theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-04)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with President Abbas on progress towards a two-state solution. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK's commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. The Prime Minister spoke to President Abbas on 29 July to condemn the suffering in Gaza, reiterate that Hamas must play no role in Gaza, and outline the UK's commitment to recognising the State of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel changes its course. We are continuing to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood. Our approach to recognition forms part of a wider plan for peace to end the horrific suffering and re-establish a pathway to a Two-State Solution. We aim to create the conditions for a lasting peace in Gaza, as the basis for a wider process to find a long-term political solution in the Middle East. The UK also welcomed Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohamad Mustafa to London in April. During the visit, we announced a package of £101 million which included support for governance reforms in the PA and signed a UK-PA MoU on Strategic Cooperation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-04)

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Cat Eccles:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations has he made to his Israeli counterpart on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Prime Minister spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 29 July. He said that the situation in Gaza was intolerable and that the need for humanitarian access is now more pressing than ever before. He urged him to take immediate action to lift all restrictions on aid access and get those suffering in Gaza the food they need. Further to this, the Prime Minister made a statement on 29 July in which he outlined the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages still held by Hamas, and that the UN be allowed to send humanitarian assistance into Gaza on a continuing basis to prevent starvation in Gaza. We recognise Israel's decision to allow temporary pauses and partially unblock aid; however, we have been clear with our Israeli counterparts that this is not enough to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza. Restrictions on aid must be permanently removed, and the UN must be enabled to deliver aid safely and at-scale.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-04)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the safe passage of scholars from Gaza who hold offers of admission at UK universities. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are aware of the students and are considering the request for support. The issues arising from the current situation in Gaza are complex.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-04)

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Claire Hughes:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55674 on Palestinians: Recognition of States, what steps he is taking to advance the recognition of the State of Palestine. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK's commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. The Prime Minister spoke to President Abbas on 29 July to condemn the suffering in Gaza, reiterate that Hamas must play no role in Gaza, and outline the UK's commitment to recognising the State of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel changes its course. We are continuing to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood. Our approach to recognition forms part of a wider plan for peace to end the horrific suffering and re-establish a pathway to a Two-State Solution. We aim to create the conditions for a lasting peace in Gaza, as the basis for a wider process to find a long-term political solution in the Middle East. The UK also welcomed Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohamad Mustafa to London in April. During the visit, we announced a package of £101 million which included support for governance reforms in the PA and signed a UK-PA MoU on Strategic Cooperation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of crime on inbound tourism to the UK. \p Stephanie Peacock: While DCMS has not made a specific assessment of the impact of crime on inbound tourism, we work closely with the Home Office, police and local partners to ensure that visitors to the UK have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Through our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, we will place thousands of additional police officers and police community support officers in neighbourhood policing roles. This will provide a more visible and effective service to the public, with each neighbourhood having a named, contactable officer dealing with local issues, including robbery and theft from the person.

The Government recognises the serious impact that crime has on public safety, both in terms of the harm caused to victims and the wider implications for tourism.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the BBC on digitising the BBC archives. \p Ian Murray: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport meets regularly with representatives of the BBC on a range of matters.

With regard to the digitisation of the BBC archives, the BBC has an obligation under their Framework Agreement to both maintain an archive, and give the public reasonable opportunities to visit the archive and view material kept there. As the BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government, decisions on how it discharges its obligations in relation to its Archive Services are a matter for the BBC.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling access to BBC iPlayer for license fee payers while abroad. \p Ian Murray: Under the Charter the BBC is required to act in the public interest, serving all audiences through the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output and services which inform, educate and entertain. With regard to the provision of services internationally, as the BBC is operationally independent, decisions on whether and how the BBC makes its content available to licence fee payers abroad are therefore for the BBC to make independent of government.

DCMS has not made an assessment of the potential merits of enabling access to BBC iPlayer for license fee payers while abroad. However, it is worth noting that the ability of the BBC to make content available is limited in large part due to rights agreements. The BBC does not hold the international rights to many of the programmes it carries on iPlayer, and therefore cannot provide audiences outside the UK with access to the iPlayer service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to reduce the TV licence fee. \p Ian Murray: To ensure the BBC is on a stable financial footing, the Government has committed to the current licence fee model for the remainder of the current Charter period.

The licence fee will increase annually in line with CPI inflation until the end of this Charter period, as required by the Licence Fee Settlement agreed by the last Government in 2022.

