theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_109

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative assessment her Department has made of trends in levels of school absence in (a) schools with 40% or more pupils in bands A-F of the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index and (b) other (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools. \p Stephen Morgan: The department collects detailed pupil-level data on attendance, which is disaggregated by a number of characteristics, including measures of disadvantage such as the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI) and free school meal (FSM) eligibility. This data is regularly analysed.

The overall absence rate for FSM eligible pupils in 2022/23 was 11%, which is higher than the 6% absence rate for non-FSM eligible pupils. Similarly, the persistent absence rate and severe absence rates in 2022/23 were 36.1% and 3.9% respectively for FSM-eligible pupils, compared with 15% and 1% for non-FSM eligible pupils.

When overall absence rates are broken down by decile of the IDACI index, the data shows that the most deprived areas, 0-10% on the IDACI index, have the highest levels of absence at 8.3%, while the least deprived areas, 90-100% on the IDACI index, have the lowest levels of absence at 6.3%. A similar pattern holds true for persistent absence, with 25.9% in the most deprived areas, compared to 16.1% in the least deprived areas.

These patterns differ according to phase of school, with secondary schools in the most disadvantaged areas having significantly higher overall absence (10.2%), than primary schools in the most disadvantaged areas (7.0%).

The underlying drivers of school absence are many and varied. Amongst them are several linked to deprivation, including the increasing cost of living, child poverty, poor access to transport, resources and limited access to wider support services. Research has also shown that parental attitudes, child mental health and school belonging are strongly correlated with attendance.

This government is determined to tackle the generational challenge of school absence as it is a fundamental barrier to learning and life chances. Central to the department’s approach are stronger expectations of local authorities and schools, as set out in the ‘Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance, which was made statutory on 19 August 2024. The guidance promotes a 'support-first' approach and sets out clear expectations on how schools, trusts, local authorities and wider services should work together and with families to address attendance barriers and provide the right support.

Every state school in England should now be sharing their daily attendance register data with the department, local authorities and trusts. These bodies can access this data through a secure, interactive dashboard which is maintained by the department, allowing them to identify patterns and target attendance interventions more effectively.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_110

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department has spent on measures to achieve net zero targets in the last five years. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is fully committed to contributing to the UK achieving its legal commitment to be Net Zero by 2050. Between Financial Year 1209-20 and Financial Year 2023-24, the MOD has reduced its overall emissions from 3,650,000 tCO2e to 3,012,000 tCO2e.

Defence spending is investing in building our warfighting capability and to enhance operational advantage and resilience to protect our values and interests. Benefits of decarbonisation are a positive spillover and are not differentiated from this investment. For example, trials integrating alternative fuel sources and renewable energy technology can further unlock an ability to operate for longer periods without resupply and at greater reach across a dispersed battlefield.

A more detailed breakdown of Defence energy use and associated carbon emissions can be found in the MOD Annual Report and Accounts Annex D.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_111

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions on future US-UK defence collaboration he has had with the incoming US Defense Secretary. \p Luke Pollard: The US is our closest security ally. The Government looks forward to working with the incoming US Administration in the months and years ahead. The Senate confirmation process is ongoing for members of President-elect Trump’s cabinet.

The Prime Minister had a warm introductory call with President-Elect Trump on 6 November and spoke again with the President-elect on 18 December. The Prime Minister offered his congratulations and said he looked forward to working closely with President-elect Trump across all areas of the special relationship and our shared priorities, including international security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_112

Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what funding options are available to students in (a) higher education and (b) further education who commit to joining the Reserves. \p Al Carns: In line with recommendations made by the Haythornthwaite Review and the Pan Defence Skills Framework, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) believes there is value in recognising and accrediting the learning, experience and qualifications achieved by individuals outside of Defence.

There are a number of targeted programmes allowing those in higher and further education to experience the Armed Forces and potential careers in the Regular or Reserve Forces, including University Royal Navy Units (URNU), University Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron students. As an example, since 2015 the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) has been running a condensed fast-track Phase 1 training programme in the summer months to deliberately align with longer student vacations. Since 2021 the programme has been extended to officer cadets of the URNU, with seamless transfer to the RNR as an option for successful trainees.

