theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Tim Roca:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on whether people claim to be from Eritrea to improve their chances of asylum being granted. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office is committed to ensuring that the asylum system is not open to abuse. All asylum claimants are subject to mandatory security checks to confirm their identity and to link it to their biometric details for the purpose of immigration, security and criminality checks. These checks are critical to the delivery of a safe and secure immigration system.

The Home Office uses several processes and tools to identify a claimant’s nationality and other identity features including fingerprint and other systems, identity documents, language analysis, and asylum interviews.

For further information regarding security checks during the asylum screening process, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-screening-and-routing/asylum-screening-and-routing-accessible.

The guidance for doubtful or disputed nationality can be found here: Doubtful and disputed nationality cases: caseworker guidance - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the cost to the public purse of providing hotel accommodation to migrants in Reigate constituency over the last (a) five years, (b) 18 months and (c) nine months. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Quarterly data on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab for our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab).

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to prevent (a) repeat and (b) last-minute appeals from delaying the removal of (i) failed asylum seekers and (ii) illegal entrants. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Any person, including an asylum seeker and or an illegal entrant, who does not have the right to remain in the United Kingdom and has already appealed a decision cannot appeal again against that decision unless they make further submissions which have not previously been considered and, taken together with the previously considered material, create a realistic prospect of success at appeal. Where this test is not met, the further submissions are rejected and this decision cannot be appealed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign nationals have absconded while awaiting deportation after lodging legal appeals in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The information requested is not centrally held and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have been sent from the Republic of Ireland to the United Kingdom in each month since 4 July 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: None.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases involving (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) people who have overstayed have reached the (i) Court of Appeal and (ii) Supreme Court since 2020. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the immigration appeal backlog including (a) housing, (b) legal aid and (c) public services for people awaiting outcomes. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems managed by multiple teams across several Government departments and public authorities and, therefore, could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether appointments to the Border Security Command will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council; and whether the chair appointment will be classified as a significant appointment. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Border Security Command was established on 5 July 2024. Martin Hewitt CBE QPM was appointed as Border Security Commander, as a Civil Servant, on 7 October 2024.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will place the role of the Border Security Commander on a statutory footing, designating the postholder as a Civil Servant (Part 1, Chapter 1, Clause 1).
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish representations received from (a) Hillingdon council, (b) Harrow council and (c) other local authorities on the cost of supporting asylum seekers. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office is in regular contact with local authorities throughout the country in relation to the accommodation and other support provided to asylum seekers in each area.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on increasing awareness of legal services for people entering into the asylum process. \p Dame Angela Eagle: It is a routine part of the asylum process to inform asylum seekers of their legal rights, and of the support available to them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with the Metropolitan Police on the policing at the Quaker meeting house in Westminster on 27 March 2025. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Metropolitan Police are operationally independent of the government. It is for the police to make decisions about how to respond to specific incidents based on their professional judgement and the circumstances at hand.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Valerie Vaz:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on police (a) widows, (b) widowers and (c) surviving partners losing deceased spouse pensions if they (i) remarry and (ii) cohabit. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The 2015 police pension scheme is the scheme currently open to serving police officers. This scheme provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse. The introduction of the 2006 police pension scheme meant that all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme with such survivor benefits.

