theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to take steps to improve the regulation of electrically assisted pedal cycles to (a) assist police with enforcement and (b) clarify the law for the public. \p Simon Lightwood: There are no immediate plans to amend the regulations on electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs). The previous administration consulted on potential changes to regulations, including increasing the maximum power of an EAPC from 250 to 500 Watts, but the Government has decided against this.

More broadly, the Government’s White Paper on English Devolution, published in December 2024, included proposals for greater powers for Local Transport Authorities to manage EAPC rental schemes and to tackle the scourge of badly parked cycles and e-cycles.

In addition, the Government will be bringing forward new legislation to enable the police to take vehicles, including EAPCs, off the road more quickly where they are being ridden in an anti-social manner, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing them.

Finally, the Department published updated information for the public in December 2024 on the legal use of EAPCs, which is available on gov.uk. It is for the police to take enforcement action where these rules are not followed.
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Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to ensure more women take up leadership positions across the transport sector. \p Mike Kane: We are working across the transport sector to ensure that women are represented within all levels of the transport system.

Specifically on leadership positions, we are supporters of the 'women in aviation and aerospace charter’, a commitment for organisations to support the progression of women into senior roles in the aviation and aerospace sectors by focusing on roles in the executive pipeline and the mid-tier level.

We also work closely with modal partners such as Women In Rail, Women in Bus and Coach and the Women In Maritime on programmes to support women in their careers.
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce rail fares. \p Simon Lightwood: We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying it. While it is our ambition, through public ownership, to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

This year's 4.6 per cent increase will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government's long-term plan to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14712, on Honours: Public Appointments, at what stage was each of the honours competitions when they were closed and then re-opened; and whether there had there been (a) interviews and (b) shortlists of individual applicants. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: PQ 14712 relates to three Honours Committee campaigns which were launched and closed in the summer of 2024: (i) Community and Voluntary Service (ii), Parliamentary and Political Service, and (iii) Diversity and Outreach (formerly called Representation and Outreach).

For all three campaigns no applicants were shortlisted nor did any interviews take place before the campaigns were relaunched
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the number of small businesses in Mid Leicestershire constituency in (a) July 2024 and (b) February 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th February is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 110.8KB)
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 25863 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, whether (a) the Prime Minister or (b) other senior Ministers will have access to the helicopter transport under the new Ministerial Air Transport Office managed Commercial Air Transport Contract. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Under the Commercial Air Transport Contract, CTM provides a service to source various Air Charter solutions when required. The Prime Minister and other senior ministers have access to this contract when required.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Answer of 23 September 2024 Question 5009 on Government Departments: Disclosure of Information, whether his Department's transparency team undertakes monitoring of government departments which (a) do and (b) do not, meet the publication requirements outlined in the then Prime Minister's letter entitled Government transparency and open data, published on 14 December 2017. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: It is the responsibility of government departments to ensure they meet the requirements to publish their transparency data.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many (a) headcount and (b) full time equivalent trade union representatives in his Department receive trade union facility time; what proportion of their working hours are spent on facility time on average; what the potential cost to the public purse is of facility time; and whether he has had discussions with unions on potential changes to these arrangements. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The latest data we have relates to the financial year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, and is published on GOV.UK. The data can be downloaded from https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/public-sector-trade-union-facility-time-data
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2024 to Question 9160 on Nuclear Power Stations: Construction, whether Hinkley Point C will be classified by the ONS as a public sector or private sector programme for the purposes of Government's (a) public sector borrowing requirements and (b) debt projections. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th February is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 129.9KB)
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference the guidance entitled Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality: Publication Guidance, published on 30 January 2025, whether hospitality from senior media executives, provided in a political or social context, must be declared through Ministerial returns. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The guidance on the publication of Ministers’ Gifts and Hospitality states that ministers should declare details of all hospitality received “in a ministerial capacity”. Hospitality received in a political or social context is not generally considered to be ministerial business and therefore does not need to be declared on the hospitality register.

However, the guidance further states that, in the course of any exempted hospitality (such as hospitality provided in a social context), “if…a minister entered into substantive discussions with a senior media figure, this should be considered under the guidance for meetings”. The guidance for meetings is available on GOV.uk at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23486 on Cabinet Office: Staff, whether the New Media Unit has been established; and what it's terms of reference are. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The New Media Unit has been established. Under the terms of reference, the unit’s purpose is to reach citizens directly with important government information via digital channels.

