theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to help ensure transparency in payments made to individuals (a) deported and (b) voluntarily returned from the UK since July 2024. \p Alex Norris: The information requested regarding the specific value of payments made under the Voluntary Returns Service (VRS) and Facilitated Return Scheme (FRS) are not separately available from published statistics.

The Home Office publishes all available information on returns expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and accounts at Home Office annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab)

FRS and VRS are not an alternative to removal or deportation but facilitate the early removal of FNOs and those without leave to remain in the UK, helping them to re-settle in their country of origin. Voluntary removals benefit the UK taxpayer as costs of detention, appeals, and other legal challenges are significantly reduced.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether strategic authorities will have a role in the (a) provision and (b) allocation of asylum accommodation. \p Alex Norris: Yes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will publish the number of hotels that (a) were used and (b) will be used to house asylum seekers in New Forest East constituency in 2025. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office has been clear that the use of hotels is a temporary and short-term measure to ensure we meet our statutory obligation to accommodate destitute asylum seekers, while we tackle the systemic challenges due to the previous government’s decisions.

Accommodation data is published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels which 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)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of closing asylum accommodation hotels on (a) levels of demand for Houses of Multiple Occupation(HMOs), (b) local housing stock and (c) local public services; and how many asylum seekers will be rehoused in HMOs. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office has, since 2022, operated a system of Full Dispersal which works in partnership with Local Government to ensure that asylum accommodation is spread equitably and fairly across the United Kingdom. Procurement of accommodation is driven by a set of evidence-based plans, which are refreshed every six months with Local Government and which consider a range of factors, including the availability of housing, pressure on services and community cohesion, to ensure that no one area is overburdened.

Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including accommodation type, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. Immigration system statistics data tables - www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to encourage collaboration between the UK and its international partners in the R&D sector. \p Kanishka Narayan: Achieving the best outcomes for our citizens from our investment in R&D requires us to collaborate internationally. We are actively strengthening ties with key partners through:

- Funding, including through Horizon Europe, the International Science Partnerships Fund and our core support to UK research institutions. DSIT’s overall R&D budget will grow in real terms over the SR period, totalling £58.5 billion from 2026/27 to 2029/30.

- Our Science and Technology Network which operates in 65 locations across the world to build partnerships and collaborations on science, technology and innovation.

- Dialogues and bilateral agreements with more than 20 international partners, including with the US, Australia, India, Germany, EU and Japan which cover issues including data adequacy, future technologies, and institutional co-operation.

- Being an active member of G7, G20, OECD through which we seek to align norms and standards.

- Collaborations with global partners on shared research infrastructures including world-leading facilities like CERN and new capabilities like the Square Kilometre Array Observatory – headquartered near Manchester with telescopes under construction in Australia and South Africa.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what (a) grants and 9b) funding her Department has allocated to the Medical Research Council for research into anti-seizure medications in pregnancy since 2018. \p Kanishka Narayan: Since 2018, the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has committed £2.7 million to a research project developing a new anti-seizure drug to the point of regulatory submission for first-in-human trials. The treatment is intended to improve upon the effectiveness of the main existing anti-seizure treatment, valproate, to avoid valproate’s harmful effects on unborn children.

DSIT is investing a record £58.5 billion on R&D between 2026/27 and 2029/30. UKRI will deliver an expected £38.6 billion of R&D investment from 2026/27 to 2029/30, rising to nearly £10 billion per annum by the end of the period.  A more detailed breakdown of UKRI’s budgets will be published later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to take steps to help (a) maintain and (b) increase research capacity in universities in the context of (i) academic staff time, (ii) funding and (iii) other matters. \p Kanishka Narayan: Research and development is fundamental to kickstarting economic growth and delivering the Government’s missions. That’s why this government is investing a record £86 billion over the SR period in research and development, supporting universities, creating jobs, skills and economic growth right across the country. In the Post-16 Skills White Paper, we committed to improving grant funding cost recovery and reducing administrative burdens on academic staff, unlocking more time and resources for research. As independent institutions, universities are responsible for decisions on staff time allocated to research.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support tech innovation in (a) Hexham constituency and (b) the North East. \p Kanishka Narayan: As set out in the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, the department is committed to supporting the UK’s city regions and clusters.

