theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_82
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_82

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of the rate of (a) fixed-term and (b) permanent exclusions for pupils with ADHD in mainstream secondary schools; and whether her Department monitors compliance with statutory duties to consider a pupil’s disability before exclusion decisions are made. \p Stephen Morgan: Information of pupils’ primary type of special educational need broken down by suspension and permanent exclusion can be viewed via a detailed table at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/e604c2a7-ce18-4fb3-d9d8-08dd800922cb. This table includes social, emotional and mental health which encompasses a range of conditions affecting emotional regulation, behaviour, and mental health, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Schools have a legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate against pupils with a special educational need or disability. This government is clear that schools can use sanctions as a measure to improve behaviour, and in the most serious cases, exclusion may be necessary to ensure that schools are calm and safe learning environments.

The department trusts headteachers to use their professional judgement based on the individual circumstances of each case when considering excluding a pupil. All such decisions must be lawful, reasonable, and fair. The ‘Suspension and permanent exclusion’ statutory guidance is clear that, in all cases, school leaders should consider early intervention strategies to address the underlying causes or contributing factors of a pupil’s disruptive behaviour before issuing an exclusion.

This can include where a pupil has any neurodiversity or unmet additional needs.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_83
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_83

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help support the mental health of girls in schools. \p Stephen Morgan: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

This government is committed to improving mental health support for all children and young people. This is key to breaking down barriers to opportunity, helping all pupils to achieve and thrive in education.

The government will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, so every young person, regardless of their sex, has access to early support to address problems before they escalate. NHS-funded Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) continue to roll out in schools and colleges and are expected to cover at least 50% of pupils by April 2025.

The department also provides a range of guidance and practical resources for schools on promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. These include a resources hub for mental health leads, a toolkit to help choose evidence-based early support and guidance on effective whole-school approaches to pupil mental health and wellbeing. This guidance encourages schools to consider groups that are at greater risk of experiencing poor mental health when planning their approach. This might include consideration that girls in some age ranges have been shown to have higher levels of probable mental disorder than boys, or that girls may be more likely to experience certain mental health conditions.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_84
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_84

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund on children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. \p Janet Daby: The department always considers the impact of decisions on vulnerable children, including those with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The level of funding per child in 2025/26 will allow adoptive and kinship families to access a significant package of therapeutic support. Where needed, local authorities and Regional Adoption Agencies can use their own funding to increase the amount of therapy.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_85
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_85

David Williams:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the current Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund fair access limit on the mental health outcomes of (a) adopted children and (b) children living with a special guardianship. \p Janet Daby: The department always considers the impact of decisions on vulnerable children. The level of funding per child in 2025/26 will still allow adoptive and kinship families to access a significant package of therapeutic support. Where needed, local authorities and regional adoption agencies can use their own funding to increase the amount of therapy.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_86
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_86

Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to increase access to adult education on media literacy. \p Janet Daby: The adult skills fund (ASF) fully funds or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, including media literacy education.

Currently, approximately 62% of the ASF is devolved to 9 mayoral strategic authorities and the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the ASF to learning providers to best meet their local needs. The department is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas. In non-devolved areas, adults who earn less than £25,000 in annual gross salary are eligible for full funding, but it is the responsibility of providers to decide what training to offer.

More broadly, civil society and community organisations are instrumental in delivering media literacy programmes to adults, leveraging their expertise to support diverse and vulnerable groups.

The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps toward delivering digital inclusion and media literacy for everyone in the UK, including supporting local and community initiatives to increase digital participation.

Under updated media literacy duties, Ofcom is developing a ‘place-based’ model to embed media literacy into community digital strategies, working with the Good Things Foundation to support Digital Inclusion Hubs.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_87
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_87

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Carer's Trust press release entitled Carers Trust launches landmark young carers covenant to transform the lives of over one million children, published on 13 March 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of requiring (a) schools and (b) colleges to have a (i) young carers lead and (ii) policy to improve educational opportunities for young carers. \p Janet Daby: The government is committed to helping all young people, including young carers, thrive in education. We continue to work closely across government to strengthen the visibility and support of young carers both at home and in educational settings.

Young carers as a specific group were added to the school census in the 2022/23 academic year, allowing schools to identify their students who are providing care for the first time. The census data is creating a new evidence base on the educational outcomes of young carers across England, shining a light on how many young carers are in our schools and the impact that caring can have on their education.

