theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of illegal tobacco revenues on organised crime networks; and what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of the current tobacco excise regime on organised crime. \p Dan Tomlinson: Strong enforcement is essential in tackling the illicit tobacco market. HM Revenue and Customs and Border Force have had illicit tobacco strategies in place since 2000. Our latest strategy, “Stubbing out the problem”, was published in January 2024. The Department continues to investigate how the illicit tobacco market is evolving, including through its compliance activity, and the extent to which that may affect overall tax receipts seen.

The illicit tobacco market is dominated by organised crime groups that make money by smuggling and selling illicit tobacco products in the UK. Our latest estimate is that illicit tobacco costs the UK £1.8bn in lost revenue per year. HMRC recently published an updated version of their Measuring Tax Gaps publication which now includes tax gap estimates up to 2023/24. The illicit market volume for cigarettes is shown in Table 3.13 and the total consumption volume is shown in Table 3.12. The illicit market for hand rolling tobacco is shown in Table 3.17 and the total consumption volume is shown in Table 3.16.

Whilst tobacco duty has been progressively increased over time, successive illicit tobacco strategies have proven effective in tackling the size of the illicit tobacco market, reducing the tobacco duty tax gap from 21.7% in 2005/6 to 13.8% in 2023/24.

Tobacco duty raised almost £8 billion in 2024/25. High duty rates, making tobacco less affordable, have helped reduce smoking prevalence. ‘Cancer in the UK: Overview 2025’ published by Cancer Research cites an Office for National Statistics Adult Smoking Habits publication which shows that the percentage of adult smokers in the UK decreased from 20.2% in 2011 to 11.9% in 2023. The ONS smoking prevalence data shows the percentage of adults in the UK who smoke cigarettes but does not give any indication of how much or how often these adults smoke.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) the public and (b) Parliament can scrutinise the EHRC's updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations before any decision is made about its implementation. \p Olivia Bailey: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the six week consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities.

The Parliamentary process for laying the Code in Parliament is set out in the Equality Act 2006. The Government will consider the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the minister will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have 40 sitting days to consider the Code, at which point it will be published.
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Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps to help reduce administration for businesses required to complete declarations for goods staying in Northern Ireland under trusted trader schemes. \p Hilary Benn: On 1 May, the Government introduced important new arrangements for freight and parcel movements to ensure that goods can continue to move smoothly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The new arrangements ensure that parcels sent to or from consumers will not be subject to customs declarations or duty.

We have also introduced a range of schemes to support businesses by removing unnecessary checks and paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; over 15,000 businesses are already signed up to the UK Internal Market Scheme.
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when information on the operation of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland will be available. \p Hilary Benn: As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK Government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across Northern Ireland, once the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ends in March 2026.

My department is working in close partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to implement and develop the new Local Growth Fund. The Government is committed to engagement with stakeholders in Northern Ireland to help implement a package of funding that meets local needs and delivers impact. More information on the development of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland and engagement plans will be set out soon.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2025 to Question 74994 on the Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, which hon. Members from Northern Ireland were given an advanced briefing on the reports contents by the Northern Ireland Office. \p Hilary Benn: As stated previously, the Northern Ireland Office speaks to parties regularly and does not give a running commentary on those discussions.
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Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the Strategic Framework to End Violence against Women and Girls. \p Matthew Patrick: It is our collective shame that Northern Ireland has the highest rate of violence against women and girls in the UK.

This Government is committed to halving violence against women and girls in a decade, a commitment I feel very strongly about. I will work with the Executive and groups across Northern Ireland so that women, girls and children are safe.
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Katrina Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on health services in Northern Ireland. \p Matthew Patrick: With our record settlement for Northern Ireland, and work of the Executive, waiting lists are starting to come down.

Soon, I will meet with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to discuss long-term transformation.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the report by the UN entitled A/HRC/59/23 - From economy of occupation to economy of genocide - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, published on 16 June 2025. \p Ian Murray: The UK welcomes the US Peace Plan, a moment of profound significance, relief and hope after two years of devastating suffering. The provision of urgent humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza is our top priority and should happen immediately.

In July, after the publication of UN Report A/HRC/59/23, the Prime Minister pledged to take action and recognise the state of Palestine if the situation in the region did not improve. In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East over the summer, the UK officially recognised the state of Palestine last month, and we firmly believe that a two-state solution is the only path to justice for Palestinians and enduring security for Israelis. We remain focused, as a government, on ensuring stability in the Middle East.