UKRI invested £355 million in the North East in 2023-24. UKRI’s funding is supporting projects such as the North East Digital Technologies Launchpad that has funded innovative technology businesses such as RareCan in Hexham, who are using AI to support recruitment for rare cancer clinical trials.

Building on this we have earmarked at least £30 million for the North East through our new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. This will empower local leaders to grow high-potential innovation clusters and unlock their potential to create the businesses and jobs of the future.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that people who cannot afford mobile data can access (a) the NHS app and (b) other government digital services without incurring personal cost. \p Kanishka Narayan: In February 2025, the government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan which outlines the first five actions we are taking on digital inclusion. This includes ensuring that digital services are inclusive and accessible. The industry pledges in the Plan include providing free mobile data to individuals in need and supporting community hubs to provide free Wi-Fi to allow people to get online without incurring personal cost.

In addition, in August we launched the £9.5m Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online and help tackle data poverty.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to provide guidance to (a) businesses, (b) schools and (c) universities on AI-driven recruitment processes. \p Kanishka Narayan: In March 2024, we published guidance on Responsible AI in Recruitment. This focuses on good practice for the procurement and deployment of AI systems for HR and recruitment with a specific focus on technologies used in the hiring process. The guidance identifies key questions, considerations, and assurance mechanisms that may be used to ensure the safe and trustworthy use of AI in recruitment.

Alongside this, the ICO's AI and biometrics strategy outlines how they will ensure that automated decision-making (ADM) systems are governed and used in a way that is fair to people, focusing on how they are used in recruitment and in public services. The strategy can be read here: https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/our-information/our-strategies-and-plans/artificial-intelligence-and-biometrics-strategy/
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Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make it her policy to reduce the Passive Infrastructure Access charges to broadband providers installing their own cabling parallel to existing Openreach broadband infrastructure. \p Kanishka Narayan: As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.

PIA rental charges are set by Ofcom and based on the total cost of the physical infrastructure that Openreach needs to recover. While we are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, it is for the regulator to assess the fair level of these rental charges and DSIT has not made any formal assessment with regard to PIA charges.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of online misinformation spread by AI Large Language Models on social media platforms. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government recognises the risks posed by mis- and disinformation on social media, including that which is spread by Large Language Models (LLMs). The Online Safety Act already provides protections against material that is AI-generated, where it is illegal or harmful to children.

The Government continues to invest in assessing and countering the risks posed by AI on misinformation. We work with industry, academics and civil society to understand how the risk picture is developing, and to consider options for future mitigations. One example of this is the Deepfake Detection Challenge, co-led by the Home Office and DSIT.
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Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the resilience of mobile networks in rural areas; and whether her Department plans to review (a) planning and (b) infrastructure requirements to prevent prolonged outages. \p Kanishka Narayan: Senior officials within the department have been in regular contact with Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) about the coverage issue in Calder Valley constituency that impacted both O2 and Vodafone customers, along with customers of Mobile Virtual Network Operators using their networks. VMO2 have confirmed that a temporary fix has been put in place to restore mobile connectivity to the Hebden Bridge community. This was implemented on 7 November. VMO2 have told us the solution put in place will ensure that the coverage in Hebden Bridge is equivalent to the level of coverage experienced prior to the outage.

While we will be launching a call for evidence as soon as possible to assess the merits of further planning reform to support the deployment of mobile networks, VMO2 has indicated that obtaining planning permission was not a barrier to restoring coverage in the area.

Communications providers are legally required to ensure appropriate network availability, mitigate risks, and report significant incidents to Ofcom, which can investigate and enforce compliance. In December 2023, Ofcom launched a Call for Input on power back-up at mobile access sites. An update in February 2025 confirmed further analysis is underway to determine proportionate measures for operators. The Department supports this work and looks forward to its conclusions.
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Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which (a) Department and (b) Minister will lead on the online guidance hub for parents and carers on children and young people’s online safety and the Media Literacy Vision Statement. \p Kanishka Narayan: DSIT is the policy lead for media literacy and is committed to improving media literacy through coordinated cross-government work and collaboration with Ofcom and civil society. Minister Narayan is responsible for media literacy strategy, ensuring clear leadership and co-operation across departments. The Media Literacy Vision Statement will set out a clear direction and a joined-up approach across government, including how to empower parents and carers to better support young people online.

