theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the planned 30 per cent reduction in agency spend outlined in the NHS Planning Guidance 2025-26 on nurse fill rates. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care 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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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what representations the Minister for Investment has received on the decision to end the remittance basis of taxation. \p Justin Madders: The Minister for Investment has not had any specific meetings on the topic of changes to the remittance basis of taxation.
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Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing (a) employer National Insurance Contributions and (b) the National Minimum Wage on tourism businesses in (i) Kent and (ii) the Weald of Kent. \p Gareth Thomas: The Government protected small businesses and charities from the impact of the increase to Employer National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500, and 865,000 employers will pay no NICs in 2025-26. My Department published an Impact Assessment for the 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates, which includes a breakdown of the expected impacts by sector and region.

We recognise the importance of manufacturing and the tourism sector to local economies such as Kent and the Weald of Kent, where many businesses (particularly SMEs) are sensitive to changes in employment costs. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) continues to work closely with industry stakeholders and across departments to monitor the health of the visitor economy and to ensure that tourism voices are reflected in wider policy discussions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

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David Burton-Sampson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when the tariff free period on Ukrainian (a) poultry and (b) eggs imports will end; and whether he plans to extend that agreement. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK Government is fully committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. As a part of this commitment, tariffs on all goods under our Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine are temporarily removed until March 2029, except poultry and eggs where tariffs are removed until March 2026.

This is a reciprocal agreement, with tariffs also removed on UK exports to Ukraine. Before the end of the liberalisation period both the UK and Ukraine will review options and jointly decide whether to extend the liberalisation commitments further.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled General terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal, published on 9 May 2025, what information his Department will share with Parliament on (a) agricultural trade and (b) digital trade negotiations. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Government is not seeking to change the process of the ratification of any treaty. MPs will have the chance to scrutinise the treaty when it is agreed and presented to the House. This includes detail on agricultural trade and digital trade negotiations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on visa applications for students attending English as a Foreign Language (EFL) schools. \p Gareth Thomas: As the Minister for Exports, I regularly meet with ministerial counterparts to discuss DBT's interests with regards to International Education. I am due to have a meeting with the Minister for Migration shortly to discuss these interests, including that of English Language Teaching (ELT) schools.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the beer and pub sector. \p Gareth Thomas: Pubs and the beer sector are central to our communities and vital to economic growth. I regularly meet with sector representatives. To understand their challenges. We are also supporting initiatives like Pub is The Hub to encourage local investment. Additionally, we have launched a licensing taskforce to cut red tape and remove barriers to business growth.

We also plan to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000 and are reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products, saving the sector over £85 million annually.
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Alistair Strathern:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of regulating the locksmith industry to protect people from rogue locksmiths. \p Justin Madders: The UK's framework for occupational regulation upholds public protection, while ensuring regulatory burdens on industry are proportionate. Although the locksmithing profession is not subject to statutory regulation, several self-regulating trade associations and accreditation schemes exist within the industry and provide training, conduct criminal record checks, and inspect their members.

The government keeps the occupational regulation regime under review and continues to monitor any concerns raised by the public or the industry, including those related to locksmithing.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on Government software procurement. \p Justin Madders: The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has enhanced the powers of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to promote competition in digital markets for the benefit of businesses and consumers.

Government software procurement is negotiated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the new Procurement Act 2023, which came into effect in February of this year. The new rules under the Act increase flexibility, transparency and accountability.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many UK-based start-ups raised venture-capital rounds that included at least one overseas investor in each of the last five years; and what the total capital raised in those rounds was in each year. \p Gareth Thomas: According to figures recently published by the BVCA, UK businesses raised £9bn of venture and growth capital in 2024 - a 12.5% rise compared to 2023. This reflects the UK’s position as Europe’s leading hub for Venture Capital, attracting investment into our world class technology and innovation.

