Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of trends in changes in waiting times for cases initially to be assigned at the Pensions Ombudsman over the past two years.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Waiting times for cases to be initially assigned at The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) have increased over the past two years, primarily due to sustained growth in demand, alongside a backlog of complex cases. TPO has implemented an Operating Model Review to improve efficiency and throughput, which has increased case closures and begun to stabilise waiting times.

However, waiting times for assignment, particularly for more complex cases, remain longer than desired.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to update guidance on handling complaints in children's social care.

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

The department wants to ensure that the process for children’s social care complaints is effective and straightforward for families to navigate. We also want to ensure that local processes work effectively and efficiently within local authorities, and that the system enables the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman to deliver its independent scrutiny role.

The department will work with the Ombudsman to explore options to streamline the process and improve redress for children and families. This can include better signposting, improved clarity, and promoting clear local information on redress routes. As part of this, we will consider updating guidance as part of our wider work programme across children’s social care.

It is also important that children and young people have access to advocacy when they need it. We will shortly publish updated statutory guidance for local authorities and national standards on effective advocacy for looked-after children, children in need and care leavers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what consideration he has given to the potential merits of using mobile phone alerts to warn of the dangers of cold water shock in hot weather.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

Responsibilities for water safety sit with various Government departments and agencies. As part of its “Beat the Heat” campaign, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) includes a stay safe when swimming section, including links to the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s advice on cold water shock. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/beat-the-heat-hot-weather-advice/beat-the-heat-staying-safe-in-hot-weather

In partnership with the Met Office, UKHSA provides early warning to the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector, and Government departments through the Weather-Health Alerting System. This happens when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population. Further information is available at the following link:

https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts

The Cabinet Office is responsible for emergency alerts which are considered for a range of risks under the National Risk Register. Local responders are able to request an emergency alert in their area. The Cabinet Office considers requests on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency alerts will only be issued when they meet the thresholds for use. There must be a risk to life in a defined area, with immediate action for the public to take to keep themselves safe. The criteria have been set intentionally high to avoid alert fatigue.

Russian sanctions

International Court of Justice's July 2024 Advisory Opinion on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Civil Service pensions

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations

Found: South East) Anna Dixon (Labour; Shipley) Rachel Gilmour (Liberal Democrat; Tiverton and Minehead) Sarah Green

Found: members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Anna Dixon; Rachel Gilmour; Sarah Green

Found: Q74 Sarah Green: I would like to focus in on the governance of that service.

Found: South East) Anna Dixon (Labour; Shipley) Rachel Gilmour (Liberal Democrat; Tiverton and Minehead) Sarah Green

Found: Members present: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Chair); Mr Clive Betts; Anna Dixon; Rachel Gilmour; Sarah Green

Found: South East) Anna Dixon (Labour; Shipley) Rachel Gilmour (Liberal Democrat; Tiverton and Minehead) Sarah Green

Found: Q6 Sarah Green: Could you give us some colour?

Found: February 2026, a Westminster Hall debate marking the second anniversary of the Hughes Report, led by Sarah Green

Found: February 2026, a Westminster Hall debate marking the second anniversary of the Hughes Report, led by Sarah Green