DSIT is working in close collaboration with the Department for Education to develop a dedicated ‘parent hub’ providing guidance on media literacy and online safety for parents and carers.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many staff in her Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability, listed by grade. \p Ian Murray: The table below breaks down the number of staff with mental health or physical conditions by grade:

Grade

Physical Disability

Mental Health condition

AO

2

0

EO

2

3

HEO

8

9

SEO

14

6

G7

20

14

G6

8

1

SCS

2

2

Total

56

35

Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each government department are published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data are as at 31 March 2025 and can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK

Information for 31 March 2026 is due for publication in July 2026.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with stakeholders in the North East on the protection children and young people from harmful content online. \p Kanishka Narayan: This Government is committed to keeping people safe online, so that they can seize all the opportunities that the internet brings.

Is it essential that policy is shaped by people with lived experience and we engage regularly with a range of stakeholders to understand how best to protect children and young people from harmful online content. Ofcom, the independent regulator for online safety, also engaged with children across the country in developing its safety codes.

Details of ministerial engagement are published quarterly on GOV.UK.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many staff left her Department in each of the last five years, listed by grade. \p Ian Murray: Information on the number of civil servants leaving each government department and organisation by responsibility level for the years 2021 to 2025 is published annually through the ‘Civil Service data browser’ as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Information can be accessed through the Civil Service data browser for 2021 through 2025 at the following web address:

Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help tackle digital exclusion in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Kanishka Narayan: We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and the evidence base is significant but fragmented. Ofcom data from 2025 reports that 5% of households in the UK do not have access to the internet and that, in the North East of England, 10% of households do not have access to the internet. That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February, which sets out our immediate actions to boost digital inclusion across the UK, including the North East of England.

Alongside our actions to widen access to devices, drive digital upskilling, break down barriers to participation and get support to people in their own communities, we are also developing robust headline indicators to monitor progress and inform future digital inclusion interventions.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment the her Department has made of the potential impact of the AI Growth Zone in the North East on economic growth in the Hexham constituency. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer my Hon. friend to the answer given on 2nd October 2025 to Question UIN HL10718.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what team in her Department produced the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Cyber Security & Digital Identity Directorate within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) are the policy owners of the overall PSTI regime and led the development of the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much paid civil service time did it take to create The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025. \p Kanishka Narayan: The UK is the most targeted country in Europe for cyber-attacks and with most connected products used here manufactured abroad, so developing these Regulations required collaboration with international partners to reduce complexity for manufacturers and consumers.

The process of developing any legislation is inherently complex and time-consuming, involving extensive consultation, drafting, and scrutiny. Development of the draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 was no different and involved a collaborative effort between DSIT policy officials and legal experts, as well as discussing the appropriate terminology used in the draft Regulations with our counterparts in Japan and Singapore.

We do not have figures for the exact amount of civil service time involved but can confirm that developing this Statutory Instrument was part of the work of the Cyber Security & Digital Identity Directorate within DSIT.

We have worked closely with global partners to develop the internationally recognised European Standard for Cyber Security in Consumer Internet of Things devices ETSI EN 303 645. This standard is the foundation for nearly every major consumer product security regime worldwide and we are engaging with international partners to encourage its uptake in their connected devices regimes.
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Stephen Flynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of holding a consultation on reforming the Electronic Communications Code 2017 to help increase the way it reflects Scotland’s freehold property structure in multi-dwelling units. \p Kanishka Narayan: There are no plans to consult on reforms to the Electronic Communications Code. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement on 21 July we will consult on policy measures later in the autumn to create a new right for leaseholders in England and Wales to request a gigabit broadband connection and a duty for freeholders to not unreasonably refuse the request. We are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on the policy proposals and we will seek to legislate for these measures when parliamentary time allows.

