theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the document by the Food and Drug Administration entitled Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies, published on 10 April 2025, and the announcement by the National Institutes of Health on 29 April 2025 on animal testing. \p Feryal Clark: The Government has reviewed the FDA roadmap and is engaging with the MHRA on how to accelerate the science-led adoption of alternatives to the use of animals for drug development and testing. The Government will publish a strategy later this year that will support this ambition and accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods across the biosciences.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of increased tariff-free imports of ethanol under the US-UK trade agreement on (a) the viability of (i) Ensus UK and (ii) other domestic producers, (b) wider supply chains, (c) employment and (d) levels of future investment in (A) the Tees Valley and (B) other affected regions. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Since the announcement of the UK-US Economic Deal on 8 May, the Secretary of State and senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade have been meeting with representatives of the bioethanol sector in the Tees Valley and Humberside to discuss how the quota will impact their businesses.

In parallel, DBT officials are continuing to work closely with other government departments, including the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, to monitor and assess risks across the supply chain.

We will continue to work closely with the industry to understand the impacts of the trade deal and other pressures on the UK’s bioethanol sector.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support high street businesses whose shipping imports from Asia have to be re-routed around Africa. \p Gareth Thomas: For businesses to invest and thrive they need confidence in their supply chains. This government is committed to assessing where supply chains critical to the United Kingdom's economic security and growth could be vulnerable to disruption, including those in the growth driving sectors outlined in the industrial strategy.

The Business Secretary has announced a new Business Growth Service which will make it easier and quicker for businesses across the United Kingdom, including those on the high street, to receive advice and support to help them grow and thrive. The Business Growth Service will bring together under one single, trusted banner a range of existing core services as well as new and improved elements of the business support offer that will be delivered both centrally and locally.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May; and what the names of those events were. \p Justin Madders: In the Department for Business and Trade, staff networks bring colleagues together to share experiences, are employee led and operate in line with the Civil Service Code. Staff network events help engage and connect colleagues across the Department.

One staff network event was held in this period to commemorate VE Day.
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Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Sikhs are employed in his Department; and whether they are recorded as (a) an ethnic or (b) a religious group. \p Justin Madders: As of 31st May 2025, Department for Business and Trade (DBT) employs 63 civil servants who have self-declared as Sikhs. In DBT, Sikhs are recorded as a Religious Group, and not an Ethnic Group.
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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to take steps to reduce the volume of substandard goods entering the UK market from (a) Temu and (b) other cheap import companies. \p Justin Madders: UK product safety law requires all products to be safe before being placed on the market. The Office for Product Safety and Standards coordinates targeted and intelligence-led interventions at our ports and borders with Local Authority Trading Standards, HMRC, and Border Force to prevent unsafe products entering the UK. In 2023-2024, this resulted in more than 2.4m goods being blocked from entry.

Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to update our product safety framework. Following Royal Assent, we intend to consult on the duties of e-commerce businesses, so that consumers and compliant businesses are even better protected.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to consult (a) businesses, (b) trade unions, (c) investors and (d) civil society organisations on the principle of moving from shareholder primacy to stakeholder primacy. \p Justin Madders: Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires company directors to have regard in their decision-making to the interests of their employees and to the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment. All large companies must report annually on how their directors have fulfilled this duty. Section 172 enshrines in statute the "enlightened shareholder value" principle, which recognises that the long-term success of a company depends in part on the ongoing consideration of wider stakeholder interests. This contrasts with the "shareholder maximisation" principle underpinning directors' duties in some other jurisdictions, in which directors owe their duty only to shareholders.

The Government welcomes suggestions on how to ensure companies consider wider stakeholder interests alongside the needs of stakeholders. I look forward to considering the clauses of the Company Directors (Duties) Bill when available.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member for Newton Abbot to discuss his Private Member's Bill.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to accelerate the implementation of mandatory identity verification for (a) company directors and (b) beneficial owners at Companies House. \p Justin Madders: Companies House plan to implement identity verification requirements under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 for all directors and people with significant control (PSCs) from Autumn 2025. Existing directors and PSCs will have a 12-month transition period to verify their identity with Companies House.

