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

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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will require local authorities to consider the needs of young people as a specific group in their local housing needs assessments. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework already makes clear that local authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community and plan accordingly. These groups should include, but are not limited to, those who require affordable housing, families with children, looked after children, students, and people who rent their homes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation equivalent to New Zealand’s Retirement Villages Act 2003 to support the growth of the Integrated Retirement Community sector in the UK. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including in relation to specialist accommodation for older people.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the judgement in C G Fry & Son Limited v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government UKSC/2024/0108 on housing delivery. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Supreme Court judgment in question distinguished between the legal protection provided to European Sites under the Habitats Regulations and the policy protection afforded to Ramsar sites.

The government has not undertaken a specific assessment of the impact of the judgment on general housing delivery.

The case concerned a very limited set of circumstances and no new planning applications that have come forward since the imposition of nutrient neutrality advice in 2020 will be affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement.

While this case has been progressing through the courts, the government has provided significant investment to deliver local mitigation schemes – including in Somerset – to enable development to come forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what form consultation on local government reorganisation proposals will take. \p Alison McGovern: Following the commitment made in the English Devolution White Paper in December, all two-tier councils and their neighbouring small unitary councils were invited in February to make proposals for unitary local government. Proposals for unitary local government are due to be submitted to Government by 28 November for the two invitation areas of i) Leicestershire, Leicester, Rutland and ii) Lincolnshire.

