Reducing violence in prisons remains a key priority. We are working hard to make prisons as safe as possible and are continuing our efforts to address the levels of violence in prisons.<\/p>
<\/p>
We have completed our landmark £100 million Security Investment Programme to clamp down on illicit items such as drugs, mobile phones and weapons \u2013 that drive prison violence and undermine safety.<\/p>
To support those at raised risk of being violent, we have introduced the Challenge, Support and Intervention Plan (CSIP), a case management approach that is centred around the individual and addressing the underlying causes of their violence, including specific risk factors and needs, to help them manage and move away from violent behaviours.<\/p>
<\/p>
To ensure our staff are equipped with the right tools to protect themselves and prisoners from serious assaults, we have completed the roll out of PAVA \u2013 a synthetic pepper spray \u2013 for use by prison officers in the adult male estate alongside SPEAR, a personal safety training package.<\/p>
<\/p>
We are continuing with plans for a phased removal of wet-shave razors in up to 30 prisons in the adult male estate in 2024/25.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4056", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nic Dakin"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Scunthorpe"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sir Nicholas Dakin"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-13T13:51:25.007Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Prisons: Crimes of Violence"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to tackle physical violence between prisoners in prisons.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4743", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lee Anderson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lee Anderson"} ], "uin" : "4788"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727873", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727873/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 and over.<\/p>
<\/p>
We know there are low-income pensioners who aren\u2019t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits \u2013 hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.<\/p>
<\/p>
The State Pension is the foundation of income in retirement and will remain so protecting 12 million pensioners through the triple lock. Based on current forecasts, the full rate of the new state pension is set to increase by £1,700 over the course of this Parliament.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme.<\/p>
<\/p>
We are also providing support for pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan which will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating \u2013 upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.\u202f\u202f An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4077", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Emma Reynolds"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Emma Reynolds"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-16T15:39:22.757Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Winter Fuel Payment"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support pensioners who are no longer eligible for winter fuel payments.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4743", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lee Anderson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lee Anderson"} ], "uin" : "4541"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727623", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727623/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country. I am working across government to ensure veterans across the UK have access to the support they need on housing, as well as health, employment and other areas.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government will develop a new cross-Government strategy, working with Mayors and Councils across the country, to put Britain back on track to ending homelessness. The MOD will support that work to take a long-term approach and to tackle the root causes of homelessness.<\/p>
<\/p>
Veterans in need of housing support can contact Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway to connect veterans with help and support. This system provides housing guidance and assistance to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness across the UK. As of September 2024, over 2,400 referrals have been made and over 700 veterans have been supported into housing.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/5235", "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham Selly Oak"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Al Carns"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-13T13:59:54.417Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterans: Homelessness"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he plans to take to support homeless veterans in Ashfield constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4743", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lee Anderson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lee Anderson"} ], "uin" : "4412"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727624", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727624/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local road network.<\/p>
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) is the local highway authority for the Ashfield constituency, and it is therefore responsible for the maintenance of the local road network in its area. NCC is a part of the East Midlands Combined Authority (EMCA), and for this financial year the Department for Transport is providing EMCA with £53.9 million of capital funding for local highway maintenance across its area. It is a matter for EMCA to determine how much of this funding to allocate to each of its constituent authorities.<\/p>
<\/p>
Funding decisions for highways maintenance beyond 2024/25 will be made at the forthcoming Spending Review.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4029", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lilian Greenwood"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Nottingham South"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lilian Greenwood"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-10T09:04:20.493Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Roads: Nottinghamshire"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve road (a) maintenance and (b) conditions in (i) Ashfield constituency and (ii) Nottinghamshire.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4743", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lee Anderson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lee Anderson"} ], "uin" : "4413"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727625", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727625/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care.\u202fTo support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance\u202fand\u202fservice specifications.<\/p>
Whilst the majority of palliative and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people, and their loved ones, at end of life.<\/p>
Most hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services. The amount of funding charitable hospices receive varies by ICB area, and will, in part, be dependent on the breadth and range of palliative and end of life care provision within their ICB footprint.<\/p>
We understand that, financially, times are difficult for many voluntary and charitable organisations, including hospices, due to the increased cost of living. We want a society where these costs are manageable for both voluntary organisations, like hospices, and the people whom they serve.<\/p>
We, alongside NHS England, will continue to proactively engage with our stakeholders, including the voluntary sector and independent hospices, on an ongoing basis, in order to understand the issues they face.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4359", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kinnock"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aberafan Maesteg"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Kinnock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-12T10:07:42.573Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hospices: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding for hospices.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4743", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lee Anderson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lee Anderson"} ], "uin" : "4414"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727626", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727626/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population, has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICB) across England. For the Ashfield constituency, this is the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB.<\/p>
The Government plans to tackle the challenges patients face when trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments, and to recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists. The Government will also introduce a supervised tooth-brushing scheme for three- to five-year-olds, targeting the areas of highest need.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4359", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephen Kinnock"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Aberafan Maesteg"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Kinnock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-12T10:13:23.803Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Dental Services: Ashfield"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) provide funding and (b) improve access to NHS dental practices in Ashfield constituency.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4743", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lee Anderson"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashfield"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lee Anderson"} ], "uin" : "4415"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727627", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1727627/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has been clear that more must be done to accelerate the pace of remediation of unsafe buildings across the country.<\/p>
After the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Government prioritised identifying and providing funding for the highest risk buildings with unsafe cladding. Fire and rescue services and local authorities conducted a risk review of high-rise buildings over 18 metres in height, and building owners were required to register high-rise buildings with the department and apply for government funding to remove dangerous cladding.<\/p>
The Building Safety Act 2022 establishes a new regulatory regime for high-rise buildings, which requires all residential buildings above 18m to be registered with the Building Safety Regulator by October 2023. The regulator has powers to pursue any building owner who fails to comply, including prosecuting for non-compliance.<\/p>