theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve support for veterans in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle and (d) the North East. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: This Government is fully committed to ensuring that veterans in Hexham, Northumberland, the North East, and across the whole country have easy access to support when and where it is needed. At the 2021 census, 3,997 people in Hexham reported that they had previously served in the UK Armed Forces, representing 5.2% of the population aged 16 and over.

The Ministry of Defence runs the Veterans Welfare Service, who provide advice and support to veterans and their families. In England Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE provide physical and mental health specialist services. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway connecting veterans with support. For support with employment, the Career Transition Partnership is the initial point of provision for those leaving military Service and Op ASCEND is the employment pathway for veterans.

In May we announced VALOUR, a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support, which will ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the country. A new regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres and VALOUR field officers, will help to ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of their local communities.
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Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what offset agreements have been signed with Turkiye; and what equipment is included in those agreements in order to conclude the export of 20 Typhoon aircraft from the UK to Turkiye. \p Luke Pollard: There was no offset package as part of the Türkiye Typhoon agreement.
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Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Oral Statement of 29 October 2025 on UK-Türkiye Typhoon Export Deal, Official Report, column 338, where the 800 jobs created in Scotland will be located. \p Luke Pollard: The Typhoon programme supports 800 jobs in Scotland, the majority of these are based at Leonardo UK in Edinburgh.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to footnotes 25 and 26 of the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC 1372, published on 23 October 2025, for what reason the current Cabinet Secretary has a lower salary than the previous Cabinet Secretary. \p Anna Turley: It is a longstanding policy not to comment on individuals. Details of any individual’s pay are published in the Cabinet Office annual report and accounts.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 63002on Department of Health and Social Care: Permanent Secretaries, for what reason the Permanent Secretary was appointed as a temporary civil servant on a SCS contract, rather than as a permanent civil servant under the provisions in paragraph 2.1 of the Permanent Secretary Model Contract. \p Anna Turley: The department launched a fair and open competition to appoint a Permanent Secretary in January 2025. As a result of this process, Samantha Jones was found to be an appointable candidate for this role. However, during the recruitment process it was announced that NHS England would be brought back into DHSC. This significantly changed the scale and objectives required of this role. In light of these changes the Civil Service Commission agreed a three year fixed term appointment by exception, on the Senior Civil Service Model contract.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the findings of the One Big Thing 2024 evaluation will be compared with the Civil Service People Survey results in (a) 2024 and (2025) to test whether any change in (i) culture and (ii) innovation capability has been sustained. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As set out in the Evaluating One Big Thing 2024 report, published on GOV.UK, the 2024 and 2025 People Survey findings will be compared to assess whether there has been sustained culture change around innovation.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how his Department's lieutenancy policy team engages with the Association of Lord-Lieutenants; and whether any (a) formal agreement and (b) memorandum of understanding exists between them. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: There is no formal agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Cabinet Office Lieutenancy Team and the Association of Lord-Lieutenants. The Association operates on an informal, voluntary basis, and its relationship with government is conducted through established liaison channels.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 76050 on Lobbying: Official Hospitality, whether the donation in kind of (a) a venue and (b) hospitality from a lobbying firm hosting a Departmental reception should be declared by the Department in their annual accounts; and whether a proportion should be declared by a Minister in their monthly transparency return on gov.uk. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Guidance on what should be published in a department's Annual Reports and Accounts is published by HM Treasury in the Government Financial Reporting Manual. Guidance on what should be declared by a Minister in their monthly gifts and hospitality transparency return is published by the Cabinet Office. Both documents are available on GOV.UK.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82672 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, for what reason the room was not politically neutral. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: A one-off refresh of the facility was undertaken in December 2024. This was a decorative refresh, and work was undertaken to re-paint the backdrop to blend with existing wood panelling, install lighting, re-cover fabric panels and replace carpet tiles. This has restored the room back to its original politically neutral state.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77545 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, whether the influencers are (i) contracted directly by the New Media Unit or (ii) procured through a third party agency. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The New Media Unit delivers campaigns to support the government missions and government priorities. The New Media Unit’s planned spend is £10.9m.