We are engaging with the Devolved Nations on a range of issues relating to the deployment of digital infrastructure, including issues relating to access.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an estimate of the redundancy costs for the decision to close the UK Space Agency. \p Kanishka Narayan: UK Space Agency employees will move Department under the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSOP), either into DSIT or our service providers. The integration brings together teams already working closely, creating a single unit with a clear line from strategy through policy to delivery. This approach, completing by April 2026, will strengthen our space sector support whilst building on the firm foundations both organisations have established, including developing cutting-edge missions and attracting significant investment.
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Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of consumer protections for mobile phone users impacted by long term service outages; and whether she plans to introduce additional regulation to increase those protections. \p Kanishka Narayan: Telecoms consumers should rightly expect to have access to reliable and affordable connectivity no matter where they live, work or travel.

We have engaged with providers to ensure customers are eligible for compensation and are assessing options to proactively engage affected customers. While we have no current plans to extend regulatory requirements to include service outages, we and Ofcom keep the regulatory framework under review.

Ofcom is responsible for the Automatic Compensation Scheme and so any decision to extend the scheme would be for them. Ofcom also monitors trends in complaints. Operators are required to report significant incidents to Ofcom, who have powers to investigate, rectify and penalise communications providers for any infringement of their duties to ensure their network and services remain available.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October to Question 82973 on Broadband: Rural Areas, if she will make her policy to include direction to Ofcom on revising the Physical Infrastructure Access pricing model to ensure consistent competitive conditions in the forthcoming Statement of Strategic Priorities. \p Kanishka Narayan: In July, DSIT published a consultation on the draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing in the fixed telecoms sector. The draft Statement sets out the government’s view on the importance of competition to promote investment in broadband deployment across the UK, including in rural areas.

We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will hold discussions with Innovate UK on holding Innovate Local events in the north west of Northern Ireland. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Innovate UK Local’s programme of events are designed to take a roadshow of funding opportunities into regions across the whole of the UK. Innovate UK is committed to engaging with innovative businesses in Northern Ireland and is consulting with Invest Northern Ireland on where to hold events over the next year. This will ensure there is strong local input on how best to serve Northern Irelands vibrant business communities.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff in her Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability by grade. \p Dan Tomlinson: HM Treasury holds data on staff with a disability where this has been shared voluntarily, including staff with a mental health condition and with a physical disability (including a sensory disability), but this is not published.

Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each government department are published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. This data was most recently published on 31 March 2025 and can be found in Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2025.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2024 to Question 13425 on Budget October 2024, whether its definition of working people has changed. \p James Murray: A working person is someone who goes out to work and works for their income.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential economic merits of public investment in essential utility infrastructure in remote rural communities. \p James Murray: The government’s number one priority is driving economic growth to boost living standards in every part of the country. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy confirmed we will fund at least £725 billion for infrastructure over the next decade. This includes significant investment in essential utility infrastructure. The government is changing the Green Book and how it is used to make sure that every region gets a fair hearing when it comes to investment.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to provide additional funding for the Warm Homes Plan. \p James Murray: At the Spending Review in June, this Government committed £13.2 billion to the Warm Homes Plan to cut bills, tackle fuel poverty and accelerate our trajectory towards net zero.

Further details on the Warm Homes Plan, including how funding will be allocated to different schemes is expected to be published within the coming months.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42630 on Employers' Contributions: Welsh Government, what mechanism her Department will use to provide compensation for public services in Wales for the increase in employers’ National Insurance contribution costs after 2025/26. \p James Murray: The Welsh Government’s budget is growing in real terms between 2024-25 and 2028-29 and their Spending Review settlement is the largest in real terms since devolution in 1998. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support with the changes to employer National Insurance.

The devolved governments received funding through the Barnett formula in 2025-26, including on this support. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many e-scooters have been imported from China in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) 2025. \p Dan Tomlinson: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK which includes data on imports of e-scooters. HMRC releases this information monthly, as an Accredited Official Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com).

