theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support estranged and care-experienced students in higher education. \p Janet Daby: The department is committed to ensuring that care experienced and estranged people can access, participate and achieve in higher education (HE).

All looked-after children must have a personal education plan, which should set out the support needed to help realise their short and long-term academic outcomes. To ensure they have a greater chance of achieving the prior attainment needed to access HE, the government provides £14 million per year of additional funding to support looked-after children up to the age of 19. This is administered by virtual school heads and can be used on attainment raising activity such as tuition, mentoring or careers advice and other activities based on the individual needs of each looked-after child.

In addition to a statutory £2,000 Care Leavers in HE bursary, all HE providers registered with the Office for Students (OfS) that intend to charge higher level tuition fees must have an Access and Participation Plan (APPs) approved by the OfS. These plans articulate how providers will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups. Care experienced and estranged students are classed as ‘at risk’ groups in the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register and providers should take account of inequalities they may experience when developing their APPs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to increase (a) the number of technical excellence colleges and (b) AI skills training to support the (i) advanced manufacturing and (ii) clean energy sectors in South Northamptonshire constituency, in the context of the skill commitments set out in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025. \p Janet Daby: Our Industrial Strategy puts skills at the heart of economic growth. This means ensuring training opportunities match growth areas like artificial intelligence (AI).

We are introducing Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) to specialise in training skilled workforces for priority sectors, starting with Construction TECs. The number and design of TECs will reflect sectors’ needs, and further information will be published in due course. The government will introduce short courses in England, funded through the Growth and Skills Levy, in areas such as digital, AI and engineering.

The Technology Adoption Review (June 2025) considered barriers to adoption of transformative technologies across the Industrial Strategy’s priority sectors. The AI Opportunities Action Plan (January 2025) considered barriers for AI take-up across the economy aligned with the Industrial Strategy. The government will take forward all 50 recommendations, including recommendations on AI Skills and Talent.

The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan (June 2025) set out government’s approach to supporting AI, including via one-stop-shops to offer expert advice for businesses around technology adoption.

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan (June 2025) establishes actions the government is taking to integrate AI into clean energy sectors, including accepting the findings of the Technology Adoption Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to improve the (a) HR and (b) strategy support provided by her Department to SMEs to help take on apprentices. \p Janet Daby: This government is continuing to cut red tape and simplify the apprenticeships system so that employers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), can focus on supporting apprentices.

The government has already introduced a range of system improvements in response to employer and learner needs, including a more streamlined and timely approach to apprenticeship assessment that is being rolled out. The department has also redesigned the digital apprenticeship service to make access to apprenticeships a one-click process. This reduces the time employers have to spend entering information and approving digital apprentice records, removing significant administrative burdens on SMEs.

The department is also improving the apprenticeships payments system to reduce the actions required by employers. From August 2025, we will allow training providers to add new apprenticeships on the apprenticeship service. Employers will still have ownership and need to approve all new apprenticeships added.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure bachelors degree courses represent value for money. \p Janet Daby: Students and the taxpayer rightly expect a good return on their significant investment in higher education (HE). However, the Student Academic Experience Survey report 2025, published this month by the Higher Education Policy Institute and Advance HE, shows that only 37% of students think they are getting ‘good’ or ‘very good’ value for money.

Value for money is also about ensuring graduates contribute to the economy and society through the skills they acquire, and we know from the September 2024 report from Skills England, ‘Driving Growth and Widening Opportunities’, that many of England’s businesses are dependent on graduate skills. Yet the latest release of the Graduate Labour Market Statistics shows that only 67.9% of working age graduates are in high skilled employment.

This government is determined to change this and to ensure that our HE system delivers value for money. Sir David Behan’s Independent Review of the Office for Students (OfS) recommended that the OfS refocus its work on four key priorities: the quality of HE, the financial sustainability of HE providers, acting in the student interest, and protecting how public money is spent. The government has accepted the Review’s recommendations and will continue to work with the OfS to hold providers to account for the quality of students’ experiences and the outcomes they achieve.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the updated school food standards will include measures to increase the intake of UK-grown (a) fruit, (b) vegetables and (c) pulses in school meals. \p Stephen Morgan: The department is engaging with stakeholders on revising the School Food Standards, to ensure they support our work to create the healthiest generation of children in history. The current Standards state one or more portions of vegetables as an accompaniment and one or more portions of fruit must be provided every day and at least three different fruits and three different vegetables each week. Schools are responsible for their school meals service and how and where they choose to buy their produce. Schools can voluntarily follow the government buying standards.