There are currently no specific funding options to incentivise higher or further education students to join the Maritime Reserves or Royal Air Force Reserves. Students wishing to join the Army Reserves as Officers can apply for a financial bounty for £1,200, paid in two stages, the first payment on enlistment and the second on completion of their training. The Army also has four support schemes available for students in sixth form and higher and further education, ranging from Army Scholarships worth £3,000 per candidate to a Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship whereby Candidates have their tuition fees paid and receive £5,000 per annum for three university years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_113

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure the continued presence of Royal Navy assets in the Middle East maritime theatre. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence keeps its force posture in the Middle East under continual review to safeguard the UK’s national security interests and operational requirements. We remain committed to working with our partners across the region. The Strategic Defence Review, due to be published in the Spring, will set out Defence’s strategic priorities and context for subsequent resource allocation, including informing the global distribution of Royal Navy assets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_114

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help prevent the leaking of military secrets during online war games. \p Luke Pollard: Unauthorised release of information endangers our national security and makes protecting the United Kingdom harder. As such it is contrary to the ethos and policies of the Ministry of Defence, and we take the unauthorised release of information very seriously. Our policy stresses that information should be handled and distributed based on need-to-know, where access to sensitive information is no wider than necessary for the efficient conduct of official work, and is limited to those with a business need and the appropriate personnel security clearance. This approach is reinforced in mandatory training and through our Cyber Security Awareness, Behaviour and Culture campaign, which reinforces the importance of managing online footprints and not sharing information inappropriately.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_115

Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Pension Credit applications her Department has received in each of the last 12 months; and how many such applications were processed within the 50 day target. \p Torsten Bell: Pension Credit operational information is produced weekly. Please find data from 1 January 2024 up to the latest available data at end of week commencing 11 November 2024. This data is part of a longer time series published by the Department on 28 November 2024, which shows applications for Pension Credit received since 1 April 2024 up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK. The next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.

Week Commencing

Pension Credit Claims Received

01 Jan 24

3,100

08 Jan 24

4,600

15 Jan 24

4,800

22 Jan 24

4,500

29 Jan 24

4,400

05 Feb 24

5,800

12 Feb 24

5,600

19 Feb 24

5,800

26 Feb 24

7,200

04 Mar 24

6,200

11 Mar 24

5,100

18 Mar 24

5,100

25 Mar 24

3,800

01 Apr 24

3,900

08 Apr 24

4,400

15 Apr 24

4,400

22 Apr 24

4,200

29 Apr 24

3,700

06 May 24

3,400

13 May 24

4,100

20 May 24

4,000

27 May 24

3,300

03 Jun 24

4,200

10 Jun 24

4,000

17 Jun 24

3,400

24 Jun 24

3,200

01 Jul 24

3,800

08 Jul 24

4,100

15 Jul 24

3,300

22 Jul 24

3,500

29 Jul 24

7,900

05 Aug 24

7,300

12 Aug 24

5,900

19 Aug 24

8,400

26 Aug 24

9,000

02 Sep 24

10,700

09 Sep 24

13,400

16 Sep 24

11,800

23 Sep 24

9,800

30 Sep 24

8,300

07 Oct 24

8,200

14 Oct 24

9,600

21 Oct 24

9,000

28 Oct 24

10,000

04 Nov 24

9,800

11 Nov 24

10,600

As per the publication of the DWP annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (ARA), 77.7% of Pension Credit claims were processed within the Department’s planned timescales in the Financial Year 2023 to 2024. The next publication of the ARA will include claims processed in the Financial Year 2024 to 2025, which is due for publication in the summer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_116

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Pension Credit at tackling financial hardship among older people; and what steps she is taking to improve levels of (a) awareness and (b) uptake of Pension Credit among (i) eligible groups and (ii) women born in the 1950s that were impacted by changes to the State Pension age. \p Torsten Bell: Pension Credit was introduced specifically to help address pensioner poverty. It provides a vital safety net for low-income pensioners by guaranteeing a minimum level of income. For a single pensioner this Standard Minimum Guarantee (SMG) is currently set at £218.15 per week; for pensioner couples it is £332.95. The Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. Subject to Parliamentary approval, in April 2025 the SMG will increase by 4.1% and mean that the SMG for a single pensioner will be £227.10 per week and for a pensioner couple it will be £346.60 - an increase in both cash and real terms.

Receipt of Pension Credit also opens the door to a whole range of other financial support, including help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That’s why the Government is taking significant steps to raise awareness and maximise the take-up of Pension Credit.

Our campaign to promote Pension Credit has been running since September and is aimed at all eligible pensioners, including of course, women born in the 1950s. It has been running on TV, radio, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, on YouTube, on advertising screens, including on GP and Post Office screens as well as in the press. The latest phase of the campaign ran from 8 November and was aimed at friends and family - especially adult children of eligible pensioners - asking them to tell people they know about Pension Credit, encourage them to check their eligibility, as well as help them make a claim.