Companies House has already launched the service that allows people to verify their identity directly or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider in advance of the requirement coming into force.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to establish a statutory regulator for domestic renovation contractors to improve (a) consumer protections and (b) accountability. \p Justin Madders: This Government is working to ensure we have a high-quality and professional construction industry, with consumer protection at the heart of this. TrustMark, sponsored by the Department and licenced by the Government, is the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme that covers work a consumer chooses to have carried out in or around their home. In addition, the Building Safety Act 2022 has introduced competence requirements for both individuals and businesses working in the built environment.

Any action that the Government takes on licensing to protect customers and standards needs to be robust, proportionate and evidence based.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to corporate governance law on economic output. \p Justin Madders: Non-financial reporting information is a vital part of the UK’s corporate governance framework. The Government has committed to review non-financial reporting in order to reduce burdens on business and has already made legislative changes that will save companies £240 million per year.

This work is ongoing and the Government will publish a further consultation later this year.

The Department supported the Financial Reporting Council in revising the UK Stewardship Code. The new Code reduces reporting burdens and early estimates suggest that signatories to the Code may be able to reduce reporting volume by 20-30% while maintaining reporting quality.
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Claire Hazelgrove:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of equalising paid time off entitlements for both adopters. \p Justin Madders: In the Plan to Make Work Pay the government committed to a Review of the parental leave system. The Review will provide us with an opportunity to consider the current framework of parental leave entitlements and how they should operate as a holistic system to improve the support available for working families. Planning work is already underway and I can confirm the review will look at Adoption Leave and Pay and Paternity Leave and Pay.
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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support the expansion of (a) safe, (b) accessible and (c) integrated (i) cycling and (ii) walking infrastructure. \p Simon Lightwood: The Chancellor has recently announced £616 million for Active Travel England up to 2029-30 to support local authorities to build and maintain walking and cycling infrastructure. In addition, this Government will provide nearly £18 billion to local authorities through the Transport for City Region settlements and the Local Transport Grant, supporting them to invest in their local transport priorities, including walking and cycling.

Active Travel England works with local authorities to help design and deliver high-quality networks. The forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy we will help to ensure that active travel is safe, accessible and integrated with other modes to encourage more people to cycle, walk and wheel.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities to provide safe walking routes for children to schools in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: It is for local authorities to decide on where to prioritise investment in their local transport networks. Surrey County Council is in the process of developing Local Cycling and Walking Investment Plans (LCWIPs) across the county, including one for Surrey Heath Borough. LCWIPs help local authorities to make a strong case for future investment in active travel infrastructure.

Active Travel England recently announced funding allocations to local authorities through the Consolidated Active Travel Fund. Surrey County Council’s has been awarded almost £4.4 million in revenue and capital funding to support the delivery of high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure as well as capability building measures and behaviour changes activities.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to modernise public transport technology for buses in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The government is committed to delivering better bus services for passengers, and has confirmed investment of £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £712 million allocated to local authorities which can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including modernising the technology used to support bus services. Surrey County Council has been allocated £12.1 million of this funding.

The Department for Transport is also working with representatives from the bus industry, Midlands Connect and Transport for the West Midlands to develop a national technology solution to facilitate multi-operator ticketing on buses and trams, focusing on contactless bank card payments and enabling fares capping outside of London, which could help to modernise public transport technology in Surrey Heath.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in buses at the Spending Review by confirming around £900 million of revenue funding each year to maintain and improve vital bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.

The Spending Review also confirmed £2.3 billion through the Local Transport Grant over the Spending Review period for local transport improvements in places outside areas receiving Transport for City Regions settlements, which could include supporting improvements to bus technology and infrastructure. Surrey County Council have been allocated £38.2 million of this funding.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the readiness of combined authorities to exercise new franchising powers under the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill. \p Simon Lightwood: We recognise the fundamental importance of building the capacity and capability of local transport authorities to drive improvements to bus services and exercise franchising powers if they wish.