Prior to 2006, the 1987 police pension scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish the immigration fees for an Irish citizen seeking to gain British Citizenship through the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024. \p Seema Malhotra: The fee for an Irish citizen seeking to gain British Citizenship through the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 is currently under consideration and we will provide an update in due course.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department (a) authorised and (b) requested the Chief of Defence staff's recent meeting with representatives of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. \p Luke Pollard: The Chief of the Defence Staff’s meeting was arranged between the UK’s Ministry of Defence and China’s Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission. It was authorised by His Majesty’s Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Chief of Defence Staff discussed the Chagos Islands base during his recent visit to China. \p Luke Pollard: The Chief of the Defence Staff met with Gen Liu Zhenli Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Liberation Army. They discussed a range of security issues and agreed that in an unstable world we must play our part as responsible nations with global interests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any military personnel have been deployed to Birmingham to support the response to the ongoing disruption to waste collection. \p Luke Pollard: Following a Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) request from the Ministry of Housing, Community, and Local Government, a small number of military personnel deployed to support Birmingham City Council. This support, which was focused on operational planning only has now concluded.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2025 to Question 37040 on Gaza: RAF Akrotiri, whether those flights continued during the ceasefire. \p Luke Pollard: Since the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the Ministry of Defence has been conducting unarmed surveillance flights over Gaza for the sole purpose of locating hostages.

RAF aircraft operated in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas when flying in support of hostage recovery. I hope the hon. Gentleman understands that I cannot comment further for reasons of operational security.

To be clear, our priority since day one has been a sustainable ceasefire, and a lasting peace that will over time ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis. There must be a return to dialogue, the remaining hostages must be released, aid must flow into Gaza, and the ceasefire must be reestablished.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 42281 on Defence Equipment: Technology, what percentage of his Department's equipment procurement budget was spent on novel technology (a) as of 22 April 2025 and (b) in each of the last five financial years. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence continues to invest significant funding into novel technologies such as various uncrewed systems and our cutting edge Directed Energy Weapons. Further detail on the novel technologies ringfence will be finalised through the Spending Review.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 41390 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty tabled by the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford on 26 March 2025. \p Luke Pollard: I responded to the right hon. Member on 23 April 2025.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to replace the Multi-role Electronically Scanned-Array radar on the E-7A Wedgetail fleet with a US-developed replacement. \p Maria Eagle: There are no plans to replace the existing Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array radar currently fitted on the UK E-7 Wedgetail Fleet.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of remodelling Manchester Oxford Road railway station on rail capacity. \p Lilian Greenwood: Improving rail capacity and performance are key aims of the Government’s investment programme for Manchester, hence the prioritisation of improvements to Oxford Road station which is a key constraint on the network. As the Oxford Road project develops over the next couple of years, further timetable and station capacity studies will be made.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of (a) taxi and (b) private hire vehicles that use number plates that do not conform with regulations. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, various police forces and Trading Standards in relation to the supply and use of illegal number plates as well as number plates with raised characters, commonly known as ‘4D plates’. Some 4D plates can also be described as ‘ghost’ plates where the characters are constructed from materials that are unable to be read by infrared Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems. Work is currently ongoing to quantify the number of illegal plates that may be in circulation, which would include on taxis and private hire vehicles.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the additional time taken to introduce the South Western Railway Arterio rolling stock fleet. \p Simon Lightwood: Arterio delays were initially caused by manufacturing and software issues, the responsibility of Alstom. There have been a number of more recent issues including driver training and platform infrastructure readiness, the responsibility of South Western Railway, which have impacted the ability to bring further units into passenger service as envisaged. My officials are actively engaged in ensuring all appropriate actions are being taken in the interests of passengers and taxpayers.

The Rail Minister has asked FirstGroup and MTR, the current owners of SWR, to meet with me urgently to explain what they are doing to address these issues as a priority.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024. \p Ian Murray: No phones, laptops, or other electronic devices have been reported lost in the Scotland Office since 5 July 2024.
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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what criteria he will use to assess the need for a border poll in Northern Ireland. \p Hilary Benn: The responsibility for a referendum sits solely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as set out in the Good Friday Agreement.

In accordance with that Agreement and the principle of consent, Northern Ireland will remain part of the United Kingdom for as long as its people wish for it to be.

