theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has held discussions with WRAP on the frequency of household residual bin collections by local waste collection authorities. \p Mary Creagh: Through Simpler Recycling, all householders will receive a comprehensive and consistent set of waste and recycling services. This will enable householders to recycle as much waste as possible and to frequently dispose of bad-smelling food waste, which will be collected from all households at least weekly.

As is currently the case, waste collection authorities should continue to decide collection frequency and methodology for collecting the residual (non-recyclable waste) and dry recyclable waste streams and do so in a way that meets local needs and provides value for money for the taxpayer.

The Secretary of State has not held any discussions with WRAP on the frequency of household residual bin collections by local waste collection authorities.

Defra recognises that as recycling services are expanded and improved, local authorities may want to review residual waste services to ensure they are providing best value for money in line with local need. The government’s priority is ensuring that households’ needs are met, and we expect local authorities to continue to provide services to a reasonable standard, as they do now.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on implementing the River Wye Action Plan. \p Emma Hardy: This Government is actively progressing the next steps for the River Wye. This includes building stronger ties and working collaboratively with the Welsh Government, Environment Agency and Natural England, as well as local MPs, farmers, local community groups and eNGOs who have already been doing great work to tackle pollution.

This includes the Wye Nutrient Management Board and the Wye Catchment Partnership, which is made up of cross-border stakeholders in farming and environment. Along with regulators in the area, they are coordinating comprehensive research and are well placed to drive local action in the Wye.

This Government will not be implementing all of the previous Governments ‘River Wye Action Plan’, including a pilot scheme to incinerate poultry manure in the catchment.

We understand poultry incineration already takes place in the catchment, so funding a trial does not represent value for money. We will also not be reappointing a rivers champion. We believe there are excellent local experts who can continue to lead efforts on tackling river pollution and we will be supporting them to drive action forward.
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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2024 on Bridges: Runnymede and Weybridge, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Environment Agency's response to the closure of bridge 142 on public safety. \p Emma Hardy: The Thames towpath provides health and wellbeing benefits to many communities, as well as being an important access route.

The Environment Agency’s (EA’s) towpath bridge refurbishments are considered within their overall Navigation capital programme. Each project is evaluated against its impact on customer safety, income generation, water level management, design complexity, cost, and impact on the Navigation service. This programme is refreshed each year to maximise the benefits for Navigation customers within the grant-in-aid allocation the EA receives from the Government.

The EA is now exploring how partnership funding could be used alongside the grant-in-aid funding it receives from the Government for bridge refurbishment projects.

In the meantime, temporary security fencing has been put in place to safeguard members of the public while the necessary funding is secured to refurbish the bridge, and a footpath diversion remains in place.
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Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential (a) cultural and (b) historic merits of protecting areas from flooding and coastal erosion in a future review of the flooding formula. \p Emma Hardy: We will launch a consultation in the coming months which will include a review of the existing flood funding formula to ensure that the challenges facing businesses and rural and coastal communities are adequately taken into account when delivering flood protection. Feedback will be sought on the advantages and disadvantages of potential reforms to the flood funding formula.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 January 2025 to Question 20325 on Flood Control: Finance, when his Department plans to begin the consultation on a review of the formula that allocates flood defence funding. \p Emma Hardy: We will launch a consultation in the coming months which will include a review of the existing flood funding formula to ensure that the challenges facing businesses and rural and coastal communities are adequately taken into account when delivering flood protection.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the condition of water supplied by Thames Water. \p Emma Hardy: Drinking Water quality in England is regulated through the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations. The Drinking Water Inspectorate is the enforcing regulator. The Regulations require a programme of random samples to be taken from consumers’ taps, and the results are reported to the Inspectorate. Any breaches are investigated by the company and assessed by the Inspectorate and enforcement action taken as appropriate.

Thames is required to notify the Inspectorate of any unusual event which could be a risk to consumers - each event is investigated by the Inspectorate, and enforcement action taken as required. The Inspectorate assessed 61 events reported by Thames Water in 2024.

Thames Water adopts a water safety planning approach to drinking water, in line with the WHO recommendations. This ensures risks are identified and mitigated before there is any impact on consumers.

In 2024, the Inspectorate completed technical audits at seven sites and conducted a further desktop audit of bespoke network assets. There are currently 26 improvement notices issued by the Inspectorate to improve water quality across Thames’ asset base.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 13 October 2023 to Question 201037 on Rivers: Environment Protection, what steps his Department has taken to support the implementation of the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, water companies have pumped record levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas.

Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams is a top Government priority. That is why on 23 October, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works.

Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution and physical modifications of habitats. Restoring our chalk streams to better ecological health is part of our holistic programme of reforms for the water sector.

Alongside this, we are continuing to direct investment to projects that will improve chalk streams. In 2024/2025, there are over 45 chalk stream projects receiving funding from the Government's Water Environment Improvement Fund, each leveraging private investment.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to permit the controlled release of beavers into the countryside. \p Mary Creagh: This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

Defra will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach to beaver reintroductions and management in England. Further information on this will be published in due course.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the hon. Member for Warrington North, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what proportion of employee work-time was spent working from (a) home and (b) an IPSA office location in 2023-24. \p Charlotte Nichols: IPSA does not record data on the proportion of employee work-time spent working from home versus the office. IPSA changed its policy in 2020 to recruit nationwide to ensure its employees have a local understanding of the constituencies MPs serve. It operates a flexible hybrid working policy where staff will work from home, IPSA's office, or the House, attending engagements that need a physical presence.

We measure performance based on outcomes and delivery rather than presence in the office. IPSA's performance has improved significantly since 2020, as recognised by SCIPSA.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the hon. Member for Warrington North, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether IPSA plans to implement efficiency savings to reduce operating costs to the levels of 2018-19. \p Charlotte Nichols: IPSA has a statutory duty to support MPs in their parliamentary duties efficiently and cost effectively. As a proporation of IPSA's overall funding, operating costs have remained within 5% of its total budget.

For 2018-19, IPSA's resourcing was subsequently recognised to be inadequate. The corporate plan for 2021-24 saw the introduction of IPSA's transformation programme which included resourcing IPSA effectively to address the issues MPs and their staff were experiencing.

The feedback from MPs and their staff, and the year-on-year KPI data IPSA provides to SCIPSA, is evidence of increased efficiency and effectiveness. IPSA presents its fully-costed plans, including those relating to its own operating costs, for SCIPSA's review, challenge and approval annually.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the planned timetable is for the publication of the Child Poverty Strategy; and whether an (a) interim report and (b) update will be published. \p Alison McGovern: The Taskforce is on track to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in spring this year as set out in our framework ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing Our Strategy’.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 23268 on State Retirement Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to advise people that they may be eligible for the additional pension payments. \p Torsten Bell: Those who are ordinarily resident in Great Britain on their 80th birthday and who meet the required residency conditions will receive the increase automatically without having to make a claim if their basic State Pension is less than £101.55 a week (£105.70 from April 2025). Those who are getting no State Pension at age 80 or who get Graduated Retirement Benefit only, will need to make a claim.

The Category D over 80 pension is not part of the new State Pension, but it continues to be available for people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

Information about the over 80 pension is available on Gov.uk.
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Ms Stella Creasy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many NCC1 application forms were (a) received and (b) approved in each month in 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The requested information is not readily available as it is not centrally collated and to provide this would be at disproportionate cost. Depending on the benefit being claimed, the clerical NCC1 forms are either handed into the Jobcentre Plus office, for Universal Credit, or are sent to the relevant postal address for Child Tax Credits and Income Support.

The annual statistics about the policy that provides support for a maximum of 2 children in Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit provides a range of statistics including statistics relating to the exceptions to the policy. The latest and previous publications can be found here: Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit claimants: statistics related to the policy to provide support for a maximum of 2 children, April 2024 - GOV.UK
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to encourage people with physical illnesses to work from home. \p Alison McGovern: Backed by £240m investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched on 26 November will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity and work toward the long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate.

As part of the Get Britain Working plans the Government is launching Keep Britain Working, an independent review into the role of UK employers in reducing health-related inactivity and to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces.

Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. We want people to avoid poverty, and for this to happen we must ensure that disabled people and people with health conditions have the opportunity to work and save for as long as they wish and are able to.

Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. Through the Employment Rights Bill we are taking steps to improve the Right to Request Flexible Working so that an application is only refused if it is not reasonably feasible. Flexible working can include home working.

Employers play a key role in increasing employment opportunities and supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, to thrive as part of the workforce. Our support to employers includes increasing access to Occupational Health, and the Disability Confident scheme.

