theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department plans to take to reduce the time taken for compensation processing for veterans with PTSD-related claims. \p Al Carns: The information is not held in the format requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

However, it may be helpful to note that War Pension Scheme (WPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) claims are not categorised by condition on receipt. It is not possible to determine if a claim received for a mental health condition will be accepted for compensation under either scheme until medical review of all evidence in the final stage of consideration and decision making.

Defence Statistics Health publish statistics on claims and awards made under the WPS and AFCS. The latest WPS publication presents statistics as at 31 March 2024 and can be found on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/war-pension-recipients-index

The latest AFCS publication presents statistics as at 31 March 2024 which was published on the gov.uk website on 18 July 2024:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-compensation-scheme-statistics-index

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) aims to consider all claims under the WPS AFCS as efficiently and as quickly as possible so as not to cause undue delay and stress. Alongside Service evidence, it is often necessary to obtain medical records and case notes from the individual's civilian general practitioner and/or other medical providers. Awaiting the return of those records does take time and, regrettably, this is something MOD officials have no influence over.

The MOD's own working practices are regularly reviewed to positively impact claim processing times for both schemes' claimants. As part of ongoing modernisation, new automated processes are currently being implemented to reduce processing times, as well as a new training programme to enhance caseworker knowledge and skills to further improve confidence and processing of claims.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the (a) number and (a) value of unclaimed armed forces (i) preserved and (ii) deferred pensions; and what steps he is taking to pass those pensions to beneficiaries. \p Al Carns: The answer to this question could only be provided at disproportionate cost as all Armed Forces’ pensions would require review and a forecast conducted to confirm they are payable and to give a value.

However, it may be helpful to know that with regards to unclaimed pensions, once a pension reaches 60 working days past the point of being due for payment, proactive attempts are made to trace the pensioner. On receiving a current address, an explanatory letter and application form is sent advising that a pension may be due, and if returned, the deferred pension is put into payment.

Where there is information advising that the individual is deceased, the Ministry of Defence engages to confirm whether there are dependants and then process as normal.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support female veterans. \p Al Carns: This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country, and I am leading work across Government and with civil society to look at the best ways to ensure all veterans, including women veterans, get access to the support and opportunities they need and deserve.

Women are a crucial part of the Armed Forces community, both through the value of their service and their contribution to society as veterans. This year, we will set out our plans for all veterans in our updated Veterans’ Strategy. This updated strategy will include a specific female veterans section.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what purposes Ofgem has used AI in the last 12 months. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem is currently trialling applications of AI, though it is currently in the early stages of exploring the benefits, risks and appropriateness of AI. Ofgem adheres to the Government AI Principles.

Trials initiated in the last 12 months include:
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Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the spend per grant recipient is from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government has provided innovation funding through the £1.3 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) and Advanced Nuclear Fund (ANF) to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative, low-carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings and industry.

The NZIP and ANF have supported over 600 projects, which has in turn supported 5,500 jobs and leveraged a further £750 million of private sector match funding in the UK.

The portfolio funds a range of programmes from small scale grants with SMEs to large-scale programmes, such as the Low-Cost Nuclear Programme with Rolls Royce SMR Ltd. To date, £1.1 billion has been allocated from the portfolio with around half allocated to small businesses in the UK.

A final Progress Report on the performance of the NZIP is expected to be published later this year.
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Sally Jameson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support the growth of community energy projects. \p Michael Shanks: Community energy will play a pivotal role in our 2030 Clean Power Mission. Through Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan, we will partner with and provide funding to, community groups, local authorities, and others, to develop renewable energy projects across the country, delivering up to 8 GW of cleaner power.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of supporting sports and leisure facilities with energy costs. \p Sarah Jones: The Government is committed to making energy affordable for everyone, including non-domestic consumers. The best way to safeguard against spikes in bills is to speed up our transition towards clean power. In the short-term we will strengthen the measures in place to protect these consumers from unfair and expensive energy contracts.
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Kirsteen Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help prepare local authorities to deliver the Local Power Plan. \p Michael Shanks: We are working with stakeholders, including local authorities, on how GBE could support local and community energy.

The UK will work closely with Scottish Government on this matter as part of the Vision Statement signed in October which committed to exploring joint working on community energy.
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Alistair Strathern:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support climate technology start-ups. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government provides significant support to climate start-ups, including through the £1.3 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. The Government will set out its full approach to seizing the growth opportunities from clean energy industries in the forthcoming Industrial Strategy.
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Harpreet Uppal:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made towards achieving the UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement. \p Kerry McCarthy: The UK is a global leader in the fight against climate change, which is why at COP29, the Prime Minister announced the UK’s 1.5°C aligned 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.