The government recognises the importance of encouraging schools and local authorities to work closely with young carers and their families to identify their needs and provide tailored support, ensuring they do not miss out on vital educational opportunities.

The statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and an alertness to, the needs of young carers.

The Children’s Social Care National Framework provides clarity on the outcomes that leaders and practitioners should achieve when supporting children, young people, and families, including young carers. The framework emphasises the importance of multi-agency collaboration, which includes schools as key partners in supporting the wellbeing and educational outcomes of children, particularly those involved with social care services and young carers. This includes drawing on the expertise of virtual school heads, designated safeguarding leads and designated teachers.

Since 2021 virtual school heads have had a non-statutory, strategic duty to promote the educational outcomes of all children with a social worker, including young carers whose families receive, or have received, social services support, enabling earlier intervention to address the educational barriers these children can face. The department is now making this role statutory through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which will enable local authorities to prioritise these children’s educational outcomes, ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed in education.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_88
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_88

David Williams:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evidence base was used to inform the new per-child funding allocation of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. \p Janet Daby: Changes to the Fair Access Limit have been made to ensure that the maximum number of children can benefit from the fund, on the basis of forecast demand. The level of funding per child in 2025/26 will still allow adoptive and kinship families to access a significant package of therapeutic support. Where needed, and as before, local authorities and Regional Adoption Agencies can use their own funding to increase the amount of therapy.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_89
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_89

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Department for Health and Social Care on (a) medical student finance and (b) the adequacy of total financial support during NHS Bursary funded years of study. \p Janet Daby: The department works closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) on a wide range of matters to ensure the education system is supporting healthcare students, including student funding.

The government needs to ensure that the student funding system is financially sustainable, and funding arrangements are reviewed each year. We will continue to engage with DHSC to consider the financial support that medical students receive.

Students attending the fifth and sixth years of undergraduate medical courses and years 2 to 4 of graduate entry medical courses qualify for NHS bursaries. The government has announced an increase to all NHS bursary maintenance grants and allowances for the 2025/26 academic year by forecast inflation, 3.1%, based on the Retail Price Index Excluding Mortgage Interest (RPIX) inflation index.

Medical students qualifying for NHS bursary support also qualify for non-means tested loans for living costs from the department. The government has announced that maximum loans for living costs for the 2025/26 academic year, including reduced rate non-means tested loans for students undertaking NHS bursary years, will also increase by 3.1%.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_90
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_90

Bob Blackman:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Propriety and Ethics Team has (a) carried out investigations into and (b) provided the Prime Minister with advice on (i) allegations of and (ii) the alleged involvement of Ministers in corruption in Bangladesh in the last 12 months. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Following a self-referral by the former Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the Hon Member for Hampstead and Highgate, the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards undertook a fact-finding process relating to recent media allegations about the former minister. Advice from the Independent Adviser was provided to the Prime Minister and published on gov.uk on 14 January 2025.

As has been the case under successive administrations, it is a long-standing principle that Civil Service advice is given and treated in confidence. This includes detailing whether or not advice has been given and by whom.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_91
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_91

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he considered flying the NATO flag from 10 Downing Street on 4 April 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: NATO is the cornerstone of our defence, and the UK plays a leading role, having contributed to every NATO mission. To mark NATO Day, the NATO Flag was flown above the FCDO and above the MoD Main Building on 4th April 2025. The Union Flag and Ukrainian flag are flown in Downing Street as default.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_92
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_92

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will provide a manual to each household on safety measures in the event of (a) military and (b) natural dangers. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Updated advice for the general public on how to prepare for emergencies is published on GOV.UK. GOV.UK/Prepare provides simple and effective steps that individuals, households and communities can take to be more prepared for a range of risks.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_93
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_93

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the European Union on fishing rights. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: We are discussing a range of issues with the EU and I met my counterpart Maroš Šefčovič in London last week (29 April). We will not give a running commentary on those discussions. We remain committed to protecting the interests of our fishers and meeting our commitments on marine protection.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_94
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_94

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has issued guidance on the (a) use of evidence and (b) status of the findings of (i) non-statutory and (ii) statutory inquiries into failures by public institutions. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Cabinet Office provides advice and guidance to Ministers and officials on statutory and non statutory public inquiries.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_95

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to stop public bodies imposing equality, diversity and inclusion requirements on private sector companies which are not otherwise directly required by primary legislation. \p Dame Nia Griffith: The Public Sector Equality Duty (the PSED) requires organisations in scope to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people.

