Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of ambulance callouts recorded for (a) violent assaults related injuries, (b) injuries sustained during a burglary or break in in each year since 2015 involved (i) response times exceeding 15 minutes or (ii) hospital transfer times exceeding 60 minutes.

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

There are clearly defined national standards for patient access to urgent and emergency care with a clinically led model that prioritises those in the greatest need. While NHS England routinely monitors and evaluates Category 1 and 2 ambulance response times by clinical condition, e.g. cardiac arrest or stroke, NHS England does not record the cause of the incident, e.g. assault or injury sustained during a burglary. The requested data on the number of ambulance callouts for violent or assault-related injuries and injuries sustained during a burglary or break in is not centrally collected. Similarly, response and handover times for such incidents are not available. No specific assessment has been made of ambulance delays on the survival and recovery rates for these victim groups.

For data on crime-related incidents, including assaults and burglaries, please refer to police-recorded crime data, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/police-recorded-crime-and-outcomes-open-data-tables

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ambulance delays on (a) survival and (b) recovery rates for victims of (i) violent crime and (ii) home intrusion.

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

There are clearly defined national standards for patient access to urgent and emergency care with a clinically led model that prioritises those in the greatest need. While NHS England routinely monitors and evaluates Category 1 and 2 ambulance response times by clinical condition, e.g. cardiac arrest or stroke, NHS England does not record the cause of the incident, e.g. assault or injury sustained during a burglary. The requested data on the number of ambulance callouts for violent or assault-related injuries and injuries sustained during a burglary or break in is not centrally collected. Similarly, response and handover times for such incidents are not available. No specific assessment has been made of ambulance delays on the survival and recovery rates for these victim groups.

For data on crime-related incidents, including assaults and burglaries, please refer to police-recorded crime data, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/police-recorded-crime-and-outcomes-open-data-tables

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether NHS England routinely monitors Category 1–2 ambulance response times by incident type.

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

There are clearly defined national standards for patient access to urgent and emergency care with a clinically led model that prioritises those in the greatest need. While NHS England routinely monitors and evaluates Category 1 and 2 ambulance response times by clinical condition, e.g. cardiac arrest or stroke, NHS England does not record the cause of the incident, e.g. assault or injury sustained during a burglary. The requested data on the number of ambulance callouts for violent or assault-related injuries and injuries sustained during a burglary or break in is not centrally collected. Similarly, response and handover times for such incidents are not available. No specific assessment has been made of ambulance delays on the survival and recovery rates for these victim groups.

For data on crime-related incidents, including assaults and burglaries, please refer to police-recorded crime data, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/police-recorded-crime-and-outcomes-open-data-tables

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many ambulance call-outs have been recorded for (a) violent or assault-related injuries and (b) injuries sustained during a burglary or break-in in each year since 2015.

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

There are clearly defined national standards for patient access to urgent and emergency care with a clinically led model that prioritises those in the greatest need. While NHS England routinely monitors and evaluates Category 1 and 2 ambulance response times by clinical condition, e.g. cardiac arrest or stroke, NHS England does not record the cause of the incident, e.g. assault or injury sustained during a burglary. The requested data on the number of ambulance callouts for violent or assault-related injuries and injuries sustained during a burglary or break in is not centrally collected. Similarly, response and handover times for such incidents are not available. No specific assessment has been made of ambulance delays on the survival and recovery rates for these victim groups.

For data on crime-related incidents, including assaults and burglaries, please refer to police-recorded crime data, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/police-recorded-crime-and-outcomes-open-data-tables

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to improve the quality of stay for fathers in the maternity ward.

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

When a mother chooses to have support from the father or partner during labour, birth, and in the postnatal period, the father or partner should feel welcome to stay with her. Where possible, fathers or partners are offered a chair or fold up bed to enable them to stay with the birth mother. These temporary items are to ensure the flexibility of the space in the room. Many maternity units also have 24-hour access for fathers and partners.

