theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what what steps she is taking to help ensure consistency in standards of (a) ethics, (b) training and (c) reporting in (i) parish, (ii) town and (iii) district councils. \p Jim McMahon: The government’s December 2024 consultation set out the government’s views on the adequacy of the current local government standards regime. The consultation also set out what sanctions are currently available and that government considers that, in key aspects, the current system is ineffectual, inconsistently applied, and lacking in adequate powers to effectively sanction members found in serious breach of their codes of conduct.

This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England, including the introduction of the sanction of suspension, to empower local authorities of all types and tiers to deal appropriately member misconduct where it arises. The government response will be issued in due course. The government does not collect data on local authority complaints.
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John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, under what circumstances she would direct Local Government Pension Funds to a specific asset pool. \p Jim McMahon: The government’s firm preference is for pool membership to be determined on a voluntary basis at a local level. In the Pension Schemes Bill, the government has made provision for a power to protect the Local Government Pension Scheme over the long term. The power could be used to direct an administering authority to participate in a specific pool in the event that an authority is left without a pool to participate in or that a pool’s governance intractably breaks down. The government would intend only to use this power as a backstop in these circumstances.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58747 on Police and Crime Commissioners: Combined Authorities, whether she plans to transfer police and crime commissioner powers to combined authorities where the mayoral geography aligns with the geography of two police force areas. \p Jim McMahon: In the English Devolution White Paper we committed to exploring whether a single Mayor can take responsibility for Police and Crime Commissioner functions across two or more police forces, where this would result in coterminous boundaries, and bring forward any legislative changes as part of the English Devolution Bill. We will announce further details in due course.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the number of Level 7 apprenticeships offered by local authorities. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 58023 on 13 June 2025.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department holds data on how many local authorities have complete and accessible records of historic stillbirth burials. \p Jim McMahon: The government understands that tracing a baby’s grave or a record of cremation can be a very difficult time for people both mentally and emotionally. It is important, therefore, that parents searching for the final resting place of their child’s remains are given as much help as possible.

We know some councils are actively engaged with providing markers and memorials in cemeteries where stillborn babies were laid to rest in communal graves, and I would encourage members to contact their local authority directly. We anticipate councils will be open to suggestions from MPs on how best to support families affected in the way she describes.

The government expects all hospitals and burial and cremation authorities to assist by providing all information and records available to them, to any parents that enquire about what happened to their stillborn babies and their final resting place, in a timely manner.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to make an assessment of the potential impact of establishing the Oswestry-Gobowen railway line on the economy of the local area. \p Simon Lightwood: The previous government’s Restoring Your Railway programme funded the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for the Oswestry-Gobowen rail link. Feedback on the SOBC was provided to the promoters (Cambrian Heritage Railway Ltd) during 2023.

In July 2024, the Chancellor announced that the Restoring Your Railway programme would be closed. Any further assessment of the potential impact of this proposal should now be progressed as part of Shropshire Council’s Local Transport Plan.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a list of areas in North Shropshire which are underserved by bus services. \p Simon Lightwood: The government recognises the importance of accessible, frequent and affordable bus services in keeping communities connected, although has not assessed the adequacy of bus services in specific communities in North Shropshire and does not have plans to publish a list of areas which are underserved by bus services in North Shropshire.

The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them, including in North Shropshire.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million to local authorities across the country, of which Shropshire County Council has been allocated £4.4 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to bus services in this Spending Review by confirming continued funding each year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve vital bus services, including taking forward bus franchising pilots in areas including York and North Yorkshire, and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59834 on South West Main Line: Dawlish, if she will set out a timescale for when a decision on whether Stage Five of the rail resilience programme for Dawlish will receive funding will be reached. \p Lilian Greenwood: We are currently working to determine which rail enhancement projects will be taken forward following the conclusion of the Spending Review on 11 June. More information will be made public shortly.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on support for oil and gas workers in Scotland. \p Ian Murray: This Government recognises that oil and gas will continue to play a central role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. We recently published guidance on Scope 3 emissions in response to the Finch judgment, and soon we will publish our consultation response on the future of North Sea oil and gas licensing. Nonetheless, clean energy is our future, and many oil and gas workers have transferable skills for offshore renewable jobs. The Government’s commitment to investing in clean energy industries will ensure opportunities are created for oil and gas workers to thrive. Recently, we committed development funding to the Acorn carbon capture and storage project in Aberdeenshire, which, subject to business case, will prepare the project for delivery.

