Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that perpetrators in line for early release who have (a) history of and (b) prior convictions for domestic violence do not reoffend.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government inherited a justice system on the brink of collapse and due to acute prison capacity pressure, the Government had no option but to introduce a change that will allow prisoners serving an eligible standard determinate sentence (SDS) to be released after serving 40% rather than 50% of that sentence in custody. Certain offences have been excluded from this change. They include serious violent offences with a sentence of four years or more, specified offences linked to domestic abuse irrespective of sentence length (including stalking, coercive or controlling behaviour, and non-fatal strangulation).

The policy is being implemented in two tranches to safely manage releases. All offenders released will be subject to robust licence conditions and risk management plans, monitored by the probation service. There are clear expectations in place for probation staff managing cases where there is evidence of domestic abuse. While on licence they will be subject to conditions including those deemed necessary to protect the public, such as exclusion zones, location monitoring, residence at a specified place or disclosing details of any new relationship. Offenders must comply with these conditions and attend supervision. If they fail to comply, they can be recalled to continue serving their sentence in prison.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether any prisoners convicted of violent offences are scheduled for early release.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Certain offences have been excluded from this change. This includes serious violent offences with a sentence of four years or more; specified offences linked to domestic abuse irrespective of sentence length (including stalking, coercive or controlling behaviour and non-fatal strangulation); sex offences irrespective of sentence length; as well as offences concerning national security. The change will also not apply to sentences subject to release at the discretion of the Parole Board or to certain sexual and violent offences which currently attract automatic release from an SDS at the two-thirds point.

This change means that by law, an offender serving multiple sentences could have a mixture of some sentences that are eligible for the 40% release point and others that are not. Someone serving a sentence for an excluded offence will not see their custodial time for that sentence reduced.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what categorisations of crimes will perpetrators be eligible for release from prison under the early release schemes; and what methodology was been used to determine the categories of offenders to be released.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Release provisions for different sentence types and length are fixed by law. This change has amended the automatic release point for standard determinate sentences.

Certain offences have been excluded from this change. This includes sex offences irrespective of sentence length; serious violent offences with a sentence of four years or more; specified offences linked to domestic abuse irrespective of sentence length (including stalking, coercive or controlling behaviour and non-fatal strangulation); as well as offences concerning national security. The change will also not apply to sentences subject to release at the discretion of the Parole Board or to certain sexual offences and violent offences which currently attract automatic release from an SDS at the two-thirds point.

This means that by law, an offender serving multiple sentences could have a mixture of some sentences that are eligible for the 40% release point and others that are not. Someone serving a sentence for an excluded offence will not see their custodial time for that sentence reduced.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what methodology was used to determine a 18 month review period for the new Early Release Scheme.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis. Due to ongoing pressures on prison capacity, the Government adjusted the release point for prisoners serving eligible standard determinate sentences (SDS), allowing release after 40% of their sentence rather than 50%, and have committed to review this change after 18 months. This measure was necessary to stop the collapse of the justice system and quickly free up prison places, as well as ensuring courts can continue to send offenders into custody. 18 months allows time for officials to monitor the impact of the measure on prison capacity and act accordingly based on the impact.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what role her Department will have in coordinating a cross-departmental approach to ending homelessness.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels have sky-rocketed, and we must deliver long-term solutions. The Government will look at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country, to get us on back on track to ending homelessness once and for all.

The Government is taking action by setting up a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group which the Deputy Prime Minister will chair, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop this long-term strategy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent street discharge from hospital settings for people rough sleeping.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to promoting safe and timely discharge for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness to appropriate accommodation. Every acute hospital has access to a care transfer hub to manage discharge for people with more complex needs, who need extra support.

The Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have published guidance and supporting materials for health and care staff on discharging people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. This guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness

This ensures that every health and care interaction with a homeless person acts as an opportunity to provide support and signposting, with the aim of ending rough sleeping. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the development of the Government’s plans for social and affordable housing.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve intermediate care for the homeless.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

People experiencing homelessness are one of the most complex cohorts for hospital discharge and intermediate care services. The Government is working closely with NHS England and local authorities to drive improvements in intermediate care across the country, to help keep people well and independent for as long as possible, provide alternatives to hospital and care home admissions, and support timely and effective discharge for those admitted to hospital.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to prevent women being put in danger following the release of perpetrators of domestic violence.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

We have important safeguards in place for the early release scheme ‘SDS40’ and have made sure that changes won’t apply to a series of offences that occur most frequently in the context of domestic abuse including stalking, coercive or controlling behaviour, and non-fatal strangulation.