The Government has introduced a range of new measures to unlock more later stage capital from domestic sources, such as the Mansion House reforms and the British Growth Partnership. This will ensure that the British economy benefits even more from its thriving venture capital ecosystem.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps is he taking to support start-up companies in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Aldridge-Brownhills constituency. \p Gareth Thomas: Last year, the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service, which will make it easier for businesses including start-up companies across the West Midlands and the UK to get support and advice to grow, export and thrive.

The West Midlands Growth Hub is where small and medium-sized businesses across Aldridge-Brownhill and the West Midlands can obtain specialist advice on scaling up, accessing new markets, and receiving financial support through the British Business Bank.

Businesses can also access other Government programmes such as the Business Support Service, Help to Grow: Management, the UK Export Academy, International Trade Advisors and the Export Support Service.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories' Oral Statement of 15 May 2025 on Sanctions Implementation and Enforcement, Official Report, columns 524-526, what role the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation will play in any proposed changes to the sanctions implementation and enforcement framework. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) was established on 10th October 2024 with new powers to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of trade sanctions. OTSI is working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and other relevant departments to take forward the conclusions of the cross-Government review of sanctions implementation and enforcement announced by the Minister for Europe on 15th May 2025.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) revoking anti-dumping and (b) countervailing measures on non-folding e-bikes imported from China on UK cycle manufacturing. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7th May to question UIN 48699 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

The Trade Remedies Authority is responsible for assessing the evidence presented to them by UK industry and other stakeholders in an investigation prior to submitting a recommendation to the Secretary of State. If industry is concerned about the impact of unfair foreign trade practices, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will consult stakeholders on the potential impact of the removal of anti-dumping and countervailing measures on non-folding e-bikes imported from China on UK cycle manufacturers. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer I gave on 7th May to question UIN 48699 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

The Trade Remedies Authority is responsible for assessing the evidence presented to them by UK industry and other stakeholders in an investigation prior to submitting a recommendation to the Secretary of State. If industry is concerned about the impact of unfair foreign trade practices, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered negotiating a tariff-free or lower-tariff trade corridor with the US for UK SMEs that rely on international supply chains. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US which cuts tariffs for UK industry and cuts costs for businesses.

What we have agreed will provide the foundation for a new reciprocal trading partnership between the US and the UK, protecting businesses and jobs across the country. We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.

We will continue our engagement with businesses from across the UK throughout these remaining negotiations.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled General terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal, published on 9 May 2025, whether he will publish a strategic approach on ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. The US has committed to further negotiations to tackle barriers to trade not related to tariffs and that have the potential to cut red tape for exporters. There will now be a process of formal negotiations with the US on a binding legal framework.

MPs will have the chance to scrutinise the treaty when it is agreed and presented to the House.

We will continue to act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business and for families.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her oral contribution in response to the question from the hon. Member for Bath of 9 December 2024, Official Report, column 651, what recent discussions her Department has had with the School Teachers Review Body on maternity pay. \p Catherine McKinnell: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for the overall policy on maternity pay and leave, but how it applies in schools specifically is covered by the Burgundy Book, a national agreement negotiated with employers by the six teachers’ organisations.

Further information can be found on the Local Government Association website. The Department for Education currently has no authority or responsibility for the Burgundy Book.

However, the department has engaged with the School Teachers Review Body (STRB) on other challenges that could support teachers who find it difficult to combine work with family life, as in the oral contribution referenced. In the recently concluded 2024/25 pay round, we asked the STRB to make an assessment of any changes to flexibilities around Teaching and Learning Responsibility payments, concerning the existing pro-rata rule. We subsequently accepted in full the STRB’s recommendations. The government’s full response can be found here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-05-22/hcws664.

From September 2026, these additional payments will be paid based on the proportion of responsibility a teacher carries out rather than their contracted hours. Early adoption is also encouraged from September 2025. This will improve equality of opportunity for part-time workers, better enabling them to move into leadership roles.

Alongside this, the department will be promoting flexible working in schools by adding reference into the school teachers’ pay and conditions document for the first time. This will make clearer to schools the expectation that they should be aiming to support flexible working requests where operationally feasible. This will better support teachers to stay in the profession, where they otherwise may have left.
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Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her oral contribution of 4 November 2024, Official Report, col. 46, (a) on what date the leak inquiry commenced, (b) on what date the inquiry concluded and (c) when its findings will be made public. \p Janet Daby: The investigation remains ongoing, and all reasonable lines of inquiry will be pursued.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered supporting the development of bridging courses for qualified British National (Overseas) visa holders in (a) teaching, (b) social work, (c) healthcare and (d) other professions to help support their entry into regulated professions in the UK; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on labour shortages in those professions. \p Janet Daby: Through the government’s Plan for Change and the Industrial Strategy, we are taking a strategic approach to addressing current and future skills gaps in our domestic workforce.

The government continues to ensure the skills system is responsive to employer needs and offers more flexibility. Through the formation of Skills England, the new Growth and Skills Levy, as well as qualifications reform and the Curriculum and Assessment Review, employers will be better supported to recruit and train the domestic workforce with the skills they need. The department will set out our long term vision for the skills system in a forthcoming post-16 education and skills white paper.

British National (Overseas) visa holders are able to take an apprenticeship, so long as they have been resident in the UK for three years and can complete the apprenticeship, including the end-point assessment, within the time remaining on their visa. They can also access training through the Adult Skills Fund, as long as they have been resident in the UK for three years. Eligible, highly qualified teachers who trained to teach in Hong Kong can apply for professional recognition through our digital service.
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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the revised funding limits under the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund on children in kinship care. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the member for Leeds North East, to the answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 49523.
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment has she made of the potential merits of making the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund permanent. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the member for Liverpool West Derby, to my written statement of 22 April 2025, which is available here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-04-22/hcws589.
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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making the adoption and special guardianship support fund permanent. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the member for Warrington North, to my written statement of 22 April 2025, which is available here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-04-22/hcws589.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if they will make it their policy to not provide (a) translation and (b) interpretation for speakers of non-UK languages for services provided by their Department. \p Janet Daby: Language service needs and spend are assessed to ensure these services offer good value for money for taxpayers while maintaining high standards of service delivery.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is considering replacing the Dance and Drama Awards scheme with the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. \p Janet Daby: The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will not be replacing the Dance and Drama Awards (DaDA) grant scheme. The LLE will provide individuals with a loan entitlement to the equivalent of four years’ post-18 education to use over their working lives (£38,140 in today’s fees). The LLE will eventually be replacing the advanced learner loans scheme for levels 4 to 6.

To offer LLE provision, providers will need to be registered with the Office for Students. Funding for the 2026/27 academic year will be subject to confirmation in the government’s spending review.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with which organisations her Department held discussions on changes to the level of funding provided through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. \p Janet Daby: The government is investing an extra £680 million for mental health services, recruiting 8,500 extra mental health workers. Through our Plan for Change, we will tackle the mental health crisis and give every child a healthy start to life.

The adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) will continue to complement other important services, including the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and our expanded access to mental health support teams in schools.

This year we will be funding Adoption England to develop multi-disciplinary teams in more Regional Adoption Agencies, jointly with health and education partners, so adoptive families can get holistic joined up support.

All funding after March 2026 is subject to decisions in the next spending review. However, we recognise and value the positive impact of the ASGSF in supporting adoptive and kinship families and its importance to many.

