theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) housing providers, (b) housing associations and (c) arms-length management organisations with meeting the costs of regulatory standards for supported housing. \p Alison McGovern: The Department consulted on a proposed licensing regime and standards for supported housing between 20 February 2025 and 15 May 2025. A government response to the consultation will be published as soon as possible.

The Department is working closely with supported housing providers and stakeholders to ensure that standards and licensing are proportionate and that implementation is carefully planned, to avoid any unintended consequences.

The Department will continue to work closely with supported housing providers and stakeholders as implementation of the measures set out in the Act proceeds.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had ahead of the Autumn Budget 2025 with supported accommodation providers on sustainable levels of funding support. \p Alison McGovern: The government values the vital role played by supported housing in helping older, disabled and other vulnerable people to live independently and well, and the contribution it makes to wider government objectives, including tackling rough sleeping and homelessness. I have been fully briefed on the challenges facing the supported housing sector and, together with my officials, I am committed to working together with the sector on the issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77003 on Department of Health and Social Care: Social Media, which influencers have been contracted by (a) his Department and (b) its marketing agencies. \p Samantha Dixon: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government currently has no contracted influencers directly through the department or via marketing agencies.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a rural community ownership fund. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Department commissioned an evaluation of the Community Ownership Fund in May 2023 to measure the social and economic impacts of different kinds of asset ownership, which will conclude in March 2026.

Interim findings will be published in the coming months highlighting the impact of the funding. A final report will be published in Spring 2026.

The evaluation will assess the impact of assets across a range of different types of geography including assets based in rural areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on the Stanley South neighbourhood in North Durham constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: On 25 September the government announced its flagship Pride in Place Programme, which will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 of Great Britain’s most in-need neighbourhoods over the next decade. The Stanley South neighbourhood in North Durham was selected as one of the areas to receive long-term funding and support from the programme.

This investment will help build a stronger community in Stanley South, create a thriving local place, and empower residents to take back control of their neighbourhood. Funding will support a locally led Pride in Place plan shaped around local priorities, with the community represented through a dedicated Neighbourhood Board to ensure that investment reflects local needs and ambitions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed Community Right to Buy on the establishment of community owned businesses. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we are introducing a new community right to buy to give communities stronger powers to protect a range of assets which are important to them.

This will help to ensure that community owned businesses have the spaces they need to operate effectively, meeting the needs of the community and benefiting the local economy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of firefighters' public pension scheme managers extending the deadline to issue Remediable Service Statements past the original deadline of 31 March 2025. \p Samantha Dixon: A Remediable Service Statement sets out the benefits options available to members of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme in order to remedy the discrimination found in McCloud. Delivery is managed locally by Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs), who may decide to extend the deadline beyond March 2025 in certain specific circumstances. Where an FRA has made such a decision, members may have to wait longer to receive the necessary information to make a decision regarding which pension benefits they wish to receive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing statutory funding for tackling flooding to fire and rescue services in England. \p Samantha Dixon: Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Fire and Rescue Authorities already have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. However, we recognise the interest in creating a statutory duty for flood rescue and officials are working with DEFRA, as lead government department for flooding, to consider the wider implications of this.

MHCLG supports Fire and Rescue Authorities in responding to flood incidents by providing national resilience High Volume Pump (HVP) capabilities. These are available to be used by Fire & Rescue Services across the country during major flood incidents. Additionally, DEFRA hold the Flood Rescue National Asset Register, a list of teams or assets that voluntarily join the register and maintain availability for national deployment in England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61222 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review. \p Samantha Dixon: At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government carried out a line-by-line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.
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Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment he has made of that report's recommendations on the official Private parking code of practice. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and welcomes the support and views of the RAC, along with other motoring groups and parking industry representatives.

In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government is preparing a code of practice that provides guidance on the operation and management of private parking facilities.

The government has recently consulted on its proposals for the code and will respond in due course.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 October 2025 to Question 83818 on Flags, which local authorities raised the subject of flags during those meetings. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The subject of flags has been raised by numerous local authorities in a variety of contexts and meetings across England. My department engages with local authorities day in and day out in a variety of different contexts. While discussions on flags have been prominent in many conversations with officials across the department, the information about these conversations is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost of time and resource to the department.

My department has signposted councils to existing guidance on flag flying, and has not provided any new guidance or interpretation of the existing guidance.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the forecast cost was of retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26. \p Alison McGovern: The forecast costs of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure relief for 2024-25 and 2025-26 is published on gov.uk here.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for reviewing the legal framework on the protection of open spaces; and whether he plans to publish a (a) call for evidence and (b) consultation on this matter. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Open and green spaces are an essential part of local social infrastructure and must be protected for future generations. The current system of protections for public recreational green space is fractured and complex, and that is why government intend to review to clarify the current protections for public recreational green spaces.