Not all maternity units are currently able to offer accommodation for birth partners. This is due to the size of the inherited estate and historic undercapitalisation across the National Health Service, as highlighted by the Darzi Report. 11 out of the 16 new hospitals to be built as part of the New Hospitals Programme will have maternity and neonatal units, which include parental accommodation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many telephone operators work on the Universal Credit helpline by the nationality of those operators.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We do not centrally hold the nationality of Universal Credit call handlers and to provide the information would incur disproportionate cost.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what has been the cost to the public purse of the Gaza medical evacuation scheme for children.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2025 to Question 81587.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much was paid in compensation by the NHS by the reason for that compensation in each of the last ten years.

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

This information is available on the NHS Resolution website at the following link:

https://resolution.nhs.uk/resources/annual-statistics/

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has been (a) informed of, (b) consulted on and (c) involved in EU-funded projects for migrant (i) accommodation and (ii) reception facilities in (A) France, (B) the Western Balkans, (C) north Africa and (D) Türkiye since 2022.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

Since EU Exit, the UK is not a participant in EU funding programmes that cover third country compliance with UN standards on reception facilities and migrant accommodation.

We have not had specific discussions with the EU or member countries about EU-funded migrant accommodation or reception centres in France, Türkiye, North African or Western Balkan nations. That would be an internal matter for those countries.

However, the Home Office works closely with international partners to address the shared challenge of irregular migration and as such we continue to engage on wider migration management with the EU and member countries.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

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

The specific information breakdown requested is commercially confidential.

However, significant payments to companies, £25,000 and over, are published by month as part of the Department’s transparency data. This information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/spending-over-25-000--2

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for the total budget and number of staff of the Government Communication Service.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government Communication Service (GCS) conducts an annual data collection, requesting government organisations to submit accurate and timely returns. It should be noted that some organisations may have undergone significant changes since the data was collected in July 2025.

At the time of the 2025 annual Government Communications data collection, the total figure for staff in the Government Communication Service is 6,150 across the profession in all departments and ALBs. The total budget is not held centrally in the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has been informed of any Palantir contracts or U.S. federal agreements referencing UK data-sharing or joint programme work since 2020.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

DSIT is not responsible for holding information centrally on contracts or federal agreements that may be held in other government departments. Within DSIT there are currently no Palantir contracts or U.S. federal agreements referencing UK data-sharing or joint programme work since 2023 when DSIT was formed.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of benefit expenditure was lost to (a) claimant fraud, (b) official error and (c) customer error in each of the last five years.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since Autumn Budget 2024, including the new announcements at Autumn Budget 2025, the Government have committed to gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030/31 from fraud, error and debt activity in Great Britain.

Estimates of the levels of fraud and error in the benefit system for the financial year 2024-25 can be found at: Fraud and error in the benefit system: financial year 2024 to 2025 estimates - GOV.UK and cost of fraud and error in the benefit system for the past five financial years can be found at: Fraud and error in the benefit system - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an estimate of savings from halving levels of benefit fraud and error by 2030.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since Autumn Budget 2024, including the new announcements at Autumn Budget 2025, the Government have committed to gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030/31 from fraud, error and debt activity in Great Britain.

Estimates of the levels of fraud and error in the benefit system for the financial year 2024-25 can be found at: Fraud and error in the benefit system: financial year 2024 to 2025 estimates - GOV.UK and cost of fraud and error in the benefit system for the past five financial years can be found at: Fraud and error in the benefit system - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much benefit expenditure was lost to fraud and error in the most recent year for which figures are available by benefit type.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since Autumn Budget 2024, including the new announcements at Autumn Budget 2025, the Government have committed to gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030/31 from fraud, error and debt activity in Great Britain.

Estimates of the levels of fraud and error in the benefit system for the financial year 2024-25 can be found at: Fraud and error in the benefit system: financial year 2024 to 2025 estimates - GOV.UK and cost of fraud and error in the benefit system for the past five financial years can be found at: Fraud and error in the benefit system - GOV.UK

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many applications were made to the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme in each of the last three years; and how many and what proportion of those applications were unsuccessful.