Science, innovation and technology are inherently international. The UK continues to work closely with international partners to harness the power of science and tech for global benefit.
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Iqbal Mohamed:To as the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department provides guidance to businesses on the potential impact of AI systems on employment. \p Kanishka Narayan: We want to ensure that people have access to good, meaningful work. AI is already transforming workplaces, demanding new skills, and augmenting existing ones. Government is working to harness its benefits to boost growth, productivity, living standards, and worker wellbeing, while mitigating the risks.

The Department for Education published an analysis in 2023 outlining The impact of AI on UK jobs and training. We are currently considering our approach to updating this analysis.

Further to this, the Get Britain Working White Paper outlines how government will address labour market challenges and spread opportunity and economic prosperity that AI presents to the British public. This includes launching Skills England to create a shared national plan to boost the nation’s skills, creating more good jobs through our modern Industrial Strategy, and strengthening employment rights through DBT’s Plan to Make Work Pay.

DSIT has also published guidance for businesses adopting AI, focusing on good practice AI assurance when procuring and deploying AI systems. AI assurance could significantly manage risks and build trust, supporting business to assess and mitigate the potential impacts of AI adoption.
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Ian Lavery:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how the cyber risk to Government has changed in the last 5 years; how his Department's approach to cyber security has changed in that time; and what assessment he has made of how the Government's level of cyber resilience has changed in that time. \p Ian Murray: Our approach to tackling Government cyber risk is driven by the 2022 Government Cyber Security Strategy which sets a clear target for critical functions to be hardened to cyber attack by 2025.

We have made important steps in understanding and mitigating risk; GovAssure has dramatically improved our understanding of cyber resilience levels across government and the systemic issues preventing departments from achieving targets. The Government Cyber Coordination Centre enables us to respond as one government to cyber incidents, threats and vulnerabilities.

However, the threat picture is the most sophisticated it has ever been and the UK's resilience picture is poorer than previously estimated. In January 2025, the NAO report into Government cyber resilience confirmed that Government since 2022 has not improved its cyber resilience quickly enough to meet its 2025 target. We welcome the report and are taking immediate action to address the recommendations.

We are accelerating our response through the launch of a more interventionist approach, which will address the long-standing shortage of cyber skills, strengthen accountability for cyber risks, provide greater support for delivery in the form of cyber services, guidance, and hands-on technical support and bolster our response capabilities to fast-moving cyber incidents.
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Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to publish the 2025 UK Life Sciences Competitiveness Indicators. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Office for Life Sciences will publicly announce the planned publication date of the Life Sciences Competitiveness Indicators one month in advance of its publication.
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Andrew George:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment she has made of regional occupational AI exposure; and whether her Department plans to publish (a) maps and (b) targets based on this data. \p Kanishka Narayan: We want to ensure that people have access to good, meaningful work. AI will impact the labour market and the Government is working to harness its benefits in terms of boosting growth, productivity, living standards, and worker wellbeing, while mitigating the risks.

DSIT has not made a recent assessment of regional occupational AI exposure, but the Department for Education published an analysis in 2023, The impact of AI on UK jobs and training, and we are currently considering our approach to updating this analysis.

DSIT is working across government to plan for different scenarios, and is monitoring data to track and prepare for these. The Get Britain Working White Paper sets out how we will address key challenges and that includes giving people the skills to get those jobs and spread opportunity across the UK to fix the foundations of our economy to seize AI’s potential.
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Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what her Department's planned timetable is for the implementation of outstanding provisions in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022. \p Kanishka Narayan: As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement [made by the former Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms], we intend to implement the remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 as soon as possible. Subject to considering the consultation responses, we intend to finalise s61-64 of the Act, relating to renewal agreements, by the end of the year.
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Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide a breakdown of the (a) damages and (b) associated costs caused by protestors at RAF Brize Norton on 20 June 2025. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence do not yet hold an itemised breakdown of the costs requested. The final cost will not be known until after each of the damaged engines has been through a comprehensive overhaul.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 58044 on Strategic Defence Review and with reference to the freedom of information request FOI2025/17106, which trade unions were offered access to the Strategic Defence Review before 5.00pm on 2 June 2025. \p Luke Pollard: As stated in the response to FOI2025/17106 in the FOI response that the hon. Member has already received, engagement with key stakeholders ahead of any major publications, such as the Strategic Defence Review, is entirely appropriate given the impact such publications can have.

