theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Sally Jameson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the administrative burden on social workers. \p Stephen Kinnock: We recognise and value the vital contribution of social workers, who are predominantly employed by local authorities. To support the administrative burden on social workers, the Department for Education has launched the Support for Social Workers virtual hub, providing tools and resources to help local authorities to retain child and family social workers and implement the Agency Rules Statutory Guidance. Much of the content in this is also relevant to social workers working with adults. The Department for Education is also carefully considering the report from the National Workload Action Group, who are providing insights and solutions for reducing unnecessary workloads for social workers in child social care.
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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that research into long-COVID is adequately funded. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR remains committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment for long COVID.

We are actively exploring next steps for research in this area. We recently held a roundtable on long COVID research on 17 October 2025, led by the Minister responsible for long COVID and co-hosted with the Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Lucy Chappell.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will maintain funding for specialist (a) clinical and (b) surveillance services for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. \p Ashley Dalton: Effective diagnostic and surveillance services for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) are necessary to monitor public health protection measures and ensure that patients receive appropriate care and support.

Currently, specialist diagnostic and surveillance services are provided by the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit. From April 2025, funding for diagnostic and clinical services is transferring from the National Institute for Health and Care Research to NHS England. This includes funding for specialist testing, neuropathology services, and clinical support.

Also from April 2025, the lead for CJD surveillance in England will be the UK Health Security Agency. CJD will be added to schedule 1 of the Health Protection (Notification) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. Subject to Parliamentary clearance, CJD notification in England will become a statutory duty from 6 April 2025.
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Peter Prinsley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle sexual misconduct in the NHS. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England is taking a leading role in tackling sexual misconduct across the National Health Service. The NHS has a responsibility to protect staff, patients, and service users and offer safe spaces and routes for support.

In 2024, NHS England launched a new national sexual misconduct people policy framework and sexual safety charter assurance framework for integrated care bards (ICBs) and trusts to adopt and adapt, so that any member of staff who has experienced inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours at work is supported by their employer. The frameworks are available at the following links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/national-people-sexual-misconduct-policy-framework/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/sexual-safety-charter-assurance-framework/

The new guidance was published following the launch in 2023 of the first-ever Sexual Safety Charter in collaboration with healthcare systems and people with lived experience of sexual misconduct. The Charter focuses on providing staff with clear reporting mechanisms, training and support, and ensuring that a zero-tolerance approach is taken by organisations.

All ICBs and trusts have signed the Sexual Safety Charter and are taking steps to prevent sexual misconduct at work. They have also been asked to appoint a domestic abuse and sexual violence lead to implement the new sexual misconduct guidance, review policies and provide support to staff relating to domestic abuse and sexual violence. There are now more than 300 in place across England.

NHS England, in collaboration with those with lived experience, has also developed NHS-wide training on sexual misconduct awareness, now available to the entire workforce.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the press release entitled Dental patients to benefit from 700,000 extra urgent appointments, published on 21 February 2025, if he will instruct NHS England to make further changes to the commissioning of NHS dentistry in 2025. \p Stephen Kinnock: To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of National Health Service dentists.

There are no perfect payment models and careful consideration needs to be given to any potential changes to the complex dental system so that we deliver genuine improvements for patients and the profession.

We are continuing to work with the British Dental Association and other representatives of the dental sector to deliver our shared ambition to improve access to treatments for NHS dental patients. At the same time, we will not wait to make improvements to the current system, where they can increase access and incentivise the workforce to deliver more NHS care.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve outcomes for patients with pancreatic cancer diagnosis in South Holland and the Deepings constituency. \p Ashley Dalton: We have delivered two million extra appointments and are ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care, including those in the South Holland and the Deepings constituency.

NHS England is providing a route into pancreatic cancer surveillance for those at inherited high-risk to identify lesions before they develop into cancer. NHS England is also funding a new audit into pancreatic cancer, aiming to provide regular and timely evidence to cancer service providers of where patterns of care in England may vary, to increase the consistency of access to treatments and to stimulate improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes for patients.