We intend to analyse the effectiveness and usability of those protections, to simplify the system, ensure consistency for developers and local authorities and empower communities to protect valued spaces.

The government is committed to working at pace on this to ensure clarity is brought to the system. Details of the review will be announced in due course.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he has taken to help reduce the proportion of highly deprived neighbourhoods. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Pride in Place Strategy sets out how we will deliver up to £5 billion in funding and support to 339 places experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, with two key funding streams.

Our Pride in Place Programme will support 244 neighbourhoods with up to £20 million of flexible funding and support over 10 years to unlock the potential of the place they call home. We have used metrics that identify ‘double-disadvantaged’ neighbourhoods – those suffering from a combination of material deprivation and low social capital. The full place selection methodology is set out here.

The Pride in Place Impact Fund provides around £150 million to a further 95 places to make immediate improvements to high streets, community venues and public spaces across the next two years. This funding has been targeted at the places most in-need using deprivation and community pride measures. The full place selection methodology is set out here.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits and disadvantages of Local Government Reform Option D on Huntingdonshire. \p Alison McGovern: Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are due to submit their final proposals for unitary local councils by 28 November. We understand the importance of communities having their say and have been clear on the importance of councils engaging with local residents and organisations as they develop their proposals.

The Government will launch a statutory consultation before deciding which proposal, if any, to implement. I anticipate this will be launched in the New Year. It would be inappropriate for Ministers to comment at this stage or give a view on specific unitary proposals, or to pre-empt future decisions under the statutory process.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the timeline is for the implementation of local government reform in Cambridgeshire. \p Alison McGovern: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 60179 on 19 June 2025 and to Question UIN 62328 on 30 June 2025.

Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are due to submit their final proposals for local government reorganisation by 28 November. The government will then launch a statutory consultation before deciding which, if any, to implement. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the criteria in the statutory guidance, the consultation responses received and all other relevant information.

The exact timings will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement. It is anticipated that a consultation could be launched in the New Year with decisions on which proposal to implement potentially announced before the summer recess to allow the legislation to be made which, subject to Parliamentary approval, would allow for elections to the new unitary authorities on 6 May 2027 with the new authorities going live on 1 April 2028.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will provide a breakdown of the (a) total and (b) stranded debt levels across the local authorities proposed for inclusion in the East Surrey Unitary Authority. \p Alison McGovern: Local authorities are responsible for their own borrowing and investment decisions and managing their assets. They must comply with statutory duties and guidance to ensure that their capital strategies are prudent, affordable and sustainable. In general, as with previous rounds of local government reorganisation, there is no proposal for council debt to be addressed centrally or written off as part of reorganisation.

The Department does not routinely collect data on the position of authorities’ assets and liabilities, Authorities are required, however, to report their financial position in their Annual Statement of Accounts. Authorities are also required to provide financial returns to Government on a quarterly and annual basis, including information on borrowing and capital financing requirements, and these are published on gov.uk here.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 October (HCWS998) where we announced our commitment to repay in-principle £500 million of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026-27. This is a significant and unprecedented commitment given historic capital practices at the Council. It reflects our acknowledgement that, even after the rationalisation of Woking’s historic assets, there is significant unsupported debt held by the Council that cannot be managed locally. Any support must take into account value for money for the local and national taxpayer and the Council’s continued commitment to reduce debt as far as possible within their local capacity.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department will consider the potential merits of providing funding to borough councils in Surrey to meet the costs of operating as shadow authorities during local government reorganisation. \p Alison McGovern: Earlier this year, the government provided funding to support councils preparing proposals, the first time that such funding was made available in partnership with the sector, we continue to provide practical support advice on preparing for reorganisation.

We expect councils to be able to meet transition costs from existing budgets, including from the flexible use of capital receipts. However, we are open to discussions with any council that may have concerns about its financial position.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed business rates retention reset on (a) councils with high business growth and (b) future incentives for high business growth. \p Alison McGovern: The Business Rates Retention System was designed to be “reset” periodically to update the way it redistributes locally retained business rates between local authorities – a core aspect of the system. The reset will fundamentally improve the way we fund local authorities, ensuring funding is targeted where it is needed most, based on an updated assessment of need. As set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, to smooth the delivery of the reset the government is proposing to offer increased protection to local authorities’ business rates income across the multi-year settlement period – further detail will be set out at the Policy Statement.

By fixing these foundations, the sector will be better placed to invest in and drive local growth. Business rates growth that comes on stream after the reset would be retained for the duration of the future reset period, continuing to reward authorities for local business rates growth.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's press notice entitled Mayors and councillors to access LGPS under reforms, published on 13 October 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of those reforms on (a) the London Assembly and (b) Mayor of London. \p Alison McGovern: The consultation launched on 13 October 2025 proposes that mayors and councillors in England should have access to the LGPS, including the Mayor of London and London Assembly Members. The overall cost is projected to increase employer contributions by an estimated £40-45 million per year.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to require Local Government Pension Scheme investments to not assist breaches of international law. \p Alison McGovern: Local Government Pension Scheme administering authorities set the investment strategies for their funds, and must follow relevant legislation and guidance. Authorities are legally required to comply with UK sanctions, including restrictions on dealings with designated individuals, entities, and countries.
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Sally Jameson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to make levels of council tax equal in all local authority areas; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on councils with less ability to raise local revenue. \p Alison McGovern: Council tax is managed by local authorities, who decide what level of council tax they wish to set. This will reflect the service needs of each area having taken account of their other sources of income. It will also reflect historic council tax decisions taken by local authorities over several decades. The government maintains the referendum principles and authorities who choose to increase their council tax above this must obtain the approval of voters.

The Government remains committed to keeping all taxes and elements of the local government finance system under review. As part of the Fair Funding Review 2.0, for example, the government has consulted on proposals to fully account for how much different areas can raise from council tax within grant funding allocations.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the empty homes council tax premium on financial incentives to councils to leave homes empty. \p Alison McGovern: It is the government’s clear expectation that councils will take reasonable steps to bring empty homes in their area back into use. The premium is one of several levers councils have, to encourage owners of empty homes to bring them back into use. As we outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, we intend to strengthen the ability of councils to take over the management of empty homes. Further details will follow in due course.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to (a) safeguard the integrity of the democratic process and (b) uphold democratic accountability during the transition to unitary authorities as part of local government reorganisation in Surrey. \p Alison McGovern: We will bring to the House, for approval, a Structural Changes Order, which will provide for the establishment of the two new councils, abolish the existing councils, and make the necessary electoral arrangements, including replacing the scheduled County and District elections in May 2026 with elections to the new councils. The legislation will also extend the terms of office for current councillors by 11 months, covering the interim period. This is standard practice and avoids the cost and disruption of holding elections for short-term posts in councils which are to be abolished.

The existing rules in place for the conduct of local council elections will apply to the elections for the new councils, and these will include provisions designed to uphold the integrity of the electoral process, for example, the requirement for voters in polling stations to show approved ID.

The simpler structures delivered through reorganisation will improve democratic accountability as residents know who to look to and it is clearer who is responsible for what.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce levels of rough sleeping. \p Alison McGovern: The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million to a total of more than £1 billion this year to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping.

This includes an additional £69.9 million announced last month for the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant, taking total investment through this grant to more than £255 million this year. We will publish our cross-Government homelessness strategy later this year which will set out the actions needed across central and local government and the homelessness sector to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether councillors who sign up to the Local Government Pension Scheme will have it listed in the annual statement of payments to councillors. \p Alison McGovern: Currently, the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 does not require local authorities to publish information relating to pension payments in the annual statement of payments to councillors. A consultation was launched on 13 October on providing access to the Local Government Pension Scheme to mayors and councillors and remains open until 22 December.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to stop councillors in England from being able to be elected to foreign office overseas. \p Alison McGovern: We expect councillors to uphold the Nolan principles, which include selflessness, integrity, objectivity, and accountability, because they are essential for maintaining public confidence in local democracy. The government is clear that any councillor elected by local people to serve their interests must continue to do so as their highest priority.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on Local Government Pension Scheme investments in fossil fuels. \p Alison McGovern: Investment strategies for Local Government Pension Scheme funds are set by administering authorities, and must include how social, environmental and corporate governance considerations, such as the environmental impact of fossil fuels, are taken into account. Authorities must have regard to their fiduciary duty to scheme members and employers, must consider factors that are financially material to the performance of their investments when setting their investment strategy, and must follow relevant legislation and guidance.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when returning officers will be informed of whether Huntingdonshire District Council elections will go ahead in 2026. \p Alison McGovern: Our starting point is for all elections scheduled for May 2026 to go ahead unless there is strong justification otherwise.

Returning Officers are not directly informed by the Government about whether local elections will proceed. They act independently, complying with legislation and following guidance provided by the Electoral Commission.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) blind and (b) partially sighted voters can exercise their right to secret ballot in (i) local and (ii) general elections. \p Samantha Dixon: The Government is committed to ensuring blind and partially sighted voters can vote independently. The Government convenes the Accessibility of Elections Working Group to provide a forum and impetus for development amongst organisations with an interest in supporting disabled people to engage in the democratic process. The Elections Act 2022 requires Returning Officers to provide tailored support and equipment at polling stations, and the Government continues to work closely with stakeholder organisations, such as RNIB, Mencap, and the Electoral Commission to promote innovation, improve guidance, and raise awareness of the support available.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 84928 on Local Government: Elections, if he will make it his policy to include political parties in the gateway. \p Samantha Dixon: I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84928 on 3 November 2025.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to introduce a national standard or accreditation scheme for consultants conducting fire risk and structural integrity assessments under the Building Safety Act 2022. \p Samantha Dixon: The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report made recommendations for reform relating to certain built environment professions, including regulation of fire engineers and mandatory accreditation of fire risk assessors. We have accepted these recommendations in full. We are aware of the importance of competence, accountability and good regulation to achieve a safer built environment and will continue to engage with the sector on this.

Part 4 of the Building Safety Act 2022 requires that building safety risks in Higher Risk Buildings are assessed, managed and controlled.  The assessment must be suitable and sufficient and all reasonable steps must be taken to manage and control the building safety risks.  Along with the Building Safety Regulator we keep under review the operation of the Building Assessment Certificate regime to ensure appropriate management of risks in Higher Risk Buildings.
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Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of training given to firefighters attending people in mental health crisis. \p Samantha Dixon: Fire and rescue authorities (FRA) as employer are responsible for ensuring that firefighters receive the training they need to safely respond to the wide range of incidents that they attend.

The National Fire Chiefs Council maintains national operational guidance for fire and rescue services to draw upon when developing operational policies, procedures and training.

The fire and rescue national framework requires all fire and rescue authorities to work collaboratively with partner agencies such as NHS, mental health services, and the police and integrate training reflecting current societal risks such as mental health crises. Each FRA must align its training and response strategies to meet these national policy expectations.
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Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2025 to Question 80709 on Churches: Aerials, what estimate she has made of the average change in rents paid to (a) churches, (b) local authorities, (c) other public authorities and (d) private landowners for hosting telecommunications masts since the amendment of the Electronic Communications Code under the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022. \p Kanishka Narayan: Measures included in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 will extend the statutory valuation framework contained in the Electronic Communications Code to certain cases regulated by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and the Business Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. These measures have not yet come into force and therefore no assessment has been made of their impact on rents.

Following the 2017 reforms to the Electronic Communications Code, government representatives engaged regularly with stakeholders about their impact. The changes made by the 2022 Act were consulted on and received Parliamentary scrutiny during passage of the Act.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2025 to Question 84243 on DSIT: Disinformation, and to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25857 on Written Questions: Government Responses, if he will provide relevant hyperlinks to the specific contracts with third-party providers. \p Kanishka Narayan: Details of contracts between DSIT and third-party contractors used to address online information threats are available on GOV.UK:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question HL5508 on Research: Finance, if she will make it her policy to stop the inclusion of equality, diversity and inclusion targets in publicly-funded research. \p Kanishka Narayan: Government recognises the important role of a positive research environment in attracting and retaining diverse talent essential for maintaining the UK’s global competitiveness in research. Research funders have legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and public sector funders must also have due regard for the Public Sector Equality Duty to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations. Government is committed to ensuring inclusive participation in publicly funded research while continuing to foster the UK’s reputation for research excellence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_383

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68774 on Civil Service: Equality, whether there was a business case for the purchase of rainbow pins. \p Ian Murray: A business case for the rainbow pins was approved by the Permanent Secretary (under delegated powers from the Secretary of State). This decision was reviewed when the government guidance on branded merchandise was introduced in May 2025 and was not taken forward as this purchase was classified as non-essential.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_384

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 50225 on Government Digital Service: Gender and Sex, if he will ensure that sex is used in updated Government Digital Service Design guidance. \p Ian Murray: Following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers earlier this year, GDS will review the GOV.UK Design System’s guidance in line with changes, once agreed, to the Codes of Practice issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_385