In November we also wrote to around 120,000 pensioners who were in receipt of Housing Benefit but not Pension Credit. We invited these pensioners to claim Pension Credit in time to make a successful backdated Pension Credit claim and qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment.

In order to promote Pension Credit through as many channels as possible, we have also engaged with key stakeholders and partners, including other government departments, local councils, housing associations, community groups, local libraries and service providers as well as charities and third sector organisations.

Over the coming weeks, as part of the annual State Pension uprating exercise, around 11 million pensioners will receive a leaflet promoting Pension Credit along with their State Pension uprating letter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support her Department is providing for victims of pension fraud schemes. \p Torsten Bell: Where fraud does occur, the Fraud Compensation Fund (FCF) compensates occupational pension schemes where there has been a loss in the value of the scheme assets due to fraud or dishonesty. Following payment of compensation to schemes, independently appointed trustees can then provide compensation to individual victims.

In addition, the Pensions Regulator (TPR) has robust powers to target mishandling of pension schemes and protect pension savers from losing out to fraud. MoneyHelper has guidance on its website to help identify, avoid, and report pension scams.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_118

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of maladministration around communications of State Pension age changes on the six sample cases in the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's report entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, HC 638, published on 21 March 2024. \p Torsten Bell: The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman set out their assessment of the impact on the six sample complainants in the report published in March 2024. Our comments on the sample complainants can be found in our detailed report placed in the House library.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_119

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people (a) made applications for Pension Credit and (b) were successful between 29 July 2024 and 21 December 2024. \p Torsten Bell: Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, from 1 April 2024 up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK.

Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_120

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people aged 80 and over are eligible for the additional £260 per year pension. \p Torsten Bell: At the quarter ending May 2024, there were 87,299 people in total claiming a Category D pension, those in the UK and overseas. This is a non-contributory State Pension that is paid to those aged over 80 who have no State Pension or who receive an amount that is less than the Category D rate of £101.55 a week (£105.70 after April 2025). There are also residency conditions that must be met in order to be eligible.

Source: DWP Stat-Xplore.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people previously diagnosed with (a) Down Syndrome and (b) other severe learning difficulties will be required to undergo a further assessment when their (i) personal independence payment and (ii) employment support allowance are migrated to universal credit. \p Sir Stephen Timms: People claiming Employment Support Allowance are being migrated to Universal Credit, but anyone on Personal Independence Payment will remain on it. Customers who move to UC following the receipt of a migration notice from ESA have their LCW or LCWRA moved with them to UC.

So, for the vast majority of cases there is no need for a new WCA.

The Work Capability Assessment is a functional assessment that applies to both UC & Employment and Support Allowance. Receipt of other benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) do not provide an automatic passport to LCW or LCWRA as the assessment criteria are different. Therefore, customers in receipt of PIP only, may be referred for a WCA if they declare a health condition when making their claim to Universal Credit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the number of people that were (a) eligible for and (b) not in receipt of Pension Credit in Runcorn and Helsby constituency on 13 January 2025. \p Torsten Bell: The department does not hold this data.   Information relating to Pension Credit eligibility is only available via take-up statistics. The latest available Pension Credit take-up statistics for Great Britain cover the financial year 2021 to 2022 and are available at: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). However, these statistics are only available at Great Britain level and cannot be broken down to smaller geographical areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is collecting data about use of the Household Support Fund to support pensioners who are no longer in receipt of the winter fuel payment. \p Alison McGovern: The Department for Work and Pensions publishes management information on the Household Support Fund, including details of the proportion of funding spent on households with pensioners, as well as the proportion spent on energy and water.

The latest management information, covering the scheme running from April 2023 to March 2024, is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-4-management-information-for-1-april-2023-to-31-march-2024.

Local Authorities have the discretion to design their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out for the fund.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what her timeline is for completing the second pensions review. \p Torsten Bell: This government is committed to enabling tomorrow’s pensioners to have security in retirement– which is why we announced the landmark Pensions Review days after coming into office in July.

The first phase focussed on boosting investment and economic growth and we are committed to a second phase focused on retirement adequacy. We will provide further details on the scope and timetable for the second phase in due course
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_126

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the next Pension Credit applications and awards dataset will be published. \p Torsten Bell: The next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_127

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of excluding people on Personal Independence Payment from eligibility for the winter fuel payment on their ability to meet energy costs. \p Torsten Bell: Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.

Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.

The Government also offers an array of support with energy costs for low-income groups in the winter months. This includes direct financial help to low-income pensioners through Pension Credit, Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Home Discount (in England & Wales).

The Warm Home Discount scheme provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their winter energy bill. This winter, we expect over 3 million households, to benefit under the scheme.

People struggling with the cost of living should contact their local council to see what support may be available to them, as they may be able to receive support from the Household Support Fund, Council Tax Reduction, or through energy support programmes such as the Homes Upgrade Grant and Energy Company Obligation.

The Home Upgrade Grant phase 2 provides energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating measures to low-income households living in the worst performing, off gas grid homes in England to tackle fuel poverty.

For those with long-term health conditions or disabilities, the “extra costs” disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment, provide a tax free, non-income-related contribution towards the extra costs people with a long-term health condition can face, such as additional heating costs. They are paid in addition to any other benefits received.

These benefits also give rise to a disability addition in Pension Credit and other income-related benefits.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Danny Kruger:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what passport benefits of what average value a Pension Credit claimant may be eligible to receive. \p Torsten Bell: Pension Credit claimants can receive passported benefits such as:

- Winter Fuel Payment;

- Housing Benefit for those who rent the property they live in;

- support for Mortgage Interest for those who own the property they live in;

- a Council Tax discount for those in England and Wales;

- a free TV licence for those aged 75 or over;

- help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments;

- help with heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme;

- a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service for those moving house.

Information on passported benefits is available at: Pension Credit: Overview - GOV.UK.

No estimate has been made of the average value of these benefits.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Danny Kruger:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average cost to the public purse is of (a) a Pension Credit claimant, (b) their council tax discounts and (c) other passport benefits. \p Torsten Bell: Data on Pension Credit award amounts is routinely published and made publicly available via DWP Stat-xplore. At May 2024, the average weekly Pension Credit award amount was £82.66. This figure does not include other operational and administrative costs, such as supporting customers and sending letters.

The Department does not hold data on Council Tax discount or the value of all passported benefits.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Marie Goldman:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Select Committee on Work and Pensions letter on the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme payments of 17 December 2024, what progress she has made on implementing the recommendations on inflation protection for pre-1997 pensions. \p Torsten Bell: The PPF and FAS rules on indexation have been the subject of much discussion. I am aware of the concerns surrounding the matter and understand the problems experienced by Defined Benefit pension scheme members adjusting to an income in retirement which may be less than they were expecting. I will continue to consider this issue over the coming months.

The Government is considering the Select Committee’s valuable report and will respond fully to the report and recommendations later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people are receiving PIP as a result of having a lung condition; and whether breathlessness is taken into account when conducting a PIP assessment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: In October 2024, there were 107,697 claimants with a respiratory diseased who received Personal Independence Payment (PIP). These figures are for England and Wales only and exclude claimants with Special Rules for End of Life. This figure can be found in Stat Xplore in the “PIP cases with Entitlement from 2019” table found here: Stat-Xplore - Home.

Entitlement to PIP is assessed on the basis of the needs arising from a health condition or disability, rather than the health condition or disability itself. Individuals can be affected in different ways by the same condition and so the outcome of a PIP claim depends very much on individual circumstances.

PIP legislation requires decision makers to consider whether individuals can complete each assessment activity “safely, to an acceptable standard, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period”. These four components are known as the reliability criteria.

When determining whether an activity can be reliably carried out, symptoms such as breathlessness should be considered, as they may indicate that the activity cannot be done to an acceptable standard, repeatedly, or within a reasonable time period. The impact of completing one activity on the ability to complete others must also be considered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to decolonise the (a) artwork and (b) heritage assets in (i) her Department and (ii) each of its arm’s length bodies. \p Andrew Western: There has been no change in the Department’s management of artwork or heritage assets since the previous administration.

As separate entities, the responsibility for creating policy and guidance for artwork sits with each individual Arm’s Length Body, rather than with the Department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many more people she expects to be in employment as a result of proposals in the Get Britain Working White Paper. \p Alison McGovern: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11th December to question number PQ 17573.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of increasing the rate of Statutory Sick Pay. \p Alison McGovern: The Government reviews the rate of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) annually as part of the uprating process. We are committed to building our understanding of how our plans to strengthen SSP, announced in our Plan to Make Work Pay, will impact employers and employees alike.