This communication channel will help to reach audiences where they are most active and ensure they are informed.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made changes to the write-round process for policy clearance since 5 July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: As has been the practice of successive administrations, in order to maintain the safe space for collective decisions on policy issues, we do not disclose publicly specific details about collective decision-making processes.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Prime Minister will make an assessment of the potential merits of inviting the Minister for Housing and Planning to Cabinet. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has responsibility for housing and planning policy in Cabinet.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25454 on 9 Downing Street: Media, if he will place a copy of the OCS invoice in the Library of the House. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The cost of these works will be published in due course in Cabinet Office transparency returns.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14946 on Government Departments: Communication and Consultants, whether his Department holds data on programmes included within the £85 million savings within the Government Communications Service. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer provided to Question 25685 on 30 January 2025.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 December 2024 to Question 20750, on Public Sector: Procurement, if he will publish (a) a list each stakeholder that was consulted, (b) the dates of the roundtable discussions including which organisations attended and (c) the online NPPS stakeholder survey; and whether there will wider public consultation. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Details of ministers’ meetings with external organisations are published on a quarterly basis at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency-publications. The NPPS survey was available on gov.uk and received 436 responses including 114 from businesses and/or public sector suppliers, of which 56 identified as SME or VCSE organisations. A further 11 responses were received from Trade Associations representing the views of their wider business membership.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22196, on Senior Civil Service: Recruitment, for what reasons can these individuals not be identified. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), we are prohibited from providing information about individuals, or which can be used to identify individuals, to third parties without their express permission. By providing job titles, this could lead to individuals being identifiable. While the details regarding some Senior Civil Service appointment processes are made public, many are not.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 16 of the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025, published on 24 February 2022, what progress the Government has made on delivering the additional 50 Enterprise Advisers. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The action in the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025 to deliver an additional 50 Enterprise Advisors has been met.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his department has made of the level of population growth in the Mid Leicestershire constituency over the next five years. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the hon. Member’s Parliamentary Question of 11th February is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 141.0KB)
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what purposes the Government Property Agency has used artificial intelligence in the last 12 months. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.

The Redbox AI service provided by Cabinet Office is the primary service the GPA has used over the last few months.The Government Property Agency has used artificial intelligence primarily to summarise content such as policy documents and meetings.

Subject to Spending Review (SR), the GPA plans to explore how AI can be used to create efficiencies and improvements in how property is managed, such as validation of building design specifications, preventive maintenance, optimising building use and improving energy efficiency.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support (a) trade unions and (b) workers' rights through foreign policy. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Government is committed to working closely with international trade unions through its foreign policy. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for human rights will soon meet the heads of global union federations to discuss international labour issues. We work actively through the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to promote decent work and workers' rights, including raising workers' rights issues with the ILO supervisory system. The Government acts globally to prevent forced labour in supply chains, including, for example, by supporting reform of labour migration policies in South East Asia to ensure fair treatment of migrant workers. In addition, As Minister for Development, I met with trade union representatives in Addis Ababa who were part of the ‘Taqaddum’ platform for civil society, as part of her work on the Sudan conflict and its humanitarian consequences.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will review the Government's funding to UNRWA. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK has committed £41 million for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) this financial year to support the humanitarian response in Gaza and deliver essential services to Palestine refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and the region. The E3 statement of 31 January sets out the UK's position, alongside France and Germany. We continue to urge the Government of Israel to work with international partners, including the UN, to ensure continuity of operations in the OPTs. No other entity currently has the capacity or infrastructure to replace UNRWA's mandate and experience. £1 million of our funding to UNRWA this year is supporting the implementation of the Colonna Report's recommendations to ensure UNRWA commits to its neutrality obligations.
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John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much (a) his Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received funding. \p Catherine West: Contracts awarded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) are available via ContractsFinder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder) and Find-a-Tender-Service (https://www.gov.uk/find-tender). FCDO spend above £25,000 is available via https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fcdo-departmental-spending-over-25000, and summary figures are available via the FCDO's Annual Report and Accounts (the latest report is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024).