The scope of the PSED is set out in the Equality Act 2010 (the Act). It extends to all public authorities listed in Schedule 19 of the Act and all parties carrying out public functions. This includes private sector and voluntary organisations when carrying out public functions.

The Government expects regulating public authorities to ensure organisations comply with their legal requirements. It is not the role of regulators to intervene where legal requirements do not apply.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_96
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_96

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2024 to Question 12079 on Civil Service: Surveys, if he will publish the September to October 2024 People Survey data for staff in 10 Downing Street. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office will not be publishing 2024 People Survey data for staff in 10 Downing Street. This data has been withheld in previous years and this has been approved by successive Ministers responsible for transparency since 2013.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_97
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_97

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress she has made through (a) the G7, (b) the G20 and (c) other international forums on developing global standards for crypto and digital asset regulation. \p Emma Reynolds: On 29 April, HM Treasury published draft legislation for the future financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets. The Government intends to bring forward final legislation before the end of the year.

In developing the regime, the Government has sought to strike the right balance between attracting business to the UK while facilitating the UK’s access to global markets (and vice versa).

The UK – through representation from HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – has played an active role in the Financial Stability Board’s (FSB) workstreams on cryptoassets and will continue to engage with the FSB’s future cryptoasset workstreams.

The Government remains committed to working closely with international partners, and through global fora, on our response to developments in the cryptoasset sector as they emerge.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_98
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_98

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that regulation of the (a) crypto and (b) digital asset sector helps to (i) protect consumers and (ii) foster innovation in the sector. \p Emma Reynolds: On 29 April, HM Treasury published draft legislation for the future financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets. The Government intends to bring forward final legislation before the end of the year.

The Government’s approach seeks to strike the right balance between protecting consumers and giving firms regulatory certainty, while ensuring the sector has the space and flexibility to innovate.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_99
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_99

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41839 on Ukraine: Overseas Loans, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the loan to Ukraine. \p Darren Jones: The Government is providing £2.26bn as part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans to Ukraine scheme. This will be repaid using profits from immobilised Russian sovereign assets in the EU.

The G7 has assessed and agreed that the ERA can support $50bn of support to Ukraine – the entirety of which has been pledged. Any amendment to the ERA scheme would need to be agreed by the G7.

The UK has committed £15bn in support to Ukraine to date, including £10bn in military support (including our £2.26 billion ERA Loan contribution) and £5bn in non-military support.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_100

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 31991 on Public Expenditure, what definition her Department uses of (a) a saving and (b) efficiency for the purpose of the 5% target; and whether cancelling programme spend is classified as a saving. \p Darren Jones: The Government uses the Government Efficiency Framework to distinguish between efficiencies and savings.

The cancellation of a programme would classify as a saving.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_101
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_101

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Office for Value for Money has made an assessment of the use of non-scheduled flights for foreign travel. \p Darren Jones: The Office for Value for Money has an immediate focus on supporting value for money decisions surrounding the spending review, including developing efficiency targets and plans, scrutinising investment proposals and conducting VfM studies. It will also recommend system reforms. Non-scheduled flights for foreign travel do not currently fall within the remit of the OVfM.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_102

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32970 on Government Departments: Consultants, if she will list the outturn figures for the spending on consultancy in each of the financial years from 2017-18 to 2022-23. \p Darren Jones: Outturn figures for consultancy spending from the government’s Online System for Central Accounting and Reporting II (OSCAR II) are contained within datasets that are published as part of the OSCAR Annual Release.

For financial years 2019-20 to 2022-23, these can be accessed via the November 2024 OSCAR annual release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oscar-ii-publishing-raw-data-from-the-database

For financial year 2018-19, these can be accessed via the November 2023 OSCAR annual release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oscar-ii-publishing-raw-data-from-the-database

For financial year 2017-18, these can be accessed via the November 2021 OSCAR annual release here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oscar-annual-release-november-2021

In compiling the baseline referenced in Question 32970, the estimate was calculated to exclude consultancy spending in previous years by the Devolved Governments, as they are responsible for their own consultancy budgets. Spending data is taken from the chart of accounts name “EXP – PURCHASE OF GOODS/SERVICES – CONSULTANCY”.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_103

Gareth Snell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on (a) public and (b) school library funding. \p Darren Jones: In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