Through the Employment Rights Bill we are removing the Waiting Period so that SSP is payable from the first day of sickness absence, and we are also removing the Lower Earnings Limit which will widen eligibility to the up to 1.3 million employees who are currently not entitled to SSP.

Many employers choose to go further than paying the statutory minimum and provide more financial support to their employees during a sickness absence. Around 60% of all employees eligible to receive such contractual sick pay. Those who need additional financial support while off sick may be able to receive more help through the welfare system such as Universal Credit, depending on their individual circumstances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking with (a) the Northern Ireland Executive and (b) Invest NI to help promote Northern Ireland as an inward investment opportunity during the forthcoming Open Golf Championship at Royal Portrush. \p Hilary Benn: Royal Portrush will stage the 153rd Open Golf Championship in 2025, providing another outstanding showcase for golf in Northern Ireland. The 148th Open, held at Royal Portrush nine years ago, became the biggest sporting event ever held in Northern Ireland, delivering a combined economic and media benefit of more than £100 million to the region.

I have asked my officials to contact Invest NI to discuss this. I would also encourage the Honourable Member to share any suggestions he has to enhance any existing investment promotion with the Department for Business and Trade.

The Growth mission is the number one priority of the Government. That is why we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive to create a thriving, competitive and regionally balanced economy in Northern Ireland through increased investment, job creation, and higher living standards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute. \p Hilary Benn: There are no ongoing industrial disputes within the Department or our arm's length bodies connected to the Department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Government support for debt advisory services. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government currently provides national and community-based debt advice services, through the Money and Pensions Service, to hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in need across England. The Government also provides funding for debt advice in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. As debt advice is a devolved matter, responsibility for delivering these services rests with those devolved governments.

Funding levels for both the Money and Pensions Service and the devolved governments are regularly reviewed to reflect demand, inflation, and evolving needs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Harriet Cross:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she had discussions with industry stakeholders at the International Investment Summit on investment in the UK’s strategic energy infrastructure. \p Emma Reynolds: The Chancellor met with a range of domestic and international investors with current and prospective investments in the UK’s strategic energy infrastructure at the International Investment Summit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to increase the number of credit unions operating in England. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government has made clear its strong support for the credit union sector, recognising the value that credit unions bring to their members in local communities across the country in providing savings products and affordable credit.

The Chancellor announced new measures to support the growth of the credit union and mutuals sector in her Mansion House speech on 14 November. This included publishing a call for evidence on the potential to reform common bonds for credit unions in Great Britain, asking the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to produce a report on the mutuals landscape by the end of 2025, and welcoming the establishment of an industry-led Mutual and Co-operative Business Council. Together, these actions reinforce the Government’s commitment to support the credit union and mutuals sector, and help it grow to drive innovation and economic growth across the country.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) publishes quarterly statistics relating to credit unions in the United Kingdom. According to this latest data, there are currently 140 credit unions operating in England. Whilst HM Treasury does not hold data on the number of credit unions operating in London, all registered mutuals are listed publicly on the Mutuals Public Register, which is managed by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Richard Fuller:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the sources of funding for each public sector pension scheme including balancing payments made by her Department for each fiscal year between 2020-21 and 2023-24. \p Darren Jones: Figures showing the net Exchequer balancing payments for unfunded Public Service Pension Schemes (PSPS), along with details on contribution income and scheme expenditure, are regularly published as part of the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), including outturn figures for the previous fiscal year. For example, the March 2022 EFO includes Exchequer balancing figures for each major PSPS for 2020-21 in the table labelled “March 2022 Economic and fiscal outlook – supplementary fiscal tables: expenditure”: Economic and fiscal outlook - March 2022 - Office for Budget Responsibility The latest publication is included in the October 2024 EFO.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to National Audit Office's report entitled, public service pensions, published on 19 March 2021, whether her Department plans to publish updated statistics on the balancing payments made to pensions schemes. \p Darren Jones: Figures showing the net Exchequer balancing payments for unfunded Public Service Pension Schemes (PSPS), along with details on contribution income and scheme expenditure, are regularly published as part of the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO). The latest publication is part of the October 2024 EFO, in the table labelled “October 2024 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: expenditure”: https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-october-2024/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Munira Wilson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will update the Green Book to allow for the valuation of the reduced carbon footprint of UK produced materials as opposed to imported ones. \p Darren Jones: The Green Book has supplementary guidance on the valuation of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. This is found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65aadd020ff90c000f955f17/valuation-of-energy-use-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions-for-appraisal.pdf

That supplementary guidance notes that appraisals should consider the greenhouse gas emissions content of all of the materials that are used to implement a proposal. This applies both to materials produced in the UK, as well as those imported from abroad.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the level of Government funding to (a) hospices and (b) the palliative care sector. \p Darren Jones: The Chancellor and I work closely with the Health Secretary on issues related to health and social care funding.