No external individual contractors are employed by the New Media Unit. However, we use third party suppliers to support New Media Unit campaigns.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether it is his Department's policy that the proposed digital ID scheme will be overseen by an independent body to (a) monitor compliance, (b) investigate misuse and (c) publish annual transparency reports. \p Josh Simons: The Digital ID scheme will build on existing programmes and infrastructure. We will follow best practice on privacy and security, from both within the UK and internationally. The National Cyber Security Centre Security (NCSC) is advising how this is done to the highest standard. We will adhere to all existing UK law and governance structures, including close working with the ICO during the development of the scheme.

We will examine options for appropriate oversight of the digital ID system through the upcoming consultation, which will begin in the new year.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposal for mandatory digital ID on the UK’s obligations under the common travel area; and what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on this issue. \p Josh Simons: Digital ID will not be mandatory for UK citizens. The government will launch a public consultation on the design of the new digital ID which will inform ongoing policy development and assessments of impacts.

We have spoken with the Government in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government and will continue to engage to ensure systems work for people on both sides of the border, respecting the Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the risk from non-government actors to people's personal data security under the proposed digital ID scheme; and what (a) technical and (b) legal controls will be used to mitigate this. \p Josh Simons: The cyber security of the UK is a key priority for this government – crucial to protecting the public and our way of life, and a successful, growing economy. We are introducing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to improve UK cyber defences - protecting our economy, safeguarding essential public services and strengthening UK national security.

The bill will deliver a fundamental step change in the UK’s national security – making essential and digital services more secure in the face of cyber criminals and state actors who want to disrupt our way of life.

This framework will be applied to the new digital ID, which will have robust cyber security and personal data protections in place. These will also feature in the upcoming consultation on the scheme.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what (a) offline and (b) paper-based alternatives will be available for citizens without (i) digital access and (ii) smartphones under the proposed digital ID system. \p Josh Simons: To design and deliver digital ID, this government will undertake the biggest digital inclusion drive in our country's history. This will ensure everyone eligible can access and use this new digital ID, including those more likely to be digitally excluded.

We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, help for those who are partially sighted, in-person support for those who struggle to engage digitally, and a dedicated team of case workers to support those who may struggle to initially prove their identity and access the system.

We will launch a public consultation in the coming months and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups, including the Digital Inclusion Action Committee.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 82740 on Electric Vehicles: Grants, what information his Department holds on the number of people who were employed in the automotive manufacturing sector on (a) 4 July 2024 and (b) the most recent date for which data is available. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 3rd November is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 91.7KB)
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to respond to the Freedom of Information Act request of 7 October 2025 by the hon. Member for Newton Abbot regarding meetings between Boris Johnson and Peter Thiel. \p Chris Ward: The Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires that requests are answered promptly and no later than 20 working days after receipt. Cabinet Office responded to the hon. Member’s request on 5 November 2025, within the statutory time limit.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of levels of wage growth in the (a) public sector and (b) private sector since 4 July 2024. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 4th November is attached.

PQ 88012 (pdf, 106.5KB)
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what mechanisms his Department has put in place to allow people to report (a) poor performance and (b) untidy workmanship from Government contractors. \p Chris Ward: Individual contracting authorities are responsible for monitoring contract performance. The Procurement Act 2023 will require contracting authorities to publish Key Performance Indicators and performance against them on major contracts. These will be published on the Central Digital Platform.

