theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department's Roads Investment Committee has considered funding alterations to the London South Circular in the last year. \p Simon Lightwood: Over the last year the Department’s Roads and Local Investment Committee has considered a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) for Transport for London’s (TfL) Catford Town Centre road scheme, which would include the realignment of part of the A205 South Circular. The scheme is being progressed by TfL for possible funding as part of the Department’s Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors programme. The Department’s decision on whether to approve the SOC will be issued in due course.
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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the cost of consultancy to (a) negotiate and (b) implement new cross-border transport arrangements with the EU since January 2020 by (i) consultancy firm, (ii) contract value and (iii) month of contract award; and what scrutiny mechanisms exist for those consultants. \p Mike Kane: No estimate has been made of the cost of consultancy by my department used during negotiation and implementation of new cross-border transport arrangements with the EU since January 2020.

Since the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement came into effect on 31st January 2020, and subsequent application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement from 1 January 2021, there has been an extensive programme of work across numerous government departments to facilitate implementation of our new relationship with the EU and ensure the continued flow of people and goods.

Most cross-border impacts of EU Exit for transport relate to border checks such as immigration controls, checks on goods and security arrangements on which other departments lead. The National Audit Office has produced a number of reports on EU Exit preparations including one on borders last year: The UK border: Implementing an effective trade border - NAO report.
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Jo White:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing temporary blue badges to people recovering from operations. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Blue Badge scheme is primarily about helping people with a long-term disability, that affects their capacity to access the goods and services they need to use. Anyone may be entitled to a badge if they meet the eligibility criteria.

The Department has issued local authorities with advice on how they could use existing powers to provide locally determined parking concessions within their areas. For example, some local authorities grant parking concessions to assist their elderly residents. The same powers could be used to help those with temporary disabilities.
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of requiring electric bike users to (a) have a number plate and (b) be insured. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government has no intention of requiring cyclists, including those who ride Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles, to display number plates or to have insurance. This would require a national registration scheme for all cycles which would be complex and expensive to design and administer. It would also be likely to lead to a significant reduction in the number of people cycling, which would have negative health and environmental consequences. The Government believes that insurance for cycling should remain a matter of personal choice. Cyclists who are not insured are liable for the consequences of their actions should these result in injury or damages to others.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21309 on River Tyne: Bridges, if she will meet the Port of Tyne to discuss the Swing Bridge. \p Mike Kane: The department engages actively with many UK ports, including the Port of Tyne. However, the department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of theory driving tests in rural areas. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) network of theory test centres is designed to ensure that candidates across Great Britain are within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a theory test centre.

In 2021 the new theory test service increased the number of Great Britain test centres from 180 to 203. As a result, 100% of the population, are now within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a test centre, compared to 97% previously. This means DVSA has equitable service provision across Great Britain and has made significant improvements to that provision in remote areas.

DVSA carefully monitors test availability with its suppliers to continually review demand and increase capacity where possible and necessary.
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Jonathan Hinder:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 24054 on Colne-Skipton Railway Line, if she will publish the completed feasibility work. \p Simon Lightwood: The findings of this work have been presented to all the Local Transport Authorities along the proposed route, Transport for the North, and the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) campaign group.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the potential impact of (a) E5 and (b) E10 fuel on (i) fuel consumption and (ii) emissions. \p Lilian Greenwood: The legislation which introduced E10 across Britain in September 2021 is the Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) and the Biofuel (Labelling) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021.

The impact assessment accompanying these regulations estimates that moving from E5 to E10 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 .8%, saving around 750,000 tonnes of CO2 per year from petrol vehicles. Ethanol contains less energy than fossil petrol and so increasing the ethanol content of petrol increases fuel consumption. The impact assessment estimates E10 will decrease the energy content of petrol by 1.7% compared to E5 and assumes fuel consumption will increase by that amount.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to facilitate education on gambling-related harms for young people. \p Stephanie Peacock: We are committed to protecting children and young people from gambling harm. Since 2020, children have been taught about the risks relating to gambling as part of the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum in England. The Gambling Commission also publishes an annual survey on children’s exposure to, and involvement in, all types of gambling to help us monitor gambling-related harm amongst children.

