theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-09-06 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-06 conversation_22

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in collaboration with Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can in line with their priority needs to defend its sovereign territory to ensure we put them in the strongest possible position. This includes the provision of UGVs to Ukraine.

The UK and Ukraine signed a Framework Arrangement on Defence Material Cooperation, in April 2024, which will enable the UK and Ukraine to jointly develop, manufacture and upgrade battlefield winning capabilities that will sustain and enhance the defence industries of both countries. A number of these technologies will be applicable to UGVs as well as wider uncrewed systems.
wrans/answers2025-09-06 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-06 conversation_23

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to recommendation 21 of the Strategic Defence Review: Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad, published on 2 June 2025, whether the new Defence Diplomacy Strategy will be developed in conjunction with other departments. \p Luke Pollard: With the backdrop of the challenging global environment outlined in the Strategic Defence Review and the National Security Strategy, the Ministry of Defence is developing a new Defence Diplomacy Strategy, in coordination and consultation with other Government Departments.

The Defence Diplomacy Strategy will prioritise the use of the Defence instrument in support of UK defence and wider foreign policy objectives. It will ensure that we are taking a coordinated, strategic and deliberate approach to protect and promote UK interests and enhance UK influence.

This work is being led by the Minister of State for the House of Lords who is responsible for international relations and defence diplomacy.
wrans/answers2025-09-06 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-06)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-06 conversation_24

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ares vehicles will be required by an infantry platoon in the armoured role. \p Luke Pollard: The Department does not release detailed information on its workforce requirements below top-level figures.

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will understand that I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_1

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to prevent incorrect reductions in benefits due to automatic system sweeps that apply data errors without prior human verification; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of long delays in refunding these incorrect deductions on claimants’ financial security. \p Sir Stephen Timms: A claimant who thinks an incorrect assessment has been made can have the assessment reviewed. The number of data errors is very small. Fewer than 1% of Real Time Information (RTI) disputes processed are upheld in the customer’s favour.

Where system changes result in overpayments, there are safeguards in place which would mean any overpayment would not be actioned until an agent has considered the case and checked for vulnerabilities, prior to the claimant being notified.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_2

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what machine learning models her Department has used to help tackle fraud in the last three years. \p Andrew Western: DWP uses Machine Learning as an analytical tool in the prevention and detection of fraud and error. There is currently one fraud and error machine learning model in full deployment and others at various stages of development, testing and implementation, focused on the highest areas of loss.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_3

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much their Department has spent on translating documents into languages other than (a) English and (b) other native UK languages in each year since 2023; and what these languages were. \p Andrew Western: Spend:

Year

Total

2023

£ 707,777.12

2024

£ 882,118.00

2025

£ 546,323.38

Languages:

Albanian

Hebrew

Croatian

Amharic

Tamil

Somali

Arabic

Urdu

Italian

Bahasa Indonesia

Nepali

Catalan

Bengali

Farsi (Persian)

Swedish

BSL (British Sign Language)

Somali

Portuguese (Brazilian)

Bulgarian

Romanian

Lithuanian

Croatian

Japanese

Serbian

Czech

Norwegian

Ukrainian

Danish

Ukrainian

Norwegian

Dari

Welsh

Estonian

Dutch

Bulgarian

French

Estonian

Traditional Chinese

Thai

Farsi (Persian)

Bengali

Farsi (Persian)

Finnish

Latvian (Lettish)

Hungarian

French

French

Romanian

German

German

German

Greek

Swedish

Turkish

Gujarati

Pashtu

Bahasa Indonesia

Hebrew

Dari

Dari

Hindi

Vietnamese

Vietnamese

Hungarian

Hungarian

Russian

Icelandic

Catalan

Hebrew

Indian Punjabi

Icelandic

Gujarati

Italian

Italian

Urdu

Japanese

Estonian

Indian Punjabi

Korean

Hindi

Welsh

Kurdish / Kurdish Sorani

Sinhalese

Korean

Kurdish Kurmanji

Slovenian

Georgian

Latvian (Lettish)

Turkish

Danish

Lithuanian

Portuguese

Portuguese

Macedonian

Bosnian

Oromo ( Afan)

Malay (Malaysian)

