theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_212

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to create a single enforcement body to ensure employment rights are upheld. \p Justin Madders: Creating the Fair Work Agency (FWA) is a complex process that requires primary legislation. The Employment Rights Bill is the first phase of delivering the FWA and implementation will occur in phases following Royal Assent. We will set out more detail on this in due course.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_213

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has carried out a proportionality assessment on clause 16 of the Employment Rights Bill. \p Justin Madders: The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new day one statutory right for all employees who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The measures in the bill set a framework for the entitlement, and the details will be set out in secondary legislation.

The Government has published an Impact Assessment, which covers the impacts on businesses and workers. Due to the sensitive and personal nature of bereavement, we will be consulting stakeholders on the specifics of the entitlement to ensure that Bereavement Leave is sculpted by the needs of employees and employers.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_214

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he sought external legal advice when drafting the Employment Rights Bill. \p Justin Madders: With respect to the Employment Rights Bill, the Department has been supported by legal advice from the Government Legal Department and, where appropriate, external legal advice. Legal advice provided to the Government is privileged.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_215

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to increase statutory parental leave. \p Justin Madders: The Government is aware that the parental leave system requires improvement and action to deliver this has already begun. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights, increasing the flexibility of parental leave and helping parents to better balance work and family responsibilities.

The Government has also committed to conduct a review of the parental leave system. This will focus on ensuring that parental leave offers the best possible support to working families. Work is already underway on planning for its delivery.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_216

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish his timetable for the third Statutory Review of the Pubs Code and the Pubs Code Adjudicator. \p Justin Madders: The next statutory review of the Pubs Code and Pubs Code Adjudicator, as required by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 and associated regulations, will cover the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025. The review will commence once the current review period has ended.

The Secretary of State is required to publish a report of the findings of the review and lay a copy of the report before Parliament as soon as practicable after the end of the review period.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_217

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what purposes the Competition and Markets Authority has used artificial intelligence in the last 12 months. \p Justin Madders: Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is as 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.

Internally, the Competition and Markets Authority (the “CMA”) works with AI in two important and mutually reinforcing ways.

Firstly, the CMA carries out research into AI – including hands-on technical work – to ensure it has a strong technical understanding of frontier technologies, can assess their implications for consumers and competition, and ensure its work helps unlock the AI opportunity for the UK.

Secondly, the CMA pilots and implements uses of AI internally as part of its digital transformation, with the aims of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the CMA’s frontline work, horizon scanning, cases and investigations – as well as to transform day-to-day operational productivity.

Over the last 12 months the CMA has used AI in a range of ways to serve these purposes. This includes testing off-the-shelf AI tools for day-to-day operational productivity and cyber security, as well as developing and piloting more bespoke in-house applications of generative AI to support horizon scanning, market monitoring, and analysis on cases and investigations.

The CMA draws on a range of resources to inform its use of AI including internal and external expertise from across academia, industry, international counterparts and the wider public sector. This includes utilising resources on GOV.UK, such as the Generative AI Framework, and liaising with the Government Digital Service and the Department for Business and Trade.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_218

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to remove minimum wage age bands. \p Justin Madders: The Government is committed to ensuring that every adult worker benefits from a genuine living wage, and we will remove the discriminatory age bands for adults.

From April 2025, we are boosting the National Minimum Wage for 18–20-year-olds by 16.3% or £1.40 to £10.00 per hour, a record increase and a significant step towards our commitment.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_219

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the proposed increase in employer National Insurance contributions for financial year 2025-26. \p Justin Madders: The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs only. This funding will be allocated to departments in the usual way, in line with the approach taken under the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_220

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had recent discussions with the business community in Aberdeen on GB Energy’s long-term job creation strategy. \p Kirsty McNeill: This government’s priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives towards a future of clean energy security, lower bills, and good, skilled jobs.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is in the process of establishing GB Energy, which will drive our clean energy mission. The company will employ staff in its Headquarters in Aberdeen and in additional sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow, making the most of the local skills and expertise available across Scotland.