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

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) regularly publishes data on the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme to improve transparency. Information related to COVID-19 vaccine claim volumes and outcomes up to June 2025 is available at the following link:

https://opendata.nhsbsa.net/dataset/vdps-covid-19

Claims that have not been assessed may have been rejected before a medical assessment took place as they did not meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme. Other claims are still live, but the NHS BSA may be awaiting medical records. Medical assessments cannot take place until sufficient medical records have been received to allow for a robust assessment.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2025 to question 81592 on Medical Treatments: Gaza, what the estimated total cost of the programme will be to the public purse.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2025 to Question 81587.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have been monitored by the Government Communications Service in the previous year.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government Communication Service (GCS) monitors publicly available media posts, under strict controls, to measure communication effectiveness, understand public narratives, and address potential mis/disinformation.

GCS does not access private information or monitor individuals, but collects, stores, and processes data from public social media posts.

Reports may include examples of high-performing public content relevant to government priorities, and adheres to a published Privacy Notice (link below) outlining the legal basis for monitoring.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis

GCS uses commercially available automated and AI tools, such as Storyzy, procured via the civil service framework, for information environment analysis; no external contractors are used.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many civil servants within the Government Communications Service are engaged in identifying, categorising, or responding to social media content critical of government migration policy.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Cabinet Office's GCS team has three staff members responsible for media and social media analysis. While their analysis is not specifically focused on migration, the topic may arise as part of wider thematic reporting. We cannot provide information on GCS staffing levels or responsibilities within other government departments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Communications Service maintains a database, spreadsheet, internal dashboard, or record of accounts or individuals who post content about migrants, asylum seekers, or community housing pressures.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government Communication Service (GCS) monitors publicly available media posts, under strict controls, to measure communication effectiveness, understand public narratives, and address potential mis/disinformation.

GCS does not access private information or monitor individuals, but collects, stores, and processes data from public social media posts.

Reports may include examples of high-performing public content relevant to government priorities, and adheres to a published Privacy Notice (link below) outlining the legal basis for monitoring.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis

GCS uses commercially available automated and AI tools, such as Storyzy, procured via the civil service framework, for information environment analysis; no external contractors are used.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Communications Service uses automated tools, AI systems, or external contractors to scrape social media data relating to criticism of migration.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government Communication Service (GCS) monitors publicly available media posts, under strict controls, to measure communication effectiveness, understand public narratives, and address potential mis/disinformation.

GCS does not access private information or monitor individuals, but collects, stores, and processes data from public social media posts.

Reports may include examples of high-performing public content relevant to government priorities, and adheres to a published Privacy Notice (link below) outlining the legal basis for monitoring.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis

GCS uses commercially available automated and AI tools, such as Storyzy, procured via the civil service framework, for information environment analysis; no external contractors are used.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Communications Service collects, stores, or processes data from social media accounts under the RESIST framework.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

The Government Communication Service (GCS) monitors publicly available media posts, under strict controls, to measure communication effectiveness, understand public narratives, and address potential mis/disinformation.

GCS does not access private information or monitor individuals, but collects, stores, and processes data from public social media posts.

Reports may include examples of high-performing public content relevant to government priorities, and adheres to a published Privacy Notice (link below) outlining the legal basis for monitoring.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis/privacy-notice-social-and-digital-media-analysis

GCS uses commercially available automated and AI tools, such as Storyzy, procured via the civil service framework, for information environment analysis; no external contractors are used.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department consulted (a) Stonewall, (b) Mermaids and (c) other advocacy organisations at any stage during the (i) design, (ii) approval, and (iii) communication of the PATHWAYS trial.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. That’s why we are following expert, independent advice from the Cass Review to implement a package of research to find out how the National Health Service can best support children and young people with gender incongruence.

This includes the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence.

The trial has received independent scientific, ethical, and regulatory approvals as well as a comprehensive review. The study design, including inclusion criteria and safety protocols, has been thoroughly scrutinised to protect young people's wellbeing. The process has included consideration of robust procedures relating to consent and eligibility.

The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. The Department has not conducted its own parallel engagement with advocacy organisations on trial development but is represented, alongside patient and parent representatives, on the National Research Oversight Board to which the research team regularly reports.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with Kings College London on the potential merits of pausing recruitment to the new Pathway puberty-blocker trial until an independent panel considers the findings of the Cass Review.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. That’s why we are following expert, independent advice from the Cass Review to implement a package of research to find out how the National Health Service can best support children and young people with gender incongruence.

