Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
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 a) heatwaves and b) periods of extreme heat on people i) living in their home and ii) in inpatient settings with severe mental illness.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on incorporating measures to protect people living with severe mental illness during periods of extreme heat into the UK’s National Adaptation Programme.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We are strengthening our approach to climate adaptation across government to support our work to develop an ambitious fourth National Adaptation Programme. This includes working with lead departments such as DHSC to ensure that vulnerable people are protected from the impacts of extreme heat.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of amending building standards to improve indoor air quality for people living with severe mental illness during a) heatwaves and b) periods of extreme heat.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In England, Part F of the Building Regulations requires adequate means of ventilation for people in buildings. Good ventilation is needed to supply fresh air, help ensure good indoor air quality and maintain good thermal comfort. In March, we announced updates to Part F as part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, coming into force next year, to support better outcomes for occupants.
Part O of the Building Regulations, which came into force in 2022, requires that new residential buildings are built to mitigate the risk of overheating. This is an important part of our work to adapt our country to face climate change, and it will protect the most vulnerable where they live and sleep. Approved Document O requires that local pollution is taken into account when designing homes, to ensure that the overheating mitigation strategy is usable and safe for occupants.
The Government keeps the Building Regulations under review. The Building Safety Regulator is currently undertaking a technical review of Part O to ensure it is effective and proportionate.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her department has made of the potential merits of introducing noise-activated ANPR cameras to identify loud vehicles.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport conducted roadside trials of noise camera technology between October 2022 and February 2023. Reports of these trials, including detailed assessment of the technology’s performance and potential merits, were published on 17 March 2024. Overall, the trials demonstrated that noise cameras currently have the potential to be used for enforcement, but only when accompanied by human review of the recorded evidence, which is likely to lower the cost effectiveness of deploying the technology in many circumstances.
It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area. The use of noise camera technology has already been taken forward by some local authorities.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support and training is available to school leadership teams to help tackle incidents of a) racism and b) other forms of discrimination against i) pupils and ii) staff.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
There is no place for any form of discrimination in our schools, and we are committed to ensuring that pupils and staff feel safe and supported.
The department’s Educate Against Hate website provides free, quality assured resources and guidance to help teachers challenge prejudice and build resilience to racism and other forms of discrimination. When incidents occur, we work closely with schools, trusts and local partners to provide timely and proportionate support.
The department also publishes guidance on preventing and tackling harassment against school staff, including discriminatory behaviour and bullying.
As part of the department’s wider commitment to combating discrimination, we have allocated £7 million to strengthen action against antisemitism in education, which includes a £1 million innovation fund. Sir David Bell’s review into antisemitism in schools and colleges will also provide further support and guidance for school leaders on preventing and responding to antisemitism.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many incidents of racism against a) pupils and b) staff were reported in schools in England in each of the last five years.
Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department does not centrally collect data on the number of reported incidents of racism against pupils or staff in schools in England and therefore does not hold the information requested.
The department publishes guidance for schools on preventing and tackling bullying and, more recently, on preventing and tackling the bullying and harassment of school staff. This is avaiable at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-bullying; and: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying-and-harassment-of-school-staff/preventing-and-tackling-the-bullying-and-harassment-of-school-staff. Schools are expected to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to address bullying and discriminatory behaviour.
School leaders are responsible for ensuring that schools comply with their duties under the Equality Act 2010, including taking appropriate action to prevent and tackle discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Schools are expected to have effective behaviour and anti-bullying policies in place and to address incidents of racist abuse when they occur.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to encourage employers in Kent to hire more apprentices.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships and give employers, including in Kent, greater flexibility to develop the workforce they need to grow and succeed.
As of August, the Government now fully funds apprenticeship training for all eligible under 25s for employers of all sizes.
To support non-levy paying employers (typically SMEs) to meet the additional costs associated with employing young people, we have introduced a new apprenticeship hiring payment of £2,000 when they take on 16–24-year-old apprentices as new employees. Employers hiring apprentices aged 18-24 who have been on Universal Credit for over six months will also be eligible for the new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant.
We also provide £1,000 to both employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under 19, or 19-to-24-year-old apprentices who have an EHCP or have been, or are, in care.
These payments can be added together where the employer and/or apprentice are eligible.
The government also facilitates and funds the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) which comprises around 3,000 employers and apprentices who volunteer to promote the benefits of apprenticeships. It operates across all parts of England, including in Kent, through nine regional networks which provide buddying and mentoring support to small businesses to help them recruit and retain apprentices.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rising fuel prices on the competitiveness of coach operators based in Kent.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the impact of cost increases on the coach sector, and we will continue to monitor developments closely. The Government has taken action to help support businesses with these increased costs, including extending the 5p fuel duty cut until the end of the year, benefitting coach operators, including in Kent.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the international recruitment regional fund beyond the end of this financial year.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The data requested is not held centrally by the Department of Health and Social Care. On wider immigration issues, the Home Office consultation on Earned Settlement closed in February 2026 and responses are currently being analysed. The Home Office will set out next steps in due course.
Asked by: Sojan Joseph (Labour - Ashford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many displaced care workers there were in a) Kent, b) the South East and c) England on the most recent date for which figures are available.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The data requested is not held centrally by the Department of Health and Social Care. On wider immigration issues, the Home Office consultation on Earned Settlement closed in February 2026 and responses are currently being analysed. The Home Office will set out next steps in due course.