Under the Procurement Act, poor performance has been established as a new discretionary exclusion ground, making it easier for contracting authorities to exclude suppliers who have under-performed on other relevant contracts. Contracting authorities must notify the Procurement Review Unit (PRU) of any supplier exclusions via its page on gov.uk.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has taken steps with Cabinet colleagues to make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of inbreeding on (a) socioeconomic, (b) educational and (c) health outcomes in each region of the UK. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 3rd October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 92.0KB)
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reduced electricity costs for employers in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency on employment growth in energy-intensive sectors. \p Chris McDonald: This Government is well aware of the pressures facing our energy intensive industries (EIIs), across the nation, including high electricity prices. Our recent announcement of the uplift of relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% highlights our intent to support UK EIIs in their decarbonisation transition. This support will deliver much needed financial relief allowing businesses, such as those in Buckingham and Bletchley, more financial headroom and the possibility to grow.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department plans to review the use of (a) confidentiality clauses and (b) NDAs in consumer redress agreements involving alleged (i) harm or (ii) injury to animals. \p Kate Dearden: DBT does not currently have any plans to review consumer redress agreements involving alleged harm or injury to animals.

The MoJ recently introduced an amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill which ensures that confidentiality clauses or NDAs used in any context cannot be legally enforced to the extent that they purport to prevent victims and direct witnesses of crime (including those who reasonably believe they fall into these categories), from making allegations of, or disclosing information relating to, relevant criminal conduct. This could include any animal cruelty which constitutes criminal behaviour.

Earlier this year, DBT also announced reform in the Employment Rights Bill to address the misuse of NDAs in cases of relevant harassment and discrimination. The government will be consulting on this reform in due course.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of consumer protections for customers whose animals are injured during paid (a) grooming or (b) veterinary services. \p Kate Dearden: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has not made any recent assessments specifically related to consumer protections for veterinary and grooming services. However, consumer legislation sets out protections for all consumers.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, traders must carry out a service with reasonable care and skill, and within reasonable time. Where a trader fails to meet the standards required, this could be a breach of contract.

DBT also funds Citizens Advice to provide the consumer service which supports consumers to resolve disputes and assert their rights
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Kerry McCarthy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to publish his response to the Grocery Code Adjudicator statutory review, which closed on 5 August 2025. \p Kate Dearden: The fourth statutory review of the effectiveness of the GCA covers the period from 31 March 2022 – 1 April 2025. The review commenced on 1 April 2025 and a consultation to gather stakeholder views and evidence closed 5 August. The government is currently analysing responses to the consultation, alongside other publicly available evidence, and will publish a report on the findings of the review as soon as practicable.

.
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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Competition and Markets Authority's press release entitled CMA confirms Apple and Google have strategic market status in mobile platforms, published on 22 October 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure that third-party providers are able to access (a) contactless payment and (b) digital wallet services. \p Kate Dearden: The Government has ensured that the Competition and Markets Authority has bespoke powers to impose remedies and increase competition in digital markets. As the UK’s independent competition authority, the CMA is responsible for operating the digital markets regime, including deciding which remedies to impose.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken with local councils to tackle the illegal use of fireworks in Lincolnshire. \p Kate Dearden: Enforcement powers exist for local authorities to take action when fireworks are unsafe, sold illegally or misused. Local authorities and the police also have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of compelling companies that provide services to the public to maintain (a) clear and (b) accessible channels for customer complaints. \p Kate Dearden: Businesses are required under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 to provide contact information in a clear and comprehensible manner which is easily, directly and permanently accessible. This includes the business name, the geographical address where the business is established, a telephone number, and email address.

Government expects businesses to treat consumers fairly and provide channels for complaints. However, the specific mechanisms they use to provide customer services is a commercial decision that the government does not normally seek to intervene in.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer to Question 50646 on Trade Agreements: USA, what progress his Department has made on trade talks with the United States. \p Chris Bryant: The UK continues to engage across the range of issues outlined in the General Terms for the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal.

During President Trump’s State Visit in September, the UK and US announced the Technology Prosperity Deal focused on developing fast-growing technologies like AI, quantum, and nuclear.

The US also confirmed in September that the UK will not face an increase in steel and aluminium tariffs to 50% and will remain the only country in the world to benefit from a preferential 25% rate, thanks to the EPD. The UK received a preferential 10% rate for tariffs imposed in October on lumber products.