This target is ambitious and is estimated to reduce emissions by more than 60% between 2019 and 2035, aligning with the reductions in the IPCC’s global pathways which limit warming to 1.5°C with low or no overshoot.

Last week, this Government took a step further and was amongst the first few countries in the world to formally submit its 2035 NDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

By submitting our 2035 early, the UK is championing mitigation ambition and will be leading by example to encourage and support other countries to come forward with their own ambitious target ahead of COP30.

The UK is the first major economy to halve its emissions, having cut them by around 53% between 1990 and 2023, while also growing its economy by around 80%. We have also over-achieved against the first, second and third carbon budgets. We will deliver an updated cross-economy plan in due course, to outline the policies needed to deliver carbon budgets 4-6 on our pathway to net zero by 2050.
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Gareth Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had discussions with (i) Dale Vince and (ii) representatives of Ecotricity since 5 July 2024. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
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Gareth Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Heckington Fen Solar Park on future trends in the level of energy bills for (a) domestic and (b) commercial consumers in Lincolnshire. \p Michael Shanks: Decarbonising the power system by building more solar will increase energy security by reducing the UK’s dependence on imported oil and gas, which will in turn reduce the exposure of consumer bills to volatile international prices. Currently the cost of electricity tracks the cost of gas because gas generation sets the marginal wholesale price. Decarbonising the power system would break this link and in turn the exposure of UK electricity prices to global gas prices.

Through the Clean Power Action Plan, the Government has made clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, it will ensure they benefit from it.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that National Grid is taking improved action to regularly maintain infrastructure networks. \p Michael Shanks: The maintenance of our electricity network is critical to deliver clean, secure power to homes and businesses across the country. Electricity network operators are private companies which build, own, operate, and maintain electricity network infrastructure. As regional monopolies, they are regulated by the independent energy regulator, Ofgem. Transmission owners and Distribution Network Operators are required by Ofgem’s license conditions to ensure the maintenance of an efficient, economic, and coordinated system of electricity transmission and distribution respectively.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what contracts (a) BFS Group Limited and (b) subsidiary companies of BFS Group Limited hold with (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ and its agencies do not hold any information on contracts with BFS Group Limited and its subsidiary companies.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 January on United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy Programme,HCWS392, how the countries to which United Kingdom Trade Envoys have been appointed were selected. \p Gareth Thomas: Trade Envoys enhance the value of HMG export and investment services already provided in a market. The following criteria are used to establish whether a market offers opportunities for a Trade Envoy to be effective; High growth and emerging market which attracts fewer ministerial visits; significant opportunities for commercial exploitation; where Government to Government relationships can open doors for UK businesses and whether there is appropriate DBT resource to support the Trade Envoy in market.

Markets where there are no Trade Envoys such as the United States, Europe and India already receive regular high level ministerial visits plus have networks in place that maintain our relationship.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support business and trade in market towns. \p Gareth Thomas: Government values the historic role of market towns in the economic and social life of the United Kingdom and is focused on its plan to breathe life back into our high streets.

This means addressing anti-social behaviour and crime, stamping out late payments, empowering communities to make the most of vacant properties, strengthening the Post Office network, and reforming business rates. We are also working with the banking industry to roll out banking hubs, to ensure essential banking services are maintained for businesses and residents.

To drive further progress, we will publish a Small Business Strategy Command Paper later this year.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what contracts (a) BFS Group Limited and (b) subsidiary companies of BFS Group Limited hold with (i) his Department and (ii) agencies of his Department. \p Justin Madders: I can confirm that the Department does not hold any contracts with BFS Group ltd or any of its subsidiary companies. Likewise, the Department’s agencies also do not have any direct contracts with the company or its subsidiaries.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, (a) when and (b) where the next round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Israel will take place. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 29 July 2024, the Secretary of State announced the Government’s intention to deliver negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey. The Government continues its review of the objectives for these negotiations with Israel.

