Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the 10 secondary school subjects with the largest number of teacher vacancies in England.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the UK–EU summit in 2026 will be held in the UK or the EU.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what the total cost was of hosting the UK–EU summit in 2025.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many members of the Independent Monitoring Boards have been removed from their role following a security vetting failure or a breach of any codes of conduct in each of the last ten years; and how many are currently suspended pending investigation on either ground.

Answered by Lord Timpson

Over the last 10 years, no members of Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) have had their appointment terminated following a security vetting failure. During the same period, nine IMB members have had their appointment terminated following a breach of the IMB Code of Conduct.

The Department does not comment on individual disciplinary, conduct or vetting matters relating to IMB members. Whilst aggregate information on concluded cases is published where appropriate, it would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing cases.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many members of the Independent Monitoring Boards have been removed from their role following a criminal conviction in each of the last ten years.

Answered by Lord Timpson

No members of the Independent Monitoring Boards have been convicted of a criminal offence and subsequently removed from their role in the last ten years.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the 1,000 roles for newly qualified midwives announced in response to Baroness Amos’s investigation are temporary and not permanent.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise that student midwives are a vital part of our future workforce, providing essential care and support to women, babies and families across maternity services.

Temporary posts give providers flexibility to recruit ahead of turnover, so newly qualified midwives can start work quickly rather than waiting for vacancies. This period will be used to stabilise services and support newly qualified midwives into practice, with the expectation they move into permanent roles as vacancies arise through normal turnover.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the new maternity and neonatal commissioner will be appointed by; and whether they will have a set time in post.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government has announced that it will appoint a statutory Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner. The full scope and role of the Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner is being considered urgently through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government who will sit on the panel for the Independent Review of the Prison System.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

Work is ongoing to establish a panel to support the Independent Review, in line with the appropriate appointment process. The panel will comprise individuals with the relevant expertise and experience to support the Review’s consideration of the matters set out in its Terms of Reference. Details of panel member appointments will be confirmed in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made towards their target to recruit 6,500 extra teachers by 2029.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We have now achieved 4,654 of the 6,500 additional teachers pledge, equivalent to 71.6% of the target, compared with the 2023/24 baseline. This includes 3,008 more teachers in secondary and special schools in 2025/26 and 1,646 more teachers in the statutory further education sector and school-based providers in 2024/25.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with representatives of Citizens Advice following findings that an increasing number of households are being directed towards Personal Independence Payments when contacting Citizens Advice for financial support.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department engages regularly with Citizens Advice and a range of other stakeholders on issues relating to the wider benefits system.

The Timms Review, the first ever full review of PIP, seeks to ensure we have a system that supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance is followed when an official incorrectly reports the theft of a Cabinet Office-provided phone.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

When an official's Cabinet Office-provided phone is stolen, they are required to report the theft to the department, and asked to report the theft to the Police.

If the phone was then found or retrieved for any reason, the case would be reviewed in line with the Cabinet Office’s Security Breach Policy, and IT Acceptable Use Policy.