Scotland Office Ministers remain in regular contact with DESNZ Ministers regarding this issue. We also continue to engage with a variety of stakeholders from across the energy sector, including oil and gas producers.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure equal geographic access to NHS hyperbaric chamber services. \p Karin Smyth: NHS England is committed to ensuring equitably accessible, high-quality services, for anyone who requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This will be achieved through the commissioning of six geographically dispersed services across England. Three preferred providers have been identified to date, and a further procurement exercise will take place to identify the three remaining centres.

The contract for HBOT services, also known as recompression, was reviewed in 2024, as existing contract terms expired. This included an update of the service specification using the published full methods process, and a public consultation on the proposal to reduce the number of commissioned providers in England from eight to six centres. Further information on the service specification, the published full methods process, and the consultation is available, respectively, at the following three links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdf

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/methods-national-service-specifications/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/reviewing-hyperbaric-oxygen-services-consultation-guide/#:~:text=Background-,Background,Manual%20of%20Prescribed%20Specialised%20Services

The updates to the specification seek to ensure timely access to treatment for the most acutely unwell patients with the specification requiring:

The geographical scope of the six services will ensure that there are no more than four hours travelling time by road from coastal locations, from the furthest borders, or between neighbouring commissioned HBOT centres, which is in line with good practice guidelines. The published Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment sets out an evaluation, including access to services and where appropriate action was taken to ensure fair access to any patient who requires this service. Further information on the Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2.1-Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-equality-and-health-inequalities-impact-assessment.pdf
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of surgical hubs on (a) waiting times for (i) trauma and (ii) orthopaedic treatment and (b) equity in access to treatment. \p Karin Smyth: No formal assessment has been specifically made on the potential impact of surgical hubs on clinical speciality waiting times or equity in access to treatment.

A mixed methods evaluation of the surgical hub programme is currently underway, led by the University of York, and is expected to complete in 2027.

Surgical hubs transform the way the National Health Service provides elective care by focusing on providing high volume low complexity surgery, as recommended by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Hubs separate elective care facilities from urgent and emergency care, improving outcomes for patients and reducing pressures on hospitals.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding his Department is allocating to reduce the maintenance backlog at sites owned by Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Hospitals Trust. \p Karin Smyth: The Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is set to receive £9.7 million in funding through the Estates Safety Fund 2025/26. This funding will help deliver vital safety improvements at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and the Cheltenham General Hospital, enhancing patient and staff environments, and reducing the levels of critical maintenance backlog.

In addition, the Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board has also been provisionally allocated £53.1 million in operational capital funding, including primary care business as usual capital, for 2025/26 to allocate to local priorities, including maintenance backlogs.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether training is available through the NHS for school nurses on managing allergies and administering adrenaline auto-injectors. \p Karin Smyth: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) sets the standards for education preparation for school nurses, who are registered nurses that undertake a post-graduate Specialist Public Health Nurse qualification with an NMC-approved university. School nurses will then also undertake any mandatory training required by their employer, as appropriate to their role.

Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on schools to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions. Schools should ensure they are aware of any pupils with medical conditions, and should have policies and processes in place to ensure these can be well managed. This includes allergies. The policy should also set out how staff will be supported in carrying out their role to support pupils, including how training needs are assessed and how training is commissioned and provided. Any member of school staff providing support to a pupil with medical needs should have received suitable training.