We welcome the 15 January 2025 announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help safeguard consumer protection within the private publishing sector. \p Justin Madders: Consumer legislation, such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, apply to businesses across all sectors where consumers are transacting with traders. This includes the private publishing sector. DBT is strengthening consumer law enforcement through the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
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Helen Grant:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support legal services and skills. \p Gareth Thomas: One of the Industrial Strategy’s eight growth-driving sectors is Professional and Business Services, of which the Legal Sector will play a key role. Professional and Business Services has been selected because it has been successful, has driven growth, and is an area where the UK has a real competitive advantage.

Skills will play a crucial role in the Industrial Strategy, driving growth through increased productivity, as well as creating well paid jobs which increases opportunities for everyone. We will work closely with business, devolved governments, local leaders, trade unions and others to ensure the skills system is responsive and flexible, and that people have the opportunity to get on and fulfil their potential. This includes establishing Skills England and successfully designing the new Skills and Growth Levy.

We’ll publish our specific plans when we launch our new Industrial Strategy.
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Helen Grant:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the legal services sector. \p Gareth Thomas: One of the Industrial Strategy’s eight growth-driving sectors is Professional and Business Services, of which the Legal Sector will play a key role. Professional and Business Services has been selected because it has been successful, has driven growth, and is an area where the UK has a real competitive advantage.

Skills will play a crucial role in the Industrial Strategy, driving growth through increased productivity, as well as creating well paid jobs which increases opportunities for everyone. We will work closely with business, devolved governments, local leaders, trade unions and others to ensure the skills system is responsive and flexible, and that people have the opportunity to get on and fulfil their potential. This includes establishing Skills England and successfully designing the new Skills and Growth Levy.

We’ll publish our specific plans when we launch our new Industrial Strategy.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranian Convention on Rules of Origin. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We are always looking at ways to reduce barriers to trade – within our manifesto red lines – because we take a pragmatic view as to where the national interest lies. We are therefore open to looking at PEM if that reflects business and partner sentiment, but we do not currently have plans to join. Rules of origin is a complex area and there are many factors that influence how businesses experience using these rules, from the paperwork involved to the complexity of their own supply chains.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had discussions with representatives from the European Union on the Pan-Euro-Mediterranian Convention on Rules of Origin. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: We welcome the positive, constructive tone from Commissioner Šefčovič last week on this issue. We are resetting the relationship with our European friends to tackle barriers to help drive investment and growth and are open to looking at PEM if that reflects business and partner sentiment, but at this time we do not currently have plans to join.
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Mr Alex Barros-Curtis:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what progress she has made on bringing forward the Conversion Practices Bill to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people; and whether there is a timeline for its introduction. \p Anneliese Dodds: This Government’s position is that conversion practices are abuse.

Through the development of the draft Conversion Practices Bill, we will deliver on our manifesto commitment to bring forward a full, trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices. My officials and I are working at pace to ensure we get legislation right and protect LGBT individuals from these harmful practices.

We are also committed to preserving the freedom for individuals to explore their identity and sexuality, and respecting the important roles of those supporting them.

We will publish our draft Bill later this session, as outlined in the King’s Speech.
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Damien Egan:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Departmental have had with the Welsh Government on supporting pan-regional economies that overlap the borders of England and Wales. \p Jo Stevens: Growth is the number one mission of the government, and our new industrial strategy is central to that mission. The Industrial Strategy will drive growth, create a pro-business environment and support high-potential clusters across the UK, including cross border clusters.

I regularly meet the First Minister to discuss a variety of issues, including economic growth and the Industrial Strategy.

In addition, officials from the Wales Office, the Department for Business and Trade, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Welsh Government and HM Treasury are working closely on the Industrial Strategy. This work includes active consideration of opportunities that straddle the border between England and Wales.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure the job security of the 350 workers at Harland & Wolff’s sites in (a) Methil and (b) Arnish. \p Kirsty McNeill: The UK Government acted decisively, helping to secure the commercial deal by Navantia UK. This saved all of Harland and Wolff shipyards, protecting 1000 jobs across the country.

This industry-led deal will help ensure that the MOD's Fleet Solid Support contract is successfully delivered. Navantia UK has committed to future investment in Harland andWolff, strengthening the UK's industrial base and safeguarding essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity for future naval work and energy contracts.

The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.

The Scotland Office will continue to work with DBT and Navantia UK to support a smooth transition process and will engage with local communities where appropriate to maximise the benefits for all.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of gender bias in policing responses to allegations of domestic abuse or related offences; and what steps she is taking to ensure parity of treatment for all parties under investigation. \p Jess Phillips: The government recognises the devastating impact that domestic abuse can have for all victims, of any gender.