Discussions continue on digital and services, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and Section 232 tariffs.
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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 85759 on Imports: Israel, how his Department determines whether there are doubts about the declared origin of goods. \p Chris Bryant: HMRC takes a risk-based and intelligence-led approach to customs enforcement but does not provide specific details regarding checks, as it may serve to undermine compliance activity.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the uplifted Network Charging Compensation Scheme on the UK’s industrial electricity price competitiveness relative to other G7 economies. \p Chris McDonald: Raising the level of compensation delivered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% will reduce electricity prices for the average energy intensive industry (EII) business by a further £7-10/MWh. This increased discount will bring electricity prices in this country closer in line with those in other G7 countries, including France and Germany. This support will provide meaningful electricity cost relief for eligible businesses to help them remain competitive and support them to decarbonise.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people impacted by the Horizon IT system failure received settlements lower than their original claims. \p Blair McDougall: The Government does not hold this information in a way that allows for reliable reporting. Each claim is assessed individually, and settlement offers vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. As such, providing a figure would be misleading.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much the Government paid in its settlement to Sir Alan Bates. \p Blair McDougall: The Government is unable to disclose amounts awarded to individual GLO claimants.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish the sectoral analysis his Department undertook before selecting the IS-8 sectors in the Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025. \p Blair McDougall: The methodology for selecting the IS-8 sectors has already been published.

The Invest 2035 Green Paper (published on GOV.UK in October 2024) identified 8 high-level ‘growth driving’ sectors (the IS-8): Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital & Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional & Business Services. Pages 18-20 of Invest 2035 outline the methodology for identifying the IS-8 sectors.

Subsequently, the Technical Annex of the Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 (published on GOV.UK in June 2025) outlined the methodology for identifying the frontier industries within the IS-8 sectors.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the uplift in compensation for energy intensive industries does not lead to increased costs for other electricity consumers. \p Chris McDonald: The Government will bear down on costs across the energy system to ensure that the uplift of the relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme does not lead to a net increase in electricity bills for domestic and non-domestic energy consumers. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published a consultation seeking views on the proposal to amend the inflation indexation of the Renewables Obligation (RO) from the RPI to the CPI. If implemented, this may contribute to that goal.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to publish a list of (a) sectors and (b) companies eligible for the 90% relief under the revised Network Charging Compensation Scheme. \p Chris McDonald: The eligibility criteria of the Network Charging Compensation Scheme has not changed, only the level of relief offered to current eligible firms supported by the British Industry Supercharger. A list of these firms, as at 16 September 2025, is available on the GOV.UK website and will be updated should any more firms receive support. The eligibility criteria are based on the pre-existing Energy Intensive Industries (EII) Exemption scheme. A list of sectors eligible for support can also be found on the GOV.UK website, within the guidance to the EII Exemption Scheme.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the uplift in Network Charging Compensation Scheme relief on small and medium-sized manufacturers not eligible for EII status. \p Chris McDonald: The Government will bear down on costs across the energy system to ensure that the uplift does not lead to a net increase in electricity bills for domestic and non-domestic energy consumers, including small and medium scale non-energy intensive manufacturers. Additionally, in October 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published a consultation seeking views on the proposal to amend the inflation indexation of the Renewables Obligation (RO) from the RPI to the CPI. This may contribute to this goal.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is planning to take to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate the effectiveness of the 90% compensation rate in supporting (i) decarbonisation and (ii) energy efficiency in energy intensive industries. \p Chris McDonald: The Government consulted a wide range of stakeholders from across the energy industry on the proposal to uplift the level of relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90%. Industry stakeholders were broadly in favour of this measure as a supportive means during their decarbonisation transition by encouraging electrification through reducing industrial electricity prices. The Government will continue to engage with stakeholders and recipients to assess the effectiveness of this support and to inform potential targeted, proportionate and effective support in future.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has conducted a regional impact assessment of the Network Charging Compensation Scheme uplift on industrial competitiveness across the devolved nations. \p Chris McDonald: This Government understands the pressures facing our energy intensive industries (EIIs), across the nation, including high electricity prices. Our recent announcement of the uplift of relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% will benefit EIIs across England, Wales and Scotland. However, the Scheme will not apply to EIIs in Northern Ireland. The Government consulted widely on this policy, our proposal to proceed with this uplift was informed by feedback from energy industry stakeholders across the UK.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Royal Mail on tackling postal delays in rural communities. \p Blair McDougall: Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider to ensure that service standards are upheld across all regions, including rural areas.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to monitor Royal Mail’s service standards. The regulator sets Royal Mail enforceable targets to deliver a certain proportion of items on time each year. Ofcom takes compliance with its regulatory targets seriously and this involves conducting thorough investigations where failures have been identified.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will hold discussions with his US counterpart on removing the 10% levy on Scottish whisky during forthcoming discussions on the UK-US trade deal. \p Chris Bryant: We have already secured preferential access for Scotch whisky to the US market compared with other major economies and continue to have discussions on getting the best possible deal for all UK businesses and sectors.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery will have the power to compel witnesses. \p Hilary Benn: The ICRIR currently has the power to require a person to provide information or produce any documents they have in their possession, for examination or testing. Failure to comply with this can result in a financial penalty of up to £5,000. This power will be carried forward into the new Legacy Commission (Clause 14 of the Northern Ireland (Troubles) Bill).
wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_449
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_449