The Department is working with Local Transport Authorities who are in the process of or are interested in franchising, to understand how the process could be improved and to provide a tailored programme of support.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanisms her Department has to coordinate maintenance responsibilities between multiple local authorities on A roads that do not fall under the remit of National Highways. \p Lilian Greenwood: Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 local highway authorities have a duty to maintain the highways network in their area. DfT does not have legal mechanisms under the act to co-ordinate maintenance responsibilities between multiple authorities on A roads that do not fall under the remit of National Highways. Section 8 of the Act provides for agreements to be made between neighbouring local highways authorities.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress she has made with local transport organisations on making interchanges from local public transport to national transport step-free. \p Simon Lightwood: The government is committed to making public transport and infrastructure more inclusive and accessible, to allow people to make the journeys they want and need. It is key that government, local authorities and transport operators work together to achieve this.

The government has continued to support the Access for All programme to improve the accessibility of railway stations. When designing these projects Network Rail will always work with local authorities to improve interchange with other transport modes.

On 17 December, the government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill. The Bill will provide powers for the Secretary of State for Transport to produce statutory guidance on the safety and accessibility of bus stations and stops, and to require local authorities commissioning the provision of new or upgrading of existing facilities to pay regard to it. Guidance could include recommendations on design elements that support the ability of disabled people to continue their journey.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, how much additional funding her Department plans to spend on transport projects for Maidenhead; and what those projects are. \p Simon Lightwood: We are yet to announce the local authority allocations for the majority of the transport funding announced in the Spending Review. This will be announced in due course. We have informed Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council of their allocation of the Local Transport Grant which is £7.336 million for the period from April 2026 to April 2030 for local transport improvements.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she made an assessment of the potential merits of funding the South West Rail Resilience Programme Phase 5 at Dawlish during the Spending Review 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: Following the Chancellors’s statement on 11 June we are now working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, which will be published as part of the Government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline.
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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of level crossings on the economy, broken down by (a) region and (b) the UK's GDP. \p Lilian Greenwood: Level crossings form part of the rail system of Great Britain, which plays a critical role in the development, economic growth, and social wellbeing of communities across the UK. By connecting communities and providing safe access to essential services and places of work, they also provide important benefits to local businesses and communities.

Given their integral role within the national rail network, the Department does not hold information on the specific impacts of level crossings on the UK or regional economies. However, Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager of Great Britain’s railways, will take account of the impact on local businesses and communities of any decisions it takes that affect level crossings.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56574 on Ukraine: Vehicles, whether her Department has made an assessment of trends in the number of vehicles collected under the ULEZ scrappage scheme that have been donated to Ukraine. \p Simon Lightwood: Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London and they were responsible for the ULEZ scrappage scheme. 680 vehicles were donated to Ukraine through the scheme before it closed in September 2024.
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Marie Goldman:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that reform of rural transport planning is considered alongside reform of housing planning application processes. \p Simon Lightwood: I recognise the importance of aligning rural transport with housing and wider spatial planning ambitions. I am working closely with my counterparts in the Ministry for Housing, Communities on Local Government on this important issue. As part of our commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes, and under the revised National Planning Policy Framework, local planning authorities must take a vision-led approach and consider transport issues, particularly public and active transport, at the earliest stages of plan-making.

The review of the role of statutory consultee system is a further opportunity to focus on swifter provision of expert advice to inform development, including in rural areas.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Spending Review, published on 11 June 2025, how much and what proportion of the funding allocated for rail enhancements will be allocated to upgrades on the South Western Railway network. \p Simon Lightwood: Following the Chancellors’s statement on 11 June we are now working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, which will be published as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline.
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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the affordability of rail fares in (a) Twickenham constituency and (b) London. \p Simon Lightwood: We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) – this includes responsibility for setting fares on TfL services. We know the success of the London transport network is critical for both the capital and the UK’s economy, which is why in the spending review TfL received a four-year settlement of £2.2 billion.
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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Car Insurance Taskforce made of the potential impact of fraudulent insurance claims made by people who stage road traffic collisions to gain compensation on levels of car insurance premiums. \p Lilian Greenwood: This Government committed in its manifesto to tackle the high costs of motor insurance. To deliver on this commitment, the UK Government formed a cross-government Taskforce on motor insurance, co-chaired by the Department for Transport and His Majesty’s Treasury.