Additionally, the National Health Service is implementing non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with vague and non-site-specific symptoms which do not clearly align to a tumour type. This includes symptoms of pancreatic cancer.
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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle (a) trauma-related mental health issues among asylum seekers fleeing conflict and (b) generational trauma within those communities. \p Ashley Dalton: Recognising that asylum seekers may require additional mental health support including for trauma related mental health issues, the Department of Health and Social Care works together with NHS England and the Home Office to provide additional guidance and support where required.

The Mental Health Sub-Group of the National Asylum Seekers’ Health Oversight Group, which is co-chaired by the Home Office and NHS England, has published examples of national and local interventions aimed at maintaining and improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of individuals seeking asylum. These are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-mental-health-workstreams-tools-and-case-studies/workstreams-tools-and-case-studies-by-the-home-office-asylum-mental-health-and-wellbeing-team-accessible

Work is currently ongoing to review and improve the Solace training, designed to provide a foundational understanding of the mental health issues that people face in the context of seeking protection in the United Kingdom, so that it can be endorsed by NHS England and placed on the NHS Learning Hub. This will allow the training to be widely promoted to practitioners to understand better trauma and improve access, experience and outcomes of service.

In parallel, NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, the UK Health Security Agency and the Home Office have been working on practical ways to re-establish an improved initial health check within a few days from arrival to the UK. This early health check will include a baselining of physical and mental health needs and identify vulnerabilities. It reflects the recommendations of the British Red Cross’s report, Delivering with dignity, published in August 2024, and is cognisant of recommendation 16 in the recent report by the Commission on the Integration of Refugees.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the press release entitled Dental patients to benefit from 700,000 extra urgent appointments, published on 21 February 2025, what methodology his Department used for determining the geographical distribution of the proposed additional urgent dental appointments. \p Stephen Kinnock: We will deliver 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments per year, and have asked that integrated care boards (ICBs) start making extra appointments available from April 2025. Appointments will be available across the country. Patients will be able to access these additional appointments either through NHS 111, or via helplines set up by their ICB, where these arrangements are in place.

NHS England issued a letter to the ICBs to start the rollout of the 700,000 urgent dental appointments. The letter provides the methodology used to determine the allocation of the 700,000 appointments across the ICBs in Annex A, considering factors including unmet need, population size, and projected contract delivery at an ICB level for 2024/25. The letter and annex are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/arrangements-for-nhs-urgent-primary-dental-care-during-2025-26-and-confirmation-of-the-closure-of-the-new-patient-premium-scheme/#annex-a-distribution-of-700k-additional-appointments
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support research and innovation into Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department funds research through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). Since 2002, the Department has made available over £43 million of funding for research and surveillance of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) and prion diseases including into the treatment and testing for CJD and mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of secondary transmission of the disease.

The NIHR welcomes research proposals on all aspects of human health including CJD and prion disease. Research applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.
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Tony Vaughan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of no longer recognising EAA dental certificates on the number of dentists in the UK. \p Stephen Kinnock: Current arrangements under the provisions in the EU Exit Regulations, known as the ‘standstill’ provisions, ensure that United Kingdom healthcare regulators, including the General Dental Council (GDC), who register domestic and international dentists, continue to automatically recognise relevant European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss healthcare qualifications. In addition, qualifications from countries in the European Free Trade Association and Switzerland are recognised under trade agreements made with those nations. This means dentists with recognised qualifications from EEA countries and Switzerland can continue to practise in the United Kingdom without the need to sit additional professional exams or undergo further assessment by the GDC.
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Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce gaps in rehabilitation and long-term care provision for people living with acquired brain injury. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government wants a society where every person, including those with a long-term condition such as an acquired brain injury (ABI), receives high-quality, compassionate continuity of care, with their families and carers also supported.

