theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency is taking steps to streamline the (a) application and (b) determination process for (i) abstraction and (ii) impoundment licenses for new hydropower projects. \p Emma Hardy: Determining abstraction and impoundment licences for hydropower projects is a complex activity due to the wide-ranging risks to the environment and water users.

The Environment Agency has implemented several steps to streamline and improve its permitting process through a wide-ranging transformation programme across all its work areas from application acceptance through to assessment. These benefit hydropower projects and create efficiencies for the benefit of all applicants.

Specifically for water resources and hydropower, a new validation process has been introduced to quickly assess if an application is technically valid once received. The aim is for the initial assessments to be completed within 4 weeks and applicants are told if more information is required. New efficient assessment processes for staff, significantly reducing the time taken to assess applications, are being continually introduced.

Delays to the process are often caused by incorrect payments and applications with missing information. Applicants are urged to make use of the enhanced pre-application service which reduces the risk of delays and support applicants to apply for the right type of licences with the correct supporting information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) mitigate pollution from historic landfills and (b) facilitate the remediation of landfill sites in Knowsley constituency. \p Emma Hardy: Responsibility typically lies with the landowner to maintain systems that prevent pollution. Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities are primarily responsible for managing contaminated land, including designating historic landfills. If a historic landfill site is designated as a ‘special site,’ the Environment Agency (EA) can require remediation and continues to support local authorities in fulfilling their duties.

The EA regulates two permitted landfill facilities in Knowsley, in line with issued permits:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the average time was between a pollution discharge notification and a public bathing water quality warning being issued during the 2024 season. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) does not record the time between notifying a Local Authority of a pollution incident that may affect a bathing water and how long it then takes the Local Authority, who have the responsibility for notifications being put up at bathing waters, to relay this to bathers.

Discharges from water company assets are reported directly through their regional storm overflow maps as well as being collated and displayed in near real time via the National Storm Overflow Hub. The EA does not have records of what information Local Authorities choose to provide to bathers in response to this discharge information.

The EA provides information to bathers, via the Swimfo website, of any pollution incidents that may affect a bathing water. Operational procedures specify that duty officers receiving information on pollution incidents consider displaying these via Swimfo if they have the potential to affect a bathing water as part of the incident recording. When this is done Swimfo will display these warnings within a couple of minutes.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many visits have Ministers in his Department made to farms in Lincolnshire since the announcement of proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on 30 October 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra ministers regularly visit farms in a range of counties and meet with farmers and the wider industry nearly every week.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the inclusion of decapod crustaceans in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the context of  their recognised sentience under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government is committed to an evidence-based approach to improve welfare standards for decapod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs, and Defra has commissioned research and will seek expert opinion to inform any future policy decisions. The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland on the recent lifting of quarantine due to avian influenza. \p Daniel Zeichner: Disease control is a devolved matter, and it is for the devolved administrations to assess their disease risks and respond accordingly. However, for animal disease threats, each of the four UK administrations are an integral part of the decision-making process and officials from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland meet regularly with their counterparts in Defra, Welsh Government and Scottish Government where topics such as the Avian influenza prevention zones and the lifting of housing measures are discussed and the impact on the UK administrations considered. Representatives including the Chief Veterinary Officers from each devolved administration also sit on the Animal Disease Policy Group, a UK wide policy decision making group. This helps to drive a flexible and coordinated response. The UK contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases of animals explains how the administrations work together in responding to an outbreak at a UK level.
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Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of implementing schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 on the (a) number and (b) effectiveness of sustainable drainage systems in new developments. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is strongly committed to requiring standardised Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new developments. These should be to designs that cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits, offer reuse opportunities, reduce run off and help to improve water quality, amenity and biodiversity. It is also important to ensure appropriate adoption and maintenance arrangements are in place.

We believe that these outcomes can be achieved through either improving the current planning led approach using powers now available or commencing Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. A final decision on the way forward will be made in the coming months.

We will review the planning system holistically and consider whether further changes are required to address SuDS when we consult on further planning reform, including national policy related to decision making, in 2025.
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Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is for the roll-out of the new pet passport scheme. \p Daniel Zeichner: We have agreed to establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Zone, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper.