If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact xxx@xxx.xx
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 75616 on Business Rates: Local Press, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of the relief for local newspapers in the 2024-25 financial year; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending the relief from April 2025 on local newspapers. \p Dan Tomlinson: From April 2017 to 31 March 2025, Eligible newspapers received a £1,500 reduction in their business rates liabilities. This discount applied up to a maximum of one discount per local newspaper title and per property.

The previous government took the decision for this relief to end in March 2025, and the current government has maintained that approach.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government publishes data on the cost of business rates relief.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff left her Department by grade in each of the last five years. \p Dan Tomlinson: Information on the number of civil servants leaving each government department and organisation by responsibility level for the years 2021 to 2025 is published annually through the ‘Civil Service data browser’ as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Information can be accessed through the Civil Service data browser for 2021 through 2025 at the following web address: https://civil-service-statistics.jdac.service.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_284

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to reduce business rates for (a) hospitality businesses, (b) pubs and (c) breweries. \p Dan Tomlinson: As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from April 2026. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL businesses, including hospitality venues and pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Breweries that are wholly or mainly open to visiting members of the public (for instance, mainly used as a bar or for providing tours to the public) will also benefit from the lower multipliers.

The rates of the new multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and froze the small business multiplier. By extending the relief, the Government has saved the average pub, with a RV of £16,800, over £3,300.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_285

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of inflation on the Small Business Rate Relief threshold; and whether she plans to bring forward proposals to uprate the threshold in line with inflation. \p Dan Tomlinson: Business rates raised a reported £26.4bn billion in 2024/25 and make up a quarter of Local Authority core spending power. They support critical local services, including child and adult social care.

Over a third of properties (more than 700,000) with rateable values (RVs) under £12,000 pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR). An additional c.60,000 properties, with RVs between £12,000 and £15,000, benefit from reduced bills as SBRR tapers.

At the 2024 Autumn Budget, the Government decided to freeze the small business multiplier (paid by properties with RVs under £51,000) for 2025/26. Together with SBRR, this has protected over a million ratepayers from a 1.6 per cent inflationary bill Increase.

In the Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, the Government committed to exploring enhancing SBRR to support business growth and investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_286

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of pub closures in the last 12 months; and what fiscal measures she plans to take to support that sector. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government recognises the important role pubs play on our high streets and in community spaces and we want to see them thrive. That’s why the Government is investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services.

In recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, as well as the wider hospitality sector, at Autumn Budget 2024 the Government cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products by 1.7% in cash terms. This duty reduction, worth over £85m a year, covers approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs and is equivalent to a 1p duty reduction on a typical pint.

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that small hospitality businesses, such as pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The Government keeps all areas of the tax system under review. Any changes to the tax system are announced as part of the annual Budget process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_287

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to encourage people aged under 30 to (a) save and (b) invest for retirement. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government is committed to incentivising greater saving and investment to help people save for their future goals and build greater financial resilience and to supporting people of all incomes and at all stages of life to save.

The Lifetime ISA is designed to encourage younger people to get into the habit of saving for the longer term. The Help to Save scheme also supports low-income working households to start a long-term savings habit.

The government encourages pension saving through generous tax relief on pension contributions and investment income and growth. These reliefs were worth £78.2bn in 2023/24. Individuals can also save in a range of Individual Savings Accounts each year, such as cash and stocks & shares and any savings income within it is tax free.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_288

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Financial Conduct Authority on ensuring that people with disabilities and without access to mobile phones are not excluded from accessing online quotations and other financial services that require a mobile phone number. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government works closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of the UK’s financial services sector, to ensure that all customers get the right support with their financial products and services.

FCA guidance highlights the actions firms should take to understand the needs of customers who may be vulnerable, such as individuals with a disability, and to consider these needs appropriately. Specifically, the guidance sets out that firms should offer multiple channels of communication to their customers where possible and should ensure these meet the needs of their customers, including individuals with characteristics of vulnerability.

The FCA also introduced the Consumer Duty in July 2023 which raises the standard of care expected from firms for all customers, including those who may be vulnerable. It aims to deliver products and services that offer fair value and are designed to meet customers’ needs and seeks to increase firms’ focus on delivering good outcomes and preventing harm.