We also have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she expects the Health and Safety Executive to publish its report into the loss of a crew member on the Liberian flagged drill rig jack up vessel Valaris 121 on 22 January 2023. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Health and Safety Executive Energy Division, having completed their investigation, on 20 November 2024 submitted a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Once the Procurator Fiscal has reviewed the report and due process has been followed, the factual findings around the incident will be available.
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Helena Dollimore:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much their Department spent on (a) media and (b) voice training for Ministers between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024. \p Andrew Western: For the period requested, there was NIL spend on these types of training.
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Josh MacAlister:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) her Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies offers employees who are foster carers (i) flexible working, (ii) paid time off for (A) training and (B) settling a new child into their home and (iii) other support. \p Andrew Western: All employees of DWP, including foster carers, have access to flexi time and can exercise their legal right to request other kinds of flexible working. Specific provision exists for foster carers to have paid time off for their initial assessment, training or attendance at formal meetings. Once approved as a foster carer, specific provision also exists for paid time off to deal with emergencies and for ongoing training and further formal meetings. In addition, any foster carer may apply for time off under provisions that are not restricted to foster care, such as paid compassionate leave. Other support provided for all employees is available for foster carers to use, such as professional advice and counselling from our employee assistance service.

For Arms-Length Bodies in scope there are different mechanisms in place for supporting their employees. These details are provided below:
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Maureen Burke:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the previous Government's policies on life expectancy in Glasgow North East constituency. \p Andrew Western: No assessment has been made. This would be a matter for the Scottish Government and National Records of Scotland: Life Expectancy in Scotland 2021-2023 - National Records of Scotland (NRS)
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 22034 on Candidates: Expenditure, whether such notional invoices need to provide detail on (a) how items have been split between different candidates and (b) which individual suppliers were used and at what cost. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: There is no leal requirement for an invoice for notional spending where it is reported in a candidate return. The requirement is for agents to make a declaration of the value of the notional spending. However, additional information about the nature of the spending could be included to show that the value declared accurately represents the services received and used by the campaign. This could include how the items have been split between different candidates and the costs of individual suppliers.

This information may be included with the return in a notional invoice from the party or any other organisation providing the items. If a return does not include evidence for the value of notional spending, and there is a question about its accuracy, the police, may need to seek this information through an investigation, to ensure that the amount decared is accurate.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 22034 on Candidates: Expenditure, whether the Commission has given unpublished advice on the use of notional invoices for paid-for campaigning in election expense returns in cases where multiple elections are held concurrently in the last three years. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Electoral Commission offers advice to all candidates and parties in reponse to their queries and in line with its published guidance. For notional spending, the law states that no invoice is required in a candidate return. The Commission advises that additional information about the nature of the spending could be included to show that the value declared is accurate.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the oral answer of 15 January 2025, Official Report, House of Lords, Columns 1123-1124, on Political Parties: Funding, what guidance the Commission has issued on whether (a) Russian, (b) Iranian and (c) Chinese citizens can donate to UK (i) political parties, (ii) registered third parties and (iii) regulated donees if they reside in (A) Wales and (B) Scotland. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: Qualifying foreign citizens residing in Scotland and Wales are eligible to register to vote in local government and devolved elections, and are therefore permissible donors for those elections. The Commission provides guidance to Electoral Registration Officers on the eligibility criteria. Political parties, campaigners and regulated donees are responsible to carry out checks on donations they receive to ensure they are from permissible sources, and for properly and accurately reporting them. The Commission has published guidance about who is and is not a permissable donor.

If the Commission is made aware of evidence that donations may have been misreported or have come from an impermissable source, it will consider it in line with its Enforcement Policy.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what plans the Commission has to consult on changes to electoral (a) law, (b) practice, (c) guidance and (d) policy in 2025. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Electoral Commission develops guidance in consultation with electoral administrators and parties and campaigners, to ensure it is clear and meets their needs. The Commission has upcoming statutory consultations on the new digital imprint guidance in Scotland, non-party campaigner Code of Practise in Scotland, and candidate, party, and non-party campaigner Codes in Wales. It is also planning to run a consultation on guidance around accessibility measures in elections.

Consultations on legislative changes, such as electoral law, are a matter for the Government. It is important that relevent stakeholders are properly consulted to ensure any changes are workable. The Commission is currently engaging with the UK Government on its manifesto commitments around electoral policy, and will consult on any necessary changes to its guidance arising from those legislative changes.