We are introducing a statutory levy to be paid by gambling operators raising funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms. The levy will play an important part in the Government’s wider aim to have a better informed and protected public when it comes to gambling-related harms.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of authorising the Gambling Commission to offer redress for losses following the collapse of a gambling operator. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government strongly sympathises with all customers who are impacted by the collapse of a gambling operator and appreciates the difficulties caused where significant sums of money are lost in such a scenario. However, there is no compensation scheme for losses caused by a gambling firm ceasing to operate and the Government does not think it would be appropriate to use public funds for these purposes. Money staked with a gambling business is not protected by the Gambling Commission or the Government in the same way as money in personal bank accounts.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support young men at (a) schools and (b) universities who are gambling online. \p Stephanie Peacock: We are committed to protecting children and young people from gambling harm. In December last year, the Government laid a draft regulation introducing new stake limits for online slots games, including a lower stake limit of £2 for adults aged 18 to 24.

We are introducing a statutory levy to be paid by gambling operators raising funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms. The levy will play an important part in the Government’s wider aim to have a better informed and protected public when it comes to gambling-related harms. The government also continues to support the NHS National Gambling Clinic which provides treatment for adults and children experiencing gambling harm.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how she plans to support small music venues. \p Chris Bryant: The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on grassroots music venues sets out our commitment to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. In particular, the Government is urging the live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on tickets for stadium and arena shows, to help safeguard the future of the grassroots music sector.

The Government has also announced £2.5m of continued funding for the Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Music Fund for 2025-26. This enables grassroots music venues, recording studios, promoters and festivals to apply for grants of up to £40,000 to develop new revenue streams, make repairs and improvements, and enhance the live music experience for music lovers across the UK.
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Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has plans to meet with representatives of faith communities to discuss the potential impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on freedom of religious practice in England and Wales. \p Chris Bryant: On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found in this Written Statement.

Both myself and my officials have met with a range of stakeholders since July 2024 and discussed as part of those meetings the future and impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The Department also received and responded to a large number of correspondence on the scheme including from representatives from faith communities sharing their views.
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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 24076 on Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: Wimbledon, who the seven recipients were. \p Chris Bryant: The seven recipients in Wimbledon who received funding from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme from 2022 onwards are All Saints' Parish Church, St John the Baptist Church, St Mary's Church, St Luke's Church, St Winefride's Church, Christchurch West and Lantern Methodist Church.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to promote local journalism in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) other rural areas. \p Stephanie Peacock: Sustainability of local journalism is an area of particular concern for this Government, across the country and in Gloucestershire and other rural areas.

We are developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. Our vision is a thriving local media that can continue to play an invaluable role as a key channel of trustworthy information at local level, reporting on the issues that matter to communities, reflecting their contributions and perspectives, and helping to foster a self-confident nation in which everyone feels that their contribution is part of an inclusive national story.

We are working across Government and with other stakeholders as the Strategy develops and will announce further details in due course.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much was paid in bonuses to staff in her Department in 2023-24. \p Stephanie Peacock: Departments are required to publish data related to non-consolidated performance payments on an annual basis. The publication date for the 2023/24 data is yet to be confirmed, but will happen over the coming months.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 July 2024 to Question 1466 on Sport: Public Appointments, what recent progress she has made on appointing people based in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales to the boards of public bodies. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport remains committed to drawing upon the wealth of talent and experience across the whole of the United Kingdom when making appointments to the Boards of its Public Bodies. The Department is taking forward a number of new approaches to increase the awareness of Public Appointment opportunities and supporting candidates throughout the process.

All DCMS Public Appointments are advertised on the HM Government Public Appointments Website. We welcome applications from people across the country, including those based in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to apply to host any major sporting games on behalf of the UK. \p Stephanie Peacock: The UK has a global reputation for hosting major sporting events successfully. The Government continues to work with our expert arm’s-length body, UK Sport, to grow and develop our strong pipeline of events, ensuring these reflect this Government’s missions, as well as our sporting priorities.

Upcoming, secured events include the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, with the European Athletics Championships, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and T20 Women’s Cricket World Cup taking place in 2026. In 2028 the UK and Ireland will host the men's European Football Championships ‘EURO 2028’, which will be the biggest sporting event the UK and Ireland have ever jointly hosted.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to support grassroots sport in Runcorn and Helsby constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government supports grassroots sport through our ongoing investment into Sport England, our arm’s length body, which annually invests over £250 million of Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. In the last financial year, Sport England invested £166,607 into grassroots sport in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

The Government has also committed to continued funding for grassroots sports facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, which will invest £123 million UK-wide throughout 2024/25.
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Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the BBC on the financial pressures it faces. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Secretary of State is a strong supporter of the BBC and, with Charter Review approaching, wants to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the corporation.

Ministers and officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have regular discussions with the BBC, and the Secretary of State had her first formal meeting on the Charter Review process with the Director General in November 2024.