NHS England has also produced the Healthy School Child e-learning programme, which is available at the following link:

https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/healthy-school-child/

This programme is designed for healthcare professionals, including school nurses, working with children aged between five and 12 years old. Module 5 of the e-learning programme includes sessions on asthma, eczema, and other allergies.
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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of moving non-clinical service delivery decision-making from managers to (a) consultants and (b) specialist doctors. \p Karin Smyth: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are the strategic commissioners of health and care services in England. NHS England has asked the ICBs to reduce the duplication of functions, to achieve efficiencies and reduce their running costs, with the aim to direct the cost savings towards front line National Health Service health and care services.

No assessment has been made in regard to moving any non-clinical services to clinical staff. We expect the ICBs to review their functions whilst acting as strategic commissioners, and this includes where multiple assurance and regulatory functions are being done by different organisations, wider performance management, and comms and engagement, which similarly exists in local authorities, providers, and regions, with a view of delegating these functions appropriately.
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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many radiographers will be trained in each year until 2030. \p Karin Smyth: Later this year, we will publish a new workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and will ensure the National Health Service has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Spending Review 2025 on NHS waiting lists in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency. \p Karin Smyth: No formal assessment has been made of the potential impact of the 2025 Spending Review on National Health Service waiting lists in the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.

The 2025 Spending Review, announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in June 2025, prioritises health with record investment in the health and social care system. Until 2028/29, the Government is providing £29 billion for more day-to-day funding in real terms compared to 2023/24, along with the largest ever health capital budget, with a £2.3 billion real terms increase in capital spending over the Spending Review period, until 2029/30.

This funding will support delivery of our commitment that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029, including in the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.
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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many consultant posts are vacant in the each of the acute hospital trusts in the Cheshire and Merseyside ICB. \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold information on the number of consultant vacancies at hospitals in the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board. NHS England publishes regular high-level statistics on vacancies across National Health Service trusts, which are available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-vacancies-survey
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56880 on Health Professions: Regulation, whether the consultation expected by the end of this year will be open to submissions from Members of Parliament and the public. \p Karin Smyth: We are aiming to commence consultation on a draft legislative framework for the General Medical Council by the end of this year. This will be a statutory three-month public consultation which anyone will be able to respond to, including Members of Parliament and the public.
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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many radiographers have been in post at Warrington and Halton University Hospitals Trust in each year since 2015. \p Karin Smyth: The following table shows the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) diagnostic radiographers employed by the Warrington and Halton University Hospitals Trust in each year since 2015:

Date

FTE diagnostic radiographers

March 2015

85

March 2016

82

March 2017

83

March 2018

77

March 2019

80

March 2020

83

March 2021

92

March 2022

88

March 2023

78

March 2024

82

March 2025

92

Source: NHS Workforce Statistics, NHS England, available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statistics/february-2025

The trust has not employed therapeutic radiographers for the dates shown.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce NHS dermatology waiting lists. \p Karin Smyth: Cutting waiting lists is a key priority for the Government. The Department is committed to ensuring that the proportion of patients waiting no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment, including for dermatology services, returns to 92% by March 2029, and to 65% by March 2026.

NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme is working to improve waiting times through its established Further Faster programme to transform patient pathways and improve access and waiting times for patients. Dermatology is one of 24 specialties in focus for GIRFT’s Further Faster work.

A Further Faster handbook for dermatology has been produced to share best practice, and the GIRFT team is carrying out regular visits to, and meetings with, challenged departments in order to provide support in improving performance across dermatology.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to reduce average diagnosis times for endometriosis; and what plans he has to meet the Women’s Health Strategy targets. \p Karin Smyth: It is unacceptable that women can wait up to 10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis and the Government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered over three million more appointments.