We will change the National Health Service so that it becomes not just a sickness service, but one able to prevent ill health in the first place. This will help us be better prepared for the change in the nature of disease and allow our services to focus more on the management of chronic, long-term conditions, like ABIs, including rehabilitation where appropriate.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently developing the guidance Rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders including acquired brain injury, which is expected to be published in September 2025. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ng10181

The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention met the original proponent of the ABI strategy, Sir Chris Bryant MP, in November to discuss ABIs, and had a very fruitful discussion about what might be achievable in both the short and long term. Sir Chris Bryant MP remains an advocate for those who have suffered an ABI and the Department agrees with him that we should, and importantly will, do more, including showcasing those areas that have effectively integrated post-hospital care and support, including rehabilitation, to other areas where patients are not getting the care and support they deserve.

We have announced that we are setting up a new United Kingdom-wide neuro forum, facilitating formal, biannual meetings across the Department, NHS England, the devolved administrations and health services, and the Neurological Alliances of all four UK nations. The new forum will bring key stakeholders together to share learning across the UK, discuss the transformation of important neurology services, workforce challenges, best practice examples, and potential solutions that will add to both the existing programmes of work and wider health plans.

A decision on the next steps for ABIs at the national level will be taken in due course.

Meanwhile, we have committed to develop a 10-year plan to deliver an NHS fit for the future. We will be carefully considering input from the public, patients, health staff, and our stakeholders as we develop the plan over the coming months. The engagement process has launched, and I would encourage my fellow parliamentarians and stakeholders to engage with that process to allow us to fully understand what is not working as well as it should and what the potential solutions are, including on ABIs. This is available at the following link:

https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/
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Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of GP positions in the UK. \p Stephen Kinnock: We hugely value the critical role that general practitioners (GPs) play and are determined to address the issues they face by shifting the focus of the National Health Service beyond hospitals and into the community.

The Government committed to recruiting over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) over 2024/25, as part of an initiative to address GP unemployment and secure the future pipeline of GPs. My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has confirmed that recently qualified GPs who are employed via the ARRS will continue to be supported through the scheme in 2025/26.

We have also announced an £889 million uplift to the GP contract in 2025/26, which will support practices to increase capacity. Changes to the GP contract in 2025/26, including ARRS adjustments and other important reforms, will be confirmed following consultation with the GP Committee of the British Medical Association before April 2025.

The data requested on the number of unemployed and underemployed qualified GPs is not held centrally.
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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average programme funding is for 16 to 19 year olds studying T levels and other Level 3 qualifications. \p Janet Daby: The Autumn Budget 2024 provided an additional £300 million revenue funding for further education (FE) for the 2025/26 financial year to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs.

The department uses the 16 to 19 funding formula to calculate an allocation of funding to each institution, each academic year. The starting point for these allocations are the funding rates, which depend on the size of students’ study programmes or T Levels. The rates for 2024/25 can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-funding-information-for-2024-to-2025#national-funding-rate-for-2024-to-2025. The other elements of the funding formula are then applied, which include a number of adjustments, including for higher cost programmes. Further detail on how the funding formula works can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-funding-how-it-works#funding-formula.

The average total programme funding per 16 to 19 student is £6,219 in the 2024/25 academic year, according to published allocations.
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Marie Goldman:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities within the hairdressing industry; and what support her Department provides salons to help them hire apprentices. \p Janet Daby: Apprenticeships are a great way for individuals to begin, or progress in, a successful career in hairdressing. Employers in the sector have developed a level 2 Hairdressing Professional apprenticeship and a level 2 Barbering Professional apprenticeship to help them develop their workforces.

The department continues to promote the benefits that apprenticeships offer, to students in schools and colleges through the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme, as part of the Skills for Life campaign.

Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy, that are usually small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are important to the economy and to apprenticeships. SMEs are more likely to employ younger apprentices and apprentices from disadvantaged areas.