The Review as published was intended for a public audience and does not contain any classified or restricted commercial information. Trade Unions did not see the Review prior to publication.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the backlog of claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Ministry of Defence is committed to improving performance and reducing delays in processing claims under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). To achieve this, the Department has introduced several targeted measures:

Flexible resource management: Teams are now able to flex resources, and staff are being trained to be multi-skilled, maximising efficiency and building greater resilience.

Accelerated processing: Overtime and weekend working have been implemented to speed up the reduction of outstanding claims.

Increased capacity: Additional administrative and caseworker staff have been recruited to further boost processing capability.

At every stage of the AFCS process, claims from the terminally ill are given priority. In addition, the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) remains available to all veterans, Service personnel, and their families, offering dedicated assistance and support.
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Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what metrics are used to assess the efficiency of the Army recruitment system; and what estimate he has made of the most recent assessment of the efficiency of the Army recruitment system. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The efficiency of the British Army Recruitment pipeline is constantly measured on a daily, weekly and monthly basis through various key performance indicators (KPI) throughout the recruitment process to the end of basic training.

These KPIs vary depending on stage of the process but make assessments based on numbers of registrations, Army briefings and their effectiveness, questionnaires, assessment centre attendance, individual career discussions and the success, fail, defer and conversion rates of basic training.

The assessment process has recently helped enhance areas of the recruitment system including an improved and updated website and candidate portal, digitised collection of the primary health care records (PHCR) and the implementation of AI to scrutinise each PHCR.

The British Army has a continuous early initiative to seek improvements of the process and system.
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Emma Lewell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many claims his Department (a) has settled, (b) has refused and (c) are outstanding for asbestos exposure relating to service in the armed forces. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: Service personnel who develop lung cancer or asbestos-related diseases due to Service before 6 April 2005 may be eligible for compensation under the War Pension Scheme (WPS). For conditions arising on or after this date, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) applies.

WPS Asbestos-Related Claims (1 April 2020 - 31 March 2025)

Claim outcome

All Years

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

Total

731

143

138

127

175

138

Awarded

614

122

121

101

151

119

Rejected

117

21

17

26

24

29

Note: Pending claim figures are unavailable, as medical certification – required to confirm relevant conditions – is typically obtained close to the point of claim resolution.

Common Law Compensation Claims (1 April 2015 to 31 March 2025)

a) 19 asbestos-related claims have been settled with compensation paid.

b) 28 claims have been closed without compensation. It is not possible to distinguish between those refused, discontinued, or no longer pursued.

c) 320 claims remain outstanding.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support female service personnel who have served in front-line roles. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: Women are a crucial part of the Armed Forces community, and the Government is committed to ensuring their needs and experiences are better understood, and that they have access to the best possible support and opportunities.

There is a well-established policy and process to provide support to all Service personnel who have served in front line roles. This is intended to address any pressure encountered on operations, as a result of day-to-day work or from exposure to individual risk or traumatic situations that may result in physical and/or mental ill health. The process provides support before, during and immediately post-deployment, with a follow-on phase which addresses the longer-term management of Service personnel.

These are designed to reduce the likelihood of personnel developing stress or mental health problems throughout the deployment by providing information and support pre-deployment, monitoring personnel for signs of difficulty, providing support and conducting Trauma Risk Management during the deployment, and by providing decompression, unit briefings and offering support to personnel in the post-deployment phase.

Commanders continue to monitor personnel throughout their career and support will be provided months or even years after a deployment has finished.

When personnel leave the Armed Forces, mental health support continues to be provided by the NHS through programmes such as Op Courage, which is a mental health specialist service designed to help those due to leave the Armed Forces, Reservists, Veterans and their families.
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Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to engage faith leaders and organisations who are unaware of the Civil Society Covenant framework launch. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Civil Society Covenant Framework was launched in October 2024 and used as the basis for extensive engagement with over 1,200 organisations across government and civil society’s full diversity, including many faith and interfaith groups. These insights and experiences have helped ensure that the Covenant is inclusive of organisations of all purposes, sizes, geographical locations, and those that are led by underrepresented groups.