The Taskforce which met most recently on 28 April has a strategic remit to set the direction for UK Government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing premiums. It will look at the increased insurance costs on consumers and the insurance industry. The Government will provide updates on the Taskforce in due course.

Regarding fraudulent insurance claims, the Government is committed to tackling this threat and has worked in collaboration with the UK insurance sector to publish an insurance fraud charter. This is a voluntary agreement which aims to raise the visibility of insurance fraud, improve victim support and better detect and prevent scams, such as crash-for cash.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding her Department has been allocated for the Midlands Rail Hub. \p Simon Lightwood: The Chancellor’s commitment to progress Midlands Rail Hub West in the 2025 Spending Review follows the release of £123 million last year to design the first phase, which could be delivered by the early 2030s.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the percentage of first class train seats that were purchased in the last 12 months. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has not made an assessment of the percentage of first class train tickets sold within the last 12 months.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 17 June 2025 on Dart Charge, HCWS708, what estimate she has made of the number of vehicles using the Dartford to Thurrock Crossing in (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24, (c) 2024-25, (d) 2025-26, (e) 2026-27 and (f) each of the next five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The number of vehicles using the Dartford Crossing in the years 2022/23-2024/25 is set out below:

Year

Total

Of which during chargeable hours:

2024/25

56,691,385

49,613,955

2023/24

57,498,960

50,266,519

2022/23

56,528,526

49,098,480

The impact of the charge increase on the number of vehicles using the Dartford crossing will be monitored for the remainder of 2025/26, and subsequent years.

My Department does not routinely publish revenue forecasts for individual budget lines such as the income from the Dart Charge.

Information about previous revenues for the Dartford Crossing are available in the annual accounts which are published online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-highways-annual-reports-and-accounts . For 2022/23 road user charge income was £126.6m and for 2023/24 £130.1m.

The Crossing’s full revenue is higher for each year owing to additional income from enforcement, abnormal load fees, and other rental income. This is also shown in the accounts. Accounts for 2024/25 will be published by the end of January 2026.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 38988 on Transport: Infrastructure, whether the Capital Review has been completed. \p Simon Lightwood: The Capital Review has now closed. It was established to provide rapid, independent advice on the Department’s capital portfolio. The Panel offered an external perspective to support the Secretary of State’s considerations during the second phase of the Spending Review.

The Secretary of State closed the Panel ahead of the conclusion of the Spending Review. The Department is grateful for the voluntary contributions of its members and the expertise they brought to the review.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for announcing (a) future funding and (b) plans for (i) ticket offices on the Greater Anglia franchise, (ii) implementation of step-free access through redevelopments at (A) Greater Anglia and (B) Marks Tey railway stations and (iii) the redevelopment of Witham railway station, in the context of the Spending Review 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: In the context of the Spending Review 2025 there are no plans to make specific announcements in relation to the Greater Anglia rail operator in relation to (a) future funding and (b) plans for (i) ticket offices on the Greater Anglia franchise, (ii) implementation of step-free access through redevelopments at (A) Greater Anglia and (B) Marks Tey railway stations and (iii) the redevelopment of Witham railway station.

While some key schemes have already been referenced by the Chancellor, we will now be working to confirm our wider portfolio of rail enhancements, which will be published as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure pipeline.

As part of the ongoing Spending Review, a period of business planning is continuing to take place and announcements on individual schemes and projects will be made in due course.
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Satvir Kaur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the ban on volumetric concrete mobile plants in 2028 on the environment. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025. The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage.

Some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, however, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.

As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport also assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy.

VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) will end on 31 March 2028, after which VCMs must operate at the legal weight limits applicable to other heavy good vehicles. This is not a ban or change in policy.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to (a) modernise and (b) simplify gender recognition legislation. \p Dame Nia Griffith: As set out in the King’s Speech, our priorities in this session are to bring forward our draft Bills on banning conversion practices and on race and disability equality, alongside strengthening protections from hate crime for LGBT people and improving trans people’s healthcare.
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Jas Athwal:To ask the Solicitor General, how many Sikhs are employed in her Department; and whether they are recorded as (a) an ethnic or (b) a religious group. \p Lucy Rigby: Statistics on religion or belief for the Attorney General’s Office, as at 31 March 2024, are published on the Civil Service Statistics 2024 (Table A3). The Cabinet Office publish the information annually.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Solicitor General, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were. \p Lucy Rigby: No staff network events took place in my Department in May 2025.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52067 on Power Failures, whether the contingency plans include protection from cyber attacks. \p Michael Shanks: The Government takes the security of Great Britain’s energy infrastructure extremely seriously and works closely with industry to continually improve and strengthen cyber security resilience. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill being introduced this summer will further strengthen cyber security standards for all sectors, including energy. Additionally, industry have well-developed cyber security plans to minimise the risk of disruption and to respond to any emerging issue.
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Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many Sikhs are employed in his Department; and whether they are recorded as (a) an ethnic or (b) a religious group. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero currently has 34 employees who have declared their religion as Sikh.

In the HR system religions such as Sikh, are recorded under ‘religion belief’ and not ethnicity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_263

Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ values our Staff Networks, who support colleagues in line with our ‘Inclusive’ Value. The following two Staff Network events took place in May 2025: ‘A listening circle for Trans* colleagues and allies’ and ‘Managing Pain and Fatigue at Work and Beyond’.
wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_264
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_264

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what processes his Department plans to put in place to ensure clear (a) accountability and (b) alignment with warranty schemes for long-term roof performance following the installation of rooftop solar panels. \p Michael Shanks: For microgeneration technologies under DESNZ schemes, including rooftop solar, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (or equivalent) installer is mandatory. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. The MCS Solar PV Standard (2025) includes provisions for waterproofing, fire safety, and roof warranties and is available online.

The Government is currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_265

Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 58548 on Insulation: Housing, if he will hold discussions with mortgage providers on the provision of advances for properties with timber roofs insulated with sprayed foam. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Officials continue to engage with lenders and the industry to seek a resolution for those facing difficulties.
wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_266
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_266

Alex Sobel:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to require that tipping sliders on online fundraising platforms can be dragged to zero. \p Stephanie Peacock: Fundraising platforms are commercial organisations that provide an important service to charities and donors. Most platforms are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which is the independent, non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. DCMS meets with the Fundraising Regulator regularly to discuss a range of issues, including fundraising platforms.

The Fundraising Regulator’s new Code of Fundraising Practice, which will come into force on 1 November 2025, includes requirements for fundraising platforms to include information for donors about how fees, including any voluntary tips, are calculated. The information must be easy to find, and include details on how voluntary tips can be amended or removed altogether in a straightforward way. The Fundraising Regulator will engage with fundraising platforms to ensure they are clear on the new transparency requirements for fees and tipping sliders before the new Code comes into effect.

The government has no current plans to bring forward legislation on fundraising platforms. DCMS will continue working with the Fundraising Regulator, charities, and online giving platforms to support best practice across all forms of charitable fundraising.
wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_267
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_267

Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions her Department has had with the BBC board on impartiality in news coverage of the conflict in Israel and Gaza. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport meets regularly with BBC leadership, including its Board, to discuss a range of topics.

The Government believes that it is absolutely fundamental that stories about the events in Gaza are told and heard, but are done so with the utmost care, transparency and sensitivity. Under its Royal Charter and Ofcom’s wider Broadcasting Code, the BBC has a duty to provide accurate and impartial news and information. This responsibility is particularly important when it comes to coverage of highly sensitive issues, such as the conflict in Gaza. Ofcom, as the BBC’s independent regulator, is responsible for ensuring BBC coverage is impartial and accurate under the Broadcasting Code and BBC Charter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_268

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to incentivise local film makers to produce television in their own parts of the UK. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government incentivises television production across the UK through competitive tax reliefs, and generous support for studio infrastructure. Our public service broadcasters are also subject to regional production quotas, which encourage production activity in the nations and regions of the UK.