Kurdish / Kurdish Sorani

Albanian

Maltese

Amharic

Kazakh

Norwegian

Dutch

Czech

Oromo ( Afan)

Bahasa Indonesia

Kinyarwanda

Pakistani Punjabi

Indian Punjabi

Pakistani Punjabi

Pashtu

Gujarati

Malay (Malaysian)

Polish

Polish

Polish

Portuguese

Lithuanian

Bulgarian

Portuguese (Brazilian)

Braille (Unified English)

Macedonian

Romanian

Danish

Greek

Russian

Portuguese (Brazilian)

Traditional Chinese

Serbian

Castilian

Nepali

Simplified Chinese

Simplified Chinese

Bosnian

Sinhalese

Croatian

Kurdish / Kurdish Sorani

Slovak

Slovak

Slovak

Somali

Pakistani Punjabi

Pashtu

Spanish

Spanish

Spanish

Swedish

Greek

Latvian (Lettish)

Tamil

BSL (British Sign Language)

Simplified Chinese

Thai

Russian

Japanese

Tigrinya

English (Easy Read)

Slovenian

Traditional Chinese

Thai

Bengali

Turkish

Finnish

Finnish

Ukrainian

Arabic

Arabic

Urdu

Czech

Dutch

Vietnamese

Serbian

Sinhalese

Welsh

Albanian

BSL (British Sign Language)

Flemish

Tagalog (Filipino)

Galician

Tamil

Korean

Tanzanian Swahili

Macedonian

Uzbek

Malay (Malaysian)

Sindhi

Spanish (LatAm)

Tagalog (Filipino)

Tanzanian Swahili

Tigrinya
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_4

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the Pensions Ombudsman has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Torsten Bell: The Pensions Ombudsman operates a hybrid working model. Therefore, the provision of equipment for staff to use when working at home is made in line with Health and Safety legislation and workplace adjustment requirements.

Over the last three years, the following has been contributed to support staff on the days they are not working in the office: £6,868 in in 2022/23, £6,289 in 2023/24 and £2,243 in 2024/25.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_5

Amanda Hack:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to publish the (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23 and (c) 2023-24 Social Fund Annual Reports. \p Torsten Bell: Work on the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Social Fund Annual Reports is underway, and these will be published as soon as possible. The 2023-24 Social Fund Annual Report will follow in due course.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_6

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential role of data surveillance in welfare policy. \p Andrew Western: No assessment has been made as the DWP does not currently or have any plans to use data surveillance to regulate, police or monitor the actions of individuals or groups in receipt of benefits.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_7

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of data surveillance on recipients of Universal Credit. \p Andrew Western: No assessment has been made as the DWP does not currently or have any plans to use data surveillance to regulate, police or monitor the actions of individuals or groups in receipt of benefits.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_8

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by her Department. \p Andrew Western: Public bodies usually collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The current harmonised standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group.

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year.

We await the outcome of this review.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_9

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the written statement of 18 June 2025 on National Housing Bank and new capital grant funding, HCWS712, over what period the £5 billion of new capital grant funding applies; and how much equivalent funding was provided in the last Parliament. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government will launch the National Housing Delivery Fund in 2026/27. Its c.£5bn of capital grant funding will be available across the four financial years from 2026/27 to 2029/30.

In the last Spending Review period (2022/23 to 2024/25), the previous government delivered grant funding for infrastructure and land across the Home Building Fund , Brownfield Housing Fund, Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund, Housing Infrastructure Fund, Land Assembly Programme, Single Land Programme, City Deals, Brownfield Land Release Fund, Bristol Temple Quarter and Ancoats, Estate Regeneration and Ebbsfleet. In total these programmes spent £2.935bn across that Spending Review period.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_10

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring landlords to re-tender for a new property management company when than 50% of all leaseholders support re-tendering. \p Matthew Pennycook: On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here.

The consultation seeks views on proposals to strengthen regulation of managing agents, including powers to appoint a manager or replace a managing agent and the introduction of mandatory professional qualifications for managing agents.

The government will set out further measures to strengthen regulation of managing agents in due course.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_11

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 60935 on Affordable Housing: Finance, what is the monetary value of (a) resource and (b) capital funding for the 2026-2036 Affordable Homes Programme in each year of the 10 year programme. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 62129 on 14 July 2024.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_12

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the evidential basis is that the affordable housing programme will deliver the largest increase in affordable homes in a generation. \p Matthew Pennycook: The £39 billion announced at the Spending Review for the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme for 2026-27 to 2035-36 is the biggest long-term investment in social and affordable housing in recent memory.