The department was not able to consult organisations before the recent announcement, due to the need to open the fund for applications as soon as possible for the benefit for children. I regularly meet with adoption stakeholders, including recently meeting with the charity Adoption UK and, separately, with the department’s Adopter Reference Group, where we discussed the ASGSF.
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Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund on children facing adoption breakdown. \p Janet Daby: I refer the hon. Member for Leicester South to the answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 49523.
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Natasha Irons:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that two-year-olds in Government-funded childcare places receive free school meals in (a) private and (b) school nurseries. \p Stephen Morgan: Under current programmes, 2.1 million disadvantaged pupils are registered to receive benefits-based free school meals (FSM). This includes pupils attending a local authority maintained, academy or free school nursery who are entitled to FSM, as long as they are either in full-time education or receive education both before and after lunch, and meet the benefits-based FSM eligibility criteria.

As with all government programmes, we will keep our approach to FSM under continued review.
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Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to use technology to improve school standards. \p Stephen Morgan: Technology is at the centre of mission-led government and our Plan for Change. The government is using the combined power of data, digital services and technology to modernise our education system, back our teachers and deliver for our children across the country.

We are investing £25 million in upgrading wireless networks in schools through our Connect the Classroom programme next year, which will enable thousands more children to get online at school.

We have published digital and technology standards to help schools and colleges make better decisions about technology, leading to safer, more cost-efficient practices and new learning opportunities for students.

Our new service ‘Plan technology for your school’ will cut time and money spent on buying tech, helping leaders navigate an often-complex market and ensuring every penny spent will mean better standards for pupils and teachers. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-technology-for-your-school.

The department is supporting teachers to use technology well. All new teachers will be trained on the effective use of assistive technology to support children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The EdTech Evidence Board pilot will explore how we build evidence of artificial intelligence products that work well, helping education settings choose products that work well for them and their classrooms.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support is available to local authorities to expand family hubs in areas with limited public transport access. \p Janet Daby: The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life. Delivering this will require strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood. This includes continuing to invest in and build up the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.

75 local authorities with some of the highest levels of deprivation have received funding and a further £12 million has supported Family Hubs in 13 additional local authorities through the Family Hubs Transformation Fund. There are now more than 500 Family Hubs across the 88 funded local authorities.

In the 2025/26 financial year, the government is providing £126 million to give every child the best start in life and deliver on the Plan for Change. More information on this funding can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/families-to-receive-126-million-in-early-years-support. Future funding decisions are subject to the multi-year spending review.

The evidence and learning from this investment will help to improve services across England where they are most needed.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund on children. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Nottingham East to the answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 49523.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52032 on Special Educational Needs: Finance, what information her Department holds on the amount of additional funding per pupil above £6,000 that was provided by Cambridgeshire County Council for pupils in mainstream schools in each of the last five years. \p Catherine McKinnell: The average additional high needs top-up funding amounts per pupil, covering the costs of pupils with special educational needs in Cambridgeshire mainstream maintained schools and academies, in excess of £6,000 per annum, are set out in the table below. This is from the latest available annual actual expenditure returns provided to the department by Cambridgeshire County Council, and the school census data. In this period, the number of children attracting top-up funding has grown from 1,600 to 2,900. As a result, it is likely that the severity of needs being addressed has changed over the period.

Average top-up funding expenditure per pupil in Cambridgeshire mainstream schools

Financial year 2019/20

Financial year 2020/21

Financial year 2021/22

Financial year 2022/23

Financial year 2023/24

Spend per pupil identified by schools as attracting high needs top-up funding

£10,300

£8,700

£8,900

£8,900

£9,100

To note:
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made towards launching an online public dashboard enabling people to monitor progress on policy targets. \p Ellie Reeves: The Government makes use of a number of internal dashboards that allow them to track progress against policy objectives.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance (a) his Department and (b) the UK Resilience Academy have issued on the consideration of equality, diversity, inclusion and equity in relation to (i) civil contingencies, (ii) emergency planning and (iii) disaster relief. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government will soon publish the new Resilience Strategy which will set out our approach to building national resilience for all with particular focus on supporting our most vulnerable individuals and communities.