As part of the next Charter Review, discussions with the BBC will continue to focus on how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include ongoing discussions on a range of important issues, including future funding models. Funding the BBC through general taxation is not being considered.
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Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Get Britain Working White Paper, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of young people in supported housing becoming worse off when entering into employment because of benefit rules. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health.

Notwithstanding these positive outcomes from work, the Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department will consider the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made for the potential implications for her Department's policies of the report entitled Move to Universal Credit Non-claimants (formerly tax credits customers) Research, published on 17 December 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Our research with former tax credit customers who did not claim UC found that the majority of respondents did not intend to claim UC in the future and customers were generally making an informed decision. The report did identify potential barriers for some groups claiming UC. DWP sets out the range of support available for making a claim to Universal Credit within the Migration Notice, including independent support through Help to Claim. This support is also available online and has been highlighted through our extensive media campaign. Our published official statistics show that those receiving a DWP legacy benefit or Housing Benefit are claiming at a higher percentage, in line with Discovery claim rates.
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Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to (a) end direct pay arrangements and (b) use the collect and pay model for all future child maintenance agreements; and what estimate her Department has made of the number of existing agreements that would be affected by this change. \p Andrew Western: A consultation on proposed reforms to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. This included removing Direct Pay and managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster, and exploring how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported. This follows the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act receiving royal assent in July 2023.

The consultation was extended by this Government at the end of July and ran until 30 September 2024. We are currently analysing the responses we have received, and the Government will publish a response in due course.

At the end of September 2024, the CMS was managing 749,000 arrangements of which approximately 60% of arrangements used Direct Pay and 40% Collect and Pay.
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Alison Griffiths:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day. \p Andrew Western: The protections for staff within the Department for Work and Pensions against unfair dismissal include the application of a fair, published, accessible discipline procedure, formal appeal of the decision to an independent appeal manager and an ability for the trade unions to raise with the central HR team any dismissal decisions they are concerned about.

These rights can be exercised by staff from their first day of working.

Where staff externally make a claim of unfair dismissal to the Employment Tribunal, the rules of the tribunal apply and this is outside DWP’s control.
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Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle benefit fraud by organised criminal gangs. \p Andrew Western: The DWP collaborates across Government to enhance operations, share data across government, and represent DWP at cross-government Digital and Data forum to deliver outcomes.

DWP works jointly across Government Departments and Law Enforcement Agencies on investigations into benefit fraud carried out by organised crime gangs.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2024 to Question 4705 on Government Departments: Families, if she will place a copy of that guidance in the House of Commons Library. \p Andrew Western: The Family Test Guidance was published in the House of Commons Library on 01 April 2019 and is also available on gov.uk, and can be accessed at the links below:

House of Commons Library:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7714/

Gov.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-test-assessing-the-impact-of-policies-on-families/the-family-test
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing the (a) Low Income Benefits, (b) Disability and (c) Pensioner Cost of Living payment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Cost of Living Payments were intended to relieve the immediate financial pressures caused by the rapid rise in cost of living. There are no plans to reintroduce these payments.
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Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle the impact of music in shops on people with sensory sensitivities. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to improve access to premises, buildings and services. This is so that disabled customers have the same access to goods and services and are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled customers. This is an anticipatory duty, meaning providers should not wait to be asked before acting, but should expect that some of their customers will be disabled and require adaptations.

The Government welcomes steps some retailers are taking to introduce sensory friendly hours for customers who may find busy or loud shopping environments overwhelming.

Encouragingly, many establishments are already adopting practices like offering "quiet hours" or optimising acoustics for a more welcoming atmosphere.

The National Autistic Society has produced guidance for businesses on how this can be implemented: Autism Hour guidance (including tips for social distancing).pdf
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Danny Kruger:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to publish data collected from the fit note trailblazers. \p Alison McGovern: In 2024, the previous government announced fit note trailblazers to be included in some of the 15 WorkWell pilot areas across Integrated Care Boards in England.

Due to the timings of the General Election the trailblazers were not launched.

The learning from the Fit Note Trailblazers will be applied to three of the eight inactivity trailblazers that are NHSE led health and growth accelerators, where £45 million has been specifically allocated to three integrated care boards to improve population health outcomes and reduce health-related economic inactivity as part of the Get Britain Working Plans.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department is taking steps to help promote (a) payment choice and (b) access to cash. \p Emma Reynolds: It is for individual businesses to decide on the forms of payment it chooses to accept. This decision will be based on a variety of factors, including cost and the needs and preferences of their customers.

However, the Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups. Furthermore, the Government recognises that businesses need access to cash deposit services in order to continue accepting cash. As such the Government is committed to maintaining the viability of cash as a payment method for those who need it.