In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its guideline on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis to make firmer recommendations on referral and investigations, which will help women receive a diagnosis and effective treatment faster. This includes updated recommendations that for women with symptoms of endometriosis, initial pharmacological treatment should take place in primary care, and that this can take place in parallel with additional investigations and referral to secondary care if needed. The guideline is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73

The Government’s focus is on turning the commitments in the Women's Health Strategy into tangible action, such as providing emergency hormonal contraception free of charge at pharmacies on the National Health Service from October 2025, taking urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan, and setting out how we will eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through the new cervical cancer plan.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of phlebotomy services to perform blood tests for children in (a) Oxfordshire and (b) nationally. \p Karin Smyth: The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that patients have the best possible experience during their care.

Community diagnostic centres (CDCs) offer local populations a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home as well as greater choice on where and how they are undertaken. This reduces the need for hospital visits, reduces pressure on hospitals, and speeds up diagnosis. CDCs are expected to offer their services to children and young people where it is safe and appropriate to do so. The Oxfordshire, Oxford CDC in Cowley delivers a range of diagnostic services, including phlebotomy services.

Phlebotomy services are also provided by general practices (GPs). Where services are provided by GP, they are commissioned locally by integrated care boards (ICBs), based on local population need, and are funded as part of their annual funding allocations.

In Oxfordshire, the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB has commissioned GPs to deliver phlebotomy services for all ages, including children. Services must be led by suitably trained professionals.

Guidance communicated to GPs from the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Local Medical Committee, the body representing all NHS GPs practising in the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire area, is that GPs should not perform blood tests for patients under 12 years old and instead that these should be performed by specialist paediatric trained staff. Where GPs have clinical staff with the training, competence, and experience to perform blood tests on patients under 12 years old, these services may be available. However, at practices that do not have these staff, they will instead refer the child to alternative providers, such as in a children’s hospital clinic.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding he plans to allocate to midwife (a) training and (b) recruitment in the next 12 months. \p Karin Smyth: The NHS Education and Training tariff funds clinical midwife placements at approximately £5,000 per full time equivalent post. The rate is adjusted by the Market Forces Factor and varies by region. In addition, eligible midwifery students can apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF). The LSF provides a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 per student per academic year. We review the funding arrangements for both schemes annually.

Funding for midwife training is demand led and is not capped by the Government. The total amount of funding depends on the number of students in the system.

National Health Service trusts manage their recruitment at a local level. This includes allocating funding to ensure they have the right number of staff in place with the right skills mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

To reform the NHS and make it fit for the future, we will publish a 10-Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s five long-term missions. Ensuring we have the right people, in the right places, with the right skills will be central to this vision. We will publish a new workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.
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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help ensure that Givinostat is made available in for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy across all NHS trusts areas. \p Karin Smyth: The Department understands the impact that Duchenne muscular dystrophy has on those living with it and their families, and the urgent need for new treatment options.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS independently based on an assessment of their costs and benefits. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE, normally within three months of the publication of final guidance. NICE is currently evaluating givinostat for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and its independent Appraisal Committee will meet to consider the evidence in July 2025.

Ahead of NICE’s evaluation, ITF Pharma UK, the United Kingdom’s marketing authorisation holder for givinostat, is providing access to givinostat through a type of compassionate use scheme called an Early Access Programme (EAP). The delivery of timely and equitable access to new treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy under company-sponsored EAPs is not the responsibility of NHS England. Participation in company-led schemes is decided at an individual NHS trust level and under these programmes, the cost of the drug is free to both the patients taking part in it, and to the NHS, although NHS trusts must still cover administration costs and provide clinical resources to deliver the EAP.

NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge medicines schemes, providing advice on potential financial, resourcing, and clinical risks.

ICSs should use the guidance to help determine whether to implement any free of charge scheme, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many nurses qualified to work in the NHS (a) 2024, (b) 2023 and (c) 2022. \p Karin Smyth: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) publishes information on the number of nurses joining their register for the first time, who are resident in England. It is important to note that newly registered nurses may choose to work in a range of settings, including National Health Service trusts, private or third sector bodies, who may undertake NHS work, or social care settings.

