables, available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6793b6b48a0829895f24bf55/prc-firearms-open-data-march2009-onwards-300125.ods

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to publish an updated version of the report entitled The economic and social costs of crime second edition, published on 23 July 2018.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Economic and Social Costs of Crime, Second Edition was published by the Home Office in July 2018. An update to the economic and social cost of fraud against individuals has since been published in the Fraud Strategy (May 2023). Together, these documents are currently the most comprehensive source for the estimated economic and social costs of these specified crimes against individuals and businesses.

The Home Office plans to publish a report containing updated estimates of the costs of the included crimes in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which listed places of worship have received grants under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency since the inception of that scheme.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Reliable data from before 2022 is not available, but since August 2022, 8 listed places of worship have received awards to a total value of £46,074.27 through the grant scheme in the Birmingham Edgbaston constituency. These were St Germain’s Church receiving £35,316.97; St Augustine’s of Hippo Church receiving £2,922.10; St Peter’s Church receiving £2,513.00; St George’s Church receiving £2,057.68; Oasis Church receiving £1,283.18; Saint Bartholomew receiving £1,133.00; Methodist Church South Street receiving £698.34; and St Faith & St Laurence Church receiving £150.00.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are receiving support through the Healthy Start scheme in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/healthcare-professionals/

The NHSBSA does not hold data on local constituencies. The following two tables show the number of people on the digital scheme in March 2025 for all ward areas in Birmingham, and in the ward of Edgbaston specifically:

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made in efforts to decrease the number of instances of persecution on Bahai communities.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. Working with the Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith MP, we are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations, our bilateral work, and our programme funding,

The continued persecution of the Baha'i community including in Iran and Yemen, including unfair arrest and detention, land grabs, and denial of burial rights, is unacceptable. We are committed to working with international partners to hold countries to account for repression of the Bahai's, and other religious or belief minorities, including at the United Nations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of Sikhs who have liver disease according to the NHS.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities publishes mortality data and National Health Service hospital admission rates related to liver disease in England, in public health profiles. There is no data available for the number of Sikhs who have liver disease specifically.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department collects data on the number of people registered as organ donors who are (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) manages transplant services across the United Kingdom, and this includes the operation of the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

NHSBT does not collect data on the religion of those on the transplant waiting list. The information available on annual activity and the current waiting list is captured in the NHSBT Annual Activity Report, available on the NHSBT organ donation and transplantation website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.odt.nhs.uk/

Individuals can choose to provide details of their faith or beliefs when registering on the ODR via the NHSBT webpage. Some sources of registration onto the ODR do not have an option to record or report religion. As of 29 April 2025, where religion was reported, there were:

• 23,629 registrations on the ODR which identified as Sikh, comprising of 11,684 Opt-In registrations and 11,945 Opt-out registrations; and
• 43,562 registrations on the ODR which identified as Jewish, comprising of 9,499 Opt-in registrations and 34,063 Opt-out registrations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of Jewish people who are on the register waiting for a transplant.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) manages transplant services across the United Kingdom, and this includes the operation of the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

NHSBT does not collect data on the religion of those on the transplant waiting list. The information available on annual activity and the current waiting list is captured in the NHSBT Annual Activity Report, available on the NHSBT organ donation and transplantation website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.odt.nhs.uk/

Individuals can choose to provide details of their faith or beliefs when registering on the ODR via the NHSBT webpage. Some sources of registration onto the ODR do not have an option to record or report religion. As of 29 April 2025, where religion was reported, there were:

• 23,629 registrations on the ODR which identified as Sikh, comprising of 11,684 Opt-In registrations and 11,945 Opt-out registrations; and
• 43,562 registrations on the ODR which identified as Jewish, comprising of 9,499 Opt-in registrations and 34,063 Opt-out registrations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of Sikhs who are on the register waiting for a transplant.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) manages transplant services across the United Kingdom, and this includes the operation of the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).

NHSBT does not collect data on the religion of those on the transplant waiting list. The information available on annual activity and the current waiting list is captured in the NHSBT Annual Activity Report, available on the NHSBT organ donation and transplantation website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.odt.nhs.uk/

Individuals can choose to provide details of their faith or beliefs when registering on the ODR via the NHSBT webpage. Some sources of registration onto the ODR do not have an option to record or report religion. As of 29 April 2025, where religion was reported, there were:

• 23,629 registrations on the ODR which identified as Sikh, comprising of 11,684 Opt-In registrations and 11,945 Opt-out registrations; and
• 43,562 registrations on the ODR which identified as Jewish, comprising of 9,499 Opt-in registrations and 34,063 Opt-out registrations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many deaths by suicide were recorded among Sikhs in each of the last five years.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 28th April is attached.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of Jewish women who have breast cancer according to the NHS.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information is not held in the format requested.

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