Victims and survivors can be assured that probation follow business as usual processes to build appropriate risk management plans to support the safe release of prisoners. Victims and survivors who are eligible for and have opted into the Victim Contact Scheme or the Victim Notification Scheme continue to get information and updates about developments on their case.

All offenders released are subject to robust licence conditions and risk management plans, monitored by the probation service. There are clear expectations in place for probation staff managing cases where there is evidence of domestic abuse. While on licence, offenders will be subject to conditions including those deemed necessary to protect the victim and wider public, such as exclusion zones, location monitoring, residence at a specified place or disclosing details of any new relationship. Offenders must comply with these conditions and attend supervision. If they fail to comply, they can be recalled to continue serving their sentence in prison.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on reducing the number of women sleeping rough.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We recognise that women sleeping on the streets have different experiences and needs to men, particularly relating to experiences of violence and abuse.

£9.2 million funding is available for women-specific rough sleeping services. We will take action to tackle rising levels of rough sleeping and develop a strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions with Network Rail on (a) congestion in major railway stations and (b) dangerous passenger transitions towards platforms in busy periods.

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

Network Rail is responsible for the safe operation and management of twenty major railway stations and is regulated by the Office of Rail and Road. Ministers and officials routinely engage with Network Rail to hold it to account for matters within its control and drive improvements for passengers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department collects data on driving theory test pass rates for those with (a) ADHD and (b) other neurodiverse conditions.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

If candidates with ADHD or neurodiverse conditions (or any condition that requires the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to make special accommodations at the test centre) ask for support with taking a theory test, they need to provide evidence of the condition they have at the time of booking the test. But DVSA does not record or retain this evidence, so does not collect data on the pass rates of those who have such conditions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the integration of (a) dietitians and (b) allied health professionals in the delivery of (i) public health and (ii) primary care.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is leading a collaboration between the nations of the United Kingdom, as well as 14 Allied Health Professional (AHP) bodies, including the British Dietetic Association, to refresh the UK Allied Health Professions Public Health Strategic Framework, which is available at the following link:

https://www.ahpf.org.uk/files/UK%20AHP%20Public%20Health%20Strategic%20Framework%202019-2024.pdf

Publication of the new strategic framework is planned for early 2025. It will include goals to increase the profile, capability, and leadership of AHPs, including dietitians, in public health, including how they integrate into the wider public health workforce.

The Department has also worked with the Council of Deans of Health to publish Public Health Curricula Guidance for Pre-Registration Education of AHPs, including dietitians, and with the Health and Care Professions Council to promote their revised standards of proficiency for public health.

The Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES) was developed to support the establishment of primary care networks which would provide greater resilience for practices, and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PRN01583-network-contract-des-spec-24-25-pcn-requirements-entitlements.pdf

The Network Contract DES details that primary care networks are entitled to funding to support the recruitment of additional staff to deliver health services, which is referred to as the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). The ARRS includes first contact physiotherapists and paramedics and also dietitians, podiatrists, and occupational therapists. The inclusion of these AHP roles within primary care creates capacity within the system for the timely assessment and management of patients within the community, reducing the need for general practice (GP) intervention.

Together with existing GP staff, the new roles can help form a multidisciplinary team who can provide new services, better care for patients, and improve integration. GPs can refer to other AHPs not included in the ARRS as clinically indicated within the community.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Integrated Care Systems across England have policies targeted to better health outcomes for those that experience homelessness.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Integrated care systems and integrated care boards (ICBs) are expected to have a dedicated focus on tackling health inequalities. The Health and Care Act 2022 mandates that ICBs reduce inequalities in access to and outcomes from healthcare for the population they serve. This includes groups experiencing the poorest health outcomes, often referred to as inclusion health populations, such as people experiencing homelessness, vulnerable migrants, sex workers, and people with substance use issues. In addition, the Department has supported the development of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance which provides recommendations on ways to improve access to, and engagement with, health and social care services for people experiencing homelessness, and the Department is working across the health system to promote this guidance.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide Belzutifan to patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease.

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

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS, based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NICE has published final draft guidance that recommends belzutifan for treating tumours associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease subject to a managed access agreement. Belzutifan is now available to eligible patients through the Cancer Drugs Fund in line with the NICE’s final draft recommendations, ahead of the publication of the NICE’s final guidance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure children from deprived backgrounds can participate in sport.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government believes that every child - no matter their background or ability - should have the opportunity to play sport and be physically active.

We provide the majority of our funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. The expansion of Sport England’s Place Partnerships will invest up to £250 million of National Lottery and Exchequer funding and enhance engagement in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.

The Government has also committed to continued funding for grassroots facilities which will ensure that children and young people have access to high-quality, inclusive facilities, no matter where they live.

Zoe’s Place and funding for children’s hospices

World Homelessness Day 2024