The Financial Conduct Authority is responsible for protecting access to cash. In September 2024, it introduced new rules which require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary.

LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, are responsible for undertaking these assessments. Further information can be found here:  https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cash
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with stakeholders on the potential impact of changes to Business Property Relief. \p James Murray: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

The Government takes into account all representations, and HM Treasury officials and Ministers meet with stakeholders on a regular basis.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support first-time buyers in rural constituencies with (a) mortgage rates and (b) stamp duty. \p James Murray: In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence.

Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025.

The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review

On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.
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Blair McDougall:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to make representations to her Chinese counterpart at the UK-China Pensions Symposium on unfreezing the mandatory provident fund savings of Hong Kongers who have moved to the UK under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme. \p Emma Reynolds: This government is deeply committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK. We are aware that individuals who have chosen to take up the British National (Overseas) route are having difficulties accessing their Mandatory Provident Fund.

As documentary requirements for withdrawing funds are a matter for the Hong Kong authorities, officials have raised this issue directly with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Hong Kong MPF Schemes Authority. We have urged them to facilitate early draw down of funds as is the case for other Hong Kong residents who move overseas permanently and have made clear such discrimination of BN(O)s is unacceptable.

We will continue to raise the issue with the relevant authorities and work towards a solution.
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Blair McDougall:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the number of UK companies that have jointly listed on the (a) Shanghai and (b) Shenzhen stock exchange since 2019. \p Emma Reynolds: Launched in 2019, the UK and China launched the London-Shanghai Stock Connect which allows Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange to issue depository receipts (DRs) in the UK, and for UK-listed companies to do the same in China. In 2023, the scheme was extended with the launch of London-Shenzhen Stock Connect.

Since 2019, six Chinese companies have issued DRs in the UK via Stock Connect. To date, no UK companies have issued DRs in China.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking legislative steps to provide VAT relief on the rethatching of listed buildings. \p James Murray: To preserve heritage, restorative work carried out on listed buildings previously benefited from a zero rate of VAT. However, this relief was abolished in 2012, as it was primarily used to carry out extension work unnecessary for heritage purposes. Withdrawing this relief simplified VAT rules and removed the scope for error when categorising construction work as either alteration or repair.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25. Taxation is a vital source of revenue that helps to fund vital public services.

Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates. In some cases, reliefs do not represent good value for money, as there is no guarantee that savings will be passed on to consumers.

The Government therefore has no current plans to reduce the VAT charged on work to maintain and repair listed properties, but we keep all taxes under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_294

James MacCleary:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many contracts related to the Northern Ireland Protocol have been (a) awarded and (b) extended without competitive tender since 4 July 2024; what the reason was; and what the total expenditure on those contracts was. \p James Murray: No such contracts have been awarded or extended by HM Treasury.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_295

James MacCleary:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the (a) number, (b) name, (c) value and (d) duration of consultancy contracts awarded by HMRC on the Northern Ireland Protocol since 31 January 2020. \p James Murray: The information requested can be found at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/dfa702cb-97dc-427a-a0bd-a7bece4af9f9?origin=SearchResults&p=1
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_296

Jim Allister:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much (a) her Department has and (b) her Department's arms length bodies have spent on hospitality in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) since 5 July 2024. \p James Murray: We do not routinely publish this data, as has been the case under successive administrations. All Business Units within the Chancellor’s Department have a responsibility to carefully manage official hospitality costs and demonstrate good value for money.

Details of ministerial and senior official hospitality are published on a quarterly basis, and are available on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_297

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to issue guidance to people with a Teachers' Pension on the application of tax for (a) under and (b) over payments in the context of benefit rollback choices for the transitional protection remedy period. \p James Murray: HMRC has published comprehensive guidance on managing the tax implications of the public service pensions remedy, both for impacted pension scheme members and for schemes administrators. This guidance covers the position for under and overpayments of tax following the remedy rollback and is available on GOV.UK.

Members can also use the “Calculate your public service pension scheme adjustment” digital service to simplify the process of calculating whether they owe further tax or may be due a refund.

HMRC have also issued guidance and updates directly to scheme administrators via pension scheme newsletters to support schemes with drafting their own internal member communications.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_298

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church Commissioners are taking to support the work, cultural and spiritual contribution of cathedral choirs. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners provide funding to pay for the dean and two canons as part of cathedral staff and have a Cathedral Sustainability Fund to which all cathedrals can apply. The role and funding of cathedral choirs is a matter for the dean and chapter of each cathedral, however during the pandemic the Church Commissioners made £1million available, match funded by the Cathedral Music Trust, to retain the skills of musicians throughout. As many will have experienced during the special events like the Coronation and over Christmas, cathedral music and the choral tradition in our churches is a unique part of the English cultural life.