Our ambition is to deliver up around 300,000 social and affordable homes over the programme’s lifetime.

If we achieve this ambition and our target of at least 60% of the homes being for Social Rent, the new programme will deliver around 180,000 homes for Social Rent – approximately a sixfold increase on the number of grant-funded Social Rent homes delivered in the decade up to 2024.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_13

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the number of (a) properties and (b) property management companies owned by private equity firms on (i) service charges paid by and (ii) the quality of services provided to residents of leasehold properties. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department does not hold data on the impact of properties and property management companies owned by private equity firms on service charges and the quality of services provided to residents of leasehold properties.

On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS780). We invite views on the proposals from leaseholders and all those involved in managing leasehold buildings.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_14

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which local authorities have notified her Department since July 2024 that they intend to (a) introduce and (b) extend selective licensing schemes on private rented sector (PRS) dwellings; and if she will publish (i) the location of each scheme, (ii) the (A) number and (B) percentage of PRS properties as a proportion of total housing stock within the designation, (iii) the proportion of each local authority’s PRS stock which will be covered by licensing once the scheme is in place, (iv) the criteria under which each designation has been made, (v) the levels of relevant licensing fees and (f) the total value of licensing fees for each local authority. \p Matthew Pennycook: There is no requirement for local authorities to notify the Department of their intention to introduce or extend selective licensing schemes.

The General Approval issued in December 2024, removed the requirement for the Secretary of State to approve schemes covering more than 20% of a local authority’s private rented properties or geographical area.

We expect local authorities to make information regarding their scheme readily available.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_15

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what dates Ministers in her Department have met with (a) Dominic Grieve and (b) the members of the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia to discuss (i) that working group and (ii) the definition of Islamophobia. \p Alex Norris: Per the Terms of Reference for the Working Group, the Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement has had monthly meetings with the Chair of the Working Group. He has met with members of the Working Group on several occasions.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_16

Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what funding will be made available to small and medium size businesses when transitional arrangements for the Rural England Prosperity Fund end. \p Alex Norris: After March 2026, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will end. Beyond this, the government is providing targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This includes:

For local government as a whole, the government's funding reforms will move funding to the places that need it, ensuring that funding is targeted effectively at the places and services that need it most and allocated in a way that empowers local leaders to deliver against local priorities.

DBT will lead on the broader SME strategy setting out the government's vision for SMEs and we will work across government to ensure effective support.

Funding related to the Rural England Prosperity Fund is a matter for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_17

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with local authorities on the adequacy of the enforcement of safeguarding in relation to the placement of families in temporary accommodation with single homeless adults. \p Rushanara Ali: Local authorities must ensure that temporary accommodation is suitable for the needs of the household and should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. The Homelessness Code of Guidance sets out what local authorities must consider when determining whether accommodation is suitable, which you can find on gov.uk here. When accommodation with shared facilities is used to house children, local authorities must consider safeguarding risks.

MHCLG’s dedicated team of homelessness advisers have regular discussions with local authorities as they discharge their homelessness duties in line with legislation.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_18

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 60843 on Civil Service: Equality, whether the diversity trainers have provided guidance or training in relation to the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Alex Norris: The diversity trainers set out in the answer of 26 June 2025 to Question UIN 60843 on Civil Service equality did not provide guidance or training in relation to the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_19

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 60843 on Civil Service: Equality, for what reason the external spending on Diversify World Ltd was not listed in Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025. \p Alex Norris: The external spending on Diversify World Ltd is listed as Black History Month events here.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_20

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce anti-social behaviour by people on motorbikes in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

Our Crime and Policing Bill will give the police greater powers to clamp down on all vehicles, including motorbikes, involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles.

On 28 May, the Government launched a six-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to more quickly dispose of seized vehicles such as motorbikes, which have been used anti-socially.

Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and illegally by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_21

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of approving the use of beyond-line-of-sight drones by police forces. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Drone technology is developing at a rapid pace and decisions on operational equipment are made independently by police forces, who are best placed to assess their own operational needs.

