Jess Brown-Fuller

Ancillary orders, including Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), play an important work in delivering justice, especially for victims of crime.

When submitting a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in cases where it is appropriate to seek a CBO, the police are required to provide information to justify the making of a CBO. As with other ancillary orders, prosecutors apply for CBOs where the law enables them to do so, considering all the facts and circumstances in a case.

In the Government’s response to the Independent Sentencing Review, the Ministry of Justice announced plans to expand ancillary orders and to explore wider powers for judges to enable them to use these orders more effectively and punish offenders. The CPS is working with the Ministry of Justice to provide prosecutorial insight in support of this work.

The Government has completed an initial review of current guidance to inform a programme of updates to ensure local responders and the wider community have access to the guidance they need.

The Community Emergency Plan Toolkit will be updated within that programme.

The impact of a Hepatitis infection can range from very mild to very severe, including liver failure and death as a direct result of the infection. In its second interim report, the Infected Blood Inquiry recommended that the compensation scheme should reflect the different impacts of infection by developing severity bandings.

The Expert Group provided the Government with clinical advice on the distinctions between these impacts. This meant the Government could set severity bands for Hepatitis infections based on clear clinical markers.

As set out in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, where someone’s experience of Hepatitis, whether it is historic or in the present day, has been more severe, they will receive more compensation. In its Additional Report, published 9 July, the Inquiry stated that “that tiers are relevant to Hepatitis in a way in which they are not in cases of HIV.”

The impact of a Hepatitis infection can range from very mild to very severe, including liver failure and death as a direct result of the infection. In its second interim report, the Infected Blood Inquiry recommended that the compensation scheme should reflect the different impacts of infection by developing severity bandings.

The Expert Group provided the Government with clinical advice on the distinctions between these impacts. This meant the Government could set severity bands for Hepatitis infections based on clear clinical markers.

As set out in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, where someone’s experience of Hepatitis, whether it is historic or in the present day, has been more severe, they will receive more compensation. In its Additional Report, published 9 July, the Inquiry stated that “that tiers are relevant to Hepatitis in a way in which they are not in cases of HIV.”

This steel trade measure has been carefully designed to take account of UK industry needs, and to ensure continued supply of necessary imports to meet these aims.

An Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the relevant legislation was published on 30 June, setting out the expected impacts of this measure on different types of businesses.

We have engaged with downstream industries and will continue to do so as the measure is implemented. We will continue to monitor the measure and review it after 12 months.

The measure covers 20 categories of steel, including all finished steel products that can be made in the UK. It does not cover fabricated or derivative products. Details of the measure, including product scope, can be found on gov.uk here: UK's steel trade measure from 1 July 2026

For the purposes of this measure, the Department distinguishes between finished steel products, such as plates and coils, that are produced by steelmakers and fall within the specified categories, and fabricated or derivative products that have been further processed into downstream goods. The measure was designed to address the impacts of global steel overcapacity on UK steelmaking, given its importance to critical national infrastructure and defence, and therefore applies to finished steel products only.

The measure covers 20 categories of steel, including all finished steel products that can be made in the UK. It does not cover fabricated or derivative products. Details of the measure, including product scope, can be found on gov.uk here: UK's steel trade measure from 1 July 2026

For the purposes of this measure, the Department distinguishes between finished steel products, such as plates and coils, that are produced by steelmakers and fall within the specified categories, and fabricated or derivative products that have been further processed into downstream goods. The measure was designed to address the impacts of global steel overcapacity on UK steelmaking, given its importance to critical national infrastructure and defence, and therefore applies to finished steel products only.

The measure has been designed to reduce the risk of importers shifting to similar steel products that fall outside quotas. We will continue to monitor the measure carefully, review it after 12 months and engage with businesses to ascertain the potential for tariff circumvention through the import of semi-finished or fabricated steel products.

The Government undertook extensive engagement with steel producers and downstream users to inform the design of the trade measure, including with the British Constructional Steelwork Association, whose representatives Ministers have met on multiple occasions.

The Government took into account a range of different factors alongside this engagement to inform the design of the trade measure and we have sought to find the right balance between enabling necessary imports to flow whilst retaining steel making in the UK, as that is under existential threat.

The Government’s Warm Homes Plan (WHP) - which represents the biggest ever investment in home upgrades, is an offer for every household.