The FCDO is not responsible for procurement on behalf of our arm's length bodies.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to remove (a) help and (b) assistance from (i) internal and (ii) external communications and guidance with respect to UK Official Development Assistance. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Foreign Secretary has put partnerships, not paternalism, at the centre of the UK's development relationships. I have been leading the focus on modern, mutually beneficial bilateral partnerships. This new model has been clearly communicated to FCDO officials. Partnership does not mean telling others we have the answers; the UK can act as a champion, seeking to bridge the gap between the Global North and Global South. As FCDO officials implement this modern approach to development, they will be treating other countries as equals, as part of resetting the UK's relationship with the Global South.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) prevalence and (b) mortality rates of noma (i) worldwide and (ii) in the UK. \p Anneliese Dodds: I spoke at a reception in Parliament on the 28th January to mark World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) day. The meeting included a speech by Noma survivor and advocate Mulikat Okanlawon and I separately met with her to hear about her experiences.

The UK is committed to combating NTDs and towards working with global partners towards achieving the global goal target to end the epidemic of NTDs by 2030, including for Noma. The UK is a signatory to the Kigali Declaration on NTDs and supports the World Health Organization (WHO's) roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases 2021-2030.

The UK is a leading provider of flexible funding to WHO, which can support the full range of WHO priorities, such as NTDs. Other wider work that will also support reducing the prevalence and impact of Noma includes the department's support to strengthening country health systems, including in Noma prevalent countries such as Nigeria, and work to address factors associated with Noma such as malnutrition, other infectious diseases, and extreme poverty.

The department has not made any assessment, separate to those made by the WHO, of the prevalence and mortality rates of Noma.
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Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Skills England’s report entitled Skills England: driving growth and widening opportunities, published on 24 September 2024, what steps she has taken to support cross-departmental working by Skills England (a) in general and (b) to provide training on green skills to employees in sectors that plan to decarbonise. \p Janet Daby: In September 2024, Skills England published their first report, titled, ‘Skills England: Driving Growth and Widening Opportunities’. This report sets out Skills England’s role, the key skills challenges that limit economic growth and opportunity, and an initial assessment of skills needs in the economy.

Part of Skills England’s role is to ensure that skills sit at the heart of joined-up decision making across government. This includes working closely with:

i) The Industrial Strategy Council, so that we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver a clear, long-term plan for the future economy.

ii) The Department for Work on Pensions, on the government’s plan to Get Britain Working.

iii) The Migration Advisory Committee, so that growing the domestic skills pipeline reduces our reliance on overseas workers.

iv) Mayoral Strategic Authorities, to ensure that regional skills needs are met and there is alignment with national priorities.

v) The devolved administrations, to ensure join-up across the UK.

vi) The full range of central government departments including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which has set up the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to meet our clean energy superpower mission.

Skills England will ensure that skills development aligns with the UK’s carbon emission and environmental targets, working in partnership with businesses, educational institutions, and regional and local organisations. Following the publication of its first report, Skills England consulted over 700 employers and other key stakeholders, including from the green economy, on their skills needs and priorities for training funded through the new growth and skills offer.

To meet carbon emission and environmental targets, skills training programmes must respond to the demands of a low-carbon economy, with qualifications and training pathways designed to directly address the ways in which jobs will change. Skills England will work with businesses and other government departments to help develop understanding of the importance of this shift including for employers and training providers.
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Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many staff their Department has seconded from Hakluyt since July 2024. \p Janet Daby: Secondments are one way of bringing talent and experience into the Civil Service for short periods of time and have been used by successive governments. Secondments are arranged at a business unit level, which is also where the data is held.

There have been no staff working in the department since July 2024 who were seconded from Hakluyt.
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Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support the arts and humanities in the higher education sector. \p Janet Daby: The government is committed to supporting creative subjects, such as the arts and humanities, in higher education (HE).

​For the 2024/25 academic year, the department has allocated around £12.9 million in high-cost subject funding from the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) towards creative and performing arts courses to cover course costs. This increases the per student funding rate to £130.54, which is an increase of 3.8%.

​The department has also maintained SPG funding for world-leading small and specialist providers at £58 million for the 2024/25 academic year. Of the 20 providers recognised in this way, 12 are creative and performing arts providers.