Local government is responsible for running or commissioning public library services. The Government has delivered a Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) that begins to fix the foundations of local government by providing significant investment and redirecting funding towards the services and places that need it most. The Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

The Government provides funding to schools and academies through the Dedicated Schools Grant. Schools and academies are best placed to make decisions on how to prioritise this funding, including on school library provision.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_104

Steve Darling:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to include sustainable funding for domestic abuse perpetrator intervention programmes in the Comprehensive Spending Review. \p Darren Jones: The Home Office is the lead department responsible for domestic abuse funding. The allocation of funding across departmental budgetary responsibilities will be confirmed through the upcoming Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_105

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Mitie is eligible for additional funding through Government contracts for the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions. \p Darren Jones: Allocation of employers’ National Insurance contributions support funding is administrated in line with the method used under the Health and Social Care levy.

This funding has been allocated to departments, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way. It is down to individual departments on how to use that support funding in mitigating their increased employers’ National Insurance contributions costs.

The Government plans to publish individual departments’ allocations as part of Mains estimates.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_106

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the expected return on investment for investments in the National Wealth Fund. \p James Murray: The National Wealth Fund will seek to make positive returns for the Exchequer across its whole portfolio, covering at least the government’s cost of borrowing and institutional overheads, in line with its Financial Framework.

This will take time to achieve and should be balanced with the National Wealth Fund’s increased risk appetite.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_107

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure continual engagement with the crypto and digital asset industry. \p Emma Reynolds: HM Treasury engages regularly with a range of stakeholders in the crypto and digital asset sectors, and the progress Government has made on developing a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets has been made possible by this constructive, ongoing engagement with industry.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_108

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of (a) trends in the level of financial literacy in the UK and (b) the potential impact of improving young people's financial literacy on economic growth. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government is committed to ensuring that individuals have the financial capability to manage their money well. While the Government does not hold specific data quantifying the economic benefits of this, we recognise the importance of financial literacy in people’s economic participation and have taken a number of steps to promote this, including among young people.

Financial education is currently incorporated into the national curriculum in England through mathematics at key stages 1 to 4 and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4, which together cover personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt and calculating interest. The Government has established an independent, expert-led Curriculum and Assessment Review to ensure it is fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people.

In addition, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is supported by the Government to provide comprehensive guidance for each stage of consumers’ financial lives. It’s MoneyHelper website offers a range of tools and calculators to help consumers with issues around benefits, everyday money, family and care, home finance, money troubles, pensions and retirement, savings and work (https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/tools-and-calculators).

The Government recognises that there is still more that can be done to further improve financial literacy. That is why Financial Education and Capability has been made an area of focus within the Financial Inclusion Strategy. The strategy will aim to tackle barriers to individual and households’ ability to access affordable and appropriate financial products and services, including financial literacy.

The Financial Conduct Authority’s nationally representative Financial Lives Survey gathers insights into the financial behaviour, attitudes and experiences of adults aged 18 and over across the UK. The survey covers a wide range of topics, including financial capability.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_109

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her polices of recent trends in levels of capital provision by US venture capital firms in (a) UK and (b) other markets. \p Emma Reynolds: Venture capital (VC) investment from around the world is important to the UK economy, and US investors continue to play a significant role. In Q1 2025, UK innovation businesses raised over £3bn – this is an 8% increase on the same period last year and the highest Q1 total since 2022. The UK ranks third globally for VC investment and has raised more than France, Germany, and Spain combined so far this year.

The Government is taking action to continue attracting international VC investment, including from the US, through the investor relationship work of the Office for Investment and by partnering with industry on international capital roadshows. We are also reviewing how to accelerate the growth of the UK’s domestic VC ecosystem through the public finance institution landscape review.

In addition, the Government recognises the value in growing the UK’s domestic VC investment market and it is taking steps to support this, including through the British Growth Partnership (BGP). This is a commercially driven investment vehicle designed to attract UK pension fund and other institutional capital into venture capital funds and innovative businesses. Last September, the Chancellor also announced an extension of the UK’s generous venture capital tax reliefs, the Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Venture Capital Trust scheme which - alongside the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme - offer generous tax reliefs in return for investing in UK business.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_110

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the amount of overseas remittances by (a) nationality and (b) country of receipt in each of the last 10 years. \p Emma Reynolds: The Treasury does not collect or report data on the flow of remittances out of the UK. However, the World Bank publishes data annually on remittances through formal banking systems. Further information can be found on the World Bank’s website: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/migration/brief/remittances-knomad
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_111

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to bring forward regulations to ensure that crypto and digital asset businesses can open a UK bank account. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government recognises that access to banking services is critical for operating a business, and is a matter of concern for certain sectors in particular such as the digital asset industry.