Following the submission of proposals, the Government will decide which, if any, to implement, following a statutory consultation, to which the Hon. Member’s constituents will be able to respond.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Steve Witherden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help support agricultural livelihoods in Gaza; and what steps the Government is taking to ensure that UK-funded support for agricultural equipment and recovery prioritises the needs and expertise of older farmers to help secure sustainable, local food production. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We recognise that people with existing vulnerabilities, including older people, can be disproportionately affected by humanitarian crises. All organisations which receive Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office funding are required to demonstrate commitment to equality and inclusion in their work, to ensure our assistance reaches those in greatest need. The UK is actively supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza - we are providing £78 million for humanitarian and early recovery support for Palestine this financial year. This includes the UK's support to UK-Med, which has enabled 800,000 patient consultations to take place in Gaza, including supporting vulnerable groups and the elderly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recent attack on Druze civilians in Suwayda Province, Syria; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to protect the community. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided for question HL10173 on 26 September 2025.
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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British nationals are serving in the Israeli Defence Forces. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to the question 44556 on 23 April 2025.
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Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Iranian counterpart on the detention of Baha’i Shahram Fallah since August 2025; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to help ensure his release. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer to the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 67802 on 6 August 2025 and add that on 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council, Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization and UN, Kumar Iyer, highlighted Iran's recent targeting and scapegoating of marginalised communities, including Baha'is.
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Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, following the Memorandum of Understanding with the Palestinian Authority of April 2025, what step she is taking to help to ensure that content which promotes (a) hatred and (b) is excluded from the Authority's school curriculum. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided to question 83047 on 29 October 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recent murder of an Alawite school teacher in Homs, Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We remain deeply concerned about incidents of violence in Syria, including the reports of Reham Hammouda's murder. We continue to advocate for an inclusive political transition, a greater focus in social cohesion, and protection of the rights of all Syrians, regardless of religious or ethnic background. When I met the Foreign Minister and Justice Minister in Damascus in August, I underlined the need for the Syrian Government to ensure that the justice system serves all Syrians.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has she made of the implications for her policies of the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner press release entitled “More than a human can bear”: Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since October 2023, published on 13 March 2025. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces are extremely concerning. We unequivocally condemn sexual violence in Palestine, in Israel, and wherever it occurs in the world. The UK has consistently called for all reports, to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We continue to call on Israel to fully enable the UN and its agencies to deliver their mandate in Palestine, including allowing the UN and partners to implement protection programmes for survivors of gender-based violence and vulnerable groups.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of funding (a) civil society and (b) academic institutions to conduct (i) forced labour and (ii) supply chain research on the Uyghur region. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government regularly works with civil society and academic institutions to fund a variety of research, including topics such as forced labour. We keep under review how we can best tackle forced labour in supply chains, by working across government departments, with businesses and international partners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to secure the release of Gui Minhai in China; and what steps she is taking with (a) Sweden and (b) the European Union to secure his release. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government is aware of a report concerning the detention of Zhang Yadi, and the case concerning Gui Minhai in China. We continue to follow developments closely and regularly raise human rights concerns with the Chinese authorities. The UK remains committed to promoting human rights and the rule of law globally.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions her Department has had with their Vietnamese counterparts on the use of counter-terrorism laws to target (a) Montagnard Indigenous Peoples and (b) Christian religious minorities in the country. \p Seema Malhotra: The UK Government continues to raise concerns with the Vietnamese authorities about the use of national security legislation to target Montagnard Indigenous Peoples and Christian religious minorities. These issues were most recently raised by the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, during meetings with Vice Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang in London on 17 March 2025 and in Hanoi on 23-24 October 2024. The UK also raised the case of Y Quynh Bdap, a Montagnard activist facing extradition from Thailand, in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on the UK's position on proposals at the UN to negotiate an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to strengthen the right to education. \p Chris Elmore: Officials in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Education worked together closely to determine the UK's position on the Optional Protocol, as set out in the answer provided on 3 November to Question 84390.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reasons the UK has opposed proposals at the UN to guarantee at least one year of free pre-primary education and free secondary education in international law. \p Chris Elmore: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I provided to question 84390 on 3 November.
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Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department's Mass Atrocity Prevention Hub for supporting the UK’s response to the situation in El Fasher, Darfur. \p Chris Elmore: The Mass Atrocity Hub is now part of The Conflict and Atrocity Prevention Department, which has been working closely with the Africa Directorate and British Office Sudan since April 2023. Support has included assessing the risk of atrocities in Sudan, providing analytical capabilities to collect, verify and preserve open-source data relating to potential atrocity crimes and violations of international humanitarian law, as well as technical advisory support on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's atrocity prevention and response workstreams.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what measures her Department has in place to run critical services in the event of a major internet outage. \p Seema Malhotra: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has established business continuity and IT service continuity arrangements to sustain critical services during severe disruption, including a major internet outage. For security reasons, the department does not publish operational details of its resilience arrangements.
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Uma Kumaran:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure (a) atrocity prevention capabilities and (b) civilian protection expertise are used during the UK’s response to events in El Fasher, Darfur. \p Chris Elmore: I refer the Hon. Member to the response provided to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians on 30 October.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 22 September 2025, to Question 76278, Lord Mandelson, what (a) vetting and (b) due diligence was carried out prior to the public announcement of the appointment of Lord Mandelson, and by whom. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 October to to Question 76245.
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Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help provide (a) atrocity prevention and (b) civilian protection support in El Fasher, Darfur. \p Chris Elmore: I refer the Hon. Member to the response provided to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians on 30 October.
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a date has been set for her planned international summit on future of aid; and when she plans to announce her objectives for that summit. \p Chris Elmore: The Government continues to work with our partners overseas and international organisations to support sustainable development across the world. We have set out intentions to host a Conference on the Future of Development in collaboration with partners and will set out details in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her counterpart in Nigeria on the detention of eight children from the Du Merci Christian orphanage; and whether she is taking diplomatic steps to secure their release. \p Chris Elmore: The UK government welcomed the return of eight children to the custody of the Du Merci Centre. We are aware that a further eight children remain in the custody of Kano State authorities as court proceedings are ongoing. We have raised this case at senior official level with the Nigerian authorities and stressed the need to prioritise the welfare of the children involved. The enforcement of the court ruling is however a matter for the Nigerian authorities.
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Joe Powell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on preventing (a) mass atrocities and (b) genocide of the violence perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces against civilians in (i) El Fasher and (ii) elsewhere in Darfur. \p Chris Elmore: I refer the Hon. Member to the response provided to the Urgent Question on Sudan: Protection of Civilians on 30 October.
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Brendan O'Hara:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications of her policies of the recent detention of 70 Vietnamese refugees in Thailand. \p Seema Malhotra: The UK Government continues to monitor reports of human rights concerns in Vietnam. We regularly raise these issues with the Vietnamese authorities - including at the highest levels - through bilateral engagement and in multilateral forums such as the UN Human Rights Council. Our Embassy in Bangkok is following the arrests of Montagnard Protestants in Thailand. This includes liaising with the relevant authorities to understand potential next steps. We continue to urge all governments to uphold their international human rights obligations, including the non-refoulement principle.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the British Embassy in Beijing has been affected by intermittent water supplies; and whether that Embassy has experienced similar issues that have affected its operations. \p Seema Malhotra: We do not recognise those reports.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to work with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to (a) improve awareness of cardiac risk among young athletes and (b) ensure sports clubs have access to (i) screening and (ii) defibrillator equipment. \p Stephanie Peacock: Sport England, DCMS’s Arm's-Length Body for grassroots sport, is helping increase awareness of cardiac risk among young athletes in the community sports sector, including signposting to information about screening, through Buddle, its online site for clubs and community organisations. They can also provide funding to community sports clubs for Automated External Defibrillators through their Movement Fund.