In 2020, the Northern Ireland High Court ruled that there is no legal requirement or public interest in setting out a policy detailing fixed criteria on the holding of a referendum.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the section entitled Gender or sex in the Gov.uk Design System, if he will make it his policy to require the Government Digital Service to use sex rather than gender when requesting information on sex. \p Feryal Clark: The GOV.UK Design System provides guidance and components to departments, so that there is a consistent style and experience for users interacting with government information and services online. This guidance is continually iterated with input from external experts and specialists across government, to help ensure that digital services are inclusive, easy to use and comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. Following the recent Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, we will review the Design System’s guidance in line with any changes to the Codes of Practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, for what reason the Gov.uk Design System section entitled Ask Users for Equality Information refers to gender identity rather than gender reassignment. \p Feryal Clark: The GOV.UK Design System provides guidance and components to departments, so that there is a consistent style and experience for users interacting with government information and services online. This guidance is continually iterated with input from external experts and specialists across government, to help ensure that digital services are inclusive, easy to use and comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. Following the recent Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, we will review the Design System’s guidance in line with any changes to the Codes of Practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to ban the game entitled No Mercy. \p Feryal Clark: The government welcomes steps taken to remove this game from gaming platforms. The government has pledged to halve violence against women and girls, including where it occurs online, in a decade. We expect all platforms, including gaming sites in scope of the Online Safety Act, to comply with the law. This currently requires all user-to-user and search services to have systems and processes in place to remove illegal content, and in the coming months, to protect children from harmful content.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

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Valerie Vaz:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to introduce an energy rebate for companies impacted by the imposition of tariffs. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.

The government recognises that the UK’s industrial electricity costs are currently higher than those of our competitors, which partly reflects how the costs of the electricity system are distributed across households and industrial customers.

There is support in place through the British Industry Supercharger to reduce the cumulative impact of energy and climate change policies on industrial electricity prices for eligible energy intensive industries (EIIs), including compensation for indirect emission costs of the UK ETS and Carbon Price Support and reductions in the indirect cost due to the Contracts for Difference, Renewables Obligation and small-scale feed-in-tariffs.
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Jo White:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme recipients there are in each constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The number of scheme members in each constituency is listed in the attached table. This information is from the scheme trustees and correct as at 30 October 2024. Some of these scheme members will not yet be in receipt of their pension, but we do not have a breakdown of that information at constituency level.

BCSSS members by constituency as at 30 October 202 (xlsx, 23.9KB)
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 38961 on British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme and Mineworkers' Pension Scheme, if he will set out the differences between the (a) Mineworkers Pension Scheme and (b) British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme referred to in that Answer. \p Sarah Jones: The schemes operate in different ways. A key difference is that there is no surplus sharing arrangement in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS).

The Government is considering proposals put forward by the BCSSS Trustees and needs to understand their impacts for both scheme members and the Government, in the same way as we are doing for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. The Government and BCSSS Trustees are working together to jointly commission analysis so that we can gain that understanding and work towards reaching agreement on a way forward.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Solicitor General, if she will publish the most recent guidance issued by the Government Legal Service guidance to Departments on legal risk. \p Lucy Rigby: The Attorney General’s Guidance on Legal Risk was last updated on 6 November 2024. It can be found here: Guidance: Attorney General's Guidance on Legal Risk - GOV.UK.
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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Solicitor General, whether she has provided legal advice on British nationals serving in the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza since October 2023. \p Lucy Rigby: The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by, or requested of, the Law Officers. The Convention applies to your question.

It can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May: “By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”
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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Solicitor General, whether her Department has (a) received and (b) approved requests from relevant authorities for consent to launch criminal investigations into alleged war crimes committed by British citizens who have served in the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza since 2023. \p Lucy Rigby: The Attorney General and I are not responsible for providing consent to launch criminal investigations into suspected war crimes offences in England and Wales.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's consultation Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, updated 7 April 2025, how would the proposals set out in the green paper interact with the provisions on bank accounts in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill. \p Andrew Western: The reforms in the Green Paper are still the subject of consultation and will undergo further development once responses have been considered.
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Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of correspondence to inform pensioners about changes to the winter fuel payment. \p Torsten Bell: This winter, during a six-week period, the Department communicated with pensioners regarding the change in eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment and also included an update on its Scottish equivalent. Around 13 million letters were issued to individuals who may have previously had entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment, and who may have been expecting to receive a letter about the Payment this winter.