This includes the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence.

The trial has received independent scientific, ethical, and regulatory approvals as well as a comprehensive review. The study design, including inclusion criteria and safety protocols, has been thoroughly scrutinised to protect young people's wellbeing. The process has included consideration of robust procedures relating to consent and eligibility.

The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. The Department has not conducted its own parallel engagement with advocacy organisations on trial development but is represented, alongside patient and parent representatives, on the National Research Oversight Board to which the research team regularly reports.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Pathway puberty-blocker trial on future legal claims by participants.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. That’s why we are following expert, independent advice from the Cass Review to implement a package of research to find out how the National Health Service can best support children and young people with gender incongruence.

This includes the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence.

The trial has received independent scientific, ethical, and regulatory approvals as well as a comprehensive review. The study design, including inclusion criteria and safety protocols, has been thoroughly scrutinised to protect young people's wellbeing. The process has included consideration of robust procedures relating to consent and eligibility.

The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. The Department has not conducted its own parallel engagement with advocacy organisations on trial development but is represented, alongside patient and parent representatives, on the National Research Oversight Board to which the research team regularly reports.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has issued on the capacity of children aged between 11 and 15 to consent to medical trials related to puberty blockers.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. That’s why we are following expert, independent advice from the Cass Review to implement a package of research to find out how the National Health Service can best support children and young people with gender incongruence.

This includes the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence.

The trial has received independent scientific, ethical, and regulatory approvals as well as a comprehensive review. The study design, including inclusion criteria and safety protocols, has been thoroughly scrutinised to protect young people's wellbeing. The process has included consideration of robust procedures relating to consent and eligibility.

The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. The Department has not conducted its own parallel engagement with advocacy organisations on trial development but is represented, alongside patient and parent representatives, on the National Research Oversight Board to which the research team regularly reports.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has obtained legal advice on whether putting minors on puberty blockers constitutes a breach of child-safeguarding duties.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. That’s why we are following expert, independent advice from the Cass Review to implement a package of research to find out how the National Health Service can best support children and young people with gender incongruence.

This includes the PATHWAYS trial, a carefully designed clinical trial to assess the relative benefits and harms of puberty-suppressing hormones as a treatment option for children and young people with gender incongruence.

The trial has received independent scientific, ethical, and regulatory approvals as well as a comprehensive review. The study design, including inclusion criteria and safety protocols, has been thoroughly scrutinised to protect young people's wellbeing. The process has included consideration of robust procedures relating to consent and eligibility.

The trial was designed and will be delivered by an independent research team. This was in conjunction with patient and public involvement as well as clinical and legal experts, including those who specialise on medical ethics. The Department has not conducted its own parallel engagement with advocacy organisations on trial development but is represented, alongside patient and parent representatives, on the National Research Oversight Board to which the research team regularly reports.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many children under the age of 16 were administered puberty blockers, including through (a) clinical trials and (b) private routes in each of the last five years; and what adverse effects were reported.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists or ‘puberty blockers’ are used to treat several medical conditions in children and young people. These can include precocious puberty, some forms of cancer, and endometriosis. They have been used outside of their licenced indication to treat gender dysphoria.

The following table shows the National Health Service prescriptions of puberty blockers for children aged 15 years old and under that were prescribed in England and dispensed in a community pharmacy or general practice in each year from 2020/21 to September 2025:

Source: ePACT2, which is sourced from the NHS Business Services Authority’s Information Services Data Warehouse

Note: figures are unrounded.

The NHS does not centrally collect data on secondary care prescribing. Information on the clinical indication for which these medications have been prescribed is not held. The Government does not hold data that shows how many children under 16 years old were administered puberty blockers through clinical trials or private routes.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has not previously funded trials specifically giving puberty suppressing hormones to children and information on non-NIHR funded trials is not held.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received three United Kingdom based suspected adverse drug reaction reports in which a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists analogue has been reported as being used in a child or young person for the purpose of puberty suppression in gender dysphoria.