Looking ahead, the Secretary of State is a strong supporter of the BBC and has been clear that it must be funded by a model that is sustainable. The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and the forthcoming Charter Review will provide an opportunity to consider the best possible funding model to set the BBC up for success long into the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the differences are between the (a) Women’s Sport Taskforce, announced in 2025 and (b) the National Physical Activity Taskforce, established in 2023. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Women’s Sport Taskforce convenes a group of industry experts which aim to understand opportunities and break down barriers to deliver equal access, best in class facilities, ongoing professionalisation of women’s sport, visible role models to inspire future generations of girls and a strong pipeline of UK hosted major events by the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The National Physical Activity Taskforce (NPAT) was established in 2023 under a previous government to monitor the delivery of the sport strategy Get Active, which went beyond women’s sport in its focus. This group has now closed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to provide additional support to prospective Paralympians. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is fully committed to our elite sport system and enabling our Paralympians to achieve their potential and excel on the world stage. UK Sport have committed nearly £75 million to support the LA 2028 Paralympic cycle for new and returning Paralympians. We will soon get to see our Winter Paralympians compete in Milan-Cortina 2026, who have benefited from a nearly £8 million package of support.

The Backing The Best programme, managed by SportsAid for Sport England, also supports para-athletes who would face difficulties progressing through their sport’s talent development system without support.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has held recent discussions with the Football Foundation on the level of funding it requires from the Government to (a) plan strategically and (b) implement community projects. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years. This funding builds upon the additional £80.3 million being delivered in England this year through the Football Foundation as part of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme.

As part of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme’s ongoing delivery, officials are in regular contact with the Football Foundation to understand levels of demand, and how to best plan strategically to deliver community projects - now, and in the future. This includes engaging with the Football Foundation regarding their recently refreshed Local Football Facility Plans, which inform how they plan and target their investment.

In July, I held a roundtable with several of the sector’s National Governing Bodies and the Football Foundation to discuss future funding of community sports. We are continuing to work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, and will then set out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that (a) children, (b) young people and (c) vulnerable adults are safeguarded while participating in (i) regulated and (ii) unregulated (A) grassroots sports, (B) civil society groups and (C) religious groups. \p Stephanie Peacock: The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone is vitally important. In sport, National Governing Bodies are responsible for the regulation of their sports and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm, including through adherence to statutory safeguarding guidance. Our Arm’s Length Body Sport England funds the Child Protection in Sport Unit and Ann Craft Trust to provide guidance and support for the sector regarding safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

For civil society groups, The Charity Commission provides clear guidance on the safeguarding responsibilities of registered charities, and the Government works in partnership with charities and regulators to raise awareness about safeguarding.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) also provides guidance to all voluntary organisations, including religious groups, on their legal safeguarding responsibilities when working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Independent Football Regulator on (a) the regulation of away ticket prices and (b) the potential impacts of regulating away ticket pricing. \p Stephanie Peacock: Football ticket price limits are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs.

The Independent Football Regulator will consider the pertinent factors to club sustainability as part of its first State of the Game report. This report must be completed within 18 months of the Secretary of State laying secondary legislation specificing the competitions in scope of the regime.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made in implementing the civil society covenant. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Civil Society Covenant was launched by the Prime Minister in July at a major civil society summit. Its ambition is to strengthen relationships and encourage partnership between civil society and all levels of UK government. Achieving this will require the collective commitment of organisations across the full breadth of both civil society and government.

At the launch we also announced the initial steps that DCMS is taking to implement the Covenant. This includes establishing a cross-sector Joint Civil Society Covenant Council to drive implementation and provide strategic oversight, and a Local Covenant Partnerships Programme to support collaborative working at the local level between civil society and public sector organisations. We are making progress and plan to share details and engage civil society in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if She will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of increasing funding for grassroots football on costs to (a) the NHS and (b) local authorities. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government’s NHS 10 Year Health Plan recognises the importance of physical activity in tackling the nation’s health and relieving NHS pressures. The latest evidence provided by Sport England shows that physical activity directly prevents 3.2 million cases of long term health conditions per year, including 1.3 million cases of depression and 600,000 cases of diabetes, equating to over £10 billion worth of healthcare savings each year.