The Government announced in December 2024 that we are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care, as well as £26 million in revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices. This will help to ensure that hospices in England can continue to deliver the highest quality end of life care possible for their patients, families, and loved ones.

In England, integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services to meet the needs of their local populations. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Steve Darling:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of a tourism tax on the tourist industry. \p James Murray: We have no plans to introduce a tourism tax. The Government keeps all tax policy under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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John Cooper:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 December 2024 to Question 20489 on Treasury: Media, which contractors were used for the spending on media training; and which Ministers received the media training. \p James Murray: The media training was provided by Freud Communications. The Ministers who received the training were the former Economic Secretary, the Exchequer Secretary and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has plans for a comprehensive financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the UK. \p Emma Reynolds: On 21 November 2024, the Government confirmed that it will proceed with creating a new financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets. This regime will be in line with the proposals published by HM Treasury in October 2023.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with mortgage lenders on ensuring mortgage offers are maintained for properties near electricity pylons, in the context of proposals to increase the number of electricity pylons. \p Emma Reynolds: The pricing and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for mortgage lenders in which the Government does not intervene.

However, the Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to different cohorts of borrowers.

The UK also benefits from a competitive mortgage market, with a wide variety of products available. Any prospective borrower should speak to a mortgage broker, who will be able to assist them in finding the best possible product for their circumstances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her Department’s definition of a tax break is. \p James Murray: ‘Tax breaks’ are commonly understood to be policies that mean taxpayers either pay less tax through exemptions or deductions, or get tax back through credits or repaid in another way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to decolonise the (a) artwork and (b) heritage assets in (i) her Department, (ii) HMRC, (iii) the Valuation Office Agency and (iv) the other arm’s length bodies in her Department. \p James Murray: There has been no change in HM Treasury’s management of artwork or heritage assets since the previous administration.

The responsibility for creating policy and guidance for artwork sits with HMRC, the VOA and each individual arm’s length body, rather than HMT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21387 on Rachel Reeves: Self-assessment, for what reason she does not plan to publish her tax return. \p James Murray: I refer the hon member to the answer given on the 7 January 2025 to UIN 21387.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of closer economic ties with China on (a) the UK economy and (b) public finances. \p James Murray: The Chancellor visited Beijing and Shanghai for the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue. The government published a press statement and policy outcomes paper on Saturday 11 January which lists the outcomes for British businesses and the UK economy. The press release and paper can be found here.

The Chancellor also published a written ministerial statement about her visit to China on the morning of Monday 13 January (found here) and delivered an oral statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 January.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2024 to Question xx-xxxx-xxxx on Business Rates, if she will make an estimate of business rates receipts for (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 for England only. \p James Murray: The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) publish non-domestic ratings receipts data and forecasts for the financial year ahead in England. As such, projections for non-domestic rates income for 2025-26 will be published in due course by MHCLG.

For 2024-25, local authorities estimate the non-domestic rating income to be £26.3 billion: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils-in-england-forecast-2024-to-2025/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils-in-england-forecast-for-2024-to-2025
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether free schools will be affected by changes to charitable business rate relief for schools. \p James Murray: The Government is legislating to remove the eligibility of private schools in England to business rates charitable rate relief.

The Government has defined a “private school” as a school at which full time education is provided for pupils of compulsory school age, where fees or other consideration are payable for that provision of full-time education.

Legally, free schools are academies so do not charge fees for education. Therefore, they will not be impacted by the removal of charitable rate relief from private schools.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

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Mims Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to employers' National Insurance contributions on women-owned businesses. \p James Murray: The Government publishes Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) for tax policy changes. TIINs give a clear explanation of the policy objective and an assessment of the impacts including on the Exchequer, individuals and families, businesses including civil society organisations and others. The TIIN for the employer NICs changes was published on 13 November 2024.

The Government is partnering with business to maximise women’s contribution to the economy. In line with the ambition of the Invest in Women Taskforce to expand access to funding for female entrepreneurs, the British Business Bank is investing £50 million in women-led funds. HMT’s Women in Finance Charter is supporting financial services firms to make the most of their female talent.