In April, the Cabinet Office published updated Vulnerable People Guidance to strengthen the capability of emergency responders in developing local action plans identifying and supporting vulnerable individuals and groups in an emergency. Additionally, the Cabinet Office has developed a Risk Vulnerability Tool which incorporates data such as ethnicity, age, gender, disability to improve understanding of the scale and location of disproportionately impacted populations to enable targeted support before and during crises.

The recently launched UK Resilience Academy will provide learning and leadership to government, local authorities, organisations, communities, and individuals. We will also use the National Exercising Programme to test how well our planning supports vulnerable people and communities in an emergency.

We will also continue to ensure that our current, and future, resilience guidance, including the Prepare website on GOV.UK reflects the diverse needs of individuals, households and communities.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many responses from his Department to Freedom of Information Act requests have detailed Government Procurement Card spending below £500 in the last two years. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: To establish the number of FOI responses in the last two years which have detailed Government Procurement Card spending below £500 would require a review of all responses issued by the Cabinet Office during that period and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

In support of the Government’s Transparency agenda, the Cabinet Office publishes Government Procurement Card spend data over £500 on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-procurement-card-data--2
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 50568 on Government Departments: Artificial Intelligence, for what functions his Department uses Redbox; and in which offices it is used. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office is promoting the adoption of artificial intelligence among staff through the implementation of AI ‘assistant tools’. One such tool is Redbox. It allows staff to harness AI throughout their work in an assured, safe, and secure manner.

Redbox is accessible to all business units within the Cabinet Office.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many knife crimes were reported in Nottinghamshire in each of the last five years. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22 May is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 144.8KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_45

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what financial interests have been declared by Jonathan Powell. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of financial interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are published on an annual basis by the Cabinet Office.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_46

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51956 on 10 Downing Street: Energy Performance Certificates, (a) what steps have been taken to date and (b) what steps are planned for the future. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: 10-12 Downing Street is a listed building. The building’s Display Energy Certificate (DEC) shows the building’s energy performance operational rating at C which is above average for a building of this type. Recent energy reduction measures include thermal insulation and installation of low energy lighting.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_47

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average salary is of civil servants at each grade in his Department. \p Georgia Gould: Details of the salaries of civil servants at each grade can be found in the quarterly organogram published at https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/ff76be1f-4f37-4bef-beb7-32b259413be1/organogram-cabinet-office.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_48

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to update the transparency data entitled Cabinet Office senior officials high earners salaries. \p Georgia Gould: The previous administration did not update this list prior to the General Election. The Cabinet Office will publish a new 2025 list in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_49

Shivani Raja:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the terms (a) Bed Space Size and (b) Bed space in public sector accommodation contracts refer to the number of individuals a room or property is intended to accommodate. \p Georgia Gould: Each department is responsible for specifying its own contract requirements, so the meaning of “Bed Space Size” and “Bed space" may vary based on the criteria established by each department.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_50

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether procurement guidance has been issued by (a) his Department and (b) the Crown Commercial Service to public bodies on equality, diversity and inclusion requirements for private sector companies which wish to bid for public sector contracts. \p Georgia Gould: The National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) sets the Government's strategic priorities for public procurement in support of the Government’s missions. This includes delivering social and economic value. Procurement Policy Note 002 sets out how to take account of social value in the award of central government contracts, using procurement where relevant and proportionate to break down barriers to opportunity and increase productivity through opportunities for skills and jobs for growth.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_51

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 51161 on Cabinet Office: Expenditure, what public service campaigns the Unlimited Group has supported since 4 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: The Unlimited Group has primarily supported the GREAT campaign within the Cabinet Office. The GREAT campaign continues to promote the UK internationally as a destination for tourism, education, and business.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_52

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 52335 on Civil Service: Equality, whether the Civil Service Inclusive Practice Team are responsible for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Civil Service; and if he will list their functions and responsibilities. \p Georgia Gould: Organisational decisions about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion sit in individual departments. The Civil Service Inclusive Practice (CSIP) Team is part of the Government People Group in the Cabinet Office. The CSIP team sets the strategic direction for EDI for the Civil Service as a whole and is responsible for the development and delivery of the Civil Service EDI Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_53

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 51150 on Freedom of Information and Written Questions: Costs, what the notional hourly cost of civil service time when assessing a written parliamentary question further to the £850 threshold under paragraph 218 of the Guide to Parliamentary Work is. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Member to my previous answer to PQ 51150. The cost limit is calculated at a flat rate of £25 per hour.