The FA’s Social Return on Investment 2024 report estimates the 15.7 million participants involved in grassroots football contribute £11.8 billion to society in direct economic value, as well as over £3.2 billion in savings to the NHS through prevention of diseases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support public libraries. \p Ian Murray: Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources. The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils' Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

For Libraries specifically, the Secretary of State announced in February 2025 a further £5.5 million of the Libraries Improvement Fund for 2025-26 to enable library services across England to invest in a range of projects to upgrade buildings and technology. Nottinghamshire County Council has previously received £399,086 from this fund to support projects in a number of their libraries.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 requires the Secretary of State to “superintend and promote the improvement of the public library service provided by local authorities in England”. To assist this function the department regularly monitors and reviews changes to local authority library service provision, and engages with local authorities to discuss their respective library service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle antisocial behaviour in libraries. \p Ian Murray: Tackling anti-social behaviour and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities, and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers that they can use to respond to anti-social behaviour. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers depending on the specific circumstances.

Libraries aim to deliver their services and activities within a safe and comfortable environment. The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 provides for a local authority to make byelaws regulating the use of and the conduct of persons in their public libraries.

The revised public library byelaws for England were published in March 2025, following close consultation between DCMS and Libraries Connected. The byelaws are intended to help libraries deliver their service within a safe and comfortable environment, to safeguard library property and to make libraries places everyone can enjoy. They assist the library workforce to deal with disruptive behaviour and allow for flexibility in dealing with local concerns.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Jon Trickett:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department has given the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield in grants in the last five years. \p Ian Murray: DCMS has not provided any funding directly to the National Coal Mining Museum for England (NCMME) in the last five years. The Department provides funding to the Science Museum Group (SMG) with agreement that SMG in turn provides an annual grant payment to NCMME. This provision of grant funding is managed directly between SMG and NCMME and the annual amounts are published as part of the SMG accounts.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussion she has had with the video games industry on the availability of business training for entrepreneurs in that sector. \p Ian Murray: The then Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism met with the newly formed Video Games Council in September where the availability of business training for entrepreneurs in the video games sector was discussed.

As noted in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, the Video Games Skills Strategy is being developed and published in 2025 by a sector-convened UK Games Skills Network. This will build on findings from the Creative Industries Council Skills Audit, giving video games skills organisations and delivery partners a clear remit for tackling persistent skills gaps.

The Government looks forward to this important piece of industry-led work to assess sector needs, including in business training for entrepreneurs.

Currently, businesses are able to access Business & IP Centres, coordinated by the British Library, that provide businesses and entrepreneurs with access to IP knowledge, market intelligence, and support services, with locations across the UK.

As outlined in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, the government will also work with industry to support sector training pathways through a new DCMS and Skills England led Creative Sector Skills Forum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of potential impact of the UK Games Fund on (a) employment, (b) investment, (c) studio formation and (d) IP development over the next 12 months. \p Ian Murray: DCMS commissioned an independent evaluation of the UK Games Fund (UKGF) by Alma Economics which was published on 18th July 2025. This evaluation assessed the fund’s impact between April 2022 and March 2025, as well as previous iterations of the programme since 2015.

The evaluation found that:

UKGF was estimated to contribute around 430 additional FTE jobs in the video games sector during the three years evaluated.

UKGF-funded companies surveyed leveraged an additional £18.2m in funding, which exceeds the total £13m invested into the fund.

On IP development, 74% of beneficiaries agreed or strongly agreed that their prototype or video game would not have been completed without UKGF support, which was associated with an eight-percentage-point increase in the probability of beneficiaries having developed a prototype or video game after one year of funding, compared to those who did not receive UKGF support.

The evaluation did not measure the fund’s impact on studio formation but, in response to interviews, some applicants commented that UKGF was well-targeted to smaller studios early in the development process, noting it as a critical funding source for games studios that had not yet made a game in full.

As part of the recently published Creative Industries Sector Plan, the government announced the £30 million Games Growth Package, including an expansion of the UKGF over the next three years. While we do not have an assessment of the fund’s impact over the next 12 months, it is anticipated that the programme will achieve greater impact with its increased funding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of harmonising remote betting and gaming duties on (a) prize money, (b) racecourse finances, (c) funding for (i) equine welfare and (ii) veterinary research supported by the Horserace Betting Levy and (d) participation and attendance for British horseracing; and what steps she is taking to help protect the sector. \p Ian Murray: The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to the nation’s economy and sporting landscape.

Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HM Treasury, as is standard practice.

Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. In financial year 24/25, the Levy raised £108 million for the purposes of supporting horse breeds, advancing veterinary science & education within the industry and facilitating general improvements to the sport.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Independent Game Developers’ Association on the adequacy of the level of the Games Expenditure Credit for smaller studios. \p Ian Murray: As set out in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, the Government is committed to supporting the growth of the UK’s video games sector. DCMS have engaged with The Independent Game Developers Association, including through the industry-led UK Video Games Council, to discuss proposals for enhanced tax relief support for lower budget productions.