The department knows that the HE sector needs a secure financial footing to face the challenges of the next decade, and to ensure that all students can be confident they will receive the world-class HE experience they deserve. That is why, after seven years of frozen fee caps under the previous government, we have taken the difficult decision to increase maximum tuition fee limits for the 2025/26 academic year by 3.1%, in line with the forecast rate of inflation. ​

​The department will continue to work with the Office for Students to ensure that costs of provision are assessed.
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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what targets her Department has for the proportion of young people who should (a) go to university, (b) complete an apprenticeship and (c) take another form of higher education. \p Janet Daby: This government’s missions include breaking down barriers to opportunity and delivering economic growth. Every young person should be able to follow the pathway that is right for them, whether through a high-quality apprenticeship or going to university or college. This includes ensuring all young people have access to expert careers advice and guidance, offering high-quality vocational and technical training such as Higher Technical Qualifications and T Levels, introducing foundation apprenticeships as part of our Growth and Skills Levy, and reforming the higher education system so that it delivers better value for money for students and taxpayers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-23)

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John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much (a) her Department and (b) each of its arm’s length bodies has spent on external communications through (i) Crown Commercial Service agreement RM6125 and (ii) other agreements since 5 July 2024; and which firms have received funding. \p Janet Daby: Total spend on external communications from 5 July 2024 to 6 March 2025 is £35,478,270.30.

This includes the following spending:

We only have data for arms length body spending through Oak National Academy, which spent £128,465.98.

Total spend through the framework is £34,553,792.52.

The vast majority of the spend constitutes the department’s key campaigns which are Get in to Teaching, Childcare Choices, Skills for life and Further Education. We are unable to detail the spend by campaign.

Top ten supplier spend through the framework is shown here:

Supplier

Spend (£)

% participation

WAVEMAKER LIMITED

163,975.79

0.47%

KINDRED AGENCY LIMITED

180,430.41

0.52%

Verian Group UK Limited

308,302.50

0.89%

FOUR COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

536,585.42

1.55%

BLACKBERRY PRODUCTIONS LTD

610,447.58

1.77%

SCROLL PROJECTS LTD

939,406.87

2.72%

M&C SAATCHI (UK) LIMITED

969,646.82

2.81%

BAM AGENCY LTD

1,017,463.71

2.94%

HAVAS WORLDWIDE LONDON LTD

1,231,xx-xxxx-xxxx

3.56%

OMD GROUP TA MANNING GOTTLIEB OMD LTD

28,028,649.23

81.12%
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Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking encourage the take-up of STEM subjects at further education level. \p Janet Daby: Developing the skills of young people, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a critical enabler for the government’s missions to break down barriers to opportunity and drive economic growth.

To support young people with careers information, advice and guidance, the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), backed by over £30 million of government funding in 2024/25, coordinates a national network of careers hubs which now includes 95% of secondary schools and colleges.

The network includes 400 leading employers and around 4,000 business volunteers, including many representing STEM occupations. Our careers framework, the Gatsby Benchmarks, includes a clear expectation that all 11 to 18 year-olds should have at least one meaningful interaction with employers per year. This should include an encounter with a STEM employer or workplace, or a careers event focused on STEM, before year 11.

The CEC has also worked in partnership with employers and multi-academy trusts to co-design curriculum resources linking a range of careers to specific curriculum points across all national curriculum subjects, including STEM subjects. This helps students to understand how STEM subjects are the pathways to certain careers.

The government’s Skills for Careers website brings greater coherence to the careers offer. This provides a single platform to access information about skills training options and careers, illustrating pathways to STEM occupations, including via further education.

The department is also setting up Skills England to bring together central government and regional and local organisations, businesses, training providers and unions, to help meet the skills needs of the next decade, aligned to the government’s Industrial Strategy.

This will be underpinned by Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) that support our aim to make technical education and training more responsive to local labour market and employer needs.

We also continue to support learners who wish to have a career in STEM through our technical education offer. This includes making available:
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Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department offers (a) paid time off work and (b) other support to employees who become kinship carers. \p Janet Daby: The department introduced Kinship leave and pay in November 2024. Other support available within the department includes access to an Employee Assistance Programme, staff networks, Mental Health First Aiders and the ability to request flexible working.
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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the (a) spend was up to and including the 2023-24 financial year and (b) forecast spend is for the 2024-25 financial year on the T level programme. \p Janet Daby: Spend on the T Level programme was £994 million up to and including the 2023/24 financial year. Forecast spend for the 2024/25 financial year on the T Level programme is £253 million.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-23 conversation_9

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of food procured by her Department is sourced in the UK. \p Janet Daby: To date the government has not held information on where publicly procured food is sourced from.

Starting right away, for the first time ever, this government will review the food currently bought in the public sector to determine the standards that it is meeting, where it is bought from, and look to introduce monitoring for transparency and accountability within those supply chains to ultimately get the best food for the consumer.