To support non-levy paying employers to access apprenticeships, the government pays full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21, and for apprentices aged 22 to 24 who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan or have been in local authority care. Employers of all sizes, including SMEs, can also benefit from £1000 payments when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18, or apprentices aged 19 to 24 who have an EHC plan or have been in local authority care.

Employers also benefit from not being required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25 where they earn less than £967 a week, or £50,270 a year.
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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students are studying an applied general qualification of 720 guided learning hours or more in a T level route. \p Janet Daby: The government has affirmed its commitment to T Levels as a high quality qualification and that these should be the qualifications of choice for 16 to 19-year-olds wishing to study large qualifications.

In the 2022/23 academic year there were 63,840 16 to 19-year-olds, enrolled on a study programme taking an Applied General Qualification over 720 guided learning hours, which appear on performance tables in the same sector subject areas as a T Level. The data is the total number of enrolled students on those qualifications, so will include students on the multiple years of study.

Students deserve high quality qualifications that meet their needs, and the department must continue to develop and improve qualifications so that they support the government’s key missions of spreading opportunity and supporting economic growth. Through our work on the qualifications reform rapid review and the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we will ensure a curriculum that meets the needs of students and employers, which is backed up by high quality qualifications that deliver strong outcomes.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the Royal Society of Chemistry entitled Future workforce and educational pathways, published in January 2025. \p Janet Daby: The department is aware of the report and we recognise the importance of skills in all sectors, including the chemical sector, which is why the government is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills, to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce in all areas and drive economic growth in all sectors.

The department has established Skills England to ensure we have the highly trained workforce needed to deliver the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade. It will ensure that the skills system is clear and navigable for individuals, for both young people and older adults, strengthening careers pathways into jobs across the economy.

The department published a Jobs and Skills Dashboard in May 2024, which allows users to explore employment, demand and education pathways for both science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations and occupations most relevant to the UK critical technologies. This dashboard can be accessed here: https://department-for-education.shinyapps.io/ufs-jobs-and-skills-dashboard/?_inputs_&navbar=%22Jobs%20and%20skills%22&tabsID=%22Summary%22&sectorChoice=%22STEM%22&shortageTimeChoice=%22Air-conditioning%20and%20refrigeration%20engineers%20SOC2010%22.

An accompanying ad-hoc statistics release was also made available on Explore Education Statistics in May 2024, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supply-of-skills-for-jobs-in-science-and-technology.

Skills England will continue to assess the skills needs of the tech sector and the skills provision required to meet these skills needs. It is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Industrial Skills Council to bring businesses, training partners and unions together with national and local government, including Mayoral Strategic/Combined Authorities, to develop a clear assessment of the country’s skills needs for the tech sector and map pathways by which they can be filled.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of financial irregularities at the University of Greater Manchester. \p Janet Daby: This is a matter for the University of Greater Manchester. We understand the Office for Students, the independent regulator for higher education (HE) in England, has also been notified of this case. The university is conducting its own investigation, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

This government is determined to ensure the safeguarding of public money and in January we published a consultation with proposals to strengthen oversight of partnership delivery in HE.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there are any requirements for civil servants to book a desk in advance in order to attend the office in person in each of (a) their Department's office workplaces and (b) the arm’s length bodies of their Department. \p Janet Daby: The department, via the Government Property Agency as its asset manager, leases a total of thirteen sites, in multi-tenanted buildings, for use by its staff. There is no requirement for staff to book a desk in advance in order to attend the office in person. All the department’s arm length bodies, bar those classed as Executive Agencies, manage their own respective estates. They have advised that they do not require staff to book a desk in advance in order to attend any of their offices.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of international students on UK universities. \p Janet Daby: This government is clear that international students, who make a positive impact on UK higher education (HE), our economy and society as a whole, are welcome in the UK. They bring significant benefits, by enriching our university campuses, forging lifelong friendships with our domestic students and becoming global ambassadors for the UK.