The following table shows the number of nurses joining the NMC register in England for the first time by financial year:

Financial year

Number of registered nurses joining the NMC register for the first time in England

2022/23

24,108

2023/24

28,049

2024/25

29,210

Source: Nursing and Midwifery Council, March 2025 Annual Data Report, available at the following link:

https://www.nmc.org.uk/about-us/reports-and-accounts/registration-statistics/

The information may slightly undercount first time register joiners in England as it is based on the address registered with the NMC.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy for newly qualified nurses to be guaranteed a job in the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: Decisions on the employment of newly qualified nurses are a matter for individual National Health service trusts, which manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.

We are working closely with NHS England, employers, and educators to ensure support is in place to help graduating nurses transition into the workforce.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he made of the correlation between BMI levels and referrals for joint replacement surgery. \p Karin Smyth: Cutting waiting lists is a key priority for the Government. We have committed to achieving the NHS Constitutional standard that 92% of patients should wait no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029, including patients waiting for joint replacement surgery.

We also want to improve patients’ experience while waiting, to ensure their experience of planned National Health Service care is as supportive and convenient as possible. In our Elective Reform Plan, published in January 2025, we committed to giving patients more choice and control, including choice of their provider, and whether they want routine follow up appointments. We are upgrading the NHS app, so patients can book and rearrange appointments, choose which hospital to be treated at, receive test results, and choose if they want to be seen in person or remotely. We will also work with patients and carers to establish minimum standards for experience.

The My Planned Care app gives people advice and support while they wait and helps them to prepare for their hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving people information about waiting times at their hospital and other supporting and local services. There has been no formal assessment on the correlation between body mass index levels and referrals for joint replacement surgery.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many newly qualified nurses were employed in the NHS as a band 5 nurse after six months of being a qualified in (a) 2024, (b) 2023 and (c) 2022 . \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold the information requested.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_128

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish quarterly reports on the steps he has taken to meet targets set out in the Elective Reform Plan. \p Karin Smyth: There are no formal plans to publish quarterly reports on the steps taken to meet targets set out in the Elective Reform Plan.

The Department is committed to ensuring that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from Referral to Treatment by March 2029 and that 65% of patients wait for 18 weeks or less by March 2026. The Department and NHS England regularly monitor progress against these targets.

Monthly statistics on the size of the elective waiting list and performance against the 18-week target is published and available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_129

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS dental positions have been advertised under the NHS Golden Hello Scheme; and how many of those have been accepted, by (a) region and (b) month since February 2024. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_130

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many band 5 nurse role were advertised for internal applicants in (a) 2024, (b) 2023 and (c) 2022. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_131

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May to Question 50600 on Integrated Care Boards: Per Capita Costs and with reference to the NHS England publication entitled, Working together in 2025/26 to lay the foundations for reform, published on 1 April 2025, how many integrated care boards have signed-off plans that are affordable within the reduced running cost envelope. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_132

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June to Question 56902 on Integrated Care Boards: Redundancy, (a) how the costs of restructuring will be met and (b) when when the national redundancy scheme will be launched. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_133

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to establish mutual recognition schemes for dental qualifications with other countries. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_1

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with online retailers on the (a) environmental and (b) ethical implications of fast fashion (i) production and (ii) pricing models. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department engages regularly with retailers on a broad range of matters relating to the fashion industry, including its environmental and ethical implications.

The UK supports voluntary due diligence approaches taken by UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises.

We recognise that trade policy is an important tool in a comprehensive approach to prevent, identify and eliminate forced labour in global supply chains and are considering measures that can help improve supply chain transparency and traceability. As part of the Trade Strategy, we have announced a review of our approach to ensuring responsible business conduct, focusing on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_2

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with fashion retailers on labour (a) rights and (b) conditions in supply chains. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department engages regularly with businesses across all sectors, including fashion retailers, on a range of issues including labour rights and working conditions throughout global supply chains.