The letter informed recipients of the qualifying benefits for receipt of a Winter Fuel Payment and encouraged pensioners to check if they may be eligible for Pension Credit and how to make a claim. Additionally, the letter emphasised other benefits that becoming eligible for Pension Credit may offer, such as assistance with housing costs, energy bills, and a free TV licence for those over 75.

The cost of the exercise was £7.5 million; similar to the cost of sending out letters in previous years, where the Department has written to pensioners about the Winter Fuel Payment.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what fiscal steps her Department is taking to support pensioners with the cost of living in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) England. \p Torsten Bell: The Government is honouring its commitment to the Triple Lock with a recent 4.1% increase to the basic State Pension, the new State Pension, and the standard minimum guarantee in Pension Credit. Over this Parliament (2029/30), the OBR forecasts that the Government spending on the State Pension will rise by over £31 billion.

Pension Credit provides extra money to help with living costs for people over State Pension age and on a low income. The Government is taking significant steps to raise awareness and maximise take-up. We want to ensure as many people as possible have access to this support and urge pensioners to check their eligibility. Pension Credit will passport them to receive other benefits – including help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. Our drive to increase Pension Credit take up has successfully boosted applications with the Department receiving around 235,000 Pension Credit applications in the 30 weeks since July 2024 and making 117,800 new Pension Credit awards over the same period, a 64% increase or 45,800 extra awards compared to the same period in the previous year.

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

The Government has extended the Household Support Fund in England by a further year, (until 31 March 2026) – with funding of £742 million provided to enable this extension in England, plus additional funding for the devolved Governments to be spent at their discretion, as usual.
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Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has provided guidance to Personal Independence Payment assessors on the impact of surgical mesh on women's ability to work. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people with a long-term health condition or impairment, whether physical, sensory, mental, cognitive, intellectual, or any combination of these. It is paid to contribute to the extra costs that disabled people may face, to help them lead full, active and independent lives. PIP can be paid to those who are in full or part-time work as well as those out of work.

From 09 September 2024 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) took ownership of the core training and guidance material (CTGM) for the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS); this is provided by DWP to the HAAS assessment suppliers (AS). AS must use the material to inform the development of their final training product(s) and use all content from CTGM that relates to specific condition(s) and assessment policy.

DWP has provided AS with CTGM on mesh injury/implants. This contains clinical and functional information relevant to the condition and is quality assured to ensure its accuracy from both a clinical and policy perspective.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made of the potential financial impact of changing the eligibility to the health element of Universal Credit to people aged 22 on disabled young people aged between 18 and up to 22. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Information on the impacts of the “Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper” will be published in due course, with some information already published alongside the Spring Statement.

[https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper]

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_121

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding she plans to provide for school infrastructure in (a) South Holland district and (b) South Kesteven district in each of the next three financial years. \p Stephen Morgan: School buildings are integral to high and rising standards and need to be fit for the future. The department has announced, for the 2025/26 financial year, capital funding allocations for school condition and for funding high needs capacity.

Mainstream basic need allocations have been published for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 financial years. Other funding plans for 2026/27 and beyond will be confirmed following the multi-year spending review.

We are increasing capital funding to improve the condition of school buildings to £2.1 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, up from £1.8 billion for 2024/25. As part of this, Lincolnshire County Council, which includes South Holland and South Kesteven districts, has been provisionally allocated a school condition allocation (SCA) of £5,873,159 to invest across its maintained schools. Maintained schools in Lincolnshire have also been provisionally allocated a total of £913,014 in devolved formula capital (DFC) to spend on their own capital priorities.