The Civil Society Covenant was launched by the Prime Minister in July 2025 at a major civil society summit. As we move forward, we will continue to work with our government and civil society partners, including faith organisations, to raise awareness across their members and networks and drive engagement with the Covenant at national, local and grassroots levels. MPs are encouraged to make organisations in their constituencies aware of the Covenant.
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Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Consumer Rights Act 2015, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Ryanair's proposed requirement for all passengers to have digital boarding passes on (a) pensioners and (b) other passengers who do not possess a smartphone. \p Keir Mather: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, airlines must ensure that their terms and conditions are fair, transparent, and do not place certain consumers at an unfair disadvantage. The CAA is responsible for ensuring airline compliance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) conducted a review of airline contract terms in 2019, including those relating to online check-in and the issuing of boarding passes. The review concluded that while online check-in requirements can be legitimate, such terms must be clearly communicated and any associated fees should be proportionate.

Ryanair continues to require all passengers to check in online. According to their new digital boarding pass policy, passengers without access to a smartphone can obtain a boarding pass for free at the airport as long as they have checked-in online.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with local stakeholders on a Dorset Railcard scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: There are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, such as the Cornwall and Devon Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators. Any discussions for a Dorset-based railcard would be subject to engagement between the local area and South Western Railway as the relevant train operator.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria her Department is using to decide which coastal ports or dry docks will receive UK SHORE funding. \p Keir Mather: The UK SHORE programme in the Department for Transport will primarily allocate funding through open competitions, delivered by Innovate UK. Competition scopes and assessment criteria will be published alongside competition announcements between 2026 and 2030.

We are committed to supporting projects across the UK. UK SHORE has previously allocated £240m for clean maritime. This has supported organisations in all UK nations and regions, including around £30m allocated to projects in the North West.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on delivering the 2nd generation UK search and rescue aviation programme. \p Keir Mather: The Second Generation UK Search and Rescue Aviation Programme is now 12 months into its Transition phase. It remains on track for the full capability to be delivered by 01 January 2027.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable access to public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in (a) rural and (b) low-income urban areas. \p Keir Mather: Transport, including the rollout of public EV chargepoints, is largely devolved to the Scottish Government. However, my officials regularly engage with Transport Scotland on zero emission vehicle initiatives, including charging infrastructure development.

In England, the allocation of the Local EV Infrastructure Fund took account of both levels of rurality and the index of multiple deprivation when calculating funding amounts.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with motorway service station operators on the rollout of rapid electric vehicle charging stations across the strategic road network in England. \p Keir Mather: A reliable, accessible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential to support the EV transition.

The market has changed significantly since the Rapid Charging Fund was announced, with now over 6,000 open-access, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints within one mile of the Strategic Road Network – more than quadrupling in the last three years (July 2022 – July 2025, Zapmap).

We are adapting our approach to meet the needs of industry today. The recent Spending Review announced £400m for charging infrastructure, including to support charging on the Strategic Road Network. We will use lessons from the Rapid Charging Fund pilot and continue working with industry to target financial support where it is needed most.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve aviation safety and (b) reduce the number of incidents of fatigue among pilots operating in UK airspace. \p Keir Mather: UK regulations set out requirements for operators of both aerodromes and aircraft, to mitigate risks and ensure operations are conducted as safely as possible. My officials are in regular contact with the UK’s independent safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who are responsible for enforcing Aviation Safety regulations, as well as advising the Department when regulations may need to be updated. When advising updates to aviation safety regulations, the CAA works closely with industry experts as well as other government bodies, like the Health and Safety executive.

The risk of flight crew fatigue is managed under the flight time limitation (FTL) regulations which limit the number of hours pilots can be on duty. The CAA monitors and oversees UK Airlines’ management of FTL requirements and how these impact pilot fatigue, as well as investigating safety reports that cite fatigue as a contributory factor. The CAA will take action to recommend changes to regulation or update guidance if they see any evidence it may be required to manage the risk of fatigue.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what power capacity upgrades will take place in Huntingdon constituency via the Rapid Charging Fund. \p Keir Mather: A reliable, accessible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential to support the EV transition.

The market has changed significantly since the Rapid Charging Fund was announced, with now over 6,000 open-access, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints within one mile of the Strategic Road Network – more than quadrupling in the last three years (July 2022 – July 2025, Zapmap). No grant funding was awarded via the Rapid Charging Fund to Huntingdon.