Instead of getting an animal health certificate each time you travel, you will be able to get a multiuse pet passport valid for travel to the EU.

It’s important that we get the right agreement for the UK, so we’re not putting an arbitrary deadline on negotiations. We will provide more information on pet passports valid for travel to the EU in due course.
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's planned timetable is for publishing the Government's response to the consultation entitled Fur Market in Great Britain, published on 31 May 2021. \p Daniel Zeichner: I refer Seamus Logan to the reply given to Neil Duncan-Jordan on 3 March 2025, PQ UIN 32808.
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to expedite the (a) rollout of the Authorised Operator Status (AOS) and (b) a POD+ (Place of Destination) system for the trade of high-risk plants. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Authorised Operator Status (AOS) pilot ran for 6 months and ended in Dec 2024. The evaluation stage is complete and Ministers are considering the findings. We will update stakeholders when a decision has been made.

The Place of Destination (POD) scheme ended in April 2024. It was only ever intended to be a temporary solution and Defra does not intend to re-instate it. Moving controls to Border Control Posts (BCPs) and Control Points is vital to achieving the biosecurity aims of the BTOM, by increasing the percentage of consignments we are able to inspect.

BCPs are designed to handle high volumes of imported SPS goods and offer extended opening hours with staff working shifts on site to carry out reliable checks which minimise friction on traffic flow. Most BCPs can process six or more vehicles at the same time with ample space to remove or inspect products. Checks at BCPs are handled by trained staff working to standard operating procedures, ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many offenders convicted of non-sexual offences against children have been released under early release schemes; and what steps her Department is taking to supervise those offenders. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: This Government inherited prisons days from collapse. We were forced to take decisive action to prevent overcrowding and protect the public. Certain offences have been excluded from the SDS change including sex offences irrespective of sentence length; serious violent offences with a sentence of four years or more; specified offences linked to domestic abuse irrespective of sentence length (including stalking, coercive or controlling behaviour and non-fatal strangulation); as well as offences concerning national security.

Offenders released are subject to strict licence conditions, including curfews, exclusion zones, and regular supervision by the Probation Service. Any breach of these conditions can result in immediate recall to custody.

We have published SDS40 release data alongside the quarterly Offender Management Statistics: Standard Determinate Sentence (SDS40) release data - GOV.UK.
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Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reason the interim Permanent Secretary spoke at the televised Ministerial press conference on prisons of 14 May 2025. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The interim Permanent Secretary attended the televised press conference on 14 May to provide a factual update on prison capacity.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to increase the length of sentences for shoplifting. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the courts, and the courts have a range of sentencing powers to deal with each offender effectively and appropriately, including discharges, fines, community sentences, suspended sentences and imprisonment.

The maximum penalty for an offence is set by Parliament and is designed to cover the most serious imaginable behaviours that may fall under that offence. We continue to keep maximum penalties under review to make ensure they reflect the seriousness of the offending behaviour.

Under the previous Government, shop theft increased to an unacceptable level, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this as everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.

That is why, through our Crime and Policing Bill, we are introducing a new offence of assaulting a retail worker. The new offence will carry a maximum prison sentence of six months and/or an unlimited fine, matching the current sentence guidelines for common assault. It will also come with a presumption for a court to apply a Criminal Behaviour Order. This will prohibit the offender from doing anything described in the order, which might include a condition preventing specific acts which cause harassment, alarm or distress, or preventing an offender from visiting specific premises.

The Crime and Policing Bill will also introduce new measures to address the perceived immunity for ‘low value’ shop theft. With this change, there will no longer be a threshold categorising shop theft of goods worth £200 and under as ‘low value’. Instead, all cases of shop theft will be taken seriously irrespective of the value of goods stolen, with a maximum custodial penalty of 7 years. Shop theft of any amount is illegal, and repealing this legislation will ensure everyone understands this.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average processing time was for applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme by people living in Rotherham in each of the last five years. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The table below shows the average time for decisions to be made on applications* for criminal injuries compensation by people resident in Rotherham**.

Financial Year of CICA decision

Average time (days)

2020-21

292

2021-22

337

2022-23

463

2023-24

363

2024-25

367

* The table does not include archived bereavement applications because the address of the applicant is not retained. In most cases, applications are archived three years after the case has been closed.