The UK has a strong legal framework to ensure that workers' rights are protected, both domestically and internationally. This includes the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires large businesses to report on the steps they have taken to tackle modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.

The Department continues to work closely with the fashion retail sector to promote responsible business conduct and to support businesses in addressing labour rights challenges in complex global supply chains. This includes promoting adherence to international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_3

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using spending allocated to the DRIVE35 programme for the domestic critical minerals industry. \p Sarah Jones: DRIVE35 builds on the Advanced Propulsion Centre R&D programmes and the Automotive Transformation Fund. These programmes have funded a number of critical mineral projects that are strengthening the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) supply chains, from lithium refinery Green Lithium to battery recycler Altilium.

DRIVE35 will continue to support the latest R&D, accelerate commercial scale-up, and unlock capital investment in ZEV technologies, including their upstream supply chain which can include critical minerals projects.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_4

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on reducing trade tariffs with that country. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement – which keeps almost 99% of tariffs at 0 - worth around £28 billion in 2024.

The Business and Trade Secretary had a warm introductory conversation with his Canadian counterpart Minister Sidhu at the G7, where they agreed to work together on deepening and growing the bilateral trading relationship further.

Furthermore, as agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada have established a new Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This will include exploring reducing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_5

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with police forces on improving investigations into cases involving coercive and controlling behaviour. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The statutory definition of domestic abuse, contained within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, explicitly recognises coercive controlling behaviour (CCB) as a form of domestic abuse.

The government is committed to ensuring policing has the right skills and training to respond robustly to crimes of violence against women and girls (VAWG), including CCB. Whilst the Domestic Abuse Matters training programme covers CCB extensively and has now been delivered to over 80% of police forces in England and Wales we know that more needs to be done to transform the police response.

In our manifesto, we committed to strengthening and standardising officer training, at all levels, to ensure that our police have the right skills and training to respond appropriately and compassionately to victims of VAWG, in every force. That’s why we have announced £13.1 million funding to establish the new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection (NCVPP), this includes an uplift of £2m to improve police training. The NCVPP is developing a comprehensive training package, grounded in academic research and behaviour change science, to ensure that all frontline officers are equipped to manage investigations, and that senior leaders are able to advance stronger safeguarding arrangements for victims of all VAWG crimes, including CCB.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_6

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many employees in her Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Please see below for the number of employees with an annual salary of (a) £100,000 or more and (b) £166,000 or more.

Remuneration Bands

No of Employees

(a) £100,000 or more

109

Remuneration Bands

No of Employees

(b) £166,000 or more

6
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_7

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has provided guidance to police forces following the proscription of Palestine Action on the policing of protests. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The police are operationally independent of government and have significant experience in policing protests and ensuring proscription orders are implemented and in line with legislation while facilitating peaceful and lawful protest.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_8

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the document entitled Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, published on 30 May 2025, which suppliers were used to provide the International Women's Day event. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The event referred to was a practical development and leadership event designed for female members of Border Force staff.

Suppliers for the logistical arrangements were procured in line with government procurement rules, which are always designed to ensure the best value for taxpayers and are consistently reviewed.

Further information regarding the guidance for these events is available at the following address: Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-02 conversation_9

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of harm reduction policies on levels of drug-related crime. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government is determined to tackle drug harms and drug-driven crime. This includes investment in drug treatment and wider healthcare services, support for those recovering from drug dependence, enforcement to tackle drugs supply overseas, at the border and within the UK, and prevention and education in schools and through public health services. The legislative framework is also a key underpinning of reducing harm by ensuring the most harmful drugs are controlled and can only be accessed with a HO licence, as well as giving police the powers they need to act against the violent and exploitative criminal gangs behind the drug trade and others involved in drug-related crime.

The government is committed to a long-term, system-wide approach to reducing drug harms, learning from what works and ensuring this supports delivery of the government’s missions.