We are adapting our approach to meet the needs of industry today. The recent Spending Review announced £400m for charging infrastructure, including to support charging on the Strategic Road Network. We will use lessons from the Rapid Charging Fund pilot and continue working with industry to target financial support where it is needed most.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed expansion of Farnborough Airport on (a) noise pollution and (b) air quality in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Keir Mather: Assessment of the potential impact of Farnborough Airport’s expansion is a matter for Rushmoor Borough Council as the local planning authority responsible for considering the airport’s planning application.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to allocate a proportion of support from the Revenue Support Mechanism to power-to-liquid fuel projects. \p Keir Mather: We recognise the importance of Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) contracts supporting a range of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production technologies.

Power-to-liquid (PtL) SAF projects present significant opportunities for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reductions compared to fossil jet fuel, and this, along with other factors such as the cost of production for PtL SAF projects in the UK, is being considered as we design our approach to allocating RCM contracts. The Department will consult with industry in due course to gather stakeholder views on the approach to allocating RCM contracts.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of permitting crop-based biofuels to be eligible under the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate on (a) the environment and (b) food security. \p Keir Mather: In August 2025 the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed that a call for evidence on the eligibility of crops in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate would be published by the end of this year. This followed a call for evidence on the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).

Crops encompass a variety of feedstocks with different impacts. It is right that we gather up-to-date evidence and information on emerging developments, including on the sustainability risks associated with crop-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel and how regulation could mitigate these risks.

The call for evidence does not propose any changes to the SAF Mandate nor does it signal the future direction of the SAF Mandate; it is intended to support assessment of the potential impacts, including on the environment and food security, of crop-based biofuels by the Department for Transport.
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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, what the planned timetable is for payments to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure. \p Keir Mather: We are investing the £320 million announced at Autumn Budget 2024 to support electric vehicle uptake in the 2025/26 financial year.
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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, what metrics her Department will use to assess the effectiveness of the funding allocated to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. \p Keir Mather: The Government continually reviews its approach to EV charging interventions, working to address barriers that need to be resolved to meet consumer needs. Our approach is underpinned by evidence, including environmental and value for money assessments of interventions, evidence from a range of sources on the market failures that require government intervention, and evidence from the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of programmes to date.

More widely, we monitor the roll out of EV charging infrastructure through official chargepoint statistics, including chargepoint installations, types of chargepoint, and regional distribution.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_208

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2025 to Question 59664 on Large Goods Vehicles: Concrete, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reducing weight limits for volumetric concrete mixers on levels of frequently of repairs to (a) roads and (b) bridges; and what estimate she has made of levels of associated cost reductions for (i) local authorities and (ii) National Highways. \p Keir Mather: The National Highways’ report found that the load effects from heavier VCMs to be up to 17% higher than the load effects from the model for vehicles complying with the current weight limits. In addition to the impact on bridges, heavier vehicles also put more stress on roads, which impacts maintenance costs and safety. The department has not made a specific assessment on the impact on the frequency of repairs and cost reductions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_209

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of industrial action by train guards on passengers. \p Keir Mather: The Department regrets the impact any industrial action by guards may have on passengers. The Department works with its contracted train operators to minimise the impact of any industrial action and encourages them and the trade unions to resolve matters, through discussion, as quickly as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_210

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many public electric vehicle chargepoints need to be installed each year between 2025 and 2030 to meet the government’s target of 300,000 public chargepoints by 2030. \p Keir Mather: An estimate of potential future demand for chargepoints was originally published in the 2022 “Taking Charge: the National Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy” and ranged from 280,000 to 720,000 in 2030. This analysis was updated in 2024 resulting in a range of 250,000 to 550,000 in 2030. Both the 2024 NAO ‘public chargepoints for electric vehicles’ report, which presents annual projections out to 2030, and the Climate Change Committee 2025 Progress report, concluded that rollout to date is on track.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_211

Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local authorities correctly implement national guidance on Blue Badge eligibility. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport sets the legislation governing the Blue Badge scheme in England and provides non-statutory guidance to local authorities to help share good practice in administering the scheme. However, it is the local authority who is responsible for determining and implementing the administrative, assessment, and enforcement procedures which they believe are in accordance with the governing legislation.