The Home Office and operational partners are working closely across government, including with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport, to support police use of drones and explore the benefits that future drones’ capabilities may provide to police operations. This includes standardising police operations, trialling innovative use of drones to improve police productivity, and supporting the progression of a future operating model for police aviation.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_22

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has plans to review the regulation of (a) hand-held catapults and (b) slingshots with a wrist-brace attachment. \p Dame Diana Johnson: I have asked Home Office officials to keep the law in this area under review. There are existing powers available for the police to tackle the misuse of catapults for anti-social behaviour or against people or property.

I understand that there is a particular concern about the misuse of catapults against wildlife. I have therefore written to Dan Zeichner MP, the relevant Minister in DEFRA, which has responsibility for the law protecting animals and birds to highlight this problem.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_23

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of local authorities’ (a) powers and (b) resources to enforce Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) requiring dogs to be kept on leads in public parks; and what steps her Department is taking to support councils in (i) extending PSPO coverage where necessary and (ii) improving public (A) awareness and (B) enforcement to reduce dog-related incidents in shared green spaces. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police and local authorities with a range of flexible tools and powers, including Public Spaces Protection Orders, that they can use to tackle dog-related incidents in public spaces.

Appropriate use of the powers is a local decision for local authorities, police and other agencies. The Home Office regularly engages with police and local authority partners to discuss the effectiveness of the legislation.

We are making changes to some of the powers in the 2014 Act via the Crime and Policing Bill to ensure the powers – based on engagement with police and local authorities – are as effective as possible. These changes include increasing the upper limit for a fixed penalty notice for breach of a Public Spaces Protection Order from £100 to £500 to act as a stronger deterrent to anti-social behaviour, including dog-related incidents in public spaces.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_24

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help prevent crimes relating to arson. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government is committed to tackling and preventing arson. We know the serious impact that arson can have on both individuals and the wider community.

We are committed to ensuring fire services have the resources they need to do their vital work and to keep the public safe from fires, including those caused by arson. We are also delivering on our commitment to restore and strengthen neighbourhood policing, ensuring thousands of additional police officers and police community support officers are out patrolling in our town centres and communities to make the streets safer. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million has been allocated to forces for 2025/26 to support this commitment. Nottinghamshire Police has been allocated £3,570,488 and will deliver an increase of 30 police officers, 20 Police Community Support Officers and 20 Special Constables by 31 March 2026.

The Home Office is also providing £66.3 million funding in 2025-26 to forces in England and Wales to deliver high visibility patrols in the areas worst affected by knife crime, serious violence and anti-social behaviour, including criminal damage caused by arson. Nottinghamshire Police will receive £1,529,097 of this funding.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_25

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to work with community groups on the knife crime amnesty initiative in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government is operating extended surrender arrangements throughout July focused on Greater London, West Midlands and Greater Manchester, as the three highest areas of knife crime in England and Wales. These arrangements involve a mobile surrender van which is being operated by the charity Faz Amnesty to allow people to anonymously surrender knives and weapons along with the provision of surrender bins in partnership with the charity Word 4 Weapons. Faz Amnesty will be looking to work across wider locations in the future.

We are also running a separate surrender and compensation scheme to allow the public to surrender ninja swords and claim compensation at designated police stations across England and Wales. The list of designated police stations, including those within Thames Valley Police is available on Gov.UK at: Ninja sword surrender and compensation scheme - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_26

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) asylum seekers and (b) recent arrivals were charged with (i) rape and (ii) sexual assault in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Available data on the age, ethnicity, gender and region of individuals prosecuted and convicted at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Ministry of Justice Outcomes by Offences data tool, can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page, which is available online here:

Criminal justice statistics - GOV.UK

However, this data is not broken down by nationality or immigration status.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_27

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had recent discussions with the Foreign Secretary on taking steps to help support Palestinians to access locations to verify their biometric data for UK visa applications. \p Seema Malhotra: There are currently two UK Visa Application Centres operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in Ramallah and Jerusalem. The centres in Ramallah and Jerusalem are open twice per week and once every two weeks respectively for biometrics enrolment. The UK Visa Application Centre in Gaza has been closed since 7 October 2023 due to the conflict in the region and to ensure the safety of staff and customers. UKVI will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the supplier, VFS, to re-open this centre when it becomes safe to do so. There are also Visa Application Centres in neighbouring countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, which are open daily if customers are able to travel to these locations.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_28