Park home residents can apply for support via a range of Government schemes including the Warm Homes: Local Grant, and ECO4 - which Government intends to extend until the end of the year, subject to Parliamentary approval. All eligible households in England and Wales can benefit from the expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme, funded with £2.7 billion to 2030. BUS provides grants up to £7,500 to help households with the upfront costs of installing heat pumps and biomass boilers. In addition, the 0% VAT rate on heat pumps installations offers further financial support.

We are also working with the finance sector to make a range of low-cost finance solutions available to homeowners, with Government backing a total loan portfolio of £2 billion, including up to £1.7 billion from our new Warm Homes Fund.

Residents who are not directly supplied with electricity may also be eligible for support with their bills through the Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme.

The Government recognises that public charging is more expensive than charging at home. To keep charging costs down for users, the Local EV Infrastructure Fund primarily supports lower powered local charging infrastructure, which tends to be cheaper than rapid charging.

The Government has also launched a review into the cost of public electric vehicle charging, looking at the impact of energy prices, wider cost contributors, and options for lowering these costs for consumers.

In February 2025, the Government consulted on expanding the existing Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme to households without a direct relationship with an energy supplier, which included houseboats. Despite support for the proposal, it was considered that any extension of support to people without a direct relationship with an energy supplier cannot be achieved within the existing Industry Initiatives budget.

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain.

The DCC is also required by licence conditions to seek to provide coverage to all premises where it is practicable and cost proportionate, and to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage. For the minority of premises that currently do not receive WAN coverage, a new solution will be trialled early next year which will involve harnessing, with their consent, customers’ broadband connections to carry smart metering communications.

The impact of Sizewell C RAB levies on consumers of the electricity system was considered as part of the business case process.

To align with the approach taken for other renewable schemes and minimise distortions, eligible GB based Energy Intensive Industries are exempt from the nuclear RAB policy costs.

Analysis shows Sizewell C could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system once operational - leading to cheaper power for consumers https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sizewell-c-value-for-money-assessment

The Government remains committed to supporting businesses with electricity costs. This includes targeted reliefs and broader efforts to ensure prices remain fair, competitive, and reflective of a well-functioning energy market.

Approximately 4,650 premises in the Chichester constituency were included in the initial scope of the Project Gigabit contract for East and West Sussex, which is being delivered by CityFibre.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) and CityFibre have since agreed not to progress with the later stages of the contract which are not yet in delivery. This is due to commercial coverage extending further than suppliers had previously indicated, meaning fewer premises now require public subsidy and therefore, the contract was redesigned to minimise overlap with commercial plans and ensure best use of public money.

Following this decision, almost all premises in Chichester have been descoped from the contract. Of the descoped premises, approximately 1,760 already have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection and around 400 are currently included in future commercial delivery plans.

As with other areas, BDUK is working to put in place alternative coverage solutions as soon as possible for the remaining premises which still require support. A market engagement consultation for suppliers was published on 1 June to confirm supplier interest in relation to the premises that still need coverage in the affected areas.

According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations reporting, as of January 2026, 81% of premises in Chichester have access to gigabit coverage, an increase from 72% in January 2025.

For the remaining premises within East and West Sussex that are not within the scope of suppliers’ commercial plans, including those in Chichester, BDUK is working to put in place coverage solutions as soon as possible through Project Gigabit, in line with the government’s commitment to achieve nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032. A market engagement consultation for suppliers was published on 1 June to confirm supplier interest in relation to the premises that still need coverage in this area.

The Government has no current plans to review the threshold for eligibility for the Higher Education Innovation Fund. The new eligibility criteria and threshold were recently developed and published in May 2025.

CityFibre is delivering Project Gigabit contracts across East and West Sussex, as well as Hampshire. These contracts currently include approximately 4,750 premises in the Chichester constituency.

All Project Gigabit contracts include criteria and obligations regarding time and budget against which suppliers’ performance is monitored. These include measures to manage effective build plans, milestones, risks and issues.

My Department holds regular meetings with suppliers to discuss their progress. Each supplier’s performance is measured using monthly contractual reporting, reviewing the build progress and payment claims on each contract.

Failure to deliver to a contract milestone on any build phase of a contract can result in the trigger of a rectification plan process and cessation of payments until the milestone is achieved.

Beyond Project Gigabit, in areas where deployment is commercially viable, we have created a competition-friendly environment to support the roll-out of gigabit broadband.