Additionally, the National Procurement Policy Statement, published in February 2025, underscores the government's commitment to increasing the procurement of food that meets higher environmental standards and upholding ethical sourcing practises across public sector contracts, which we believe our high quality British producers are well-placed to meet.

Alongside this, the department’s Food Strategy will deliver clear long-term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system, boosting food security, improving health, ensuring economic growth, and delivering environmental sustainability.

As with all aspects of the School Food Standards review, the department will consider our approaches to procurement of UK-grown produce.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to review the legal duty of care between universities and Students' Unions. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Camborne and Redruth to the answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21514.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of risk assessments for Students' Union activities. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Camborne and Redruth to the answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57705.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57348 on Universities: Freedom of Expression, what steps she plans to take in response to breaches of those regulations. \p Janet Daby: The Office for Students (OfS) published regulatory advice on 19 June 2025, providing guidance to the higher education (HE) sector on how they should fulfil their free speech duties under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 (the Act) and examples of how providers should fulfil their duties.

In addition, on 26 June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education published a policy paper on the future of the Act, setting out further details following the announcement on 15 January 2025. This paper sets in detail the duties and powers the OfS will be granted, when a legislative vehicle is secured, in order to regulate HE providers in relation to fulfilment of their free speech duties, and to put in place a complaints scheme to decide on free speech complaints from staff, external speakers and members of registered HE providers.

The OfS will be able to take regulatory action where HE providers breach their duties under the Act, including monetary penalties.

The OfS also has existing registration conditions in place requiring HE providers to uphold both freedom of speech and academic freedom as part of its management and governance conditions. The OfS’s investigation of the University of Sussex found that it was in breach of these conditions. This investigation, and the monetary penalty that the OfS subsequently issued to the university, demonstrates that the OfS can and will take robust action on free speech and similar issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has considered making relationships, sex and health education mandatory in (a) sixth form colleges and (b) other further education institutions. \p Janet Daby: Relationships and sex education (RSE) is at the core of the personal development tutorial system in post-16 settings that enables students to discuss important issues relating to their lives as active adult citizens.

As well as learning about British values, resilience, financial literacy and how to navigate the world of work, students participate in debates about respect, consent, coercive control, misogyny, domestic abuse and stereotyping, considering the impact of negative behaviours.

Ofsted’s inspection regime includes personal development. Its judgement evaluates a college’s intent to provide for the personal development of learners and the quality of the way it does this, and education in healthy relationships is one of the areas of focus.

The department has engaged an expert college leader and former Chair of the National Association of Managers of Student Services to develop a RSE toolkit to help colleges deliver high-quality, consistent lessons. This will provide delivery advice and tutorial materials, giving both sixth form college staff and general further education college staff the confidence and skills to deliver on personal development effectively, and to tackle misogyny head on. The toolkit is due to be launched in November.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of British National (Overseas) visa holder dependent school pupils who are excluded from home fee status. \p Janet Daby: The creation of a bespoke immigration route for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)), which is a pathway to settlement, reflects the unique and unprecedented circumstances in Hong Kong and the UK’s historic and moral commitment to BN(O) citizens. Subject to meeting the normal eligibility requirements, Hong Kong BN(O) status holders will be able to qualify for student finance and home fee status once they have acquired settled status in the UK. There are no plans to amend the eligibility requirements for these persons given that they are in line with those that apply to most other persons on routes to settlement.

The Student Loans Company publishes guidance about the eligibility requirements for accessing student finance.

The department has not made an estimate of the number of BN(O) visa holders or their dependents who are excluded from home fee status.
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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the contribution of (a) Bournemouth University, (b) Health Sciences University and (c) other higher education institutions in tackling skills gaps in the Dorset economy. \p Janet Daby: The Dorset Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), led by Dorset Chamber, identified specific skills needs across the following key sectors: health and social care, advanced manufacturing and engineering, defence and marine; construction; digital technology and creative; agriculture, agricultural biotechnology and aquaculture. It also identified cross-cutting skills needed by employers in all sectors of the local economy.