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what is his Department’s definition of disinformation is. \p Kanishka Narayan: The UK government defines disinformation as the deliberate creation and spreading of false and/or manipulated information that is intended to deceive and mislead people, either for the purposes of causing harm, or for political, personal or financial gain. Misinformation is the inadvertent spread of false information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_386

Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure that funding for newly licensed medicines results in improved patient outcomes. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to implement the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which seeks to improve patient outcomes by driving health innovation in England.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the NHS on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded based on an assessment of clinical and cost-effectiveness. This process ensures that new licensed medicines will only be routinely funded by the NHS where evidence demonstrates that their costs are justified by the benefits that they bring for NHS patients.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_387

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Director General for Digital Centre Design has been involved in procurement decisions in her role as a member of the programme board for Test, Learn and Grow. \p Ian Murray: Emily Middleton has had no involvement in procurement decisions related to the Cabinet Office Test Learn and Grow Programme. Ms Middleton was invited to join the programme board in February 2025, alongside representatives of other departments. This was in her capacity as Director General for Digital Centre Design. Ms Middleton has not attended any of the board meetings, and has delegated attendance to other officials within DSIT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_388

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61224 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review. \p Ian Murray:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_389

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on when the Information Commissioner plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton of 12 June 2025 on data protection in local government. \p Ian Murray: Although the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) acts as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)’s sponsor within government, it is an independent regulator and they manage their own casework function. The ICO has informed me that they will be responding shortly to the member’s letter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_390

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure full mobile phone signal in (a) Bedford and (b) Kempston. \p Kanishka Narayan: In Ofcom’s Connected Nations Spring Update, published on 8 May 2025, it is reported that 4G is available across 100% of the Bedford constituency from all four mobile network operators (MNOs), while 5G is available outside 72% of premises in the constituency from all four operators. Ofcom do not report on coverage at the town level.

Communities and businesses right across the UK should rightly expect to have the mobile connectivity they need to participate in the modern digital economy.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. Government continues to work closely with the MNOs, ensuring that we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks that delivers benefits to communities right across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_391

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of geographical indication protections for regionally significant natural stones. \p Kanishka Narayan: I am responding as minister with responsibility for intellectual property. Geographical indications for craft and industrial products, e.g. natural stones, can be protected in the UK via specialised collective and certification trade marks. Collective and certification trade marks can be applied for via the Intellectual Property Office and are accompanied by regulations that set out the conditions of use of the trade mark. This can include that the goods or services covered by the mark have a specific geographical origin. As trade marks are private rights, it is for potential applicants to decide whether to seek such trade mark protection.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_392

John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made provisions for the recovery of public funds from contractors who fail to deliver on Building Digital UK contracts. \p Kanishka Narayan: Payments to suppliers for delivery under Project Gigabit contracts are made once a gigabit capable connection is available to the premises. Where a supplier fails, the supplier is required to repay any public money paid through the contracts for premises which do not reach this point.

In May 2025, Building Digital UK (BDUK) and Full Fibre mutually agreed to terminate the Project Gigabit contract for the Peak District, which included some premises in the Derbyshire Dales constituency. This contract did not reach a stage where gigabit-capable connections were being delivered and therefore there was no requirement for any funding to be repaid by the supplier.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_393

Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will review the adequacy of the funding levels for Project Gigabit in Oxfordshire. \p Kanishka Narayan: As part of Project Gigabit, Gigaclear is delivering two contracts across Oxfordshire, with a combined value of £26.5 million, to provide gigabit-capable broadband to premises not included in suppliers’ commercial rollout plans. Approximately 9,500 premises across Oxfordshire are currently included in these contracts, which are being delivered until the end of 2026.

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which forms another part of Project Gigabit, is currently closed in the Oxfordshire area as our priority currently is to provide gigabit coverage to as many premises as possible through Gigaclear’s contracts.

We will aim to cover the remaining premises as far as possible as funding becomes available, in line with the objective of achieving nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_394

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the salary is of the Director General for Digital Centre Design. \p Ian Murray: The salary of the Director General for Digital Centre Design is published in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s transparency data, which is available on data.gov.uk. The published salary range for this role is £150,000 to £154,999.

This information is part of the Department’s regular transparency reporting and is publicly accessible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-18 conversation_395

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 50225 on Government Digital Service: Gender and Sex, whether any (a) diversity staff network and (b) external organisation advised the Government Digital Service on the Design System Guidance. \p Ian Murray: No diversity staff networks advised GDS in developing the Design System guidance.

GOV.UK Design System guidance has been iterated with input from specialists external to the Government Digital Service, including the Government Statistical Service and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.