Ofcom’s improved online mobile coverage checker went live on 26 June, which I would encourage the Hon Member to consult.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We continue to work with industry to deliver this and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market.

Ofcom, by law, carries out its duties independently of the Government. Ofcom has an ongoing duty, under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to hold those licences. Ofcom can revoke a licence if it ceases to be satisfied that this is the case. In making a fit and proper assessment, Ofcom can consider all relevant circumstances, including the broadcaster’s own conduct, and the behaviour of people who exercise material influence or control over the broadcaster. This could include criminal behaviour or links to proscribed organisations.

Improving access to the arts is a priority for this Government. Dance plays a central role in our country’s cultural ecology, from organisations like the English National Ballet and Rambert through to the community clubs across the country that ensure the talent pipeline for dancing of all styles continues to thrive.

The government supports the arts financially, including dance, through its arm’s-length body Arts Council England. Arts Council England has provided over £58 million to 153 organisations across England over 2024/25 to support dance. For instance, the Royal Ballet and Opera’s initiative “The Bridge” provides funding for working with schools and community groups nationwide to involve individuals in opera and ballet.

ACE also provides £450,000 in funding to the National Youth Dance Company, which offers high-quality training and performance opportunities through outreach to communities with higher proportions of young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to the nation’s economy and sporting landscape.

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HM Treasury, as is standard practice.

Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. In financial year 24/25, the Levy raised £108 million for the purposes of supporting horse breeds, advancing veterinary science & education within the industry and facilitating general improvements to the sport.

Statutory tests and assessments at primary school help measure the attainment of pupils in relation to the standards set out in the national curriculum and help teachers and parents identify where pupils may need additional support in a certain subject area. Key stage 2 tests are subject to robust test development processes, which include reviews involving serving teachers and experts in special educational needs and trials with hundreds of year 6 pupils. Where appropriate, schools can use a range of access arrangements to ensure that pupils with specific needs can access the tests.

The interview with Gemma Collins was not subject to consultation with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) advocacy organisations or education professionals prior to publication.

The department does not consult on every interview we publish. The content was specifically focused on post-16 vocational pathways and was designed to reach young people who may feel disconnected from traditional academic routes. It was a single interview published to coincide with an announcement on regional funding for apprenticeships and our plans for the transition to V Levels.

The department takes the concerns of SEND families extremely seriously. Before publishing the ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ white paper, we held a national conversation involving thousands of conversations and over 200 engagement events, meetings and roundtables across the country. Ministers continue to hold regular meetings with campaigners and disabled children's organisations.

The National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs), introduced in 2024, ensures SENCOs receive high-quality, evidence-based training. This includes equipping them with the skills and capability to work alongside leaders to deliver inclusive practice. In 2024/25 there were 9,725 funded starts. As set out in the SEND reform: Putting Children and Young People First consultation, we will revise the NPQ to reflect their role in the reformed system subject to the outcomes of that consultation.

On 16 January 2026, the government also announced a new training package, backed by £200 million of new funding, to ensure that all education staff and leaders can be trained to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) alongside SENCOs. This includes an initial package of materials to be published in September 2026, which will help school leaders explain SEND reform to staff. Further materials will help leaders with creating a strong universal provision including pedagogy, school environment and working with parents. Beyond this, delivery of flexible training courses to help teachers, leaders, teaching assistants and support staff to deliver inclusive education will begin in Autumn 2027.

Schools are not responsible for clinical healthcare tasks. Healthcare tasks can be delegated to staff in schools and other education settings where the responsible healthcare professional considers delegation safe and appropriate.

The Department for Education and the Department for Health and Social Care are working closely to produce guidance on clinical healthcare in schools.

Schools play a vital role in giving many pupils their first experience of playing sport, including hockey, in a structured and inclusive environment. This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every child can access high quality physical education and school sport.

That is why, in June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced a new approach to PE and school sport, focused on building strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies of sport, such as England Hockey, to support greater participation and physical activity.

National Governing Bodies provide valuable resources, workforce development and teacher support to help schools deliver high‑quality sporting opportunities, both within the PE curriculum and through enrichment activity. The department is preparing to procure a national partner to lead the new PE and School Sport Partnerships, which will provide an opportunity to regularly assess the adequacy of support available to schools across PE and school sport, including hockey provision.