The North East of Scotland is at the forefront of the UK becoming a clean energy superpower by 2030, the Secretary of State and I are in contact with a range of interested parties across the private sector on GB Energy’s potential to attract investment and create thousands of jobs in Scotland and across the UK.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_221
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_221

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to encourage the Scottish Government to support Edinburgh's financial sector. \p Kirsty McNeill: Promoting economic growth is one of the Scotland Office’s priorities and I am proud of the contribution of the financial services industry to the Scottish economy, with recent figures showing it is now worth £14.8 billion in GVA while directly supporting 148,000 jobs. Edinburgh makes up a sizeable proportion of Scotland’s overall financial and related professional services industry, employing 57,290 people.

To build on this sectoral success the UK government is developing a long-overdue industrial strategy, with financial services one of the priority sectors. This will ensure that the sector in his constituency is key to attracting investment and help support businesses in Scotland and across the UK.

The Secretary of State meets monthly with the Deputy First Minister to discuss a wide range of shared economic growth priorities.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_222
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_222

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Scottish (a) energy companies and (b) supply chain businesses on the potential impact of legal and regulatory uncertainty on future investment in Scotland’s oil and gas sector. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Secretary of State and I regularly meet with Scottish energy companies, as well as the relevant business representative organisations, to discuss Scotland's oil and gas sector. We have been clear that North Sea oil and gas will continue to have a role in the UK's energy mix for decades to come.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_223
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_223

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on next steps in relation to the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw field projects. \p Kirsty McNeill: Oil and gas will be an important part of our energy mix for decades to come, but diversifying the North Sea industries is also key to protecting jobs and industries in the long-term. We have worked at pace to consult on updated environmental guidance so we can provide certainty to industry.

Scotland Office and DESNZ Ministers have been in regular contact regarding the issue and have jointly engaged with the industry on next steps.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_224
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_224

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce pensioner poverty in Bromsgrove. \p Torsten Bell: The last Labour Government lifted over one million pensioners out of poverty, and this Government – despite having to make the tough decisions to deal with our fiscal inheritance – remains committed to giving pensioners the security they deserve in retirement.

We are honouring our commitment to the Triple Lock throughout this parliament, with a 4.1% increase to the basic State Pension and the new State Pension this April. We are also increasing the standard minimum guarantee in Pension Credit by 4.1%. The full yearly rate of the new State Pension is forecast to increase by around £1,900 over the course of this parliament whilst the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension is forecast to increase by around £1,500.

The Government also offers direct financial help to low-income pensioners through Pension Credit, the Warm Home Discount and (in England & Wales) Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments.

We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit. We want to ensure as many people as possible have access to this support and urge pensioners to check their eligibility. Pension Credit will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payments in future, alongside other benefits – including help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That’s why Government is taking significant steps to raise awareness and maximise take-up.

Low-income pensioners and others struggling with the cost of living should contact their local council to see what further support may be available to them. They may be able to receive support from energy support programs or through the Household Support Fund, a scheme providing discretionary support to those most in need towards the cost of essentials, such as food, energy and water.

The Government has extended the Household Support Fund in England by a further year, (until 31 March 2026) – with funding of £742 million provided to enable this extension in England, plus additional funding for the devolved Governments to be spent at their discretion, as usual.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_225
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_225

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of deaths associated with asbestos-related diseases. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is tackling Great Britain’s asbestos legacy using a variety of regulatory interventions, including licencing of removal contractors and inspection of the management of asbestos in situ, stakeholder engagement and research activities. Collectively, this supports duty holders and other stakeholders to manage asbestos safely to avoid further exposure to risk and work towards an asbestos-free built environment, in compliance with the stringent controls on working with asbestos introduced several decades ago.

The government recognises the devastating impact on those who have asbestos related disease and their families. We know that we need to do more. As part of this, HSE inspectors consider management of asbestos at every inspection of premises where asbestos may be present, they are holding an Asbestos Research Summit in March 2025 which will bring together technical experts and stakeholders to look at our strategic research priorities for asbestos and they are developing proposals to strengthen the existing legislative framework and intend to consult on this within the next financial year. We are also actively considering recommendations made by the Work and Pensions Select Committee to bring about a long term solution to Great Britain’s asbestos legacy.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_226
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_226

John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its Arm’s Length Bodies has spent on external public relations since 5 July 2024; and which firms that funding went to. \p Andrew Western: Public relations activity is a subset of communication spend. As such, this data is not held. The Government Communication Service encourages the prioritisation of low and no cost public relations activities wherever possible.