In recognition of the importance of this issue, the Secretary of State has challenged broadcasters and other commissioners to commission and produce more television content outside of London and the South East, with local creatives and producers given more opportunities to tell local stories that reflect the full diversity of people, communities and experiences across the UK. This will ensure that more people see themselves reflected on screen and as part of our national story. We have been clear that broadcasters and producers alike should be providing opportunities to local creatives and members of the local production workforce.
wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_269
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_269

Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many staff network events took place in her Department in May 2025 ; and what the names of those events were. \p Stephanie Peacock: Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department. We are aware of the following events that these networks organised in May 2025.

7 events were held in May:

For Mental Health Awareness Week, 5 events took place:

Women’s Mental Health Talk, Monday, May 12.

Men’s Mental Health Talk, Monday, May 12,

Keeping Healthy at Work, Wednesday, May 14

LGBT+ Awareness Talk, Thursday, May 15

Mental Health Awareness Week Panel, Thursday, May 15

For World Culture Day, optional drop-in “bring your own lunches” were hosted in Manchester, Darlington and London on Wednesday, May 21.

The Faith and Belief Network, held a “Faith, Fasting and Food” lunchtime discussion on Thursday, May 22
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_270

Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has updated guidance on the use of single-sex facilities in response to the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Stephanie Peacock: We will review and update policy wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements. We aim to ensure appropriate facilities are available for all staff.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_271

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase access to sport for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: I regularly meet with Ministerial counterparts on a range of issues, including young people’s engagement in sport and the barriers around this for those from lower socio-economic groups.

In the 2024/25 Financial Year, Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend constituency received £102,947 from Sport England, our Arm’s Length Body responsible for physical activity and sport participation in England, to increase sport and physical activity opportunities for local communities. Sport England also recently announced Gateshead and South Tyneside as two of their new 53 Place Partnerships, which will receive support to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions, including for children and young people.

More widely, the Government recently announced £100 million additional funding for the UK-wide Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme which funds new and upgraded pitches, facilities, and equipment ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable offer for local communities, including children and young people.
wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_272
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_272

Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the possible regulatory failures identified in the Review of the Regulation of BetIndex Limited: final report, published on 22 September 2021, in the context of providing compensation to individuals who incurred financial losses as a result of the collapse of Football Index. \p Stephanie Peacock: I refer my Honourable Friend to the answer I gave on 8 January 2025 to Question UIN 21381.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_273

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many schools engaged with Historic England’s Heritage Schools Programme in each region in the most recent academic year for which data is available. \p Chris Bryant: The most recent academic year for which DCMS holds data is September 2023 - July 2024. 582 schools have engaged with Historic England’s Heritage Schools Programme, with approximately 116,400 children participating.

The regional breakdown is as follows:

Region

No. of schools

Approx. no. of children benefitting

East

90

18,000

Midlands

221

44,200

North East & Yorkshire

135

27,000

North West

48

9,600

South West

88

17,600

Total

582

116,400

There was no delivery in London and the South East in the 2023-24 academic year, however Historic England are supporting Surrey Museums to run a Heritage Schools programme in their area this year.
wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_274
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-20 conversation_274

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to promote the use of redundant churches for (a) cultural, (b) community and (c) educational purposes. \p Chris Bryant: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Arms-Length body the Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity that saves redundant historic churches at risk, and has a portfolio of over 350 churches that have been kept open and now used to serve the local communities. These are now enjoyed as cultural, social, tourism and educational resources with over 4000 community, arts and educational events taking place within them per year.

Additionally, redundant churches may be eligible for wider DCMS Heritage funding to support their use by the community. In February my Department announced new funding worth almost £20 million for 2025/26. The Heritage at Risk fund will restore local heritage and is targeted towards areas of higher deprivation. The Heritage Revival Fund empowers local people to take control of and look after their local heritage, supporting community organisations to own neglected heritage buildings and bring them back into good use.