There are a multitude of factors to consider when deciding on new tax reliefs beyond return on investment and sector impact, and the government is committed to ensuring that all public money is spent and targeted effectively across the creative industries and wider economy.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the maximum value of (a) prizes and (b) stakes in arcades in line with inflation. \p Ian Murray: The Government intends to consult on changes to maximum stakes and prizes for Category D gaming machines, to understand if this would be an appropriate way to support the family entertainment centre sector while maintaining protections for children and young people. Category D machines include seaside arcade staples, such as crane grabs and coin pushers. The consultation will seek evidence and feedback from a range of stakeholders on maximum stakes and prizes for these machines. We intend to launch the consultation this year.

The Government does not have plans to review stakes and prizes for other categories of gaming machines at this time.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to (a) promote and (b) support the participation of young people in (i) charities and (ii) the voluntary sector in Lincolnshire. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. High-quality, inclusive facilities, including curling rinks, help people get active.

In June, we committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years. This funding will be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities that promote health and wellbeing and remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to increase the number of venues offering curling rinks in England. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. High-quality, inclusive facilities, including curling rinks, help people get active.

In June, we committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years. This funding will be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities that promote health and wellbeing and remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.
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Iqbal Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the of the (a) long-term sustainability of the third sector and (b) its impact on health and social care services. \p Stephanie Peacock: This government recognises the vital role that charitable organisations and community groups play in improving people’s health and wellbeing. These organisations, as well as the wider Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, are integral to the Government’s vision for national renewal and delivery of the five national missions.

DCMS supports VCSEs with their financial sustainability through a number of grant programmes, and supporting the growth of other sources of funding. The Government’s Social Enterprise Boost Fund is an up to £5.1 million package of funding to kickstart and accelerate social enterprise activity in four disadvantaged areas of England. We also provide support to charities through a range of tax reliefs and exemptions, with more than £6 billion in charitable reliefs provided to charities, Community Amateur Sports Clubs and their donors in 2023-24.

We also have the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Programme, which is a mechanism through which the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and UK Health Security Agency work together with VCSE organisations to drive transformation of health and care systems; promote equality; address health inequalities; and help people, families, and communities to achieve and maintain wellbeing. This will help the government to deliver on the Health Mission, and in particular the shift to prevention, through a cross-sector approach.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many appointments have been made to the Boards of her Department's public bodies since 10 July 2024. \p Ian Murray: Since 10 July 2024, 114 regulated appointments and reappointments have been made to the Boards of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s public bodies.
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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve funding for grassroots football facilities. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That’s why the Government is investing £98 million throughout 2025/26 to build and upgrade pitches and facilities UK wide. Funding from the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme is invested in England through Sport England and our delivery partner, the Football Foundation. The Football Foundation plans their investment pipeline based on Local Football Facility Plans which have been developed in partnership with local authorities, community FAs and other sport stakeholders.

On top of this, we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years.

The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sports and health club facilities in England, through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding in areas of greatest need to tackle inactivity levels through community-led solutions.

We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, and will then set out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question on Table Office: Financing, if the Commission will make an assessment of the potential merits of temporarily increasing staffing levels in the Table Office during peak periods. \p Nick Smith: The tabling of questions is driven by demand from Members and it is therefore difficult to predict peak periods of activity. The Chamber and Participation Team keeps under review appropriate staffing levels for the procedural offices, taking account of Member demand and the fact that the House Administration is undertaking a Savings and Improvement Programme.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2025 to Question 30400 on Table Office: Finance, if the Commission will review the staffing levels for the Table Office, in the context of the number of written questions published in this Session to date. \p Nick Smith: There are currently no plans to review staffing levels for the Table Office. The Chamber and Participation Team keeps under review appropriate staffing levels for the procedural offices, taking account of Member demand but mindful of the fact that the House Administration is undertaking a Savings and Improvement Programme.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the Members Estimate Committee, when he plans to respond to Written Question 74628 on Representative money. \p Nick Smith: Written Question 74628 was answered on 16 September 2025.

Representative Money allocations 2005/xx-xxxx-xxxx (pdf, 40.0KB)
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_28

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for the processing of Universal Credit advances in the most recent period for which data is available. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We do not collect data on advance payment processing times.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_29

Paulette Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the effectiveness of the Special Rules for End of Life fast-tracking benefits system. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

The system is kept under review to ensure it is meeting its objectives.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the fast-tracked access to benefits via SREL is maintained, while actively exploring how we can continue to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of the current system.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_30

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help improve the financial security of people at the end of life. \p Sir Stephen Timms: This Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it.

