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1730491

registered interest
date	04/10/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Carers and Foster Care: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will provide additional funding to equalise allowances between foster and kinship families.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	6239
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2024 answer text <p>This government recognises the valuable and important role that kinship carers play and appreciates that they often take on this role at a time in their lives when they are least expecting to raise a family.</p><p>Statutory guidance issued to local authorities makes it clear that children and young people should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare.</p><p>Local authorities have the powers to provide a range of services, including financial support, to support children and families. As local authorities know their carers best, they have the power to decide what financial support should be provided to carers and their children and any payments should be made in accordance with their model for assessing support needs. The government does not set a maximum or minimum allowance for local authorities to administer. While the government recognises the financial constraints on local authorities, guidance makes it clear that children and young people should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote their welfare.</p><p>The government is committed to work with local government to support children in care, including through kinship, foster care, and adoption, as well as strengthening regulation of the children’s social care sector.</p><p>This government is considering how to most effectively transform the children’s social care system to deliver better outcomes for children and families, including how best to support kinship families.</p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 14/10/2024 16:07:48 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1730492

registered interest
date	04/10/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Carers and Foster Care: Training
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to provide the same level of access to (a) training and (b) support to (i) kinship and (ii) foster carers.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	6240
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/10/2024 answer text <p>Reforming children’s social care is critical to giving hundreds of thousands of children and young people the start in life they deserve. It is also necessary to achieve financial stability for local authorities.</p><p> </p><p>This government is committed to helping children thrive, and we want the best for every child and family. We want to build on the foundations laid by local authorities to create a care system that works for everyone.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This government recognises the valuable and important role that kinship and foster carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children. Our manifesto committed to working with local government to support children in care, including through kinship and fostering arrangements.</p><p> </p><p>The government is extending the delivery of over 140 peer support groups across England, available for all kinship carers to access, where they can come together to share stories, exchange advice and support each other. The department is also delivering a package of training and support that all kinship carers across England can access.</p><p> </p><p>It is important that foster carers receive the support they need to fulfil this role and to meet the needs of the children in their care. The department is investing over £36 million this spending review to deliver 10 local authority regional fostering recruitment and retention hubs, covering 64% of local authorities in England. The majority of hubs launched this summer and include rollout of the Mockingbird programme in all local authorities, which offers peer-support to foster carers and the children in their care.</p><p> </p><p>The department is also funding Fosterlink, a new support service for local authority fostering services not in the regional programme. This identifies areas for improvement and creates a national network to share best practice.</p><p> </p><p>The department also encourages fostering service providers to adhere to the Foster Carer Charter. The Charter sets out clear principles for how foster carers should be treated and recognises their invaluable work. This was refreshed in February 2022 and sets out the responsibilities of foster carers, fostering services and the corporate parent. It aims to deliver best practice in fostering for all involved, including carers and children.</p><p> </p><p>The Charter can be accessed here: <a href="https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/our-campaigns/foster-carers-charter-0" target="_blank">https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/our-campaigns/foster-carers-charter-0</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 11/10/2024 12:42:59 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1730493

registered interest
date	04/10/2024
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
hansard heading	Carers: Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing the same rights to leave for kinship carers as are are in place for adoption leave.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	6241
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2024 answer text <p>The Government greatly values kinship carers who come forward to care for children who cannot live with their parents. The Government has committed in the Plan to Make Work Pay to review the system of parental leave to ensure that it better supports working families. We will set out more information in due course.</p> answering member constituency Ellesmere Port and Bromborough answering member printed Justin Madders question first answered 14/10/2024 09:50:09 answering member 4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1730494

registered interest
date	04/10/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Carers and Foster Care
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will provide the same access to (a) health and (b) therapeutic support for children in kinship care as those in formal care settings.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	6242
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2024 answer text <p>This government recognises the importance of health and therapeutic support services for all children, including those in kinship care. Ensuring every child receives the support they need is a key priority.</p><p>The department recently renamed the Adoption Support Fund, the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, to increase awareness among families in kinship arrangements who are eligible for therapeutic support through the fund.</p><p>We are committed to working with local government to support children in care, including through kinship arrangements. We are considering how to most effectively transform the children’s social care system to deliver better outcomes for children and families, including how best to support kinship children and families.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 14/10/2024 16:09:40 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1730495

registered interest
date	04/10/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made a recent comparative assessment of the educational needs of (a) children in kinship care and (b) other children.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	6243
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2024 answer text <p>Children in Special Guardianship and Child Arrangement Orders have higher attainment than children in local authority care but perform worse compared to all children.</p><p>In 2022/23 the average Attainment 8 score for children who left care on a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangement Order was 28. By comparison, the average attainment for children in care at March 31 was 18, while for the overall pupil population it was 46.</p><p>This department is determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve. We know that many children who receive care from relatives and friends need extra support, including in school. We are working to ensure their needs are met, and that they have the best possible opportunity to succeed.</p><p>In September 2024, the role of virtual school heads was expanded to include championing the education, attendance, and attainment of children in kinship care, to ensure they receive the help they need to thrive at school.</p><p>This government is considering how to most effectively transform the children’s social care system to deliver better outcomes for children and families, including how best to support kinship children and families.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 14/10/2024 16:12:29 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1730496