The Government continues to engage with the banking sector and affected industries to better understand the existing and emerging issues in this area.

The Government also welcomes the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) work to date on the factors leading banks to reject or close bank accounts. Where the FCA has found areas where firms need to improve customer outcomes, the Government expects firms to consider the FCA’s findings and act accordingly.

With regard to account closures, the Government expects businesses to be treated fairly, and has brought forward legislation to enhance relevant protections in cases where consumers and businesses have their bank account terminated by their provider.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_112

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) crypto and (b) digital asset firms have been granted licences to operate by the Financial Conduct Authority; and how many and what proportion of applications were rejected in the last three years. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government launched an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime for cryptoassets in January 2020. This means UK cryptoasset exchange providers and custodian wallet providers are now in scope of the UK’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations (MLRs) and must register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Applications for registration are considered on a case-by-case basis. The length of time taken is a matter for the FCA and depends on the individual circumstances of the firm. To date, 51 cryptoasset firms have been registered with the FCA under the MLRs and there are 48 firms with current registration.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_113

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of changes in the cost of (a) electricity, (b) goods and (c) services arising from (i) direct and (ii) indirect support to renewable energy on VAT receipts in each year since 2002. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to tackling climate change. The Climate Change Act (2008) made the UK the first country to introduce a legally binding, long-term emissions reduction target. Since then, the UK has halved its emissions, having cut them by around 53% between 1990 and 2023.

The Government has announced a national mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerate our journey to net zero.

As the Government's official independent forecaster, it is for the OBR to consider and report on the fiscal and economic impacts of Government policy decisions made by the Government.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_114

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the cost of the Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin scheme in each year since 2003. \p Michael Shanks: REGO certificates are issued by Ofgem to eligible generators for free, and certificates are then purchased by electricity suppliers to surrender in the Fuel Mix Disclosure process. This has generated a market for the sale and purchase of certificates.

The price of REGOs fluctuates, though credible external estimates suggest that the latest spot market price is around £7 a certificate. Ofgem reports 130 million certificates are issued per year, giving an overall market value of around £910m annually.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_115

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of Distribution Use of System charges that were the result of connecting renewable energy generation assets in each year since 2002. \p Michael Shanks: The Government does not hold this information. Distribution Use of System (DUoS) charges are paid for by electricity suppliers and distribution connected generators

and passed onto consumers through electricity bills. Each Distribution Network Operator (DNO) publishes charging statements every year, which are publicly available on their websites. The system is experiencing rising DUoS charges, due partly to the costs of upgrading the network to connect renewable generation and storage. However, the Government does not hold estimates apportioning overall distribution network costs to these generation sources specifically.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_116

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of Transmission Network Use of System charges that were caused by the (a) expansion and (b) reinforcement required for renewable energy in each year since 2002. \p Michael Shanks: The Government does not hold this information. Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges recover the cost of installing and maintaining the high-voltage transmission network, which are paid for by electricity suppliers and transmission-connected generators and administered by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The charges reflect the costs imposed on the network by generators and demand in different locations. NESO publishes annual TNUoS charges here: https://www.neso.energy/industry-information/charging/tnuos-charges#TNUOS-tariffs-and-notifications-of-changes.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_117

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of Balancing Services Use of System charges that were caused by the management of renewable energy generation assets in each year since 2002. \p Michael Shanks: Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) charges are administered by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The variable nature of renewable and low carbon intermittent sources of generation can require NESO to undertake additional grid balancing actions. The Government does not hold data apportioning overall balancing costs to these generation sources specifically. NESO publishes BSUoS charges here: Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) charges | National Energy System Operator
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_118

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many people are employed by GB Energy; and how many full-time equivalent roles are filled at GB Energy. \p Michael Shanks: To ensure Great British Energy can begin delivering quickly once the Parliamentary process has been completed, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has taken steps to assign resource including the appointment of Juergen Maier to the role of start-up chair for Great British Energy, Dan McGrail as interim CEO, and five start-up non-executive directors. Additional DESNZ resource has been assigned to Great British Energy, focusing on a small number of essential roles.