The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who have 12 months or less to live to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods and, in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_31

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of investigations into benefit fraud result find no wrongdoing. \p Andrew Western: DWP takes all allegations of fraud seriously, irrespective of reporting method, and will take appropriate action on those cases where there is concern about entitlement.

For regional fraud investigations, conviction data is not currently available for 24/25. There were however 639 prosecutions* (6% of investigations) and 272 Administrative Penalties (3% of investigations) issued.

For serious and economic crime investigations concluded in fiscal year 24/25, there were 26 such convictions** (7% of investigations) and 1 Administrative Penalty (0% of investigations).

Across all fraud investigations concluded in 24/25, 2191 cases had their benefit corrected and 8075 cases resulted in no change.

* Prosecutions refer to cases where the prosecuting authority (Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales, Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) have reviewed the case and have deemed the case suitable for prosecution.

** Please note that due to the length of time to bring a prosecution to conclusion, these conviction numbers will relate to cases commenced in previous years.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_32

Paulette Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations of the report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hospice and End of Life Care entitled Inquiry into the financial impact of a terminal diagnosis, published on 9 September 2025. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department supports people nearing the end of life through the Special Rules for End of Life. These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment or serve waiting periods, and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

The Universal Credit Act 2025, ensures that all Special Rules for End of Life claimants will receive the higher LCWRA rate, no matter when they make their claim.

The Department values the insights and perspectives provided by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hospice and End of Life Care and has noted the recommendations made in the report.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_33

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will ask the Pensions Commission to consider expansion of access to the State Pension for people of working age with terminal illnesses. \p Torsten Bell: The Terms of Reference for the Pensions Commission, which set out the scope for the Commission, were published on the 21st July. As set out in their Terms of Reference, the Commissioners will consider what is required in the long term to deliver financial security in retirement through a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable. The Commissioners will engage with a wide range of issues relevant to their terms of reference and will publish their findings in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_34

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time was for the processing of State Pension underpayment corrections in the most recent period for which data is available. \p Torsten Bell: We do not hold information regarding average waiting times to process State Pension underpayments corrections and to produce it would incur disproportionate costs.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_35

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 12 September 2025 to Question 73088, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for replies to MP Correspondance. \p Andrew Western: We are aware of previous technical issues on our UC regional MP hotlines. Since the introduction of a single UC national MP hotline this issue has now been resolved.

We have also seen a significant increase in correspondence coming into the Department over the last 6 months. To reduce timescales in responding to MP correspondence, we are in the process of putting additional resources into our complaints and correspondence teams.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_36

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of doubling the funding for Bereavement Support Payments. \p Andrew Western: Bereavement Support Payment helps ease the immediate financial pressures following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum and up to 18 monthly instalments. Longer-term support is available through income replacement benefits such as Universal Credit. The Government keeps all benefits under regular review.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_37

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Property Redress Service in dealing with complaints. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_38

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of independence of the Property Redress Service. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_39

Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 69054 on Community Cohesion and Resilience Programme: Finance, for what reason the programme has been discontinued. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Community Cohesion and Resilience Programme was a 2024/25 funding stream, ending as scheduled in March 2025, after providing £3.6m of funding to build stronger, more integrated communities and reduce harmful division in 44 places.

The UK Government continues to work closely with community groups, charities, and public sector partners to strengthen communities. This includes our recent announcement at Spending Review, that we are investing in up to 350 deprived communities across the UK, to fund interventions including community cohesion, regeneration and improving the public realm. Future funding for communities will be announced in due course, to ensure places receive the support and resources they need to thrive.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_40

Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 69456 on British Muslim Trust, if he will publish the application submitted on 18 May 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The prospectus for the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund did not indicate that applications would be made public and were not submitted on that basis; publishing these would prejudice the commercial interests of applicants.
wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-13)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-13 conversation_41

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) correspondence and (b) discussions his Department has had with local authorities on the (i) erection and (ii) removal of (a) UK national and (b) foreign flags on street furniture in summer 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Prime Minister has made clear that he is proud of our flag, which represents our history, our heritage, and our values; it is a great symbol of our nation and should not be devalued and belittled. My Department engages with local authorities on a regular basis across numerous meetings. Where the subject has been raised we have been clear that everyone can make their own decisions, including local councils, on flying flags and that guidance exists to support them.