Domestic abuse is serious, and we expect police to take all allegations seriously from the point of disclosure. Every victim should be treated with dignity and every investigation and prosecution should be conducted thoroughly and professionally.

We are investing £13.1 million in a new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, which will transform the way police respond to domestic abuse through strengthened training, support to forces and evidence-based practice.

We are committed to ensuring policing have the right skills and training to respond appropriately to all victims of domestic abuse, and we are working closely with the new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection to deliver this.

The government is absolutely committed to tackling domestic abuse in all its forms and achieving the best possible outcome for all victims.
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Margaret Mullane:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what role she plans for policing to play in achieving the objective of halving violence against women and girls in a decade. \p Jess Phillips: This Government has been clear that the level of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in our country is intolerable, and we are treating it as the national emergency that it is. Victims must feel confident in the police’s ability to handle their case and we are committed to playing a more active role in policing to ensure officers have the right support, to significantly improve standards across the board and to ensure justice is delivered.

The Home Office has invested £13.1 million funding to launch a new National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection (NCVPP) to improve the policing response to VAWG and child sexual abuse and exploitation. Launched in April 2025, the NCVPP provides coordinated leadership within policing to drive up operational standards and skills across all 43 forces in their response to VAWG crimes. Through the NCVPP, we are working closely with the College of Policing to develop strengthened, specialist training for officers across all operational levels - frontline, specialist, and leadership.

The new VAWG Strategy will set the direction for the next decade, driving forward the Government’s bold ambition to halve VAWG within ten years. We are working tirelessly across government to deliver a Strategy that will set out bold, concrete actions to prevent violence and abuse, pursue perpetrators and bring them to justice, and protect victims and survivors. It’s vital we get it right. We're working towards publication of the Strategy as soon as possible.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69855 on Radicalism, if she will list the 28 highest threat areas in England and Wales; and how much Prevent funding was provided to each local authority for those areas in 2024-25. \p Dan Jarvis: In 2024/25, the Home Office allocated dedicated Prevent funds to the 30 highest threat local authorities. These are listed below, along with the amount of Prevent funding that was provided to each local authority during this time. The number of local authorities that received dedicated Prevent funding was reduced to 28 in 2025/26.

All Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales receive dedicated support from the Home Office to deliver the Prevent duty effectively and in proportion to the risk and threat. This support includes expertise from a network of region-based Home Office Prevent Advisers who work closely with partners to raise Prevent delivery standards.

In addition, all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales can now bid for Prevent project funding from the Preventing Radicalisation Fund (PRF).

Priority Areas FY24/25 (Alphabetical order)

Allocated Funds including project delivery

1

Birmingham

£634,093

2

Blackburn with Darwen (Lancashire)

£276,620.35

3

Bradford

£360,250.20

4

Brent

£306,070

5

Bristol

£131,317

6

Calderdale

£194,711.17

7

Cardiff

£354,963

8

Croydon

£148,653.65

9

Derby

£311,226

10

Ealing

£146,121.38

11

Enfield

£252,701

12

Hackney

£149,755

13

Haringey

£242,438.98

14

Kent

£247,041.40

15

Kirklees

£232,622.93

16

Lambeth

£159,893

17

Leeds

£464,190.92

18

Leicester

£373,404.75

19

Liverpool

£317,524.03

20

Luton

£360,664.87

21

Manchester

£541,895

22

Newcastle upon Tyne

£127,428.60

23

Newham

£270,654.96

24

Nottingham

£137,867.53

25

Redbridge

£320,401

26

Sandwell

£150,400

27

Sheffield

£228,825

28

Tower Hamlets

£390,468.60

29

Waltham Forest

£148,277.76

30

Westminster

£327,227.54
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025to Question 69855 on Radicalism, how much was allocated from the Preventing Radicalisation Fund in 2024-25 (a) in total and (b) to each local authority which received funding. \p Dan Jarvis: It is vital that Prevent is well-equipped to counter the threats that we face and the ideologies that underpin them.

Prevent provides funding for all local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland to address radicalisation risks through targeted projects

The Home Office provided £790,376.85 of funding from the Preventing Radicalisation Fund in the financial year 2024-25 to the following local authority areas.