I will continue to work with ministerial colleagues at the Department for Health and Social Care on these issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many staff left her Department in each of the last five years, broken down by grade. \p Ian Murray: Information on the number of civil servants leaving each government department and organisation by responsibility level for the years 2021 to 2025 is published annually through the ‘Civil Service data browser’ as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication.

Information can be accessed through the Civil Service data browser for 2021 through 2025 at the following web address: https://civil-service-statistics.jdac.service.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will list the titles of all the events organised by Civil Service networks in her Department since 2017. \p Ian Murray: DCMS staff are permitted to attend Civil Service Network events in line with the Civil Service Network Policy. However, DCMS does not currently host any Civil Service wide networks and therefore did not organise any such events.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the Director General of the BBC on allegations of mis-editing of President Trump by Panorama. \p Ian Murray: Senior officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have received a copy of the dossier containing these allegations and have been assured by the BBC that they are examining the issues raised in the report. The Culture Secretary is being kept updated on these developments.

Because the BBC is independent of government, it is for the Corporation to respond to questions about their editorial decisions. It is crucial the BBC upholds the highest standards of reporting and impartiality, so they are trusted as the national broadcaster and the Government therefore expects the BBC to consider feedback they receive seriously and carefully.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve sporting facilities for young people in North Shropshire constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, including children and young people, should have access to, and benefit from, quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

In the last financial year, 2024-25, our Arm’s Length Body for grassroots sport, Sport England, invested £​37,​724 into the ​North Shropshire constituency​ to improve access to sport and physical activity.

Sport England, through its place partnerships, also works with local areas to understand and overcome the specific barriers to sport and physical activity in communities. ​Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin is one of Sport England’s place partnerships.

Sports facilities provide important community hubs for people of all ages to be active and connect people to the places in which they live. On 19 June 2025, we announced that following the Spending Review at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, including for children and young people, and will then set out further plans.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with HM Treasury on increasing the grant-in-aid funding available to (a) cultural institutions, (b) museums and (c) galleries. \p Ian Murray: The Secretary of State has had constructive conversations with HM Treasury to secure grant-in-aid funding for our institutions.

These successful conversations were borne out in February 2025, when we announced a £270m Arts Everywhere Investment package that included a 5% increase to the budgets of all national museums and galleries to support their financial resilience.

And as per our most recent Spending Review settlement announced in June 2025, there is significant planned funding for the UK’s world-leading culture and heritage sector. We will be investing in celebrated institutions including national museums and galleries, as well as organisations like Arts Council England, which support local projects across the country and ensure that the best of British culture is accessible to all.
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Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Gambling Commission of the risk profile of charity lotteries, including the People's Postcode Lottery. \p Ian Murray: The department and the Gambling Commission have regular discussions covering gambling regulation, including society lotteries.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many staff in her Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability by grade. \p Ian Murray: DCMS asks all employees to declare whether they have a disability, but does not differentiate between mental health and physical disabilities.

Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each government department is published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data are as at 31 March 2025 and can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2025

Information for 31 March 2026 is due for publication in July 2026.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many visits by Ministers in her Department took place in constituencies represented by (a) Labour, (b) Conservative and (c) other hon. Members in the period between 4 July 2024 and 2 July 2025. \p Ian Murray: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the contribution of gaming machines to the level of pubs’ supplementary income. \p Ian Murray: The Government recognises the contribution of pubs to the nighttime economy in the UK, as well as the commercial pressures they face.

Although the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Gambling Commission do not hold official statistics on the contribution of gaming machines to the level of pubs’ supplementary income, we recognise that gaming machines are an important source of revenue to many pubs across the country.