The Commission also develops its own policy proposals based on it experience of overseeing and regulating elections. It gathers data on experiences of voters, electoral administrators and campaigners at each election, and has regular discussions with the electoral community, governments, and other regulators on how the law could be updated or practice improved.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, on what topics the Commission has (a) open consultations (i) through the Parliamentary Parties Panel and (ii) generally and (b) consultations that are closed but not yet had a response. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Electoral Commission has no open consultations with the Parliamentary Parties Panel, and no consultations that are closed but have not yet been concluded.

The Commission hold regular discussions with the Westminster Parliamentary Parties Panel, and each of the devolved panels, on its work and guidance. It is an important forum to gather feedback and views from political parties who provide expert insight on how the law is applied in practise and their experiences at elections.
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Chris Evans:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to amend the list of protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 to include hair colour. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Government has no such plans.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Leader of the House, what guidance her Department has issued on how the policy and work of non-ministerial departments can be scrutinised by (a) oral and (b) written Parliamentary Questions. \p Lucy Powell: The Ministerial Code gives guidance to Ministers on their responsibilities. Section 1.6(a) states that “Ministers have a duty to Parliament to account, and be held to account, for the policies, decisions and actions of their departments and agencies”. It is expected that ministers from sponsoring departments can answer questions on behalf of non-ministerial departments they sponsor. This is true for both oral and written Parliamentary Questions.

Additional guidance on answering Parliamentary Questions is available to departments in the Guide to Parliamentary Work.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Leader of the House, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 18705 on Home Office: Equality, if she will hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of the time taken to respond to written parliamentary questions where there is a Freedom of Information request on the same subject. \p Lucy Powell: I have written to all Members of Cabinet to remind departments and Ministers about the importance of providing full and timely responses to parliamentary questions.

The government's position regarding the relationship between the treatment of requests for information through parliamentary questions and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is unchanged. The Guide to Parliamentary Work (available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-parliamentary-work), published by my office, states that “if information would be released under FOI, it would also be released in response to a WPQ”.

The Procedure Committee monitors departmental PQ performance and their sessional reporting continues to be an effective tool.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what support the Commissioners offered local food banks during the run up to Christmas. \p Marsha De Cordova: Church of England churches run or support 35,000 social action projects, including 60% of churches supporting 8,000 food banks with volunteers, donations, venues, or a combination of these. 12,000 churches are involved in the Trussell food bank network overall.

In July 2024, the General Synod voted by 274-1 in favour of a motion that noted the contribution to social welfare being made by churches and others in the provision of food banks, and with concern about the levels of dependence on food banks, called on His Majesty’s Government to review the adequacy of current social security provision. The debate highlighted specific examples from churches across the country in meeting the need for food and other essential goods.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to support churches in rural areas engage local communities in music. \p Marsha De Cordova: Through the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board, the National Church Institutions are supporting new musical initiatives in churches in the following ways: • Hympact! is funded in partnership with the Royal School of Church Music, the dioceses of Salisbury and St Albans, to create and publish music and resources, and develop and pilot ‘school to church pathways’. It also includes the development of faith notes for clergy and parish lay staff to use both in schools and churches to explore the theological, religious and spiritual themes of the songs, and to provide a framework within which to engage children and adults in an age-appropriate way on the road to discipleship.

• Choir Church in Blackburn Diocese, seeks to work intensively with eight parishes and schools, planting new local congregations built around children’s choirs which:

a) learn excellent music with the Gospel at the heart;b) pray and worship together as a congregation of children, parents, teachers, and the wider community;c) work for social justice using the techniques of community organising, modelling a church which is both of and for the poorest.

The Diocese Investment Programme (DIP) has also recently supported choirs and traditional church music in London and in Southwark dioceses:

In Southwark funding is supporting the establishment of a new junior choir in All Saints Church, Kingston, providing children from all backgrounds with a free first-class musical education. It will:• involve children in a regular pattern of worship and a supportive church community; • ensure the future health of the choir; • bring new families into church, providing excellent opportunities to engage with parents and siblings and encourage them with music education.

In London, the Hackney & Islington Project DIP has funded a music director to support catholic mission & renewal, and support the development of liturgical and sacramental music.

In Portsmouth the Director of Music Dr David Price and his team are working with schools and churches to transform music across the diocese. The cathedral recently welcomed hundreds of school children from Gosport, Fareham, Havant and Portsmouth to a special St Cecilia Evensong and it has partnered with churches such as St Mary’s Fratton, to support the development of a growing and confident choir of children and young people. Portsmouth Cathedral also recently played host to Gabrieli ROAR where 200 young singers from across the diocese joined Portsmouth Grammar School for highly successful choir workshops and ten performances of “A Grand Georgian Christmas”, supported by the Gabrieli Consort.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to help ensure the preservation of historic churches in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners and Archbishops' Council agreed funding of £11 million for 2023-25 in support of Buildings for Mission. £9 million was allocated to dioceses to fund 30 building support officers to give specialist advice, and there was a small works grant fund. More information about the fund can be found here: Church of England announces £9 million to help parishes with repairs and specialist advice | The Church of England The National Church Institutions has directly funded 14 grants to Anglican churches in Lincolnshire, amounting to £217,000, through its conservation grants programme and allocated Cultural Recovery Funding.

There are also a small number of other national grant-making bodies, such as the National Churches Trust, to which churches can apply for support, as well as a small number of local Lincolnshire charities that give small grants to local churches, and the Church is very grateful for their continued support.

Along with the lead bishops for church buildings, the Bishop of Bristol and Bishop of Ramsbury, I have welcomed the Government's renewal of the Listed Place of Worship Grant Scheme, which will help many listed churches in Lincolnshire reclaim the cost of VAT on church repairs. The Church Commissioners continue to advocate for the Scheme, and for it to be put on a more long-term footing. Comment on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme announcement | The Church of England

The National Church Institutions are awaiting the Government’s formal response to the 2017 Taylor Review (The Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals - GOV.UK) into the Sustainability of Church Buildings commissioned by the Department of Culture Media and Sport.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, for what purposes (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have used AI in the last 12 months. \p Jo Stevens: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.

I am keen to adopt AI across the Department and my officials are in the process of exploring options. For example, the Wales Office Human Resources and Private Office teams are looking at how ‘Microsoft Copilot’ could be used to streamline processes.
wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_266
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_266

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Safeguarding the Union command paper, published on 31 January 2024. \p Hilary Benn: The Government is committed to implementing the Windsor Framework and to taking all steps necessary to protect Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market. Commitments made in the Safeguarding the Union command paper support this objective, and the Government continues to make progress in delivering them.
wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_267
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_267

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Edinburgh City Region Deal. \p Ian Murray: The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal is an exemplar of strength in both delivery and impact, and provides the greatest return on investment of any city region or growth deal in Scotland.

The Deal has thus far delivered £2.2 billion pounds of gross value add to the Scottish and UK economy, from £600 million of Government Investment. The Deal is exceeding targets at every turn, with over 336,000 skills improvements engagements delivered through the award winning Integrated Regional Employability and Skills programme, and £200m of research funding secured for the Data Driven Innovation programme. It has also supported ongoing positive collaboration between six local authorities across the region.

I am confident this Deal will continue to build on its own successes to deliver a more prosperous region and UK.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_1

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average cost to prisoners is of the provision of television access in prison cells. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The cost per prisoner in establishments in the adult estate is 50 pence per week if the prisoner is sharing a cell, and £1 per week for prisoners in a single cell.

Children and young people in the youth secure estate are not charged for use of televisions.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_2

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether a judicial review of a Minister's actions in relation to the use of Diego Garcia would be allowed under Article 4 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025]. \p Stephen Doughty: The Treaty between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty is not capable of being a source of domestic rights or obligations save to the extent that in due course Parliament enacts provision for them.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_3

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Statement on Gibraltar on 12 June 2025, what estimate he has made of the number of UK nationals who will enter Gibraltar each year who are (a) eligible for entry to Gibraltar under Gibraltarian controls and also (b) ineligible to enter the Schengen area. \p Stephen Doughty: As today, there is no automatic right of entry to Gibraltar for non-resident British nationals. Under the agreement announced on 11 June, immigration and entry to Gibraltar will remain the responsibility of the Gibraltarian authorities. Spain, on behalf of the EU, will be responsible for granting or refusing entry to the Schengen area. The Government of Gibraltar have taken the decision to mutually recognise decisions taken by Spain to refuse entry to Schengen. As is the case today when UK nationals arrive at either a Gibraltar or a Schengen checkpoint, we expect the overwhelming majority of travellers to proceed without difficulty through the checks, which are carried out in the mutual public safety interest. British nationals who are resident in Gibraltar will not be refused entry to Gibraltar.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_4

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of time spent in Gibraltar counting towards the 90-day limit for Schengen short stays on British citizens with (a) residential, (b) family and (c) personal times to EU countries. \p Stephen Doughty: To unlock the benefits of a fluid border, everyone arriving at Gibraltar's airport will undergo dual immigration controls, allowing them to move freely into the EU if they wish to. As visitors will be free to cross into Spain without checks, time spent in Gibraltar will count towards the EU's 90 in 180 requirement. This approach reflects the unique situation in Gibraltar, ensuring a fluid border and delivering certainty for Gibraltar's people and businesses.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_5

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with international partners to (a) help tackle the (i) humanitarian and (ii) security conditions that cause displacement and to (b) strengthen refugee protection in conflict-affected regions. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office tackles forced displacement through a wide range of interventions which aim to: reduce the drivers of displacement; protect people once they are displaced; support host communities; find long term solutions; and create the conditions that allow people to return home.

This includes working closely with international partners to provide humanitarian assistance in key situations of displacement and using all the diplomatic, development and security levers available to prevent conflict and conflict-related displacement. Our work includes focusing on improving early warning systems, reforming multilateral institutions, and supporting regional mediation and peacebuilding.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_6

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of public statements from representatives of (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) Iran supporting the agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands. \p Stephen Doughty: The agreement has been backed by key allies and international partners, including the US and all of our 5 EYES allies. India, Japan and South Korea have all also made clear their support for the deal. As US Defence Secretary Hegseth said, the UK's "very important deal with Mauritius secures the operational capabilities of the base and key US national security interests in the region. We are confident the base is protected for many years ahead."
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_7

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much bilateral aid he plans to make available to Ukraine in 2025-26. \p Stephen Doughty: We are proud of our fast, flexible, and responsive support to Ukrainians living through Russia's invasion. The UK has provided £5 billion of non-military support to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. The Prime Minister has said in Parliament that we will continue to support Ukraine, including for humanitarian purposes. On 9 May, the Foreign Secretary announced almost £25 million in new funding to support local Ukrainian organisations to protect the most vulnerable who continue to suffer from Russia's ongoing aggression. This forms part of our funding for 2025-2026 - final funding allocation decisions for the current financial year are ongoing and will prioritise support for those most in need.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_8

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what medical facilities he plans to make available to Ukrainians injured in the war with Russia. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has supported medical practitioners and the provision of medical services through funding partners, such as the World Health Organization, in Ukraine. We have supported the strengthening of Ukrainian rehabilitation systems through training and capacity building of Ukrainian healthcare staff; the provision of rehabilitation equipment to facilities across Ukraine; and support on health and social policy. Last year, the UK contributed to £320,000 of funding to the Superhumans War Trauma Centre in Ukraine. The clinic provides innovative rehabilitation services to people who have been impacted by war, including training surgeons on prosthetics. In addition, the Ukraine Red Cross Society, funded by UK assistance channelled through the British Red Cross, provides specialised training at the Burns Unit in Kyiv.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_9

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterparts on the AUKUS defence pact. \p Stephen Doughty: AUKUS is a landmark partnership which enhances UK deterrence, supports UK growth, and strengthens Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. The Foreign Secretary regularly discusses AUKUS with his US counterparts. He most recently raised AUKUS with Secretary Rubio when he visited Washington DC in June. In April at the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, he and Secretary Rubio both mentioned Indo-Pacific security as a challenge our countries are working together to address, including through AUKUS. In January, the Foreign Secretary discussed the partnership in his very first call with Secretary Rubio.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_10

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58701 on USA: British Nationals Abroad, if he will make representations to his US counterpart on the potential merits of protecting the green card data of British citizens in line with GDPR standards, in the context of the work of the US Department of Government Efficiency. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary regularly discusses a range of bilateral issues with his US counterpart, and officials are regularly in touch with US authorities on consular and immigration issues which may affect British Nationals living in the US. Data collected by the US Government as part of their own processes is subject to US law, which is a sovereign matter for the US.
wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-27 conversation_11

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his expected timeline is for the ratification of the UK-EU treaty on Gibraltar. \p Stephen Doughty: All parties are committed to finalising the text of the UK-EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar as soon as possible. The final text will be brought before the House for scrutiny in the normal way pursuant to the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.