Large multi-academy trusts and large voluntary aided school bodies have also been provisionally allocated SCA, but allocations typically span across district and local authority boundaries. Smaller multi-academy and single academy trusts and sixth form colleges were instead eligible to apply to the Condition Improvement Fund, with outcomes due to be published later in the spring. Eligible non-maintained schools in Lincolnshire have also been provisionally allocated DFC. Final allocations will follow later in the spring.

In addition, the School Rebuilding Programme is rebuilding or significantly refurbishing buildings at over 500 schools, including Tulip Academy and University Academy Long Sutton in South Holland.

The department has published £740 million in High Needs Provision Capital Allocations (HNPCA) for the 2025/26 financial year, to support local authorities to deliver new places in mainstream and special schools, as well as other specialist settings, and to improve the suitability and accessibility of existing buildings. Of this, Lincolnshire County Council has been allocated £10.3 million.

Lincolnshire County Council has also been allocated just over £39 million of basic need capital grant over the current and next two financial years, to support it to create the mainstream school places needed by September 2028.

The department has recently announced 300 successful applicants for the school-based nursery capital grant, including two within the South Holland and the Deepings Parliamentary constituency.
wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_122

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of funding for councils in the East Midlands to provide (a) accessible and (b) integrated family support services for children in the first 1,001 days of life. \p Janet Daby: The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, measured by a record 75% of children starting school ready to learn and measured by the number hitting the early learning goals at the end of reception. Delivering this will require strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood. This includes continuing to invest in and build up Family Hubs and Start for Life programmes. In the 2025/26 financial year, the government is providing a £126 million boost for Family Hubs and Start for Life services to give every child the best start in life and to deliver on the Plan for Change. More information on this funding can be found here:  https://www.gov.uk/government/news/families-to-receive-126-million-in-early-years-support.

Five local authorities in the East Midlands currently receive funding for Family Hubs and Start for Life services: Derby, Lincolnshire, Nottingham, North Northamptonshire and Leicester. Leicestershire, the upper-tier authority for the council, separately receives funding for Family Hubs only, as part of the Family Hubs Transformation Fund. On 3 April, participating local authorities received confirmation of their funding allocations for the 2025/26 financial year.
wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_123

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her timetable is for appointing a new Chair of the School Support Staff Negotiating Body. \p Catherine McKinnell: The government values and recognises the professionalism of the entire school workforce. School support staff play a vital role in children’s education and are crucial to ensuring we give children the best possible life chances.

The School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) will mean that employers and employee representatives come together to negotiate terms and conditions and pay for school support staff, to ensure that support staff are properly recognised and rewarded for the work they do.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education plans to follow the usual public appointments process and appoint a Chair for the SSSNB after primary legislation receives Royal Assent.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_124

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the merits of the Bank of England paying interest on reserve accounts maintained by commercial banks. \p Emma Reynolds: The Bank of England has operational independence from the government to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability. Monetary policy, including quantitative easing, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England.

There are no plans to change the way reserves are remunerated at the Bank of England. The government continues to support the Bank to bring inflation in line with its target, including by managing the public finances responsibly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_125

Alex Brewer:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Payment Systems Regulator on the enforcement of the Authorised Push Payment fraud reimbursement rules introduced on 7 October 2024. \p Emma Reynolds: Government ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations, details of which can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel

The Government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public from this appalling crime. The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has introduced a mandatory reimbursement cap for APP scams taking place over the Faster Payment system. This came into force on 7 October 2024.

Enforcement of the APP scam reimbursement regime is a matter for the PSR, but to monitor the success and impact of this, the PSR has committed to commission an independent post implementation review of its policy after 12 months of the policy being in force.