Once Great British Energy is formally established by the Bill, work will begin to fully resource Great British Energy.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_119

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) Rosebank and (b) Jackdaw oil and gas fields not receiving consent to proceed on (i) the economy, (ii) tax revenue and (iii) employment. \p Michael Shanks: Neither the Secretary of State nor I will be commenting on the specifics of individual projects to avoid potentially prejudicing any future regulatory decisions the Secretary of State is required to make in relation to these projects. We remain committed to having the supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment guidance in place as soon as possible. Once it is published, assessments of environmental statements can resume.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_120

Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that increased charges by utility providers are put towards maintaining (a) clean and (b) safe infrastructure for consumer services. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem review the price cap level every three months and ensure that it reflects wholesale prices as well as other costs incurred by suppliers. This includes network costs, for example the building, fixing and repair of pipes and wires to transport energy.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_121

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the proportion of UK North Sea (a) oil and (b) gas which would be produced by the (i) Rosebank and (ii) Jackdaw field. \p Michael Shanks: Neither the Secretary of State nor I will be commenting on the specifics of individual projects to avoid potentially prejudicing any future regulatory decisions the Secretary of State is required to make in relation to these projects. We remain committed to having the supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment guidance in place as soon as possible. Once it is published, assessments of environmental statements can resume.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_122

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of banning the advertising of (a) sports utility vehicles, (b) flights and (c) other high carbon products on levels of carbon emissions. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government is committed to reducing emissions from road transport, aviation and high carbon products in support of our national missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower. This includes overhauling public transport services to make sustainable choices more convenient for more transport users, turbocharging the rollout of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and making the UK a world-leader in the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels. The government will set out further detail on its plans for reducing emissions from all sectors later this year.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media (print, radio, TV) and online. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sister organisations to the ASA, are responsible for codifying the standards for advertising to the marketing industry as part of their UK Broadcast Advertising Code (‘BCAP Code’) and UK Non-Broadcast Advertising Code (‘CAP Code’), which include standards regarding environmental claims. The government is not involved in these codes, nor in the investigations and enforcement delivered by the ASA.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_123

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of the smart export guarantee on annual costs to consumers in each year since 2020. \p Michael Shanks: The Smart Export Guarantee is a market-driven mechanism that captures the value of small-scale exported electricity and helps meet net zero commitments at the lowest net cost to consumers and businesses.

This means that SEG tariffs are set by energy suppliers and the SEG is not expected to lead to a direct cost on consumer bills.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_124

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of Behind the Metre energy systems for energy-intensive industries. \p Michael Shanks: There are increasingly greater opportunities for energy-intensive industries to make use of behind-the-meter energy systems. Demand flexibility, often in tandem with on-site generation and energy storage, enables industrial consumers to be financially rewarded for shifting their energy consumption to periods where energy is cheap, green and abundant, without compromising their commercial functions.

The Department is continuing to build its evidence base on how demand flexibility, on-site generation and energy storage can be deployed to support our mission to deliver Clean Power by 2030 and beyond. This includes improving visibility of the complex challenges and barriers faced by energy-intensive industries to participating in and benefiting from demand flexibility.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_125

Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to take steps to allow consumers to challenge the charges of a privately owned utility when no other utility services operate in their area. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Energy suppliers are bound by a universal service obligation under standard condition 22 of the gas and electricity Standard Licence Conditions. This means they are required to offer terms to any domestic consumer who asks, ensuring consumers have access to energy.

For customers on a domestic contract, the mechanism for ensuring fair pricing is Ofgem’s Price Cap, which allows suppliers to recoup genuine costs with a small allowance for profits.

For domestic customers who receive energy via non-domestic contracts, there is legislation which sets a maximum price that can be charged for electricity and gas which has already been bought from a licensed supplier.
wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-02 conversation_126

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to help support the adoption of smart technologies in environmental (a) data collection and (b) monitoring involved in the (i) construction and (ii) development of offshore wind infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: The Clean Power Action Plan (CPAP) committed to delivering clean power by 2030 whilst enabling nature recovery. A key action in the CPAP is to consider options for harmonising the offshore wind environmental data and modelling used for assessing environmental impacts of offshore wind projects. The use of new and innovative smart technologies will be key in collecting, monitoring, analysing and harmonising environmental data for offshore wind development and the Government has partnerships in place to facilitate development of these technologies.