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the UK to national security in Northern Ireland. \p Hilary Benn: The Government remains committed to keeping people safe. I pay tribute to those who work so hard to ensure peace and security across the United Kingdom.

In relation to national security in Northern Ireland, the fact that the Northern Ireland Related Terrorism threat level was reduced in March 2024 to SUBSTANTIAL and remains there is testament to the tremendous efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and security partners.

In recognition of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the Government is providing the PSNI with £113 million over three years in Additional Security Funding to help address Northern Ireland’s specific security challenges and continue keeping people safe.
wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_450
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_450

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much (a) their Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies have spent on (i) installing electric vehicle charging facilities and (ii) purchasing electric vehicles since 4 July 2024; and what estimate their Department has made of the difference in capital cost between (A) the electric vehicles purchased by their Department and (B) comparable (1) petrol and (2) diesel models. \p Hilary Benn: The Department and its arm’s length bodies have not purchased any electric vehicles, nor installed any electric vehicle charging facilities since 4 July 2024.
wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_451
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_451

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much (a) their Department and (b) its arm’s length bodies have spent on (i) installing electric vehicle charging facilities and (ii) purchasing electric vehicles since 4 July 2024; and what estimate their Department has made of the difference in capital cost between (A) the electric vehicles purchased by their Department and (B) comparable (1) petrol and (2) diesel models. \p Jo Stevens: The Wales Office has not incurred any expenditure on the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities or purchased any electric vehicles since 4 July 2024.

The Department does not have any arm’s length bodies.
wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_1

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will hold discussions with the Trussell Trust on her proposed (a) changes to the Personal Independence Payment and (b) other welfare reforms. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We are committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people and people with health conditions at the heart of everything we do.

In the Green Paper, we have announced that we will set up collaboration committees to develop parts of our reforms further. This will involve bringing together disabled people and other experts with civil servants around specific issues to collaborate, provide ideas, challenge, and input into recommendations.

We will continue discussions with disability stakeholders including the Trussell Trust on the proposed changes to the Personal Independence Payment benefit and other welfare reforms.
wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_2

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that welfare changes do not disproportionately impact (a) disabled people and (b) people with mental health conditions in South East Cornwall constituency. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Pathways to Work Green Paper set out our plans to reform the health and disability and employment support system. As we bring forward changes, we will ensure that the most vulnerable and severely disabled people everywhere are protected, so that they can live with dignity and security.

We are taking steps to make sure that people, across the country, are supported. For those affected by the changes to PIP eligibility, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. For new claimants on the Universal Credit health element after April 2026, we are proposing that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will see their incomes protected.