Trade associations representing the pub sector, including the British Beer and Pub Association, UK Hospitality and the British Institute of Innkeeping, recently emphasised the importance of gaming machines in pubs, estimating that 48% of pubs have at least one gaming machine, with the total income from these machines equating to £622m per year.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders to improve support for local museums in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle and (d) the North East. \p Ian Murray: The Secretary of State and her ministerial team engage regularly with a wide range of stakeholders and DCMS Arm’s Length Bodies regarding support for local arts organisations and museums. In February 2025, the Secretary of State announced a new £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund, with organisations across the North East already benefitting. This includes the £20 million Museum Renewal Fund, with over £1.2 million awarded to museums in the North East in October, and £483k specifically for the North East Museums group to support activities across Northumberland museums, including Hexham Old Gaol. This funding is additional to core museums funding delivered through Arts Council England, including the National Portfolio Investment Programme, which sees over £3.3 million a year invested in the North East Museums group amongst others.

The Department continues to work with stakeholders to provide additional support for local museums and galleries in 2025/26, through the £25 million Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) tackling maintenance backlogs, and the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, currently open for applications.

The Arts Everywhere Fund will also deliver £85 million of investment through the Creative Foundations Fund to support arts and cultural organisations, including local arts centres, to address urgent estate issues, ensuring buildings and infrastructure are fit for future generations. In addition, Ministers have commissioned a formal review of ACE, the body responsible for distributing arts funding across England. The review is considering all aspects of ACE’s work and investment, and will report this Autumn.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) social and (b) economic benefits of theatres in towns; and what support the Department has provided to help secure the future of the Oldham Coliseum Theatre. \p Ian Murray: The Government recognises the vital role of theatre in enriching communities across the country and provides funding primarily through Arts Council England (ACE). Expanding access to high-quality theatre remains a shared priority for the Government and ACE. Across all ACE funding programmes for the financial year 2024/25, ACE awarded around £300 million to theatres/theatre based organisations.

In 2023, Oldham Council secured £1.845 million from ACE to enhance creative and cultural activity in the borough, with a strong focus on theatre. This funding supports a vibrant cultural programme for residents and visitors, delivered in partnership with organisations such as Oldham Theatre Workshop and Oldham Coliseum Theatre. The Council has a four-year business plan to redevelop, reopen, and operate the Coliseum Theatre on Fairbottom Street. This work aligns with Oldham’s Cultural Strategy, the Creating a Better Place Programme, and ACE’s Let’s Create strategy.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to extend the rollout of Young Futures Hubs. \p Stephanie Peacock: In order to start the roll-out of Young Futures Hubs, up to £2m is being made available for 8 Early Adopters Local Authorities, so that the first Young Futures Hubs will be operational later this financial year.

As the Prime Minister stated in his speech on 15th July, we have plans to open 50 hubs over the next four years. The design and implementation of the programme will be informed by our work with early adopters, and they will be located where they will have the most impact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to provide funding for (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis facilities in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_65

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his Department has made on clearing the backlog of Carer’s Allowance overpayment debts in relation to earnings. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_66

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the offer of two seat convertible Mazda MX-5 cars as part of the Motability Scheme. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Motability Foundation is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Scheme, along with oversight of Motability Operations. The Department works closely with Motability Foundation and are responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme.

As Motability is independent of government, the management of the scheme including the choice of vehicles rests with them and their respective Boards of Governors. We are however committed to ensuring that the Motability scheme is fair for both users of the scheme and the taxpayer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_67

Alex Brewer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Construction Industry Training Board levy on (a) the profitability of the construction sector in the past five years and (b) the level of health and safety in that sector. \p Andrew Western: Responsibility for the Construction Industry Training Board transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions on 16 September 2025. The Secretary of State has not yet made any assessment of the potential impacts of the Construction Industry Training Board’s levy.

Responsibility for health and safety within the construction industry in England sits with the Health and Safety Executive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_68

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the West Midlands Combined Authority on increasing the availability of apprenticeships in the West Midlands. \p Andrew Western: Officials meet regularly with combined authorities to discuss post-16 skills including apprenticeships. Recent discussions with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) skills leads have included the newly introduced foundation apprenticeships and led to a subsequent session with training providers in the WMCA to explain foundation apprenticeships and their potential benefits for local young learners.

Similarly, Skills England meets Mayoral Combined Authorities, including the WMCA, on a regular basis to discuss how to address a wide range of skills challenges, the promotion of growth, and simplifying access to skills opportunities.

The government also facilitates the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network of employers and apprentices which works closely in all regions, including the WMCA area, to promote apprenticeships across the region.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_69

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff in his Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability by grade. \p Andrew Western: DWP does not require staff to declare whether they have a disability. When a disability is declared, they are not required to give details. Any details that are given are in a free text box where multiple conditions could be shared. Therefore, the data is not broken down any further than declaration of a disability and obtaining this breakdown would incur significant cost.

Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each government department are published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data are as at 31 March 2025 and can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2025

Information for 31 March 2026 is due for publication in July 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_70

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has a target for the number of work coaches employed by his Department. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Department continually impacts and assesses the service being offered to customers. Staff numbers, including the number of Work Coaches, and demand for Jobcentre services are reviewed on an ongoing basis, in line with the latest economic and benefit forecasts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_71

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on preparing Jobcentres for the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Our Get Britain Working strategy is driving forward reforms and helping create a more inclusive labour market that supports economic growth and opportunity for individuals. The Employment Rights Bill is key to this agenda as it aims to deliver greater security in work, support higher living standards and contribute positively to productivity.

This complements our approach to Jobcentre reform; the new Jobs and Careers service will have a renewed focus on helping people into good quality work, with career progression and increased earnings potential. It will also put employers’ needs at the heart of the service - we are engaging closely with employers on the design of a future service.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has engaged with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the government’s approach to these labour market reforms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_72

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) work coaches and (b) vacancies there were at Jobcentres in each month since July 2024. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_73

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many carers have Carer’s Allowance overpayment debts as a result of breaching the earnings limit in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in the last six years for which data is available. \p Andrew Western: Data on fraud and error overpayments is published annually and can be found using the following link: Fraud and error in the benefit system - GOV.UK. 2024/25 estimates show that Carer's Allowance Overpayments relating to earnings / employment represented 1.3% of the £4.2bn expenditure on Carer’s Allowance.

Further breakdowns, as requested in the above PQs, are not published as part of any official statistical release.

This Government commissioned Liz Sayce OBE to lead an Independent Review into Carer’s Allowance Overpayments. We are carefully considering the recommendations of this Review which investigated how they occurred, how we can best support those who have accrued them, and how to reduce the risk of them occurring in future. We have committed to publish the review and the Government’s response to it by the end of this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_74

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will reinstate the winter fuel payment in full. \p Torsten Bell: The Government has increased the level at which Winter Fuel Payments are means-tested in England and Wales from winter 2025/26 so that the vast majority of pensioners – around 9 million individuals – will benefit from them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_75

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to page 29 of the document by the OBR entitled Fiscal risks and sustainability, published on 8 July 2025, whether her Department has made its own assessment of the long-term sustainability of the state pension. \p Torsten Bell: The Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.

State Pension payments are paid from the National Insurance Fund (NIF). The Government reviews forecasts of the NIF balance every five years to inform future decisions. The Government Actuary’s Department is currently undertaking its quinquennial review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_76

Catherine West:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve employer (a) awareness and (b) training on autism-inclusive workplace practices. \p Dame Diana Johnson: In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism.

We are supporting employers to be more inclusive in their workplace practices, regardless of diagnosis. DWP's current offer to employers includes a digital information service, www.support-with-employee-health-and-disability.dwp.gov.uk/, this service guides employers through workplace scenarios, including making reasonable adjustments, explaining the steps they need to take to understand and support their employees’ health and disability in the workplace.

In addition, DWP oversees the voluntary Disability Confident Scheme which encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. This includes resources around employing people with hidden disabilities including autism and other neurodiverse conditions. We know there is more to do and DWP are actively engaging with stakeholders to strengthen the scheme.

DWP also operates Access to Work, which provides grant funding to support Workplace Adjustments that go beyond an employer's duty to provide reasonable adjustments as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.  The grant provides personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment. In March 2025, we published the Pathways to Work Green Paper, to consult on the future of Access to Work. We are considering responses to the consultation and will set out our plans in due course.

Lastly, in January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel have reviewed the workplace barriers neurodivergent people encounter in getting into or remaining in employment. We have now received the panel’s findings and recommendations and will consider these alongside the findings of Keep Britain Working, our recently published major independent review on healthy and inclusive workplaces.