A conference was held at Leicester Cathedral on November 14th 2024 organised by the Association of English Cathedrals and Cathedral Music Trust, which discussed many of the issues facing music in our cathedrals and explored ways forward. The Bishop of St Albans and the Bishop of Southwark have also raised the impact on cathedral choir schools of recent NI and VAT policy announcements, with Ministers in the House of Lords.

In Lichfield Diocese, the cathedral supports many good initiatives, and the choir is thriving. More information can be found about their activities here: https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/worship-music/music-share
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_299

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce on recent increases to the Energy Profits Levy. \p Ian Murray: The UK Government is firmly committed to clean energy by 2030, but recognises that oil and gas will continue to have a role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come, particularly in the North East of Scotland. We have carefully considered the available allowances in the Energy Profits Levy to ensure that they support investment and jobs in current and future industries.

We engage with local authorities across Scotland on a range of issues regularly, including on the delivery of the City Region and Growth Deals Programme - of which energy projects are a key part. We also speak regularly to businesses and representative bodies across all parts of the energy sector.

However, this Government is clear that public and private investment must be driven towards cleaner energy. Money raised from changes to the Energy Profits Levy will be used to support the transition to clean energy, enhance energy security and provide sustainable jobs for the future, which will benefit Scotland tremendously. We have also introduced a skills passport to support oil and gas workers in taking advantage of the opportunities that exist in renewable energy, and are establishing Great British Energy in Aberdeen to ensure the Northeast is best placed to lead this transition.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions with Offshore Energies UK on the recent workforce cuts announced by BP. \p Ian Murray: I was extremely disappointed to hear that BP has decided to shed energy-related jobs across the world, and that this may impact Scottish workers. We are aware of the situation, and I have asked my officials to follow up with the company to better understand the situation, and in particular the estimated impact on Scotland.

I have contact with BP and Offshore Energies UK on a regular basis, where we discuss a range of issues. A just transition of energy jobs in Scotland is of utmost importance to this Government, and we are confident that our clean energy mission will ensure thousands of good quality jobs for workers in Scotland, including in the oil and gas sector. GB Energy and our skills passports are designed to ensure this.

I will continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with the relevant stakeholder
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_301

Alison Griffiths:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether her Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day. \p Jo Stevens: All dismissals are handled in line with current legislation and appropriate Codes of Practice. Where an employee feels they may have been unfairly dismissed, appropriate internal appeal routes may be instigated.

Where an employee is unable to solve a problem internally, they may be able to go to an employment tribunal to claim unfair dismissal, as set out in legislation.

This position will be reviewed when unfair dismissal rights are updated in line with proposals in the Employment Rights Bill.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether her Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day. \p Jo Stevens: My Department is not an employer in its own right and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provides the Wales Office with employment services and HR policies, such as Paternity Leave.

Some staff could qualify for statutory paternity leave on their first day of service because they already have qualifying service with another Civil Service organisation.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_303

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day. \p Jo Stevens: My Department is not an employer in its own right and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provides the Wales Office with employment services and HR policies, such as Shared Parental Leave.

The Civil Service Management Code states that, ‘Departments and agencies may only grant shared parental leave in accordance with the statutory requirements governing eligibility for this category of leave.’ Some staff could qualify for statutory shared parental leave on their first day of service because they already have service with another department.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_304

Josh MacAlister:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether (a) her Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies offers employees who are foster carers (i) flexible working, (ii) paid time off for (A) training and (B) settling a new child into their home and (iii) other support. \p Sarah Sackman: Employees have a statutory right to request flexible working which applies from the first day of employment. Employees can make two statutory requests for flexible working in any 12-month period. This will include requests to support employees who undertake foster caring outside of their employment. In addition, foster carers may apply for flexible working when settling a new child into their home.

We do not have a policy which explicitly covers paid time off for foster carers for (A) training and/or (B) settling a new child into their home. Employees are able to take annual and flexi leave as required and request flexible working.

In the Ministry of Justice, special leave may be granted to foster carers who need time off work to attend to their caring responsibilities. It may be planned or unplanned, and paid or unpaid. Employees may request special leave for several reasons including:

to undertake an assessment process to gain approval that they are suitable to foster;

to take time off when the child is first placed with them settle the child ensure appropriate childcare arrangements can be put in place to allow the employee to continue to work; and

to take emergency leave to care for dependants.

At the discretion of a manager, special leave without pay may be granted for other personal reasons not mentioned above.