Controlling or coercive behaviour is an insidious and often under-recognised form of domestic abuse.

To improve the multi-agency response to coercive or controlling behaviour and reflect latest policy and practice, we will update statutory guidance by the end of this year.

We will also improve the policing response to all VAWG, through our £13m investment in the new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection.

No woman or child should live in fear of having their image sexually manipulated by technology. That is why in the past six months we have made intimate image abuse and cyber-flashing priority offences under the Online Safety Act 2023; criminalised the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes and mandated that those images are taken down within 48 hours; introduced an offence banning AI nudification apps; and stood up to Grok and X. We know that technology moves fast and, as a Government, we have to keep up. Where we need to go further, we will.

Under the last Government an additional 900,000 children became part of the child poverty statistics, but as a result of our Child Poverty Strategy, published in December, 550,000 will be lifted out of poverty by the end of the current Parliament—the largest number ever in a single Parliament. The removal of the two-child limit from April, for instance, could benefit about 4,710 children in my hon. Friend’s constituency.

The UK continues to support the Ukrainian people in the face of unrelenting Russian aggression, which includes the targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilians. On Friday, we were proud to mark the anniversary of the 100-year partnership that we agreed with Ukraine last year, and we will continue to provide military and economic support, as well as support for Ukraine’s energy security.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes routine monitoring of notifiable diseases and causative agents which includes Shigella species. There is no evidence of Shigella linked to exposure to seawater in the North West.

The Environment Agency (EA) collects up to 20 samples at all 451 designated bathing waters during the bathing water season (15 May – 30 September). These samples are tested for E.Coli and intestinal enterococci at Bathing Water sites as these organisms are the most reliable indicators of faecal contamination.

Existing practices for monitoring and classification of bathing waters in the UK mirror the European Commission’s Bathing Water Directive which is based on the World Health Organisation’s recommendations for management of recreational waters. Current EA monitoring exceeds the minimum requirements of the Bathing Water Directive at all Bathing Waters.

The department is taking action to rebuild the water network to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. For example, in one of the largest infrastructure projects in this country’s history, £104 billion is being invested to upgrade crumbling pipes and sewage treatment works across the country. Water companies are investing over £11 billion in PR24, a record amount, to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales over the next five years. For England, this equates to over £10 billion to improve over 2,500 storm overflows.

Our landmark Water (Special Measures) Act will also introduce independent monitoring of every sewerage outlet, with water companies required to publish real-time data for all emergency overflows.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes routine monitoring of notifiable diseases and causative agents which includes Shigella species. There is no evidence of Shigella linked to exposure to recreational waters at beaches in the North West.

The Environment Agency (EA) analyses samples at least monthly, from every bathing water throughout the bathing water season. However, in practice, the EA samples more frequently than this to reduce the risk of misclassification.

The EA publishes sampling information during the bathing season on Swimfo to inform the general public of water quality and provide daily pollution risk warnings. This includes details on all bathing waters, including classifications, pollution sources, and seasonal water quality results.

Local Authorities use this information to provide bathing water quality information on physical signs at each designated bathing water, including their formal classification and a link to online details. The EA samples are tested for different bacteria including E.Coli and intestinal enterococci as the most reliable indictors of faecal contamination, but this does not include Shigella.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes routine monitoring of notifiable diseases and causative agents which includes E. coli. There is no evidence of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli infections linked to exposure to recreational waters at beaches in the North West.

Designated bathing waters display signs indicating the quality of water for bathing, ranging from poor to excellent. These classifications are updated annually based on regular water quality sampling taken over the preceding bathing season (15 May -30 September).

The Environment Agency (EA) do not test for Shigella in their samples, but test for E.Coli and intestinal enterococci at Bathing Water sites as these organisms are the most reliable indicators of faecal contamination. Additional information on water quality and bathing advice is provided daily on the EA’s website Swimfo during the bathing season to help determine if it’s safe to swim.

Where bathing water quality is not consistently excellent the EA makes pollution risk forecasts each day using an analysis of previous samples and notifies the public through the Swimfo website and on signage at the site.

The Fair Funding review will introduce a fairer, evidence-based funding system that reflects local circumstances and directs more support to the most deprived areas, ensuring the best value for money for government and taxpayers. New methodology will ensure funding is distributed to the places that need it most, using our most up-to-date assessment of need and demand across the system. These updates will account for local circumstances, including for different ability to raise income locally from council tax, and the variation in the cost delivering services.

There is no direct link between Dedicated Schools Grants deficits and allocations following the Fair Funding Review. However, Government recognises that local authorities are continuing to face significant pressure from the impact of deficits on their accounts, and will address this outside of the Fair Funding Review

Ambitious plans for reform of special educational needs provision will be set out early in the new year to deliver a sustainable system which supports children and families effectively. Future funding implications will be managed within the overall government DEL envelope, such that we would not expect local authorities to need to fund future special educational needs costs from general funds, once the Statutory Override ends at the end of 2027-28. We will set out further details on our plans to support local authorities with historic and accruing deficits through the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.