Higher education providers in the area are engaging in the LSIP process and responding to the area’s identified needs in a number of ways, including by establishing new provision. As set out in the recently published LSIP Progress Report, Bournemouth University is creating five new degree apprenticeships in identified skills needs in digital marketing, accounting finance management, biomedical science, social work and midwifery to begin in September 2025. The Health Sciences University is developing four new level six apprenticeships in the areas of diagnostic radiographer, occupational therapist, podiatrist and speech and language therapist.

The government wants higher education providers across the country to be fully engaged in the LSIP process and in meeting local skills needs. The updated LSIP statutory guidance, which is due for publication this autumn, will encourage designated employer representative bodies leading LSIPs to work closely with the higher education providers in their area to agree the different ways in which they can engage and support the development of the LSIP and delivery of the priorities identified within it.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish details of the Growth and Skills levy for businesses. \p Janet Daby: This government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners and support the industrial strategy.

From August 2025, the department will be introducing new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. These flexibilities will help more people learn new, high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country.

From April 2026, the department will also be introducing short courses in areas such as digital, artificial intelligence and engineering as part of the growth and skills offer.

The department will set out more detail on the growth and skills offer in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of changing the postgraduate loan repayment threshold to be in line with the National Minimum Wage. \p Janet Daby: The government keeps the student finance system under continuous review to ensure it remains fair, sustainable and delivers value for students, universities and the wider economy.

The postgraduate loans schemes were introduced to help remove the financial barrier faced by those wishing to step up to achieve a postgraduate level qualification. They are part of the long-term commitment to make the UK more globally competitive by increasing the number of those with high level skills and knowledge. As part of our ongoing work, we always consider a range of factors which can affect repayment thresholds and recognise the importance of ensuring that the system remains fair for borrowers, as well as being financially sustainable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of higher education providers on exports produced by Bournemouth. \p Janet Daby: Exports from the UK’s higher education providers have a significant economic impact on the UK and their respective regions. In 2022, total education-related exports and transnational education revenue was estimated to be £32.9 billion, with higher education contributing £23.7 billion to this figure. According to the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency data, 4,525 international students were enrolled in Bournemouth’s higher education institutions in the academic year 2023/24, directly contributing to education export revenue generated in Bournemouth through tuition fees and living expenditure.

The government is currently reviewing its international education strategy to ensure that it continues to be an effective tool in increasing the value of education exports across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure pupils are able to access high quality meals in schools in (a) Eastbourne and (b) the South East. \p Stephen Morgan: To ensure quality and nutrition in meals for the future, the department is acting quickly with experts across the sector to revise the school food standards, so every school is supported with the latest nutrition guidance.   School governors and trustees have a statutory duty to ensure compliance with these school food standards. To improve understanding of the school food standards and give governing boards confidence to hold their school leaders to account, the department, along with National Governance Association, developed an online training course on school food for governors and trustees.

Additionally, the department has announced that we are extending free school meals to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026. Giving half a million more children access to a nutritious meal during the school day will lift 100,000 out of poverty and lead to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes, meaning they get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her plan is for the next phase of free breakfast club provision in primary schools. \p Stephen Morgan: The government is committed to delivering on its pledge to provide a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged children. This will ensure every child, regardless of circumstance, has a supportive start to the school day.

From the start of the summer term, we have funded 750 schools to deliver a free breakfast club as early adopters.

We are currently working through the outcomes of the latest spending review and the departmental business planning processes. Further details will follow in due course, including the timing of national rollout and the details of funding and support for schools.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58982 on Information Commissioner's Office: Wilmslow, if he will publish the Information Commissioner’s Office's commercial analysis of the locations it considered. \p Chris Bryant: The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office with no formal role for DSIT. Any request for further information about this project, including any plans to publish their commercial analysis, should be addressed directly to the ICO.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Katie White:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking with local authorities in Leeds to support research and development across the region. \p Feryal Clark: My department is committed to unlocking innovation-led growth across UK through targeted initiatives.