HE providers in the UK received an estimated £12.1 billion in tuition fee income from international students in the 2022/23 academic year, which supported the provision of places for domestic students and research and development.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of English HE providers. In its most recent report on the financial health of the sector, published November 2024, the OfS assessed the risks to provider financial sustainability and overreliance on recruitment of students from particular countries was noted as a particular concern.

The OfS emphasised that the HE sector should be cautious about depending too much on international student fee income in their recruitment forecasts and urged institutions to have strong contingency plans to mitigate the financial risks of over-recruiting from a single country.

All providers must continue to adapt to financial risks and, as autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for them to decide on effective business models.
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Laura Trott:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to extend the National Wraparound Childcare Programme beyond March 2026. \p Stephen Morgan: Any spending in future financial years will be subject to the multi-year spending review. The department will not be making spending commitments outside of that process.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of recruiting people with experience of raising children into child protection roles. \p Janet Daby: The department recognises the importance of recruiting individuals with a range of skills, knowledge and lived experiences into child protection roles. While formal qualifications and specialist training are essential for safeguarding children effectively, we acknowledge that personal experience of raising children can offer valuable insights into the challenges children and families face.

Through initiatives such as the Step Up to Social Work and Approach Social Work programmes, as well as apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, the department aims to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a range of life experience into the social work profession.

Local authorities and social work employers have flexibility in their recruitment approaches and may consider a candidate’s personal experience as a complement to their professional expertise.

The statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeguard children 2023’ sets out clear multi-agency child protection practice standards and expectations for all practitioners working to help, protect and promote the welfare of children, whatever their personal and professional backgrounds.
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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the level of educational attainment of children living in temporary accommodation. \p Janet Daby: The department’s Opportunity Mission will break the link between young people’s backgrounds and their future success, ensuring family security, providing the best start in life, with all children achieving and thriving and building skills for opportunity and growth.

High and rising standards in every school are at the heart of this mission, driving better outcomes for every child, and delivered through excellent teaching and leadership, a high quality curriculum, and a system which removes the barriers to learning that hold too many children back.

The department knows that disadvantaged young people in particular face barriers to engagement with education, including insecure housing. If children are unable to engage with education, it doesn’t matter how good teaching and learning is, they will not benefit.

From April 2025 the department will be rolling out family help services that will prioritise supporting the whole family and intervening at the earliest opportunity to prevent challenges escalating. Lead practitioners will undertake assessments of all needs of the family, including those who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness, and work to support families where this may be part of a more complex set of needs.

As announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year, 2024/25. This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26.

The Child Poverty Taskforce has also started urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy will tackle overall child poverty, including a focus on children in deepest poverty lacking essentials. This is set out in more detail in the 23 October publication ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing our Strategy’, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-poverty-developing-our-strategy.

In addition, homeless children are included in the Fair Access Protocol, which is a mandatory mechanism developed by local authorities in partnership with all schools in their area. Its aim is to ensure that vulnerable children, and those who are having difficulty in securing a school place in-year, are allocated a school place as quickly as possible.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that social workers receive adequate training to (a) recognise and (b) investigate cases where children may be at risk of harm. \p Janet Daby: Provision of continuous professional development for employed social workers is a matter for their employer. The regulator for the social work profession, Social Work England, sets the professional standards which all social workers must meet. These include recognising the risk indicators of different forms of abuse and neglect and their impact on people, their families and their support networks. Social workers complete initial education and training courses which are approved by the regulator against the education and training standards. Course providers must update and design their courses as a result of developments in research, legislation, government policy and best practice.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Fund; and whether the (a) funding and (b) services provided will extend beyond March 2025. \p Janet Daby: Previously, a three-year mixed-method evaluation was carried out by the Institute of Public Care (IPC), Oxford Brookes University (2018-2021), on behalf of the department. The report found that ‘a high proportion (83%) of parents and guardians participating in the longitudinal survey found the funded support helpful or very helpful overall.’ The IPC report also found ‘a statistically significant (substantial, with large effect size) improvement in parent and guardian estimates of the extent to which the main aim of the funded support had been met by the end of the intervention’ and reported that parents and guardians scored on average ‘7 out of 10 in relation to a question about the extent to which positive change(s) for their child and/or family had been sustained six months since the conclusion of ASF-funded support.’ The full report can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6391c41a8fa8f53ba783e8ad/Evaluation_of_the_Adoption_Support_Fund_2018_to_2022_-_summary_.pdf.