** The above table includes all awards where the applicant named Rotherham as the town in their home address in their application.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, in what proportion of cases in which an applicant to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme had a criminal conviction did the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority apply discretion in (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022, (d) 2023, (e) 2024 and (f) 2025. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The table below shows the number and proportion of resolved applications in each calendar year where the applicant had an unspent conviction and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) applied discretion to make an award.

Calendar year of decision

Resolved applications where the applicant had an unspent conviction and the CICA applied discretion to make an award

2020

315 (1.1% of total resolved applications)

2021

269 (0.9% of total resolved applications)

2022

277 (0.8% of total resolved applications)

2023

265 (0.7% of total resolved applications)

2024

254 (0.7% of total resolved applications)

2025 (to date)

97 (0.7% of total resolved applications)

The above information relates to applications made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme) only.

We cannot provide the total number of applications where the applicant had an unspent conviction. This information is only recorded where the unspent conviction results in a refusal decision or a reduced award.

Annex D to the Scheme provides that an award will not be made to an applicant with an unspent conviction of a prescribed type. Where the applicant has an unspent conviction of a different type, Annex D provides that an award will be withheld or reduced unless there are exceptional reasons not to withhold or reduce it.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information her Department holds on the number and proportion of applications for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority outside the two-year time limit for which discretion was applied in (a) 2020, (b) 2021, (c) 2022, (d) 2023, (e) 2024 and (f) 2025. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The table below shows the number and proportion of resolved applications in each calendar year where the two-year time limit was extended.

Column A: Calendar year of decision

Column B: Total resolved applications

Column C: Resolved applications received outside time limit

Column D: Resolved applications where time limit was extended

Column E: Resolved applications where time limit was extended as a proportion of all applications received outside the time limit

2020

27,866

4,139

3,615

87.3%

2021

28,471

5,223

4,391

84.1%

2022

33,843

6,352

5,257

83.8%

2023

36,783

6,846

5,279

77.1%

2024

35,279

7,102

4,750

66.9%

2025 to date

14,207

3,235

1,971

60.9%

The above information relates to applications made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme) only. For minor applicants, the two-year time limit depends on when the incident was reported to the police. We have taken that into account in the above response.
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Satvir Kaur:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to support survivors of child sexual abuse who are affected by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's same-roof rule. \p Alex Davies-Jones: We recognise the importance of effective support and redress for victims of sexual abuse. Criminal injuries compensation is part of a wider package of government-funded general and specialist support for victims of crime. Victims, including children, who suffer serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme).

The first Scheme, dating from 1964, included an eligibility rule, commonly known as the ‘same roof’ rule. This rule prevented some victims of violent crime from receiving compensation if their assailant was a family member living with them at the time of the incident. The rule was changed in 1979 so that child victims of incidents that occurred on/after 1 October 1979 were no longer affected by it.

Following a Court of Appeal judgment in 2018, the Scheme was amended to remove the pre-1979 same roof rule. In addition, provision was made for new applicants and applicants who had previously been refused an award under the rule to submit a claim. The amended Scheme came into force in June 2019. More than £21 million compensation has been paid to those affected by the rule since the amendments came into effect.

There are time limits to apply for compensation under the Scheme. Following removal of the pre-1979 same roof rule, the time limit to apply was two years from the date the amended Scheme came into force. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the Scheme, has discretion to consider applications made outside of the time limit in exceptional circumstances. This includes applications relating to the same roof rule and where the applicant was a child at the time of the incident giving rise to the injury.

Having concluded the previous administration’s review of the Scheme in April 2025, this Government is now considering how it can best provide the support that victims need and deserve. We are also driving other improvements for victims, including working on a new Victims’ Code, to raise awareness of compensation.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she has taken to increase provision of legal aid in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands. \p Sarah Sackman: This Government recognises that legal aid is a vital part of the justice system. It enables those individuals, who need it most, to have access to publicly funded legal assistance in order to uphold their legal rights.

We have recently consulted on uplifts to housing and immigration legal aid fees which would inject an additional £20 million into the sector each year once implemented.