registered interest
date	04/10/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Carers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made on implementing the national kinship care strategy in schools
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	6244
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/10/2024 answer text <p>This department is determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve, and kinship carers play a crucial role in delivering this. We know that many children who receive care from relatives and friends need extra support, including in school. The department is working to ensure their needs are met, and that they have the best possible opportunity to succeed.</p><p> </p><p>In September 2024, the role of virtual school heads was expanded to include championing the education, attendance, and attainment of children in kinship care, to ensure they receive the help they need to thrive at school.</p><p> </p><p>All children in kinship arrangements, regardless of legal status, will benefit from the adaptation of the strategic virtual school head role. This will be a systemwide approach, bringing greater focus and visibility to the distinct needs of children in kinship care.</p> answering member constituency Lewisham East answering member printed Janet Daby question first answered 11/10/2024 12:37:00 answering member 4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1730518

registered interest
date	04/10/2024
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Energy: Standing Charges
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on (a) the level of standing charges for (i) gas and (ii) electricity in the North East and (b) regional variations in standing charges.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	6245
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/10/2024 answer text <p>Although standing charges are a commercial matter for suppliers, and are regulated by Ofgem, we know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on them. The Government has worked constructively with the regulator on the issue of standing charges, and we are committed to lowering the cost of them.</p><p> </p><p>The Government understands that there is a degree of variance in electricity standing charges across the country. This arises from a regional variation in electricity distribution costs and reflects the different costs of maintaining and upgrading the distribution network in a specific area, and the number of consumers those costs are spread across.</p><p> </p><p>Ofgem’s recently published discussion paper sets out the options for how standing charges could be reduced, including by moving some supplier operational costs off standing charges onto the unit rate, increasing the variety of tariffs available for consumer in the market, and in the longer term, reviewing how system costs are allocated. Ofgem's publication can be found here: <a href="https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ofgem.gov.uk%2Fcall-for-input%2Fstanding-charges-domestic-retail-options&amp;data=05%7C02%7CParliamentary.PQ%40energysecurity.gov.uk%7C380feeac04fd4ae2fb0008dcec3438ab%7Ccbac700502c143ebb497e6492d1b2dd8%7C0%7C0%7C638644956234833439%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=WVAbXX0S%2BRx2XhM6BPe20dwERTvPxf48nBPmExfkmmI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/call-for-input/standing-charges-domestic-retail-options</a>. The Government will continue to support Ofgem in this work and ensure that standing charges are reduced.</p> answering member constituency Peckham answering member printed Miatta Fahnbulleh question first answered 14/10/2024 13:04:32 answering member 5099
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1725454

registered interest
date	30/08/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Sexual Dysfunction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support sufferers of post SSRI sexual dysfunction.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	2900
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/09/2024 answer text <p>Patients can visit either their general practice (GP), or a sexual health clinic, for support with erectile dysfunction. Anyone experiencing mental health issues, including those related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use, is encouraged to seek help by consulting to their GP or by self-referring to their local NHS Talking Therapies service.</p><p>The product information for individual SSRI medicines describe a range of side-effects, including potential sexual dysfunction during treatment. Some products specifically note that these symptoms may persist even after discontinuing the medication. Patients are encouraged to discuss the benefits and risks associated with medicines with their prescriber for individual support.</p><p>As with all medicines, the evidence available for the safety of antidepressants remains under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency after they are authorised for use. In response to patient and family feedback, an Expert Working Group under the Commission of Human Medicines has been established. This group is currently considering the risk minimisation measures for antidepressants in relation to suicide and suicidal behaviour. The scope of this review has been expanded to include the risk of persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping the medication for all 30 antidepressants currently marketed in the United Kingdom.</p><p>The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has funded previous studies focused on the effects of antidepressant medication on sexual function. For example, a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of management strategies for sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants, and to determine the adverse effects and acceptability of these different management strategies.</p> answering member constituency Gorton and Denton answering member printed Andrew Gwynne question first answered 09/09/2024 09:06:34 answering member 1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1725658

registered interest
date	30/08/2024
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Sexual Dysfunction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what research his Department is undertaking on permanent antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	2901
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2024 answer text <p>The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR has funded previous studies focused on the effects of antidepressant medication on sexual function. For example, a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of management strategies for sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants, and to determine the adverse effects and acceptability of these different management strategies. The NIHR is not currently funding any research with a focus on the permanency of antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction.</p> answering member constituency Gorton and Denton answering member printed Andrew Gwynne question first answered 05/09/2024 10:56:42 answering member 1506 label Biography information for Andrew Gwynne
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1725427

registered interest
date	27/08/2024
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Mineworkers' Pension Scheme
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to compensate people affected by the surplus sharing agreement with the Mineworkers Pension Scheme.
tabling member constituency	Blyth and Ashington
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	900188
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/09/2024 answer text <p>Our Manifesto committed to reviewing the surplus sharing arrangements and work is already underway to initiate that process. We are committed to transferring the Investment Reserve and ending the injustice of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.</p> answering member constituency Croydon West answering member printed Sarah Jones question first answered 05/09/2024 15:30:44 answering member 4631 label Biography information for Sarah Jones
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery