theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many settlements for non-freezing cold injuries did his department make in 2024/25. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes (AFCS) compensate service personnel and veterans for a wide range of injuries and illnesses arising from or exacerbated by their service. Non-freezing cold injuries (NFCI) are included in both schemes.

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, there were 13 awards for NFCI conditions under the War Pensions Scheme (WPS).

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, there were 32 initial awards for Non-Freezing Cold Injury conditions under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS). AFCS awards for NFCI that were initially rejected, but subsequently awarded are not included and not available at this point.

In addition, settlements of common law compensation claims for alleged MOD negligence or omissions resulting in personal injury are published annually. The statistical bulletin is published in the year following the end of the previous financial year so settled claims and compensation paid in financial year (FY) 2024-25 will be published in summer 2026. The link below provides the most up to date information relating to common law claims in FY2023-24 including NFCI claims.

MOD common law compensation claims statistics 2023/24 - GOV.UK
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many veterans in Wiltshire accessed support through Op FORTITUDE in the last 12 months, and what assessment he has made of future needs. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: Between 21 November 2024 and 21 November 2025, Op FORTITUDE has received 47 referrals in Wiltshire.

This Government is fully committed to ensuring that all veterans across the UK have access to the support they need on housing. That is why we have committed an additional £12 million to ensure the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme.

Op FORTITUDE will also be extended, putting the service that has already supported over 1,000 veterans on a sustainable footing. These programmes will deliver three years of support services across the UK for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that VALOUR field officers are trained to understand the needs of veterans from underrepresented groups including LGBT+ and non-UK veterans. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: Across the UK, new dedicated and regionally based VALOUR field officers will oversee the establishment and support the running of a network of place-based partnerships. These partnerships will bring together partners from across local government, public services and the third sector to drive forward delivery of the Veterans' Strategy and Armed Forces Covenant in their area. VALOUR Field Officers will work closely with existing Armed Forces Champions and other similar posts operating at the local level and share insights and learning between local partnerships and a new VALOUR HQ. Field Officers will additionally share best practice across their networks, which may include training materials for front line staff as required.

In addition, VALOUR field officers will be supported in understanding the diverse needs of veterans-including LGBT+ and non-UK veterans by Veteran Services (VS), the MOD statutory service. VS have a wealth of experience in assessing and supporting service leavers, veterans, and their families in welfare-based case management.

VS will play a pivotal role supporting VALOUR, with their own field teams distributed across the UK. This MOD collaboration will ensure VALOUR field officers will be able to provide expert guidance and practical support to ensure that they are equipped to deliver inclusive and informed services to all veterans.
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Cat Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what analysis his department has undertaken about the potential effects of fracking on house prices and home insurance costs across the North of England and the United Kingdom. \p Michael Shanks: There has been no hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction (“fracking”) since the effective moratorium was put in place in England in 2019. Similar restrictions are in place across other parts of the UK. Prior to the moratorium, only three wells have been hydraulically fractured for shale gas. The Department has not undertaken any analysis of the impact of fracking operations on house prices and home insurance costs. The Government has stated its intention to ban fracking for good.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of electricity costs for residents living in retirement housing in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Martin McCluskey: The Department closely follows electricity price trends on a regular basis. You can find the most reliable sources for these trends and further information on energy cost statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-energy-prices

No such assessment exists for specific sectors such as retirement homes. The specific costs for consumers, including retirement homes, will depend on the terms of their energy contracts with their energy supplier or the arrangements that their retirement homes have made

The Government is aware that energy bills are too high, particularly for vulnerable consumers, and we are wholly focused on bringing these costs down.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to review their guidance on electricity usage assumptions for households with higher reliance on electric heating. \p Martin McCluskey: The Department does not provide guidance on electricity usage assumptions for households with higher reliance on electric heating. However, the Quarterly Energy Prices bills estimates are presented for average domestic gas and electricity consumption levels including assumptions for average consumption for standard electricity and Economy 7.

These are reviewed regularly and updated at least every five years. Further detail of the methodology used is available Average Annual Domestic Consumption Levels Review: methodology note.

These differ from Ofgem’s Typical Domestic Consumption Values which provide the annual gas and electricity usage of a ‘typical’ domestic consumer, expressed as the median consumption value.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of tidal stream technologies to his Department's clean energy targets. \p Michael Shanks: The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan acknowledges that whilst emerging renewable technologies, such as tidal stream, are expected to play a limited role in the 2030 energy mix, our ability to deploy at scale could be important to the U K ’s achievement of longer-term decarbonisation objectives.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the COP30 climate summit. \p Katie White: The UK Government has rigorous processes in place to ensure costs for COP summits are managed effectively and represent value for money. A full cost will be confirmed and published once all expenditure is finalised.
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his department makes of the number of retrofits underway. \p Martin McCluskey: In 2025-2026 alone, we will be upgrading up to 300,000 homes, using around £1 billion of Warm Homes Plan money, and further support through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). This is more than double the number of home upgrades delivered in 2023/24.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has he made of the import costs of biomass sourcing of the fuel for the Drax power station. \p Michael Shanks: It is for generators to determine the most cost effective way of importing biomass, as this is a commercial decision.

All transportation of biomass must comply with strict supply chain emission thresholds in order to be eligible for any subsidy.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of the biomass burned in large-scale biomass power stations was sourced from old growth or primary forest in 2024. \p Michael Shanks: Biomass sustainability criteria require all biomass for power generation to be legally harvested, and comply with any applicable legislation in the countries of origin to protect primary forest and old growth areas. This means the risk of material from primary forests and old growth areas entering the UK is low, and volumes are minimal.

The Government takes this issue seriously and from 2027 new requirements will explicitly exclude primary material from forestry in primary forest and old growth areas from eligibility for subsidy, protect against regulatory regression abroad, and impose enhanced audit and assurance standards on biomass generators.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the national security implications of foreign-state-linked companies supplying components for renewable energy infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department works closely with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand, assess and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the national security considerations relevant to renewable energy developments in proximity to defence sites. \p Michael Shanks: The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The Department collaborates with government departments – including the Ministry of Defence – other agencies and industry partners on a regular and ongoing basis to understand, assess and mitigate threats to both energy infrastructure and sensitive sites.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance his Department provides to developers on national security considerations when selecting suppliers for critical energy infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department works closely with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand, assess and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure.

Where necessary this includes written guidance, for example in relation to the Procurement Act 2023, or clear and robust regulatory standards, for example for cyber resilience through the Network and Information Systems Regulations.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the level of dependence on overseas suppliers for wind turbine components and its potential implications for energy security. \p Michael Shanks: The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

The Government is clear that the greatest risk to our energy security is from failing to decarbonise and continuing to be overly dependent on fossil fuels, exposing household bills to the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding has been allocated to (a) Greater Manchester (b) Oldham for the installation of retrofit renewable energy. \p Martin McCluskey: The government implemented the first Integrated Settlements for Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities at the start of the 2025-26 financial year, which includes cover for building retrofits.

For buildings’ retrofit, Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities received the first allocation of their combined £302 million devolved retrofit funding in April 2025. This allocation draws from the Warm Homes: Local Grant, the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Oldham forms part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen supply chain resilience by supporting the use of British natural stone in public building projects. \p Anna Turley: Government Property Agency Capital projects will use tools such as Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCA) to analyse the cost and carbon impact of materials and products used during construction. This would favour local materials that naturally have a lower carbon footprint. The GPA would also factor in maintenance and replacement considerations on the choice and sourcing of material.

The Government Property Agency aims to utilise and support British businesses throughout our supply chain and in line with the principles of the Procurement Act 2023, which aims to support smaller local businesses and embeds social value into our contract delivery model.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 39926 on Senior Civil Servants: Pay, when he plans to publish the next list of senior officials high earners salaries. \p Anna Turley: Departments and their partner organisations are currently collecting the data for the next ‘high earner’ list. It will be published when the data set is complete and the personal information being released about individuals has been fully quality assured. Departments also publish salary information for all their Senior Civil Service (SCS) roles in quarterly organograms on data.gov.uk and for all SCS operating at Board level in their Annual Accounts.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the guidance entitled the approvals process for the creation of new arm's-length bodies, published on 15 March 2018, whether the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Team assessed the National Centre of Policing against the requirement that the creation of a new arms length body should only be considered as a last resort; whether the Department provided evidence that alternative delivery models were considered; and which of the tests in chapter 2 of that guidance it overcame. \p Anna Turley: The initial intention to explore a National Centre of Policing was announced by the then Home Secretary at the APCC/NPCC Conference in November 2024, as part of outlining their ambition for police reform. The Home Office will publish a White Paper on Police Reform in due course. If those proposals include establishing a new Arm's Length Body (ALB), then the standard process for establishing an ALB will be followed.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the estimated cost is of The Ministers’ Etc. Pension Scheme (Amendment) 2025, dated 6 November 2025. \p Anna Turley: The Ministers’ Etc. Pension Scheme (Amendment) 2025 makes technical amendments to the rules to allow the cost control mechanism (CCM) process to be completed, and the Scheme does not incur a cost as a result of the changes.

All public service pension schemes are subject to the CCM as part of the valuation cycle in line with HM Treasury policy. The CCM is designed to ensure a fair balance of risk with regard to the cost of providing public service pension schemes between members of those schemes and the Exchequer (and by extension taxpayers). If, when the CCM is tested, those costs are not within agreed target levels the member contributions are adjusted accordingly.

Any administrative costs associated with drafting and implementing these regulations are negligible and have been absorbed within existing Cabinet Office budgets.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how compliance with his Department’s Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method tenancy standard will be monitored and enforced. \p Anna Turley: The Government Property Agency (GPA) uses BREEAM when retrofitting and building new capital projects as per the government buying standards requirements.This system is administered through a third-party certification process managed by licensed assessors and enforced primarily by contractual agreements and planning policies.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 125 of the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, whether the £30 million Capital AME bid by the Government Property Agency that recorded a zero outturn was supported by approved business cases for government hub projects. \p Anna Turley: The GPA requested £30 million of Capital AME in the estimate as cover for potential accounting adjustments around dilapidation provisions in accordance with HM Treasury’s Financial Reporting Manual and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance. This is not directly related to government hub projects or business cases. The cover was based on a worst-case scenario that didn't materialise and so was not required.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assurance mechanisms will be introduced as part of the transition from MyCSP to Capita to ensure that delays experienced under the current contract are not repeated. \p Anna Turley: The Cabinet Office has enforced strict commercial governance and, unlike the legacy arrangement, the new contract incorporates sharp, automatic financial penalties for failure to meet Key Performance Indicators. This will ensure that the supplier is held financially accountable for service delivery standards from the outset.

These measures include a rigorous period of parallel running and system testing to validate operational readiness, alongside extensive data integrity checks and migration audits prior to service commencement.

This process is underpinned by a strengthened governance structure with active Cabinet Office oversight to monitor progress against key milestones, whilst applying lessons learned from previous transitions to mitigate risks regarding payment timeliness. Ensuring scheme members receive their pensions accurately and on time remains the Government’s priority throughout this process.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ratings are for 10 Downing Street, 11 Downing Street, and Admiralty House; and whether any assessments have been carried out since July 2024 to determine whether tenancies are in buildings with a BREEAM rating of A or above. \p Anna Turley: The Government Property Agency (GPA) uses BREEAM when retrofitting and building new capital projects as per the government buying standards requirements. Where budget and time allows, GPA aims to deliver to the government buying standards requirements or better. As these buildings are not being developed the BREEAM standard is not relevant. If the buildings were to be retrofitted by the GPA in the future, BREEAM would be applied as per the government buying standards requirements.

In regards to existing commercial spaces, the GPA will deliver to the MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, regulations) and produce Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and/or Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) where commercially relevant.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November 2025 to Question 85830 on Digital Technology: Identity Cards, whether people will be subject to any sanction if they do not enrol in the digital ID scheme. \p Josh Simons: There will be no criminal sanctions for people who don’t enrol in Digital ID.

The new digital ID scheme will help drive forward the digitisation of Right to Work checks by the end of this Parliament. We will launch a major digital inclusion drive to support this and help ensure nobody is left behind.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many telephone operators work on the Universal Credit helpline by the nationality of those operators. \p Andrew Western: We do not centrally hold the nationality of Universal Credit call handlers and to provide the information would incur disproportionate cost.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) food banks and (b) food bank users in each year since 2015. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Department does not hold official statistics on the number of registered food banks. Food banks are independent organisations, often run by charities, faith groups, or community organisations, and are not regulated or registered centrally by the Government.

Statistics on food bank use are published annually in the Households below average income statistics report and are only available from 2021/22 onwards. The most recent publication is available here:  Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2024 - GOV.UK

The Government is committed to tackling poverty. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of families falling into poverty. Our Get Britain Working White Paper sets out our reforms to the system to enable greater participation, progression and productivity in the labour market.

We are committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to, to make work pay and tackle poverty. We have already introduced the Fair Repayment Rate, reducing the Universal Credit overall deductions cap from 25% to 15% of a customer’s standard allowance, giving 1.2m households an average of £420 per year. In addition, we will increase the Universal Credit Standard Allowance from April 2026, estimated to be worth £725 annually by 2029/30 in cash terms.

To further support struggling families, we provided £742 million to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) in England until 31 March 2026. Enabling local authorities to continue to provide vulnerable households with immediate crisis support towards the cost of essentials, such as energy, water and food. The Devolved Governments receive consequential funding through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what criteria his Department will set for refugees to be able to access benefits. \p Andrew Western: The Home Secretary announced, in the Home Office’s Asylum and Returns Policy Statement on 17 November 2026, that DWP will consult on the rules for taxpayer-funded benefits to prioritise access for long-term residents and those who are making an economic contribution to the UK. The consultation will look at how the benefit rules apply to everyone arriving or returning to the UK, and any changes to entitlement rules will be set out during the consultation. The consultation will take place in 2026.
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure flexibility in the workplace for people living with fluctuating conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS). \p Dame Diana Johnson: Employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, including workplace flexibilities, where a disabled person or person with a long-term health condition would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage. This includes chronic and fluctuating health conditions and disabilities, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The Equality and Human Rights Commission provides statutory guidance to employers covering this. DWP also provides tailored guidance through its Support with Employee Health and Disability online service and the Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces including guidance on flexible working.

All employees have the existing right to request flexible working arrangements. The Employment Rights Bill is designed to make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted and would require employers to explain the basis for their decision where rejecting a request. The Keep Britain Working Review is currently establishing vanguards to explore innovative ways to support more disabled employees to stay in work.
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Natasha Irons:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the amount of the Housing Benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation cases being less than Local Housing Allowance rates on the quality of temporary accommodation. \p Sir Stephen Timms: DWP pays local authorities a Housing Benefit subsidy for Temporary Accommodation cases. There are restrictions on the amount paid, including a subsidy cap which is the lowest of £500 per week in certain areas of London or £375 elsewhere, 90% of 2011 LHA rates, or the claimant’s Housing Benefit entitlement. These arrangements are designed to incentivise local authorities to ensure Temporary Accommodation is good quality and value for money.

We recognise the financial pressures that local authorities are experiencing. This Government has invested £1bn in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year (2025/26), a £316m increase on the previous year.

We want to encourage better investment into Temporary Accommodation stock up-front to minimise costs to local authorities and £950m was announced in the latest round of the Local Authority Housing Fund. This coupled with measures to strengthen local authorities’ financial position such as a new £39 billion Affordable Homes Programme and a 10-year rental settlement at Consumer Price Index + 1, will support local authorities in England to increase the supply of good quality Temporary Accommodation and drive down the use of costly bed and breakfasts and hotels.

We will continue to work with MHCLG as part of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Inter Ministerial Group.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available for staff being made redundant by the closure of the Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Following notification of staff being at risk of redundancy DWP provides support to both employers and individuals through our dedicated service (the Rapid Redundancy Support).

Local Employer Advisors will make contact the employers/or individuals to offer support as a matter of urgency. Support is tailored and can vary depending on the scale of the redundancy and the level of support required. This can include:

DWP were notified by the Insolvency Service on the 18th of November of impending redundancies at the Queen Elizabeth Foundation for Disabled People. DWP’s National RRS Team held a meeting with the Chief Executive on the 19th of November where RRS support was outlined. RRS factsheets were sent over for cascade to employees impacted and the National RRS team agreed to contact local jobcentres. Queen Elizabeth Foundation requested DWP support at several recruitment events previously organised at sites in Leatherhead and Carshalton.

On the 27th November at the Leatherhead site, the local Employer Adviser and Disability Employer Adviser attended a recruitment event and offered further support for those impacted by the redundancies. The attendance of the Disability Employer Adviser was at the specific request of the Queen Elizabeth Foundation

At the Carshalton site local DWP teams have reached out and have invited all employees to a local recruitment event being held next week.
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy and accessibility of advice and support available for employers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). \p Dame Diana Johnson: No assessment has been made.

All employers have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 not to unlawfully discriminate against disabled people and people with long term health conditions, including people with multiple sclerosis. This includes making reasonable adjustments where employees would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equality Act and provides guidance to businesses and individuals, including the statutory Code of Practice on Employment.

The Government also offers guidance to employers on supporting disabled people and people with health conditions in the workplace, through its Support with Employee Health and Disability service. The service was developed with input from smaller businesses and disability organisations and provides a step by step guide to supporting employees in workplace scenarios involving health and disability. This includes guidance on having conversations about health and disability, supporting employers to understand and respond to an employee’s individual needs, circumstances and capacities. This service is fully compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people use the Motability scheme in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire. \p Sir Stephen Timms: At the end of July 2025 (latest available data), 1,240 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in South Holland and The Deepings constituency, and 9,510 PIP claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in Lincolnshire.

Data about Motability receipt based on other benefits such as Disability Living Allowance is not available centrally for analysis.

Notes:

- Values have been rounded to the nearest 10.

- Figures provided include both Normal Rules and Special Rules for End of Life claimants.
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Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether an armed forces pension is treated as unearned income for the purpose of calculating Universal Credit. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Regular, unearned income payments that are paid to meet living costs cause reductions in the customer’s Universal Credit entitlement pound for pound. This includes occupational pensions such as Armed Forces Pensions.

War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Payments are not taken into account in Universal Credit. Guaranteed Income Payments, Service Attributable Pensions and service-attributable, non-taxable Service Invalidity Pensions are also not taken into account.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the value of hydrogen and fuel cell exports reaches the target set out in the Industrial Strategy. \p Chris McDonald: The Industrial Strategy Clean Energy Industries sector plan notes the export market for UK manufacturers across hydrogen technologies could range between £800 million and £2.2 billion to 2030. The government has committed targeted support to boost exports of hydrogen technologies by showcasing UK capabilities through our global network and increasing access to international supply chains.

To support these opportunities, the UK's export credit agency, UK Export Finance aims to deliver £10bn in clean growth financing by 2029, alongside options to support overseas sales, including loan guarantees for foreign buyers, and working capital, insurance and bond support products to assist UK suppliers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, with reference to the target to reduce the cost of regulation by 25% on page 7, what the Government’s latest estimate is of the total cost of regulation to businesses and organisations in the public sector; what baseline year and total monetary value were used to calculate the stated target to reduce that cost; and by what date the Government aims to achieve that reduction. \p Blair McDougall: We have estimated the baseline of the administrative burden of regulation on businesses (as at start of April 2025) at £22.4bn a year in 2024 prices. Our target is to reduce this figure by 25%, or £5.6bn, by the end of Parliament.

We have adopted a pragmatic and ‘top-down’ approach to estimating the baseline, drawing on a range of existing data sources including previous baselining exercises, DBT’s regular Business Perceptions Survey (BPS), DBT business population estimates and Office for National Statistics data on wages and labour costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support is available to small British manufacturers of natural stone products to help increase their role in the sustainable construction sector. \p Chris McDonald: The Government is committed to the growth of a sustainable construction sector and to creating the right environment for small and medium sized businesses to thrive. Small British manufacturers of natural stone products can access support through the Business Growth Service, which offers online advice on issues such as decarbonisation and energy efficiency and services: for example, through connecting businesses to British Business Bank schemes such as a Business Finance Hub helping SMEs identify suitable finance options; and other support including access to the Department's International Trade Advisers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what engagement the UK government has had with the trade unions representing the workers at ExxonMobil Mossmorran. \p Chris McDonald: Both UK government Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with ExxonMobil regarding the Mossmorran Fife Ethylene Plant.

Following the closure announcement, Ministers met with Unite and GMB union representatives to discuss workforce support options.

The UK Government has not had access to ExxonMobil's internal management accounts for Mossmorran operations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Gareth Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of the British Business Banks’s economic capital limit has been earmarked specifically for (a) micro-businesses and (b) businesses in the devolved nations. \p Blair McDougall: The Secretary of State and the Chancellor have jointly set the British Business Bank a strategic mandate over the next five years. This includes a new mission to drive economic growth by helping smaller businesses get the finance they need to start, scale and stay in the UK. While the mandate itself does not specify numbers, types of businesses, location, or sectors, the Bank has an excellent track record of addressing disparities in investment within the UK, with the Bank’s Impact report 24/25 showing that 24,000 businesses have newly benefited from finance supported by the Bank and 84% of businesses were outside London. The Bank will continue to report regularly on the impact of its interventions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of high soil moisture deficit levels on rail infrastructure stability, earthwork movement and long-term service resilience across the national network. \p Simon Lightwood: High soil moisture deficit levels within earthworks arise when the earth has become dried out following prolonged dry hot weather, leading to the soil shrinking and cracks developing within. If this is followed by a period of extreme or prolonged rainfall, water entering these cracks can lead to rapid failure of the earthworks.

Network Rail has commissioned an active nationwide monitoring regime using remote sensors, modelling and geotechnical assessments to monitor slope stability across the network. It has also supported academic research, such as the ACHILLES programme, to further industry understanding on the loss of material strength from repeated cycles of wetting and drying. Intelligence from such research is fed into strategic whole life costing modelling to inform future renewal and maintenance activities. At the same time, Network Rail is engaging in proactive measures to reinforce embankments in high risk areas and reduce water retention and erosion.

Together, these measures should reduce the risk of earthworks failure and improve the long-term resilience of these assets despite the increasing number of extreme weather events that are expected due to climate change.

I am aware that this issue has been particularly problematic on the West of England Line. I am assured by Network Rail that conditions are improving and that they plan to restore a full timetable from 29th November.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to Question 88884, how much income has been collected by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency by providing vehicle registered keeper details in 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: The table below shows the income received in the calendar year 2025 and financial year 2025/26.

Income collected from the release of keeper details

Calendar year 1 January to 31 October 2025

£36,694,204.23

Financial year 25/26 1 April to 31 October 2025

£27,536,357.11

The £2.50 fee is set to recover the cost of providing the information and ensures that the cost is borne by the requester, not passed on to the taxpayer. In line with Managing Public Money, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency reviews its fees regularly to ensure that fees are set to recover the costs of providing the service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to chapter 7 and recommendation 11 of Baroness Casey's independent report entitled National audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, published on 16 June 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers operating outside of the local authority in which they are licensed on the level of risk of child sexual exploitation; what steps her Department has taken to tackle taxi and private hire vehicle drivers operating outside of the local authority in which they are licensed; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent taxi and private hire vehicle drivers from operating predominantly outside of the local authority in which they are licensed. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has been actively looking at safeguarding and regulatory reform in relation to taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs). Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse added valuable evidence to this ongoing work.

The English Devolution White Paper, published in December last year, committed to consult on making all Local Transport Authorities, including Strategic Authorities, responsible for taxi and PHV licensing. Administering taxi and PHV licensing over larger areas could increase consistency and efficiency in taxi and PHV licensing across England, reduce out-of-area working and better match licensing revenue and compliance and enforcement burdens. The consultation will be launched soon.

The Government response to Baroness Casey’s National Audit committed to legislate to address the important issues raised, tackling the inconsistent standards of taxi and PHV driver licensing.

On Tuesday 18 November, the Government tabled an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to seek a power for the Secretary of State to set in regulations national minimum standards for taxi and PHV licensing. These standards would be subject to consultation and would be primarily focused on passenger safety and accessibility. This would mean that wherever the public live or travel any taxi or PHV service they use would be subject to robust standards. The power was approved by the Commons at Report Stage and the Bill will now move to the Lords.

The Department continues to consider further options for reform, including out-of-area working and enforcement. We need to ensure that taxis and PHVs are able to work in a way that facilitates the journeys passengers want and need to make, in a consistently safe way, whilst achieving the best overall outcomes for passenger safety.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department holds information on a) the average barrier down-time at each public highway level crossing in England, b) the five crossings with the longest average down-times in the most recent year, and c) the frequency with which barriers remain down for more than ten minutes at any location. \p Keir Mather: The Department does not hold this information.