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking to steps to help support children in Gaza with family members in the UK to come to the UK. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government is keeping all existing visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza. Palestinians who wish to settle in the UK can do so via the existing routes available. Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website: Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab).
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_29

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 39690 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, how many tasks have there been relating to Ministers travelling on all RAF planes since 4 July 2024. \p Maria Eagle: Since the 4 July 2024, there have been a total of 43 tasks completed in support of Ministers travel, across the RAF Command Support Air Transport fleets.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_30

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much their Department has spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation for languages other than (i) British Sign Language and (ii) languages native to the UK for people contacting (A) their Department and (B) its agencies in 2025. \p Al Carns: The Department has spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation (excluding Arm’s Length Bodies) £27,611,694.85 ex VAT in FY24/25

Excluding (i) British Sign Language and (ii) languages native to the UK for people contacting the Department has spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation (excluding Arm’s Length Bodies) £27,596,855.85 ex VAT in FY24/25.

Within Strategic Command, the Permanent Joint Headquarters has an ongoing requirement for interpreters and written translation services to support operational activity overseas and in the UK. Within the contract, over 99% of the value is spent on interpreters who support training and Headquarters activity. Estimated Annual spend against this contract is £30 million.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_31

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of implementing a reserve-style service as part of the Cyber and Specialist Operations Command. \p Luke Pollard: SDR 2025 directs that “the future Cyber & EM Force should be a whole force endeavour, drawing heavily on reserves and civilians where expertise lies”. The future Cyber & EM Forces will be part of the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command. Planning to date is drawing heavily on our experience of using specialist cyber reserves and will seek to expand opportunities for reserve-style service; this is likely to include increasing the number of cyber specialist reserves, adjusting forms of military service (including expanding the Cyber Direct Entry scheme), and partnering differently with industry to leverage skills & capacity in wider workforce.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_32

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by his Department. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) adheres to the guidance provided by Civil Service Statistics which records Sikh and Jewish under the classification of religion. The MOD’s Biannual Diversity statistics are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-biannual-diversity-statistics-index

Public bodies usually collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS). The current harmonised ethnicity standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group. The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year and we await the outcome of this review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_33

Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many households in the UK do not have access to broadband. \p Chris Bryant: According to Ofcom, as of January 2025, 48,000 UK premises were unable to access decent broadband (defined as 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speed) from a fixed line or fixed wireless connection. Ofcom estimates that after rollout of publicly funded schemes, by May 2026 this number would be 41,000, falling to 19,000 by January 2028. In addition, even where broadband is available, many households choose not to sign up for a variety of financial, personal and social reasons.

Through Project Gigabit, we are delivering future-proof, gigabit-capable connections to premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. According to independent website Thinkbroadband, over 88% of UK premises can now access a gigabit-capable connection.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_34

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if his Department will take steps to ensure that (a) X and (b) other social media platforms prevent their artificial intelligence systems from promoting (i) racist and (ii) anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. \p Feryal Clark: The Online Safety Act’s illegal content duties took effect on 17 March. These duties require user-to-user and search services to implement robust measures designed to reduce the risks that users encounter illegal content and activity, including from illegal anti-Semitic content.

These duties apply to AI generated content in the same way as ‘real’ content - i.e. where it is shared on an in-scope service and is either illegal content or content which is harmful to children. Ofcom is responsible for taking enforcement action as appropriate and has published recommendations for how providers should fulfil their duties in codes of practice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_35

Iqbal Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the AI Security Institute will be given statutory powers to (a) carry out audits, (b) approve the training of powerful AI models and (c) shut down unsafe systems. \p Feryal Clark: Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction and support them on their AI capability needs. Through well-designed and implemented regulation, we can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_36

Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the increase in the level of (a) misinformation and (b) disinformation from (i) non-state actors on social media platforms (ii) all sources during elections. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT takes the threat of mis- and disinformation from all actors extremely seriously. The 2024 General Election and 2025 Local Elections ran smoothly and securely, with no serious information incidents affecting their integrity. DSIT, as part of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, worked with partners across government and social media platforms to minimise information risks during the election.