In addition, under the Equality Act 2010, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all.

More widely, ensuring all individuals have access to the appropriate financial products and services they need is a key priority for Government. I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy on 5th November, which was developed alongside a Committee of consumer and industry representatives, including the FCA, and sets out a range of interventions to improve financial inclusion for underserved groups across the UK. This includes a focus on the issues of digital inclusion and access to banking, and considers accessibility as a key theme throughout, in recognition of the particular challenges individuals can face in relation to this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_289

Gareth Thomas:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of access to affordable credit for (a) people and (b) small businesses in the 100 most deprived communities according to the English indices of multiple deprivation 2025 published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30 October 2025. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government recognises that credit, when provided responsibly, supports business growth, and can be crucial for people facing unexpected expenses or managing their cash flow.

The UK has a diverse landscape for credit provision to individuals and businesses, comprising traditional banks, challenger and specialist banks, and non-bank finance providers such as Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). In 2024, CDFIs and social banks lent £96.7 million to 364 social enterprises, with 67% of this lending directed to the UK’s most disadvantaged areas.

The Government recently published its Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out an ambitious programme of measures to improve financial inclusion and resilience for people across the UK. In recognition of the important role responsible credit can play for consumers, the strategy includes a focus on access to credit, among other priority issues, with the launch of new funding to support the credit union sector in England and a small sum lending pilot.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_290

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of fully implementing the provisions of the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 via secondary legislation on (a) new lending capacity and (b) economic growth. \p Lucy Rigby: The government is committed to supporting the growth of building societies in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the mutual and co-operative sector. As part of this, the government is committed to ensuring that building societies can operate in a modern and supportive legislative environment.

On 14 October 2024, the government introduced two statutory instruments to modernise the 1986 Act. The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment of Small Business Turnover Limit) Order 2024 came into force on 4 November 2024 and the Building Societies Act 1986 (Modifications) Order 2024 came into force on 6 January 2025.

The government will look to give effect to the powers enabled through the Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Act 2024 in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_291

Gareth Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether was she informed by the Office for Budget Responsibility in advance of the (a) Autumn Budget 2024 and (b) Spring Statement 2025 that it was likely to conduct a review of productivity forecasts at a forthcoming fiscal event. \p Lucy Rigby: The OBR regularly reviews its forecast assumptions. As set out in its latest annual Forecast Evaluation Report, published in July 2025, the OBR noted that they are "currently conducting our regular summer supply stocktake, which involves research into our potential output forecast and its components."

As the Government’s independent official forecaster, the OBR has full discretion over the judgements underpinning its forecasts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_292

James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to collect regional data on the use of the Lifetime ISA. \p Lucy Rigby: While HMRC does collect data on regional breakdown of Lifetime ISA account holders, the data quality is not sufficient to provide accurate regional breakdowns or produce statistics.

In HMRC’s response to the recent Treasury Select Committee’s LISA enquiry (link), a regional breakdown was provided of where homes were bought using LISA’s:

HMRC LISA enquiry response - Tables 1, 2 and 3.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-11 conversation_293

Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to help (a) reduce inflation and (b) increase average annual earnings in the West Midlands. \p Lucy Rigby: The government have been clear that inflation has been too slow to come down, and the priority it is placing on tackling the cost of living, as part of its mission to grow living standards.

The Bank of England has the responsibility for controlling inflation through monetary policy. The Government fully supports them as they take action to return inflation sustainably to 2%. Maintaining stable public finances and reducing borrowing over time will help to ease pressure on prices. Economic growth will help to increase earnings across the UK, including in the West Midlands.

The government’s fiscal strategy is to put the public finances on a sustainable path while prioritising investment to support long-term growth and meeting the fiscal rules.

The Chancellor has also asked departments to look at what action on inflation can be taken when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, while ensuring decisions support stability and long-term growth.

The Government has committed to £160m of funding over 10 years for the West Midlands Investment Zone, which local partners expect to generate £3.5bn in private sector investment, deliver 30,000 jobs and support higher earnings in the area.