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 de-transitioners reporting harm from puberty blockers; and whether his Department considered this data as part of its approval of the trial.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

There is currently no registry in place in the United Kingdom that routinely collects data that is specific to individuals who choose to detransition at any point following a previous medical intervention for gender reassignment.

Last month, NHS England published a Call for Evidence aimed at healthcare professionals and medical bodies to gather evidence on the care needs of individuals who choose to detransition, in line with the recommendations of the Cass Review. NHS England will publish plans for the establishment of a clinical detransition pathway in 2026, informed by the outcome of the Call for Evidence and a review of the published evidence.

The PATHWAYS trial has been subject to extensive scientific, clinical, ethical, and regulatory approvals. It was approved by an independent National Institute for Health and Care Research funding committee, with the final protocols all subject to rigorous approval processes from both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the Health Research Authority, including review by an independent Research Ethics Committee.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As of 31 October 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had less than five employees on sickness absence for six months or more where the recorded reason related to mental health. The exact number has been redacted to avoid identification of individuals.

The Department records sickness absence reasons in line with Civil Service categories, which include stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.

The Department offers a range of support including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and access to occupational health services.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology routinely reports its sickness absence data on gov.uk alongside the rest of the Civil Service.

Information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence

This contains statistics for sickness absence by organisation and sickness reason, including Mental Ill-Health.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Civil Service sickness absence reports (which provide statistics for sickness absence by organisation and sickness reason, including Mental Ill-Health) are publicly available at: [https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence]. The next release of data is likely to be on Thursday 18th December 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many immigration offenders were released on bail and not detained in each of the last ten years.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not routinely publish the information you have requested. We are unable to provide this information, as it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

On the 30 September 2025, 94 individuals were recorded on Ministry of Defence (MOD) HR systems with an ongoing sick absence of six months or longer for Mental Disorders as defined by the World Health Organisation International Classification of Diseases.

The MOD HR systems do not break down this down but include Anxiety, Depression and Stress within the description.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Information on sickness absence, including data by Department and sickness reason (such as Mental Ill-Health), is published in the Civil Service sickness absence reports available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence. The next release is expected soon.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Civil Service publishes sickness absence statistics by organisation and by sickness reason, including mental ill-health. These figures are available in the publicly accessible Civil Service sickness absence reports on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence). The next release of these statistics is scheduled for 18 December, and you may wish to refer to this forthcoming publication for the most up-to-date information.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Civil Service publishes regular sickness absence reports, which provide statistics for sickness absence by organisation and sickness reason, including Mental Ill-Health. These can be found at Sickness absence in the Civil Service - GOV.UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

We currently have fewer than 5 staff on leave for six months or more for mental health related sickness absence. We do not reveal the medical details for individual ill health.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Cabinet Office publishes sickness absence data for the Civil Service on an annual basis, including by organisation and by absence reason. I refer you to the statistics publicly available which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence. The next release is likely to be around 18 December 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Civil Service sickness absence reports, which provide statistics for sickness absence by organisation and sickness reason, including Mental Ill-Health.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with (a) asylum seeker status, (b) refused asylum seeker status and (c) no lawful immigration status are in receipt of benefit support; and what the annual cost of that support is.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

People without valid UK immigration status are prohibited from accessing public funds benefits, including asylum seekers and those refused asylum in the UK. People with a pending asylum application may be able to claim asylum support provided by the Home Office, which is separate to the mainstream welfare system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Information on sickness absence, including mental ill-health, is available in the Civil Service Sickness Absence Reports, which provide statistics by organisation and sickness reason. These reports can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence. The Cabinet Office collates Sickness Absence data from DWP on a quarterly basis. On an annual basis this management information is published.

The next release of these statistics is expected to be around 18 December.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many recorded offences involving vandalism, arson, burglary, or hate-motivated attacks were committed against Christian places of worship in each of the last five years.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and will not tolerate anti-Christian hatred in any form.

The Home Office does not hold arrest or crime data specifically relating to Christian places of worship.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many arrests and prosecutions have resulted from reported offences against churches in each of the last five years.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and will not tolerate anti-Christian hatred in any form.