UK Research and Innovation invested £236 million in West Yorkshire in 2023-24, including the University of Leeds’ £5 million “innovating medical technologies across the Yorkshire region” project. Innovate UK is partnering with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) on a Health Technologies Launchpad, funding several business-led projects in Leeds including the Hipsense project led by Eventum Orthopaedics.

We are also actively working with the region through the West Yorkshire Innovation Partnership and we have earmarked WYCA for at least £30 million from the new Local Innovation Partnership Fund.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many staff in his Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based. \p Feryal Clark: As at 2 July 2025, 7 DSIT employees, who are all UK-based, have exceptionally been given permission to work remotely outside of the UK for a limited period. The countries are: Ghana, United States of America, Italy, Belgium, Sweden and Germany. Permission was granted for various reasons, including to accompany a partner posted overseas on official government business.

International remote working is separate from and does not include employees who are conducting official business abroad. DSIT’s international remote working policy allows staff to make an application to work remotely overseas for a short period of time for a number of limited reasons. Approval of such a request is subject to the employee having the legal right to work in the country and the necessary security and other clearances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mobile phone signal in Chichester constituency. \p Chris Bryant: Ofcom’s improved online mobile coverage checker went live on 26 June, which I would encourage the Hon Member to consult.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We continue to work with industry to deliver this and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 58982 on Information Commissioner's Office: Wilmslow, what steps his Department took to find alternative office space for the Information Commissioner's Office in Wilmslow. \p Chris Bryant: The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) decision to relocate was approved by the Cabinet Office with no formal role for my department. The ICO conducted an extensive search and reviewed a range of locations, including remaining within Wilmslow.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether board appointments to the National Data Library will be included in the Public Appointments Order in Council; and whether the chair for the National Data Library will be classified as a significant appointment. \p Feryal Clark: The National Data Library remains under policy development. Any public appointments related to the National Data Library would follow due processes and be subject to the Governance Code for Public Appointments.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Defence to improve mobile signal at military sites. \p Chris Bryant: The Government wants to ensure that all areas of the UK benefit from reliable and high-quality mobile connectivity. This includes wanting those who serve, live or work at our military sites being able to access the same mobile services that others are able to. There are a number of considerations to consider, however, including access and deployment of digital infrastructure on or near key military sites. The Member may wish to attend the next Telecoms MP surgery I host, where he can set out any specific concerns.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the differences in remit are between the (a) AI Security Institute and (b) Alan Turing Institute. \p Feryal Clark:
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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for artificial Intelligence to replace the use of animals in medical research. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year. While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use, we support approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research, including via artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan in January to drive AI development and deployment. The Government co-funds seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI), two focusing on AI which will support alternative method development. Internal allocations of DSIT’s spending review settlement will determine future investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what proportion of the £22.6 billion increase to research and development funding by 2029-30 will be allocated to support the (a) development, (b) validation and (c) uptake of alternative methods to animal testing. \p Feryal Clark: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests to support research which can lead to alternatives, such as organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These are categorised as basic research, so calculating funding for alternative methods specifically is not possible. Future investment will be determined by internal allocations of DSIT’s spending review settlement announced on 11.06.25. UKRI also invests £10 million annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and is conducting a five-year review to guide future investment.

The Government will publish a strategy to support non-animal alternatives later this year.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce cross-border trade processes for small businesses. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: There are a number of different Departments and agencies with responsibility for cross-border processes. The Government’s Trade Strategy sets out how HMG will continue to work to support business, including through DBT working with industry on initiatives to improve the uptake of Electronic Trade Documents to reduce paperwork and administrative burdens for small businesses trading across borders
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 62346 on Postage Stamps, whether his Department hold copies of the (a) agenda (b) minutes and (c) papers of the Royal Mail’s stamp advisory committee. \p Justin Madders: The Stamp Advisory Committee advises Royal Mail on future stamp designs. The Postal Museum’s online catalogue lists copies of Stamp Advisory Committee minutes which are available to the public for research in line with Royal Mail’s retention policy.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that public services do not use non-disclosure agreements on whistleblowers. \p Justin Madders: There are existing legal limitations to what NDAs can be used for, and an NDA would be unenforceable if it attempted to prevent a worker from making a protected disclosure, i.e., whistleblowing.