The Guide to Parliamentary Work also makes reference to the Procedure Committee's advice that the threshold “be calculated only with regard to policy team time—it should not account for any central processing in parliamentary branches or WPQ teams, or the time taken by Ministers or their advisers” (paragraph 219).
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_54

Helen Morgan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to support small businesses with public procurement applications. \p Georgia Gould: The Government is determined to ensure the £385 billion of public money spent on public procurement annually, delivers economic growth and supports small businesses. For too long, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) have been held back by government procurement processes that are too slow, bureaucratic, and difficult to navigate.

The National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) sets out the Government’s strategic priorities for public procurement and builds on measures in the Procurement Act including an expectation for all public bodies to maximise procurement spend with SMEs and VCSEs.

In central government, we have also announced new rules to drive greater transparency and accountability for increasing numbers of SMEs and VCSEs delivering public contracts. From 1 April 2025 central government departments must set three-year targets for direct spend with SMEs, and from 1 April 2026 for VCSEs, and to publish progress annually.

The Government will consult on further reforms to our public procurement processes to drive economic growth, support small businesses, and better support innovation.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_55

Kirith Entwistle:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government will release its publicly accessible dashboard that charts the progress of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Government is committed to continuing to drive forward the implementation of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s 2024 recommendations, and the progress made on responding to these recommendations will be publicly available via a dashboard which is due to be published before summer recess.

For progress specifically on the delivery of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority is responsible for the delivery of compensation and publishes the latest compensation figures on its website every two weeks.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_56

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to Question 46599, tabled by the hon. Member for Mid Leicestershire on 17 April 2025. \p Georgia Gould: With apologies to the Hon. member, a response has now been issued.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_57

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the potential use of eGates set out in the UK-EU Common Understanding will include an exemption from the upcoming EU Entry Exit system requirements for fingerprinting. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: UK national travellers will be required to register in the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). Exemptions will be in place for UK nationals who are Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries or otherwise long-term resident in the EU. Implementation of the EES is a matter for the EU and its Member States, and subject to ongoing EU legislative processes.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_58

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what costs have been re-charged from (a) Downing Street and (b) the Cabinet Office to the Labour Party since 4 July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Hon. Member to my answer of 28 May 2025, Official Report, PQ 53200.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_59

Mark Sewards:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the safety of British nationals located on the India-Pakistan border. \p Catherine West: The safety of British nationals will always be our priority. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to monitor developments closely and is ready to support British nationals 24/7. Any British nationals in the region should follow the FCDO's travel advice for the country they are in, along with the advice of the local authorities. That travel advice is currently against travel to areas close to the Line of Control and international border.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_60

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43485 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Flags, whether his Department has had discussions with Westminster City Council on this matter. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has had no discussions with Westminster City Council on this matter.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_61

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many overseas diplomatic postings are waiting for a Head of Mission to be appointed. \p Catherine West: Appointments to all Head of Mission roles, including Ambassadors and High Commissioners, are announced after the necessary internal processes have concluded, including approval through His Majesty The King and agreement from the host Government. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ensures that all diplomatic posts are appropriately staffed, including with interim arrangements in place where necessary.
wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-04 conversation_62

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department provides guidance on the installation of gender-neutral toilets in its estate outside the UK. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Design Guide asks for FCDO estates projects to provide sanitary provision in line with UK Building Regulations, including the Approved Document Part T: Toilets, with adaptations where required to suit more onerous local regulations or address cultural sensitivities.