We hope that a wide range of voices, including from your constituency, will respond to our consultation and as we develop detailed proposals for change, we will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms.
wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_3

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of proposed reforms to the Personal Independence Payment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The reforms to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility criteria will be brought forward via Primary Legislation, so that Parliament can fully consider, debate and vote on these changes.

We have and will continue to consider the potential impacts of our reforms, including through engagement with other departments. That is why, for those who are affected by the new PIP eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group. We will also work closely with the DHSC and others on how the health and eligible care needs of those who would lose entitlement to PIP could be met outside the benefits system.

We also intend to launch a wider review of the PIP assessment which I will lead. We will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details as plans progress.
wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_4

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she is taking steps to prioritise areas of high economic inactivity in north Greater Manchester through the inactivity trailblazer programme. \p Alison McGovern: All local authorities in Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, Wigan, Bolton, and Bury, will be involved in implementing an Economic Inactivity Trailblazer. Greater Manchester will receive £10 million in funding in 2025/26 to take steps towards reducing high economic inactivity. This funding will enable Greater Manchester to integrate work, health and skills support at the local level. Greater Manchester has designed their Economic Inactivity Trailblazer working with local authorities and partners, and will determine how to use the trailblazer funding to tackle high economic inactivity in their area.
wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_5

Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to publish a target for the autism employment gap. \p Alison McGovern: We recognise the current disability employment gap. As set out in the King’s Speech last July, the government is committed to making the right to equal pay effective for ethnic minority and disabled people and introducing mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers.

Addressing disability pay gaps will play a key role in boosting opportunity and household income for disabled people, as we deliver our programme for national renewal set out in the Plan for Change.

Disability and ethnicity pay gap reporting will provide transparency and vital data to help businesses identify and close pay gaps within their workforces. We also know that the current disability employment gap stands at 28 percentage points as of December 2024 and that for autistic people in particular the gap may be even more substantial.

We are committed to supporting all neurodivergent people in their employment journeys and reducing the employment gap, and on 29 January this year, we launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. Recommendations are due in the late summer.
wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_6

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the proportion of 18 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training in north Greater Manchester. \p Alison McGovern: As part of our plan to Get Britain Working, we will launch a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 in England to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. The Youth Guarantee will build upon and enhance existing entitlements and provisions with the aim of tackling the rising number of young people who are not participating in education, employment or training.

DWP currently provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners.

For example, Positive Steps, a charitable organisation provides drop-in sessions with Jobcentre colleagues in Heywood library every Tuesday, and at the Lighthouse project every Thursday afternoon for our Middleton customers. Positive Steps are also currently running the Engaging Rochdale project throughout the whole borough, which is proving successful, offering 12 weeks paid work.
wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-28 conversation_7

Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's report entitled The Buckland review of autism employment: report and recommendations, published 28 February 2024, how many recommendations of that report have been implemented. \p Alison McGovern: The independent Buckland Review of Autism Employment reported to the last Government with recommendations to employers, third sector organisations and government on addressing barriers autistic people face when seeking and remaining in employment.

This was a valuable piece of work. This Government is committed to raising awareness of neurodiversity (as a more inclusive concept including autism, ADHD and other conditions, recognising that these co-occur for many neurodivergent people) in workplaces. We have launched a review by an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to build on the Buckland Review and advise on how we improve experiences for all neurodivergent people, including in recruitment and day to day workplace practices. Recommendations are expected in the summer.

Although we have set a more ambitious and inclusive scope by expanding beyond the focus of the Buckland Review, several of the recommendations specifically to Government are already in progress. These include working with employers to reform Disability Confident to improve the scheme's outcomes and realise its full potential, promoting and enhancing the visibility of the Support with Employee Health and Disability Service (SEHD), and launching our new Supported Employment programme, Connect to Work, to support disabled people, those with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to get into and stay in work. We have also collaborated with ACAS to promote updated neurodiversity guidance for employers.