In December 2024, we announced that criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year, subject to consultation, to support the sustainability of the criminal legal aid market. The consultation is now live and closes on 4 July 2025. This funding is in addition to the £24 million increase we announced in November 2024 for criminal solicitors. This latest commitment reflects the vital work that is undertaken by those who provide criminal legal aid. We are committed to continuing to work with the criminal legal aid profession, on further opportunities to support the overall sustainability, diversity, and efficiency of the system.

The Legal Aid Agency is responsible for commissioning legal aid services in England and Wales. Procurement for legal aid contracts is now operated under the ‘always on principle’ so that the procurement remains open during the life of the contract. This is a significant change from the previous approach where firms could only bid to join at the initial tender of what typically was a five-year contract term. This new approach enables new entrants to apply for a contract at any time and for existing providers to expand their services. It is a more flexible approach, removing hard deadlines and maximising the available supply of services.

There is currently an adequate supply of services in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands across all categories of civil legal aid, and under the relevant criminal duty solicitor schemes serving the area.
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Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of vehicles rented by her Department are electric vehicles. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Department currently leases 705 vehicles; of which 57 are electric. This equates to 8% of total leased vehicles.

The Ministry of Justice is committed to transitioning towards full electrification of its fleet vehicles in line with the Government Greening Commitment 2027.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship starts in her Department. \p Alex Davies-Jones: We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across all government departments to break down barriers to opportunity. This includes supporting the Government's commitment to 2,000 digital apprenticeships through its TechTrack scheme by 2030 to improve digital skills and drive improvements and efficiency in public services.

Additionally, a new cross-Government Level 3 apprenticeship programme in Business Administration, the ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA), will see new apprentices kickstart their careers, across various Departments, starting from January 2026.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many employers were prosecuted for not paying employees the National Living Wage in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024. \p James Murray: HMRC’s priority is to ensure that workers receive the money they are owed as quickly as possible. It is for this reason, in the vast majority of cases, HMRC pursue civil enforcement. In 2023/24 civil enforcement resulted in HMRC issuing 767 Notices of Underpayment to employers. 2024/25 figures are not yet available.

However, for the most egregious breaches of National Minimum Wage law, where employers are persistently non-compliant, or refuse to cooperate with HMRC, criminal prosecution may take place.

The number of employers prosecuted specifically for breaching Section 31(1) “Employer refuses or wilfully neglects to pay NMW” in (a) 2023/24 was 1 and (b) 2024/25 was 1.
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Dan Carden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether an assessment has been made of the potential impact of betting duty harmonisation on the level of advertising of online gaming products. \p James Murray: The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one. The Government is committed to engaging with all stakeholders, as part of the consultation process.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with recruitment agencies on compliance with their new responsibilities in relation to umbrella company legislation by April 2026. \p James Murray: The government is introducing legislation to close the tax gap and make the tax system fairer by making recruitment agencies using umbrella companies legally responsible for accounting for PAYE on workers’ pay. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, this is expected to protect around £2.8 billion from being lost to umbrella company non-compliance across the scorecard period to 2029-30.

Officials have engaged extensively with representatives of the recruitment industry in relation to this measure and will continue to do so.

The government will set out full details of how this measure will operate, alongside draft legislation, later this year. The government will engage with stakeholders to ensure that they have the opportunity to provide feedback before legislation is introduced into Parliament.

The government is committed to supporting businesses to prepare for the implementation of this measure and, to this end, will publish technical guidance for businesses that will be affected by it.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will meet with (a) the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon and (b) farmers from that constituency to discuss reforms to (i) Agricultural Property Relief and (ii) Business Property Relief. \p James Murray: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, I have received representations on this subject from a number of Hon Members and I have participated in several debates in this House since Autumn Budget 2024. I have also met with Hon Members and several agricultural organisations to listen to their views. The Government has been listening to the different views on this subject and continues to believe the approach we have set out is appropriate.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people who (a) rely on cash and (b) choose to use cash can access it in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency. \p James Murray: The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. Assessments are undertaken by LINK, the industry designated coordinating body responsible for conducting cash access assessments. LINK take into account a number of factors including those unique to each location, such as the size and vulnerability of the population and whether it is reasonable for people to travel to nearby facilities, factoring in geographic barriers such as hills, rivers and major roads.

The Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals with critical cash and in-person banking services. Over 225 banking hubs have been recommended to date and over 150 are already open.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the number of SME owners that have left the UK since 5 July 2024. \p James Murray: Business Population Estimates show trends in the number of businesses in the UK by size, alongside sectoral and regional distribution: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2024/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2024-statistical-release.

The ONS also publishes data on business demography, showing the annual change in the number of UK businesses (“birth” and “death” rates): https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/businessdemography/latest.

At Autum Budget 2024, the Government announced generous tax reforms to support small businesses including: more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500; commitments in the Corporate Tax Roadmap to maintain the Small Profits Rate and marginal relief at their current rates and thresholds; and freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025/26.

The Government has also committed £250m in 25-26 for the British Business Bank’s small business loans programmes, including Start Up Loans and the Growth Guarantee Scheme.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the press release entitled Government steps in to back British business in changing world, published on 14 April 2025, whether any of the funding is additional to funding provided at the Spring Statement 2025. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to supporting British businesses as the world enters a new era of global trade. The government has increased the capacity of UK Export Finance (UKEF) to provide support for exporters by £20 billion and has expanded the British Business Bank (BBB) Growth Guarantee Scheme. UKEF operates at no net cost to the taxpayer and increasing its limits does not have a fiscal cost. BBB support is funded within the overall spending plans set out at Spring Statement 2025.
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to circulate to all Ministers holding economic portfolios the article published in The Times entitled Want to help the poor? Don’t chase out the rich, published on 16 May 2025. \p James Murray: Successful businesses and entrepreneurs who create jobs and wealth are the driving engine of the Government’s mission to increase economic growth. We will support them to succeed whilst making those with wealth pay their fair share toward the public finances.

That is why the Government is removing barriers to growth such as burdensome planning processes and unnecessary regulation, whilst also increasing the rates of capital gains taxation and restricting reliefs for inheritance tax that benefit some of the wealthiest estates. These and other decisions announced at Autumn Budget 2024 will help repair the public finances and fund public services such as the NHS and education.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_134

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the number of taxpayers in the 2025-25 financial year who (a) earned below the personal allowance threshold and (b) did not pay income tax in the 2024-25 financial year. \p James Murray: The information is not available.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_135

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total stock of UK corporate bonds held by non-resident investors was in each quarter of the last five years for which figures are available. \p James Murray: As part of their Balance of Payments release, the Office for National Statistics produce statistics on cross-border transactions and positions. This includes information on the aggregate market value of UK quoted equities held by non-resident investors, net inflows of portfolio and other investment from non-resident investors, as well as the total stock of UK corporate bonds held by non-resident investors.

The ONS published their most recent Balance of Payments release on 28 March 2025, which is available on their website at Balance of Payments, UK - Office for National Statistics. The statistics on inflows and stocks/market values can be found in Table J and in Table K respectively.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_136

Afzal Khan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of classifying thermal storage heaters as energy saving materials. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to improving the quality and sustainability of our housing stock. Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a charitable purpose benefit from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027, after which they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent.

The Government assesses whether to add ESMs to this relief by evaluating them against the following principles: the primary purpose of the technology must be to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, and relieving the technology of VAT must be cost effective and align with broader VAT principles.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_137

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps her Department has taken to help tackle offshore tax non-compliance. \p James Murray: The government has announced significant additional resource for HMRC. This includes an increase of around 400 people over the next five years to tackle offshore non-compliance by wealthy people, estimated to bring in £500 million in additional compliance yield over the same period: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-statement-2025-document/spring-statement-2025-html

The government is also ensuring that HMRC has the international data it needs and is implementing the Cryptoasset Reporting Framework and amendments to the Common Reporting Standard:

Cryptoasset Reporting Framework, Common Reporting Standard amendments, and seeking views on extension to domestic reporting - summary of responses - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_138

Claire Hanna:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will ensure funding is made available to support economically inactive beneficiaries in Northern Ireland into employment after the end of UK Shared Prosperity Fund. \p Darren Jones: The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was extended at Autumn Budget 2024 at a level of £902m, providing support for local areas, including economic inactivity support in Northern Ireland. In 2025 – 2026, Northern Ireland was allocated £45.48 million under the UKSPF, of which £25.8m is expected to be spent on economic inactivity support. Further decisions on local growth funding are a matter for the Spending Review.