The Home Office does not hold arrest or crime data specifically relating to Christian places of worship.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department records crimes committed against churches, chapels and other places of Christian worship as a distinct offence category.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and will not tolerate anti-Christian hatred in any form.

The Home Office does not hold arrest or crime data specifically relating to Christian places of worship.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department holds data on the nationality or immigration status of people arrested for offences committed against churches.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and will not tolerate anti-Christian hatred in any form.

The Home Office does not hold arrest or crime data specifically relating to Christian places of worship.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to conduct a national review into criminal attacks on churches and Christian heritage sites.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and will not tolerate anti-Christian hatred in any form.

The Home Office does not hold arrest or crime data specifically relating to Christian places of worship.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Civil Service sickness absence reports, which provide statistics for sickness absence by organisation and sickness reason, including Mental Ill-Health, are published on an annual basis. The publication of the 2025 report is currently planned for 18 December 2025.

These annual reports can be found by following the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As of 31 October 2025, there are 0 staff in DfTc who have been absent for six months or more due to mental health.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claims were terminated in the last 12 months as a result of fraud investigations; and what the estimated value of those claims was.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Since Autumn Budget 2024, including the new announcements at Autumn Budget 2025, the Government have committed to gross savings of £14.6bn up to the end of 2030/31 from fraud, error and debt activity in the welfare state in Great Britain.

Information on the outcomes of our fraud investigations was published this year and can be found using the below link (pg 114-115): DWP Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 25

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many super-injunctions relating to the Government are in place.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government does not publish or hold centralised data on the number of super-injunctions currently in place, due to the sensitive and often confidential nature of such orders.

Where such orders are made, they are typically issued by the High Court under strict judicial oversight and may include provisions that prevent disclosure of their very existence.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

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

Based on our reporting data up to the end of September 2025, we are withholding this data due to the small number of employees involved which could make individuals and the cause of their absence identifiable.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of (i) nurses (ii) doctors (iii) midwives entering the NHS were (a) non-UK citizens (b) non-UK graduates in each of the last five years.

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

The Department does not hold data on the number and proportion non-United Kingdom citizens entering the National Health Service. NHS England publishes monthly Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) workforce statistics for England which includes data on the self-reported nationality of NHS staff, which may not be the same as citizenship. Not all non-UK nationals will have been recruited from abroad, as some will already be resident in the UK before they join the NHS. This information is available at the following link, within the folder “Preliminary - NHS HCHS Workforce Statistics, Turnover – CSV data files”:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics

The Department does not hold data on the number and proportion non-UK graduate doctors, nurses and midwives entering the NHS. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) publishes data on non-UK graduate first-time joiners to their professional register across the UK. The General Medical Council (GMC) similarly publishes data on non-UK graduates taking up, or returning to, a license to practice medicine in the UK. It is possible to apply to join the UK Registers without moving to the UK.

The most recent published NMC data is available at the following link:
https://www.nmc.org.uk/about-us/reports-and-accounts/registration-statistics/

The most recent published GMC data can be found under the “Reference tables and data annex” section of the “The state of medical education and practice in the UK: workforce report 2025”, within the file titled “The register of medical practitioners”, available at the following link:

https://www.gmc-uk.org/about/what-we-do-and-why/data-and-research/the-state-of-medical-education-and-practice-in-the-uk/workforce-report

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, to provide a breakdown in the total value of student loan repayments received by (i) non-UK nationals and (ii) UK nationals in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The following table gives the Student Loan Company (SLC) payments in millions for the 2020/21 to 2024/25 financial years and covers Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans (full time and part time) for undergraduates only domiciled in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the EU (Scotland's applications are not administered by SLC). These figures are split by the UK National indicator on the application form. Student support eligibility is determined by residency and not nationality and the UK National indicator field on the application form can be left blank by the applicant.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, for the total spend on (i) LinkedIn membership fees (ii) other subscriptions by her Department in the last financial year.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

In the last financial year, the Office spent no money on LinkedIn membership fees and £3,332.48 on other subscriptions.

Digital ID and civil liberties

Cancelled mayoral elections

Government participation in the independent Rape Gang Inquiry

Found: Rupert Lowe: Can I ask James one question?