On 11 March, the Government announced its intentions to consolidate the PSR and its functions primarily within the FCA. The PSR continues to be an independent economic regulator with full access to its statutory powers until legislation is passed to change this and APP scam victims will continue to benefit from the same levels of protection.
wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_126

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of recent legislative changes at enhancing private sector participation in sovereign debt relief for low-income countries; and whether she plans to introduce further initiatives to help ensure (a) timely and (b) equitable debt restructuring. \p Emma Reynolds: The government is not currently pursuing legislative changes to enhance private sector participation in debt restructurings for low-income countries. The UK, alongside the G20 and Paris Club, expects private creditors to participate in debt restructurings on comparable terms and we have seen private creditors’ willingness to engage and provide debt treatments where needed, including for Zambia and Ghana. We work closely with the private sector on several aspects of their participation in debt treatments – including to help ensure timely and comparable treatments – through bilateral meetings, engagement with representative institutions, and the Paris Club’s regular discussions with the private sector.

The government is focused on enhancing a market-based approach to private sector participation – including through working to strengthen the contracts underpinning debt issuance, and to increase transparency. The Chancellor recently announced the launch of the London Coalition on Sustainable Sovereign Debt, which will promote the uptake of UK-led contractual innovations – namely, Climate Resilient Debt Clauses and Majority Voting Provisions – in private lending.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_127

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) she and (b) her officials discussed the China audit with (i) Ministers and (ii) officials in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office ahead of her visit to the People's Republic of China. \p Emma Reynolds: The UK Government is carrying out an audit to examine the UK's interests with respect to China to improve our ability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has discussed various topics, including the China audit, with the Secretary of State of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. HM Treasury officials speak regularly with officials in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_128

Paul Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to (a) develop and (b) implement growth corridor plans like the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor in other regions. \p Emma Reynolds: The Chancellor has recently announced the Government’s commitment to unlock growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, and the high potential sectors within it, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Government believes that strengthening east to west connections is essential to allow our whole economy, including outside the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, to meet its potential.

The Government’s regional growth strategy will drive growth in city regions and make the most of the opportunities in each part of the country. Spreading prosperity across the United Kingdom is a key pillar of the Growth Mission.

The Industrial Strategy will also be published in spring 2025, alongside with the Spending Review, which will focus on eight growth-driving sectors, create a pro-business environment and support high-potential clusters, city-regions and industrial sites across the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_129

Paul Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to support cities outside London. \p Emma Reynolds: Spreading prosperity across the United Kingdom is a key pillar of the Growth Mission. The Government’s regional growth strategy will drive growth in city regions and make the most of the opportunities in each part of the country.

We are supporting the potential of city regions through the publication of the English Devolution Bill and the launch of integrated funding settlements, which will give local leaders a single, flexible funding pot to spend where their area needs. We will work side by side with our mayors, local leaders and the devolved governments to support regions to achieve their potential.

The government is supporting regional growth, with a total package worth over £3 billion in 2025-26 alone. We have unlocked private investment including setting a new strategic steer for the National Wealth Fund to deliver our ambition for growth across the country. We are supporting growth in the the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, including though delivering East-West Rail. We are also investing in economic infrastructure across the country, including via West Yorkshire Mass Transit which will transform connectivity in the region.

The Industrial Strategy will be published in spring 2025, alongside with the Spending Review, which will focus on eight growth-driving sectors, create a pro-business environment and support city-regions across the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_130

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Child Trust Funds past their maturity date have not been claimed. \p Emma Reynolds: Information on Child Trust Funds is available in HMRC’s Annual Savings Statistics.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-savings-statistics-2024
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-25 conversation_131

Gareth Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increases to Air Passenger Duty in (a) 2025 and (b) 2026 on passenger demand. \p James Murray: The Government published Tax Impact and Information Notes (TIINs) assessing the impacts of the 2025/26 and 2026/27 Air Passenger Duty rates:

Air Passenger Duty: rates from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 - GOV.UK

Air Passenger Duty: rates from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 - GOV.UK

The OBR certified costing of the changes includes a behavioural effect to account for the change in flights taken resulting from the change in the tax rates.