Wider employment support is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_139

Dan Carden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposals in her Department’s consultation on the harmonisation of gambling duties on the British horseracing industry. \p James Murray: The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one. The Government is committed to engaging with all stakeholders, including representatives of the horseracing industry, as part of the consultation process.

The Government recognises the significant cultural and economic value of British horseracing, both as a major sporting tradition and as an important contributor to rural economies across the country.

The Government encourages all interested parties to participate in the consultation.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_140

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the remainder of the South Wales mainline. \p Lilian Greenwood: No recent cost estimates have been made by Network Rail for electrification of the South Wales Mainline, with the last available information dating from 2017. With bi-mode trains offering comparable journey times regardless of whether operating in diesel or electric mode, it is expected that any business case for electrification of this route would be very weak.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_141

David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the North Wales mainline. \p Lilian Greenwood: The government has not made any recent estimate of the cost of electrification of the North Wales Mainline. It is more than ten years since Network Rail were last asked to consider the electrification of this line. That work would need to be fully refreshed, taking account of current electrification technologies.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_142

David Mundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to establish a national freight network. \p Lilian Greenwood: In 2022, the then Government committed to identifying a National Freight Network, starting with improving the Department’s dataset to then develop a strategic picture of the transport network used to move freight. This complex work is underway and our vision for the next phase will be set out in the new plan for freight later this year.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_143

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of reduced bus service (a) frequency and (b) routes on people travelling to healthcare appointments in (i) North Cornwall and (ii) other rural areas. \p Simon Lightwood: The government knows that a modern public transport network is vital to keeping communities connected, and ensuring people can get to education and work, including healthcare workers.

The government believes that local transport authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December 2024 to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of communities that rely on them.

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 allocated to local authorities across the country, of which Cornwall Council has been allocated £10.59 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce improvements to bus services and infrastructure to best meet the needs of passengers in their local area.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_144

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the 2030 deadline for the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, in the context of (a) existing infrastructure readiness and (b) domestic manufacturing capacity. \p Lilian Greenwood: We are fully committed to phasing out the sale of new cars powered solely by internal combustion engines from 2030, providing leadership and investment clarity to support the rollout of charging infrastructure.

We have committed £2 billion of funding to 2030 to support the automotive industry as we accelerate to zero emission vehicles. This will support R&D and the commercial scale up of innovative zero emission vehicle technologies, unlocking capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and the wider supply chain.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_145

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review the definitions of (a) pre-booked and (b) on-demand coach services. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department recognises the important role the coach sector plays in connecting people across the country. Coaches are operated on a commercial basis providing services for leisure, business, education and private hire. The Government has no plans to review the definitions of pre-booked or on-demand services because, as private businesses, decisions such as the types of services they offer are for the operators concerned.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_146

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a separate regulatory structure for coach services. \p Simon Lightwood: The UK coach sector was deregulated by the Transport Act 1980 and services are operated on a commercial basis without receiving government funding. Where coaches provide local bus services, they may be required to comply with the relevant legislation governing those services. Operation of buses and coaches requires a Public Service Vehicle Operator’s Licence and there are currently no plans for a separate regulatory structure for the operation of coaches.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_147

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling local authorities to use CCTV enforcement to address unlawful pavement parking; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals to permit such enforcement. \p Lilian Greenwood: No assessment has been made of the use of CCTV cameras to address pavement parking. The use of CCTV for civil enforcement of parking restrictions is currently limited to contraventions occurring in ‘keep clear’ zig-zag areas outside schools, red routes, bus lanes and mandatory cycle lanes, and at bus stops and bus stands.

More broadly on the issue of pavement parking, the Department has been considering responses to the consultation on pavement parking conducted in 2020 and potential policy options. We will announce our formal response to the consultation and next steps shortly.
wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-22 conversation_148

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to fund accessibility improvements at train stations. \p Simon Lightwood: Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step free upgrades at more than 260 station across Britain. The government is committed to continuing to improve the accessibility of the railway.