However, we have heard calls for change and taken action. We have tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill which will further limit the use of NDAs by voiding NDAs between employers and workers that prevent a worker from speaking out about relevant harassment and discrimination in the workplace. This will give millions of workers confidence that inappropriate behaviour in the workplace will not be hidden.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the document entitled Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap, published on 1 July 2025, whether his Department plans to publish a cost-benefit analysis of the phased implementation approach outlined in that document. \p Justin Madders: My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments

This represents the best estimate for the likely impacts, given the current stage of policy development. We already intend to publish further analysis, both in the form of an Enactment Impact Assessment when the Bill secures Royal Assent and further assessments when we consult on proposed regulations, to meet our Better Regulation requirements
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 64503 on British Steel: Scunthorpe, if he will publish (a) the findings of the independent assessment and (b) a summary of the findings of the independent assessment. \p Sarah Jones: The Government does not intend to publish the findings of the independent assessment as they are commercially sensitive.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support mechanisms he is considering for the UK steel industry should the criteria for removing export tariffs on shipments to the US not be met. \p Sarah Jones: The Government’s priority remains the swift implementation of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal to enable UK businesses to export steel and aluminium to the United States without incurring Section 232 tariffs. We are engaged in active and constructive discussions with our US counterparts to this end.

The Government has also taken major action on areas crucial for the sector, including slashing electricity costs, changing procurement rules to ensure UK-made-steel is considered for all public projects and opening a Call for Evidence on future trade measures. More detailed information on support for the sector can be found in a press release published on 03 July.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to paragraph 7 of the document entitled Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap, published on 1 July 2025, what criteria his Department plans to use to determine which provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016 will be repealed (a) through secondary legislation and (b) upon Royal Assent of the Employment Rights Bill. \p Justin Madders: Clause 156 of the Employment Rights Bill sets out the clauses of the Bill, which repeal various provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016, that will be repealed two months following Royal Assent. Commencement dates for remaining clauses that repeal provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016 will be provided for in secondary legislation. The commencement dates for these clauses will be confirmed in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_53

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff in his Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based. \p Justin Madders: Standard DBT policy is that staff should not normally be allowed to work remotely overseas however the department do permit this under exceptional personal circumstances and following/preceding a period of annual leave when visiting family or friends overseas.

As of 4th July there are 16 approved applications across DBT to temporarily work overseas for a set period of time. All 16 are contractually are based in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_54

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54274 on Government Departments: Publicity, if he will publish the spending control business case and approval for the 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage campaign. \p Justin Madders: I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28th May 2025 to question 52688 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_55

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to recognise overseas professional qualifications held by British National (Overseas) migrants. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The government recognises that many British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders have valuable professional qualifications. Recognition of overseas professional qualifications is determined by independent occupational regulators, many of which accept qualifications from Hong Kong.

The government understands the recognition process can be challenging for BNO visa holders and refugees. DBT has worked with regulators to develop the Regulated Professions Register, which Hongkongers can use to access information on entry requirements and relevant regulators. DBT has also published guidance on GOV.UK to support refugees navigating the recognition process. DBT continues to work with regulators to develop further profession-specific guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_56

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of the accelerated Trade Strategy timetable on business planning. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Government published its Trade Strategy on 26 June which was positively received by business. The Government will work closely with stakeholders on the implementation of the strategy, to ensure that resources are prioritised to deliver on key commitments such as opening new export and market opportunities and strengthening our trade defence capabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_57

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of carbon reporting requirements on businesses. \p Sarah Jones: Building on a summary of responses to a Call for Evidence published in November 2024 , DESNZ has commissioned an evaluation of the SECR regulations, which we expect to publish in early 2026. DESNZ is also undertaking an internal review to assess opportunities to streamline carbon reporting requirements to reduce the administrative burden placed on businesses, supporting the Department for Business and Trade’s Non-Financial Reporting (NFR) review and cross-Government Regulation Action Plan.