Since then, the Online Safety Act’s illegal content duties came into force in March 2025, requiring platforms to address and remove illegal content, including content that incites violence, intends to harm, intimidate, or deceive voters into changing their vote, or constitutes foreign interference.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_37

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has set a deadline for Ofcom to implement the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 within Ofcom guidance. \p Chris Bryant: No.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_38

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on plans to implement the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 within Ofcom guidance. \p Chris Bryant: None.
wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_39

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by his Department. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT collects ethnicity data through the voluntary completion of a diversity declaration by its staff. Like most public bodies, we collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The current harmonised standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group.

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year.

We await the outcome of this review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_40

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of regulating AI systems at the point of (a) use and (b) development. \p Feryal Clark: Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction and support them on their AI capability needs. Through well-designed and implemented regulation, we can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_41

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) veterinary pharmaceutical companies and (b) international partners on the (i) development, (ii) approval and (iii) potential deployment of a vaccine for bluetongue serotype 12. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra’s approach to bluetongue is based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice. Disease control measures aim to limit the spread of infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures. This is reflected in the Great Britain (GB) Bluetongue Virus Disease Control Strategy, which was produced jointly between Scottish and Welsh governments and Defra, and in consultation with experts and industry stakeholders. The GB disease control strategy covers actions that would be considered and implemented in the event any bluetongue serotype was detected, including BTV-12.

The Government also conducts annual targeted surveillance for BTV. This is designed to detect new serotypes of bluetongue virus, including BTV-12 that may be circulating. The annual surveillance uses diagnostic testing protocols at the bluetongue national reference laboratory, The Pirbright Institute, that can detect and differentiate between different serotypes of bluetongue virus including BTV-12. It was through this annual surveillance that the single case of BTV-12 in a single animal was detected on 7 February 2025 on a farm in England and no further cases of BTV-12 have been detected since.

Whilst there are currently no authorised vaccines for BTV-12 in the UK or Europe, Defra regularly engages with manufacturers on bluetongue vaccine availability and supply. The Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) has responsibility for assessing applications submitted by manufacturers for veterinary medicinal products, including vaccines. Following assessment of the supporting data, if the benefits of use outweigh the risks when used in accordance with the approved labelling, a Marketing Authorisation will be issued permitting the sale of the product. The VMD also regulates the distribution and supply of veterinary medicines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_42

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will include plans to ensure food partnerships in every area by 2030 in the National Food Strategy. \p Daniel Zeichner: The food strategy will articulate the outcomes we want from the food system, enabling the Government, civil society, and the food industry work to shared goals and priorities. Local and place-based approaches will have a key role to play in delivery of these outcomes. We will continue to work with partners across the food system as we develop our approach.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_43

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to includes measures for young people in the forthcoming food strategy. \p Daniel Zeichner: We are developing an ambitious new food strategy to set the food system up for long term success. The strategy will deliver wide ranging improvements. Everyone including young people will benefit from a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient 21st century UK food system that grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes people, and protects the environment, now and in the future. A number of food strategy outcomes are particularly important for young people touching on children's health, food education, and jobs and skills in the food sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_44

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the UK-EU Summit - Joint Statement, updated 19 May 2025, whether his Department will prioritise the removal of the need for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) certificates in the new UK-EU SPS Agreement. \p Daniel Zeichner: As announced at the UK-EU Leaders Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area which will slash costs and remove red tape. The removal of the need for Export Health Certification will save trading businesses up to £200 per consignment each time goods are sent, meaning a single lorry carrying a mixed load of animal products could see £1000s in reduced costs.

Our aim is to start the detailed negotiations as soon as possible, as we want to see businesses benefit from removing barriers to trade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_45

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to introduce species-specific requirements for the slaughter of farmed fish. \p Daniel Zeichner: Since publication of the Animal Welfare Committee’s updated Opinion on the welfare of farmed fish at the time of killing a GB-wide joint government-industry working group on farmed trout has been examining the issues raised in the report. This co-design work has made good progress on exploring potential options for more detailed welfare at killing requirements. We are now exploring all the potential next steps, including options for creating detailed guidance and new legislation. The Scottish Government is also working closely with the salmon industry on more detailed welfare at killing requirements.