Barnsley

Blackburn with Darwen - Lancashire

Cambridgeshire

Coventry

Croydon

Dorset

Dudley

Dyfed Powys

Essex

Greater Manchester

Havering

Hull

Humberside

Isle of Wight

Kingston

Lambeth

Liverpool

Merseyside

Nottinghamshire

Richmond

Rotherham

Solihull

Southampton

Thurrock

Wakefield

Wales

Wandsworth

West London

Wiltshire

Wolverhampton
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the cost-benefit ratio for the proposed A120 dualling scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department’s most recent formal assessment of the value for money (VfM) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) for the proposed A120 Braintree to A12 scheme was completed in February 2022.

Five options were assessed at the time, and the BCRs of each ranged from 1.52 – 2.37, meaning that the VfM range was medium to high. The costs and benefits values used at that time are now out of date, however, and BCRs and VfM ratings are only one part of the overall assessment of a scheme’s deliverability, alongside broader strategic considerations and affordability.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will hold discussions with train companies on enforcing rules relating to quiet carriages. \p Keir Mather: Many train operators have introduced quiet carriages on their services which require passengers to be considerate of others by keeping noise levels to a minimum. The enforcement of this is for the train operators to manage, and Great British Railways will be responsible for this as part of the customer offer in future. In addition, the Railway Byelaws set out rules on the playing of music or causing an annoyance due to the production or reproduction of sound, including possible fines of up to £1,000.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-14 conversation_7

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2025 to Questions 77047 on East Anglia Rail Franchise: Nationalisation, when she will publish the services agreement. \p Keir Mather: The Services Agreement will be made available on the Department for Transport website in due course.
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Emma Foody:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made on the value of road freight journeys through Moor Farm roundabout in each of the last five years. \p Keir Mather: As part of the consideration of potential improvements to Moor Farm junction, analysis underpinning value for money assessments will look at the value of delays to road freight, with Transport Analysis Guidance being updated to reflect the latest position on this in due course.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 79742 on Railways: Mobile Broadband, by what date mainline trains will be fitted with Low Earth Orbit satellite technology. \p Keir Mather: Funding for LEO satellite technology becomes available in the new financial year 2026, at which point my officials will begin the implementation of this on trains.

The objective will be to complete all installations within 5 years from 2026/2027, and this is based on our experience of fitting all GB trains with on-train wifi between 2016 and 2020.
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Emma Foody:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many holding objections have been issued by National Highways in (a) England and (b) the North East of England in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: The below table sets out holding responses issued by National Highways in England, and the Yorkshire and North East (YNE) operational region (the smallest for which data is available) in each of the last five financial years.

Year

Number of holding responses issued in England

Number of holding responses issued in YNE

2024/25

2,117

401

2023/24

1,664

311

2022/23

1,049

157

2021/22

927

160

2020/21

849

127

The increase between pre and post March 2023 is a result of the change in how NH records and monitors its data.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-14 conversation_11

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the annual cost to the public purse of leasing train carriages per railway operator once the nationalisation programme is complete. \p Keir Mather: Three train operating companies have transferred into public ownership since July 2024, South Western Railway, c2c and Greater Anglia. The leasing arrangements for both c2c and Greater Anglia were novated on their existing terms and it is the intention to transfer the remaining operators from the private to public sector on existing lease terms. The annual cost of rolling stock to operators is published on an annual basis by the Office for Rail and Road.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-14 conversation_12

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the rail nationalisation programme on passenger rail prices. \p Keir Mather: As more train operators are brought into public ownership through the Department for Transport Operator and the establishment of Great British Railways, we must continue to ensure that passengers and taxpayers receive a fair deal. Since the pandemic, the level of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter of total income in 2018/19 to almost half in 2023/24. Our goal is to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers, while ensuring the railway’s long-term financial sustainability.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to make train journeys more affordable since July 2024. \p Keir Mather: We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, and the move to Great British Railways will also help ensure passengers get a more consistent offer across the network.

We are already making positive changes, including through expanding ticketing innovations such as Pay as You Go across the South East, working with Transport for West Midlands and Transport for Greater Manchester on contactless Pay as You Go pilots in Manchester and the West Midlands, and delivering Digital Pay as You Go trials in the North and East Midlands. For most passengers this brings with it a best price promise on the day of travel. We have also supported London North Eastern Railway to trial easier to understand fares on some long-distance routes, allowing passengers to benefit from increased flexibility at lower prices than before.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-14 conversation_14