The Government has committed to delivering the foundations of a world-leading sustainable finance framework to drive investment in the green transition and deliver economic growth. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has worked closely with the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury on how best to take forward transition plan and emissions reporting requirements, with recently published consultations on these topics now live.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_58

Gregor Poynton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to accelerate grid connection times for small and medium-sized enterprises and manufacturers participating in grid-balancing schemes. \p Michael Shanks: The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is implementing fundamental reforms to the connections process that will free up capacity and accelerate connections, including for small and medium-sized enterprises and manufacturers. But we recognise that further action is needed and that is why we announced plans in the Industrial Strategy to launch a Connections Accelerator Service and use new legal powers to accelerate grid connection timelines for demand projects.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_59

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 60503 on Housing: Construction, what steps he is taking to help mitigate risks associated with fluctuations in energy prices. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes the best way to protect billpayers, both households and businesses, from fluctuations in energy prices is through our mission to deliver clean power by 2030. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_60

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much has been paid in compensatory (a) constraint payments and (b) balancing payments to operators of solar power generating facilities following switch-off orders issued by the National Energy System Operator since 5 July 2024. \p Michael Shanks: The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is responsible for operating Great Britain’s electricity system, which includes managing constraints. Constraint payments are part of Balancing Use of System charges, which are the costs incurred to balance the supply and demand of the grid. NESO publishes total balancing costs here, and more detail on specific bids and offers can be found by Elexon here.

The Government is working to reduce constraints and improve energy security and resilience by accelerating the building of new electricity network infrastructure to increase capacity on the system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_61

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many heat pump installations have been directly funded by his Department outside the Boiler Upgrade Scheme since July 2024. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Outside of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, between July 2024 and March 2025 inclusive, there have been 14,218 heat pumps installed under government schemes, including 11,035 under the Energy Company Obligation, 2,097 under the Home Upgrade Grant, 1,086 under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. The statistics are available to access on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/heat-pump-deployment-statistics).

The ECO is not a government-funded grant scheme, but instead a requirement on larger energy supplier to deliver energy efficiency and heating measures to low-income households.

Heat pumps are eligible for support under the Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The schemes started delivery in April 2025 and therefore installation figures are not yet available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_62

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in his Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based. \p Michael Shanks: As at 2 July 2025, 10 DESNZ employees, who are all UK-based, have exceptionally been given permission to work remotely outside of the UK for a limited period. The countries are Thailand, Botswana, Barbados, India, Slovenia, United States of America, France, Belgium and Ireland. Permission is granted for various reasons, including to accompany a partner posted overseas on official government business.

International remote working is separate from and does not include employees who are conducting official business abroad. DESNZ’s international remote working policy allows staff to make an application to work remotely overseas for a short period of time for a number of limited reasons. Approval of such a request is subject to the employee having the legal right to work in the country and the necessary security and other clearances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_63

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support households to get value for money from their energy supplier. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government has been working with Ofgem to drive a step-change in customer service through the regulator's Consumer Confidence programme. This includes reviewing the rules around billing accuracy and complaint handling so that suppliers get it right first time.

Further, the government has been working with Ofgem to ensure that when things do go wrong, households get fairer, quicker, easier compensation. This includes looking at expanding automatic compensation to cover more key issues and at further increasing the value of base-level compensation from £40 to reflect the inconvenience for consumers when they are let down by their supplier.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_64

Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential suitability of locations in Dorset for a new Small Modular Nuclear Reactor. \p Michael Shanks: Earlier this year we published the draft of a refreshed planning framework for new nuclear, EN-7, that enables developers to identify their own sites for nuclear development, including accommodating small and advanced modular reactors. Developers are encouraged to identify potentially suitable sites and technologies using the framework as EN-7 moves towards designation.

Great British Energy - Nuclear owns sites at Wylfa (Ynys Mon/ Anglesey) and Oldbury-on-Severn (Gloucestershire), although no decisions have yet been taken on any projects to be deployed at sites. We will set out our plans in due course
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-10)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-10 conversation_65

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to respond to the consultation on Building the North Sea’s Energy Future, which closed on 30 April 2025. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ is currently analysing the responses received. We will publish a government response setting out our next steps in due course.