This work will be a significant first step to inform any future changes to public sector catering contracts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-23 conversation_10

Catherine Atkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of provision for 14 to 16-year-olds in further education colleges on (a) student (i) enrollment and (ii) attendance and (b) students in non-mainstream education. \p Janet Daby: The department wants to ensure that all young people receive the education that is right for them. For over a decade now, colleges have been able to apply to directly enrol 14 to 16-year-olds in full time programmes, to enable students who wish it to undertake technical courses as part of a broad and balanced curriculum that includes English, mathematics and science.

To ensure provision is suitable and high quality, a number of criteria are in place. Colleges enrolling 14 to 16-year-olds must have either an Ofsted ‘outstanding’, grade 1, or ‘good’, grade 2, overall effectiveness judgement, have a dedicated space for these young people, and dedicated leadership for them.

The department is clear, in the guidance regarding full-time enrolment of 14 to 16-year-olds in further education (FE) and sixth-form colleges, that colleges should work collaboratively with the appropriate local authorities in order to share information about attendance or absences. Attendance will also form part of Ofsted’s judgement. This guidance can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-time-enrolment-of-14-to-16-year-olds-in-further-education-and-sixth-form-colleges/full-time-enrolment-of-14-to-16-year-olds-in-further-education-and-sixth-form-colleges-2023-to-2024-academic-year.

14 to 16-year-olds can also attend FE colleges to access alternative provision to give them access to alternative pathways or to help them re-engage in learning. Placements are usually part-time and short-term, with the child being dual-registered at their home school and the FE college. Alternative provision at FE colleges is reviewed as part of an inspection of the home school at which they are registered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-23 conversation_11

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of medical school places are occupied by non-UK nationals. \p Janet Daby: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK higher education sector. These data are shared with the department and include a wide range of information on students in UK higher education providers (HEPs), including their legal nationality.

In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 84,230 student enrolments in medicine and dentistry subjects at UK HEPs, of which 19,990 held a legal nationality other than British or dual-British nationality, representing 24.7% of those with known legal nationality.
wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_1

Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding his department allocated to the indemnity schemes in place for Covid-19 vaccinations. \p Ashley Dalton: We are unable to provide full information as requested regarding the valuation of the COVID-19 vaccine indemnities due to their commercial sensitivity.

The existence of the COVID-19 vaccination indemnities is disclosed in the contingent liabilities note within the Department’s group annual report and accounts (ARA). The value of the contingent liabilities was not disclosed due to their sensitive nature. There is also a provision for a COVID-19 vaccination indemnity included in the ARA as part of ‘other’ in the provisions note.

The most recently published ARA is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676150ef26a2d1ff18253415/dhsc-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024-web-accessible.pdf
wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_2

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps (a) his Department and (b) the NHS are taking to counter (i) misinformation and (ii) disinformation about vaccines. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to tackling vaccine misinformation, and we have highlighted our focus on this within the 10-Year Health Plan where we have committed to working with local government, civil society, voluntary organisations and community groups to support public trust in vaccines, particularly in terms of what is needed to restore childhood immunisations rates.

Inaccurate information can spread easily, particularly on online platforms, and it is important that we continue to robustly counteract mis and dis information and point to science. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) closely monitors online activity, including social media and search data, to gather insights about the conversations people are having about vaccinations online, to help inform the information we provide and communications campaigns.

The Department and its partners, take a broad multi-pronged approach to provide authoritative, accurate and transparent information on the benefits and risks of vaccination. For example, UKHSA and NHS England are working to ensure that health care professionals are adequately briefed and trained, with UKHSA recently updating its National Minimum Standards and core curriculum for vaccine training, published in June 2025, which set out expectations for training and competency requirements for all those delivering immunisation services.

Additionally, the Department is working with UKHSA and the National Health Service to ensure that parents and patients have access to up to date and accurate information on all vaccines delivered by the NHS, and to identify and rebut false information. This includes information leaflets and promotional materials available online about different vaccination programmes, covered in a range of translations and accessible formats. Vaccination is also included in the latest Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum guidance from July 2025 to ensure that young people learn the facts and scientific evidence relating to vaccination and immunisation.