The Government is committed to working with and supporting authorities to help them align with national guidance on Blue Badge eligibility and operates a continuous improvement programme to the online application process, utilising customer feedback to inform its research to help ensure the service is consistently applied and works in the best possible way for all who need to use it.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_212

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring (a) taxis, (b) buses, (c) hire cars and (d) other vehicles used for (i) public and (ii) quasi-public purposes to carry automated external defibrillators. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has not assessed mandating these vehicles to carry defibrillators. In England outside London, commercial bus operators provide the majority of bus services and have responsibility for managing their fleets. Any decision on whether to fit buses with defibrillators is one for operators to make, and some have taken the decision to equip their depots with these.

Similarly, it would be the decision for individual taxi and private hire vehicle operators to decide to carry defibrillators.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_213

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of local government finances on the ability of local authorities to fund additional therapy above the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund's fair access limit. \p Josh MacAlister: The adoption and special guardianship support fund provides up to £3,000 per child annually for therapeutic support. The department has assessed that £3,000 can fund an average of 19-20 hours of therapy, on the basis of median hourly rates for contact time, and allowing for additional costs. Decisions to fund additional therapy beyond this fair access limit rest with individual local authorities. Adoptive and kinship families can also receive help from local authority Family Help services. The government is doubling investment in these services to over £500 million in 2025/26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_214

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to monitor activities at Confucius Institutes. \p Josh MacAlister: ​​Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

​The department engages regularly with representatives from the higher education (HE) sector to support universities to maximise opportunities of collaboration whilst managing risks.

​The department expects the HE sector to be alert to a range of risks when collaborating with international partners and to conduct appropriate due diligence and oversight. Any international arrangements English HE providers who are registered with the Office for Students (OfS) make, including Confucius Institutes, should be within the law and comply with OfS registration conditions. These include a commitment to the public interest governance principles, which include operating openly and in accordance with ensuring academic freedom and freedom of speech.

​If students, staff, or the public feel that a provider is not meeting these requirements, they can submit a notification to the OfS. As the regulator for registered English providers, the OfS can intervene and use its regulatory powers, if a breach is identified.​
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_215

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the press release entitled US-UK pact will boost advances in drug discovery, create tens of thousands of jobs and transform lives, published on 16 September 2025, which regulations he plans to (a) change and (b) repeal under the civil nuclear deal. \p Michael Shanks: The civil nuclear deal referenced in the press release of 16 September 2025 forms part of a broader strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States, aimed at accelerating innovation and infrastructure delivery across key sectors, including clean energy. The significant time savings referenced in the deal will be achieved by our regulators working in partnership with their US counterparts to align licensing processes and share technical analysis, without the need for any changes to regulation. It will enable British families to benefit from cleaner, more reliable energy and supporting the creation of high-quality jobs.

In addition, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) & Ministry of Defence (MoD) has commissioned the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce to examine the regulatory framework governing civil nuclear development. The Taskforce is considering a range of options to streamline regulation, whilst maintaining the UK’s high standards of nuclear safety, security and environmental protection.

The Taskforce’s final report has not yet been published. It would therefore be premature to confirm which specific regulations may be subject to change or repeal. Any proposals will be set out in full in the final report and in the government’s response.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_216

Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of the changes to minimum energy efficiency standards on self-catering accommodation in Wales. \p Martin McCluskey: Government recently consulted on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation closed on 2nd May and was accompanied by a consultation-stage options assessment. We have engaged widely with stakeholders during the consultation process and a government response with a further impact assessment will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_217

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support communities that are affected by energy infrastructure projects. \p Michael Shanks: In the Clean Power Action Plan, we made it clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should feel tangible and enduring benefit of doing so.

The Government has already announced bill discounts for communities living nearest to new electricity transmission infrastructure and published guidance on community funds for electricity transmission infrastructure and onshore wind in England. Solar Energy UK is also expected to publish guidance this year.

In addition, in May, the Government published a working paper on mandatory community benefits and facilitating shared ownership and is in the process of reviewing responses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_218

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will consider issuing a call for evidence on ways to (a) promote and (b) fund the installation of domestic energy efficiency measures. \p Martin McCluskey: We are working across government on a comprehensive Warm Homes Plan for households to cut energy bills for good. The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. We will upgrade up to 5 million homes across the country by accelerating the installation of efficient new domestic energy technologies.

We are investing £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan up to 2030, in line with the Manifesto commitment. The transition to warmer, decarbonised homes via the Warm Homes Plan will include support for the most vulnerable to help slash fuel poverty. We will publish more details soon.