It is recommended that all external communications support should be procured through approved government frameworks, with strict controls in place to ensure cost-effectiveness.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_227
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_227

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of PenSim3 for supporting public (a) awareness and (b) understanding of pensions. \p Torsten Bell: Pensim3 is a computerised long-term model designed to look around 80 years ahead to compare pensioner outcomes under various possible policy scenarios for a modelled British population. It is used for policy development/evaluation, aiding long-term expenditure forecasting and in analysis of future pensioner incomes. It does not simulate the actions of specific individuals, so its output is not suitable for a person planning their own pension provision.

Pensim3 is the main government source for estimating future pensioner incomes (latest publication is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/analysis-of-future-pension-incomes/analysis-of-future-pension-incomes). These statistics estimate the number and proportion of working age individuals, aged 22 to State Pension age, who are under saving for their retirement.
wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_228
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-07 conversation_228

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many staff in her Department are responsible for (a) processing and (b) responding to Freedom of Information Act requests; and if she will make an estimate of the annual cost to the public purse of this work. \p Alex Davies-Jones: A team of 22.6 full time equivalent (FTE) staff are responsible for processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests received by the Department. They do this alongside other duties including managing requests for personal data.

Responses to FOIA requests are drafted by the teams in the Department and its agencies that hold the requested information.

The Department’s annual reports and accounts include information on departmental expenditure and can be found via the following link: Ministry of Justice Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24 - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_1

Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Government to crack down on waste incinerators with stricter standards for new builds, published 30 December 2024, whether incinerators rejected at the planning stage are still able to appeal. \p Mary Creagh: Rights to appeal planning decisions are unaffected by the Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note and accompanying statement.

The accompanying statement set out that Government will only back new Energy from Waste projects that meet strict conditions. Proposals for new facilities will have to demonstrate a clearly defined domestic residual waste treatment capacity need to facilitate the diversion of residual waste away from landfill, or enable the replacement of older, less-efficient facilities. Additionally, new facilities will have to maximise efficiency and support the delivery of economic growth, net zero and the move to a circular economy.

We would expect any new local and environmental conditions to carry weight in any planning appeal.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_2

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 18950 on Planning Permission: Air Pollution, if he will place in the Library a copy of the (a) equality impact and (b) environmental principles assessments made in relation to the new interim guidance on the consideration of the Environment Act PM2.5 targets in planning decision. \p Emma Hardy: The interim guidance on the consideration of the Environment Act PM2.5 targets in planning decisions aims to provide developers and planning authorities with clarity while Defra develops substantive technical guidance. As it is interim guidance, environmental principles assessments and full equality impact assessments were not required at this stage.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_3

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 19918 on Waste: Codes of Practice, if he will publish the responses to the consultation on making the Code of Practice statutory. \p Mary Creagh: At this stage, the Government has not yet made an assessment of how it can further support local authorities to tackle litter. Any decisions or updates will be communicated in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_4

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 19922 on Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal, whether the Government has issued guidance on the issuing of fixed penalty notices for householders who leave items by the curtilage of their property to be given away and re-used. \p Mary Creagh: We are considering whether further guidance is necessary with regards to fly-tipping enforcement. Any announcements on this will be made in the usual way.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_5

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support (a) wildlife sanctuaries and (b) nature reserves in Essex. \p Mary Creagh: Essex has a total of 64 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, nine Special Protection Areas and seven National Nature Reserves, the majority of which protect the rich coastal habitats of the Essex estuaries. These include some of the country’s most important places for wildlife, particularly for large populations of over wintering wildfowl and wading birds. Working with farmers and landowners, Natural England plays an important role in ensuring these places continue to protect rare and special species. Along with many other organisations, Natural England is also working closely with Essex County Council to help create a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. This important plan will set out where we can best enhance natural habitats, which can also be enjoyed by the people of Essex.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_6

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the ban on the use of neonicotinoids on agricultural crops on (a) bee and (b) butterfly population trends. \p Emma Hardy: Three neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam – have not been authorised for general use since 2018. It has remained possible to consider short-term emergency authorisations for particular uses, and emergency authorisation for use on sugar beet was granted each year from 2021 to 2024.

This Government is committed to restoring and protecting nature, including pollinator species such as bees and butterflies. We have given a commitment to end these emergency authorisations and the next steps towards delivering that commitment were set out in a published policy statement and in a written statement to Parliament made on 6 January.

There is clear and abundant evidence that neonicotinoids are harmful to species other than those they are intended to control, and particularly to insect pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Given the complex range of threats faced by pollinators, it is not possible to quantify the benefit of turning the current restrictions on the three neonicotinoids into a complete ban.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_7

Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Proposed changes to the water company drought plan guideline, published on 16 December 2024. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency launched the consultation ‘Proposed changes to the water company drought plan guideline’ on GOV.UK on 16 December 2024, with more information available at the following link:

Proposed changes to the water company drought plan guideline - GOV.UK

As per the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the consultation document is published in HTML format to make it easier to read and to find. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform. The draft regulations which accompany the consultation are lengthy and technical in nature, and so these are published as a PDF to preserve formatting and technical content. Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the draft regulations in an accessible format by emailing xxx@xxx.xx..

Users who have queries on the consultation or require an alternative format can also contact xxx@xxx.xx.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_8

Barry Gardiner:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 17503 on Fishing Catches, what (a) criteria and (b) thresholds were applied in deciding which instances of non-compliance with the landing obligation merited enforcement through (i) verbal and (ii) written advice; and when the Marine Management Organisation expects to conclude decisions on remaining cases of non-compliance. \p Daniel Zeichner: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

In deciding how to manage instances of non-compliance, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) follows the principles of inform, educate, enforce in accordance with their published Compliance and Enforcement Strategy: Compliance and Enforcement Strategy - GOV.UK.

The threshold for evidencing non-compliance with the landing obligation is high, often requiring discarding to be observed/witnessed. Evidence can be drawn from a range of sources but must meet the required burden of proof for the sanction being applied.

The issuing of verbal or written advice depends on whether the inspection is conducted at sea or in port. Verbal advice is issued at sea in circumstances where relaying correspondence is more difficult and written advice is issued as a consequence of inspections in port.

The MMO aims to resolve straightforward investigations within 6 months. More complex cases may take longer.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_9

Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Environment Agency's budget for flood prevention and mitigation was in Leicestershire in the 2023-24 financial year. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) has spent the following in Leicestershire on flood prevention and mitigation:

Additionally, in 23/24 the EA were allocated £2.9 million revenue funding for flood prevention and mitigation in Leicestershire. This is for the EAs work on asset maintenance and repairs, and in-river maintenance such as vegetation clearance and de-silting.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_10

Satvir Kaur:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to increase the (a) number and (b) size of (i) national parks and (ii) national park cities. \p Mary Creagh: Natural England is the statutory authority responsible for designating National Parks and National Landscapes/Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England.

Natural England have undertaken early exploratory work to consider possible approaches to the designation of a new National Park in England. They currently do not have a timeline for progressing this work which is subject to on-going discussions and are not considering any additional landscape designation cases at the current time.

Natural England is not responsible for National Park Cities. The National Park City Foundation (a registered charity) is the steward of the global movement supporting cities all around the world in their aspiration of becoming National Park Cities. The Foundation has provided guidance for prospective National Park Cities including how to register local campaigns and submit applications. The Foundation states that they are on course for at least twenty five global National Park Cities by 2025.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_11

Karl Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) ensure the accessibility of allotments for members of the community and (b) support local authorities in (i) improving facilities and (ii) ensuring inclusive access; and whether he has made an assessment of trends in the level of demand for allotment spaces. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is not currently taking any such steps. Allotments policy is a matter for local Government.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_12

Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for announcing the outcome of bids submitted to the Water Restoration Fund in spring 2024. \p Emma Hardy: The Water Restoration Fund, which launched in April 2024, was established to reinvest water company environmental fines and penalties into projects to improve the water environment. Defra is continuing to work with His Majesty’s Treasury regarding continued reinvestment of the water company fines and penalties on water environment improvement.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_13

Barry Gardiner:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what percentage of his Department's total biodiversity budget was spent on supporting biodiversity in the UK Overseas Territories in 2024-05. \p Mary Creagh: UK Government biodiversity spend is across multiple organisations and this funding contributes to other objectives, such as water quality, net zero and food security. As such it is not possible to provide an exact figure of total domestic expenditure on biodiversity.

For 2024-25, the department has committed to make available up to £10 million in direct support for biodiversity in the UK Overseas Territories. Future funding will be subject to the outcomes of spending review and business planning processes.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_14

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support farm businesses to adapt to adverse weather conditions. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government inherited flood assets in their worst condition on record following years of underinvestment by the previous Government – only 92% of the Environment Agency’s 38,000 high consequence assets are currently at required condition.

To ensure we protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, we will invest £2.4 billion over 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience, by building, maintaining, and repairing flood defences. The Government also announced an additional £50 million of investment into internal drainage boards, supporting farmers and rural communities from the impacts of flooding.

The new Flood Resilience Taskforce provides oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season.

Additionally, Defra’s farming budget will be £2.4 billion in 2025/26. This will include the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history: £1.8 billion for environmental land management schemes. This funding will deliver improvements to cover a range of objectives including support to improve resilience to flooding.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_15

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute. \p Daniel Zeichner: There are no current industrial disputes ongoing within Defra or it’s arm’s length bodies.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_16

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20555 on Elections: Kent, if she will publish the letter dated 16 December 2024. \p Jim McMahon: The letter dated 16 December, which I sent to leaders of all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities, has now been published and can be found here.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_17

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 15932 on Council of the Nations and Regions, for what reason council (a) leaders and (b) mayors were not invited. \p Jim McMahon: The local government membership of the Council of the Nations and Regions is composed of the directly elected Mayors of combined authorities, combined county authorities, and the Mayor of London. New Mayors established through the English devolution process would also be eligible to sit on the Council of the Nations and Regions. The Government is committed to working productively with local government and has established the Leaders Council to bring together other local government leaders and Ministers to identify and tackle the strategic challenges facing local government.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_18

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 99 of the English Devolution White Paper, CP 1218, whether councils will be able to ban smoking in public places under the new byelaw powers. \p Jim McMahon: The government will work with councils to determine how byelaws should be made and whether byelaw making powers should be extended to Strategic Authorities, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will extend smoke-free designation to outdoor places including outside schools, children’s playgrounds and hospitals but not to outdoor hospitality settings or wider open spaces like beaches. The proposed reforms under the Bill will be subject to a full consultation, and we want to hear the views of people from across the country on this to ensure we get it right. As drafted, the Bill does not give any additional powers to local authorities.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_19

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure that the Norfolk County Council elections take place on 1 May 2025. \p Jim McMahon: As set out in my letter of 16 December to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries, I will consider requests to postpone local elections where it is clear that postponement will help the area to deliver both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeframe. I am currently considering such a request from Norfolk County Council for their election scheduled in May 2025 to be postponed for one year. I will announce my decision on this request in due course, recognising the need to give confirmation as soon as practically possible.

My letter and a list of local authorities who have made requests that involve postponing their election from 2025 to 2026 can be found here.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_20

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions on (a) construction and (b) housebuilding. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government considered the cost pressures facing all employers as part of the Spending Review process.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_21

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to integrate the regulatory requirements for private landlords of (a) the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, (b) the Decent Homes Standard, (c) the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, (d) selective licensing and (e) landlord registration. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government recognises the importance of safe, warm homes for the millions of tenants living in the private rented sector (PRS). Through the Renters’ Rights Bill we will apply a Decent Homes Standard to the PRS to give renters safer, better value homes and remove the blight of poor-quality homes in local communities. The Bill will also apply ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector, which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which PRS landlords must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will consult shortly on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The government will consider opportunities for alignment and simplification as we implement these regulations and will support landlords with comprehensive guidance.

The Renters’ Rights Bill also includes provides to introduce a PRS Database. The new database service will bring substantial benefits to landlords – providing a single source of information about their legal responsibilities and helping them showcase their compliance. It will operate alongside selective licensing to drive improvement in standards in the private rented sector. We will seek to maximise operational efficiency of the database service and Local Authority Selective Licensing schemes, including through sharing data.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_22

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether private landlords will be required to pay an ongoing fee to register with the (a) Private Rented Sector database and (b) private rented sector landlord ombudsman in addition to licensing fees payable to local authorities with selective licensing requirements. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Renters’ Rights Bill includes provisions for the Private Rented Sector Database to be funded through fees charged to private landlords when they register. The new service will bring substantial benefits to landlords – providing a single source of information about their legal responsibilities and helping them showcase their compliance. The fees charged will also support local councils to enforce against unscrupulous landlords who undercut the responsible majority.  Further details on fees will be set out in secondary legislation. We will take steps to make sure costs remain reasonable, proportionate, and sustainable.

Landlords will be required to pay for membership of the PRS Landlord Ombudsman. This is in line with practice across other sectors where there are ombudsmen already established, including for social landlords who currently pay £8.03 per unit annually. The Ombudsman will set the fee on the basis of their running costs and service provision and the government will ensure that the fee is proportionate and good value. We will seek to maximise operational efficiency of the database service and ombudsman, including through sharing of data.

The Private Rented Sector Database will operate alongside selective licensing to drive improvement in standards in the private rented sector, not as a replacement for these schemes. We will continue to review the use of selective licensing as we implement the Private Rented Sector Database. We are clear in guidance that local authorities should be mindful of any cost impacts to landlords, particularly those who are already fully compliant with their obligations.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_23

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department issues to local authorities about (a) planning, (b) licensing and (c) statutory nuisance aspects of noise complaints about (i) long-standing clocks and bells and (ii) other established uses. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that new development is appropriate for its location including the likely effects of pollution on health, living conditions and the natural environment, as well as the potential sensitivity of the site to the wider area.

Where the operation of an existing business or community facility could have a significant adverse effect on new development in its vicinity, the Framework expects the applicant to provide suitable mitigation before the development has been completed.

Planning Policy Guidance on noise advises how planning can manage potential noise impacts in new developments.

Further guidance on noise and statutory nuisance is published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Home Office.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_24

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to decolonise the (a) artwork and (b) heritage assets in (i) her Department and (ii) each of its arm's length bodies. \p Alex Norris: The Art displayed within MHCLG is part of the Government Property Art Collection. Our only heritage asset is New Burlington House, and the day to day management including decisions on cultural issues falls to the tenants who occupy the building.

As separate entities, the responsibility for creating policy and guidance for artwork sits with each individual Arm’s Length Body, rather than with the Department.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_25

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 18378 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Appointments, what assessment she made of the potential impact of changing the non-executive board members on the effectiveness of that board. \p Alex Norris: It is standard practice across government for non-executive board membership to be periodically reviewed, to ensure that the expertise and advice provided is a suitable fit for performance and delivery priorities. We have full confidence in our ongoing governance arrangements and will be announcing the remaining appointments to the Board in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_26

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which religions and faiths her Department formally recognises; and which faith days for those religions or faiths her Department formally marks. \p Alex Norris: The United Kingdom is strengthened by individuals of different faiths and of no faith, and the valuable contribution they make to our communities. The Faith Minister meets regularly with leaders and representatives of major faiths and beliefs.

A large number of religious festivals take place each year and we understand the importance of these festivals to our communities. Many of the major religious festivals are marked through receptions, ministerial attendance at events or through social media channels.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_27

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2024 to Question 20295 on Counter-terrorism, whether the principles of the written ministerial statement of 14 March 2024 on New Extremism Definition and Community Engagement Principles, HCWS342, remain her policy. \p Alex Norris: The Written Ministerial Statement of 14 March 2024 made by the previous Secretary of State reflects the position of the previous government at that time.
wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-17 conversation_28

Dr Jeevun Sandher:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Flood Recovery Framework will be activated for the flooding in Leicestershire. \p Alex Norris: My thoughts remain with householders and business owners impacted by flooding after the recent heavy rainfall, flooding is a devastating experience for all those affected.

Government support in the aftermath of flooding is only provided in exceptional circumstances and at present, overall, the scale of impacts is not sufficiently significant for the Flood Recovery Framework to be activated. However, my officials continue to review impacts data and stand ready to support as appropriate.

Activation of the Framework is not limited to flooding following named storms and, when activated, provides a range of support to business and households in eligible areas.