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of international rail and sail through-ticketing that includes rail and ferry services. \p Keir Mather: International rail and sail through-ticketing that includes rail and ferry services is a matter for the train operators and ferry operators. Under Great British Railways (GBR) there will be a less fragmented system and GBR will want to consider future ticketing decisions.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timeframe is for establishing the Passenger Standards Authority. \p Keir Mather: As the Government has announced, Transport Focus will be strengthened to become the Passenger Watchdog. It will continue its operations throughout the transition period and can start building up its capability shortly after the Railways Bill receives Royal Assent. We expect the watchdog will be fully established with all of its new powers within 12 months of this.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-14 conversation_16

Emma Foody:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many holding objections have been issued by National Highways on applications in the North East of England due to the potential impact on Moor Farm roundabout. \p Simon Lightwood: National Highways currently has four planning applications on holding recommendations relating specifically to Moor Farm Junction on the A19.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-14 conversation_17

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how Great British Railways will work with (a) Mayoral transport agencies and (b) Transport for London. \p Keir Mather: Great British Railways (GBR) will work in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) and their transport agencies to ensure local priorities are reflected in rail planning and delivery. These partnerships will enable closer integration with local transport networks while balancing local influence with GBR’s responsibility for the wider regional and national network.

GBR will also maintain and strengthen collaborative arrangements with Transport for London (TfL), recognising its role in operating London Overground and Elizabeth Line services on the national network and supporting seamless journeys across modes.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to introduce a discounted ticketing scheme for schools who want to take the train for school trips. \p Keir Mather: All Department for Transport contracted operators offer some form of group discount, with some offering substantial savings for groups of 10 or more people. Additionally, many train operators participate in the GroupSave offer, for groups of three to nine people travelling together. As more train operators are taken into public ownership through the Department for Transport Operator and into the establishment of Great British Railways, it will have the opportunity to provide a more consistent passenger offer across the network.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question HL8787 on Taxation: Electronic Government, for what reason the functionality of HMRC IT systems does not allow taxpayers to submit their Making Tax Digital reporting requirements for income tax through their online (a) personal and (b) business tax accounts. \p Dan Tomlinson: Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax requires users to use software to keep digital tax records, submit quarterly updates of income and expenditure and submit a tax return. HMRC’s Personal and Business Tax Accounts are not able to provide this level of functionality and ensuring that the software is digitally linked directly to a taxpayer account helps users avoid the errors that could occur when transposing figures manually.

The government is encouraging a thriving third-party software market to support the diverse range of business that will be using MTD. This will deliver flexible and tailored ways for users to manage their tax affairs, including integration with other business software and management tools as well as free and low-cost options.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to allow councillors to submit their expenses in the Making Tax Digital scheme. \p Dan Tomlinson: Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax will be introduced from April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. Qualifying income is the total income from self-employment and property, assessed before expenses.

Local Authority councillors are office holders rather than sole traders. Their income and allowances do not count towards qualifying income for the purposes of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Where a councillor has additional qualifying income from self-employment or property, they will need to comply where that income exceeds the MTD thresholds.

If a councillor is required to use MTD, and where expenses are claimed through a return, the councillor would make that claim as part of the end-of-year tax return through their MTD software.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish a list of the training videos produced by the Valuation Office Agency. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) produces a range of videos for publication on its YouTube channel, including information about working at the VOA, and guidance and information videos on Council Tax and Business Rates. Please see: www.youtube.com/@VOAgovuk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance HMRC has issued on the residual tax liability of dissolved unincorporated associations. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC has not issued specific guidance on the residual tax liability of unincorporated associations that have been dissolved.

The treatment will depend on the types of tax involved, the structure of the unincorporated association and how it was dissolved. It is a complicated legal area that will depend heavily on the facts and we would suggest that any persons affected engage with HMRC directly or seek specialist advice if appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Ian Roome:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding her Department has committed to the Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme in each of the last five financial years. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme has provided a 5p reduction to motorists buying fuel in certain areas since its introduction in 2012. The Government publishes figures for the estimated cost of non-structural tax reliefs at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs/non-structural-tax-relief-statistics-december-2024.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the Valuation Office Agency’s training manual for the Automated Valuation Model. \p Dan Tomlinson: Details on the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) Automated Valuation Model (AVM) including its development, testing and data are published here:

More_information_on_mass_appraisal_and_AVM.pdf

Model_specification_document.pdf
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-14)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Valuation Office Agency: July 2025 transparency data, published on 31 August, what the contracted out services to Eunoia Consulting Ltd costing £83,705.52 are. \p Dan Tomlinson: I refer the rt hon Member to the response to UIN 66194.