Furthermore, the Department, UKHSA and NHS England are also delivering national communication campaigns which proactively highlight the value of vaccines and the risks associated with vaccine preventable diseases, and build confidence in vaccine efficacy and safety. Campaign activity includes paid advertising, media, stakeholder engagement and partnerships with a wide range of organisations.

Whilst there is no room for complacency, UKHSA’s latest parental attitudes survey 2025, data shows that vaccine confidence remains high, with 84% of parents saying they trusted vaccines.

We encourage people to speak to a trusted health professional about any vaccine concerns.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_3

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 26 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, who will be responsible for the creation of a National Action Plan on confronting Antimicrobial Resistance. \p Ashley Dalton: A cross-government National Action Plan (NAP) to confront antimicrobial resistance (AMR) exists. The NAP, covering 2024 to 2029, was published on 8 May 2024, and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-5-year-action-plan-for-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029/confronting-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029

It is the second of four five-year NAPs that the United Kingdom Government committed to developing in order to deliver its 20-year vision that AMR is contained, controlled, and mitigated by 2040.

The content of this NAP was developed by the Department in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders across different sectors and the four UK nations. This allowed the NAP to take a One Health approach, encompassing cross-sector activity to drive collaborative and innovative action.

Organisations responsible for delivery provide regular updates to the Department, and the appropriate governance structures ensure delivery is kept on track and that progress is being made on the NAP’s commitments and targets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_4

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will take steps to ensure that people no longer eligible for covid-19 vaccines under the the Flu and Covid-19 Seasonal Vaccination Programme are able to receive them if they wish; and whether his Department plans to make covid-19 vaccinations available privately for people not eligible through the NHS. \p Ashley Dalton: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is the independent expert committee which reviews the latest data on COVID-19 risks, vaccine safety, and effectiveness and advises the department on the approach to vaccination and immunisation programmes.

The aim of the COVID-19 immunisation programme is to prevent serious disease, namely hospitalisation and/or mortality, arising from COVID-19. Population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing due to a combination of naturally acquired immunity following recovery from infection and vaccine-derived immunity. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, though it can still be unpleasant, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since COVID-19 first emerged. The focus of the JCVI-advised programme has moved towards targeted vaccination of the oldest adults and individuals who are immunosuppressed. These are the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease, including mortality.

On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on who should be offered vaccination in autumn 2025. On 26 June 2025, the Government decided, in line with this advice, that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered in autumn 2025 to the following groups:

- adults aged 75 years and over;

- residents in a care home for older adults; and

- individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the UK Health Security Agency Green Book.

There are no plans to offer vaccination through the national programme outside these JCVI-advised groups for autumn 2025. Some private providers currently offer COVID-19 vaccination, and whether to provide vaccination privately is a matter for the companies concerned.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_5

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the readiness of integrated care boards to assume responsibility for commissioning vaccination and immunisation services from April 2026. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan reaffirmed the importance of work to establish integrated care boards (ICBs) as ‘strategic commissioners of local health services, responsible for all but the most specialised commissioning’.

In preparation for this, the NHS Executive commissioned a review of NHS England’s direct commissioning functions to make recommendations on the future arrangements for discharging these functions in light of the planned integration of NHS England into a restructured Department of Health and Social Care.

The review, which has now been agreed, proposes transferring commissioning responsibility for suitable specialised services, vaccination and screening services, and health and justice services to ICBs. It is proposed that this transfer will take place, alongside the implementation of changes to legislation, in April 2027.

Our expectation is that during 2026/27, ICBs will take a more central role in shaping these services. This will be achieved through closer collaboration and partnership with NHS England, as the accountable organisation, and will build on the strong joint working arrangements already in place this year for delegated specialised services. A development programme and safe transfer checklist will, alongside this closer working, help to ensure that ICBs are ready to take on their new responsibilities from April 2027.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-29 conversation_6

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which NHS accident and emergency departments (a) offer and (b) do not offer an (i) HIV, (ii) hepatitis B and (iii) hepatitis C test to all patients requiring a blood test. \p Ashley Dalton: Emergency Department (ED) opt-out testing is currently being offered to all extremely high and high HIV prevalence areas in England until the end of March 2026. A detailed list of specific sites offering opt-out HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing is contained in the attached table.

The Department, together with the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England, are working together in the development of a new HIV Action Plan which we aim to publish later in 2025. The plan will include a focus on scaling up HIV testing, including an assessment of the future of opt out testing based on the programme’s progress and available data in line with our 2030 ambition.

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