The adequacy of the therapies available within the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) is currently being assessed from multiple angles. The National Institute for Health Research is currently conducting a randomised control trial into dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP), one of the main therapies the ASGSF funds. This research is currently in the third and final phase and will give robust evidence into the effectiveness of DDP. Moreover, the department started to collect data from outcomes measurement tools for ASGSF-funded therapies in December 2023. As therapy treatment comes to an end, this data will give an overall picture of the impact and adequacy of individual ASGSF-funded therapies.

ASGSF therapy applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how its budget will be allocated for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the ASGSF are being made as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_180

Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential contribution of the Mansion House compact on levels of pension investment. \p Emma Reynolds: The Mansion House Compact is a voluntary industry-led initiative with eleven signatories to secure better outcomes for defined contribution (DC) savers by increasing pension investment into unlisted equity. The ambition is to allocate at least 5% of the DC default funds to unlisted equities by 2030 and increase the proportion of UK pension and other relevant investments in unlisted equities.

The Government continues to monitor progress on the Mansion House commitments in collaboration with the Association of British Insurers (ABI). An update from the ABI suggests that signatory pension firms are making progress on these ambitions. The ABI’s latest publication highlights that firms have laid strong foundations to implement the commitment of allocating 5% of DC default funds to unlisted equities by 2030. Ten of the eleven signatories to the compact have taken steps to establish or expand their expertise in unlisted equity investment. Furthermore, eight of the eleven signatories have begun to develop specific solutions to enable increased unlisted equity investment.

The Government is also taking further proactive steps to increase investment in innovative businesses. In November, the British Business Bank completed its £250m Long Term Investment for Technology and Science (LIFTS) investment alongside £250m from Phoenix Group with Schroders Capital. The £500m investment vehicle will invest in UK late-stage companies focused on technology and science, with 20% of the fund expected to be invested in life sciences.

Additionally, two UK pension funds, Aegon UK and NatWest Cushon, have agreed to collaborate with the British Business Bank on launching the British Growth Partnership to crowd-in institutional investment into venture capital funds and innovative businesses here in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_181

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to ensure adequate (a) financial and (b) other support for communities with a building society but not a banking hub. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government recognises the value that building societies bring to their members in local communities across the country, and the value of their 30% share of the UK’s branch network. However, I recognise that most building societies do not provide current accounts or serve businesses.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access to all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs, which allow businesses and individuals to deposit and take out cash, across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open.

Further, the Financial Conduct Authority has introduced rules which seek to ensure individuals and business have reasonable access to cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. Under these rules, LINK will assess the impact of a closure or material change of a cash service on the local community and recommend new services if necessary. Assessments can also be requested by the local community. As part of its process, LINK considers what services are already available in the area, including any existing branches, and whether they meet the needs of the local community.

Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_182
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_182

Mel Stride:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the estimated economic impact of additional public investment within the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecasts reflects the composition of that investment spending in each year of the forecast period. \p Darren Jones: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility produces comprehensive economic and fiscal forecasts twice a year. This includes a judgement on how public investment levels impact the economy.

This judgement is based on the Public Investment and Potential Output framework the OBR published in the summer of 2024, with the OBR providing further information on how it assessed the Autumn Budget 2024 increase in public investment in Chapter 3 of its Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

In both, the OBR outline how they use impacts of aggregate measures of investment, rather than the decomposition of investment spending. The OBR makes this assessment on the basis of the government’s headline capital spending plans.

The government has allocated capital budgets by department up to 2025-26. Allocations for future years will be published as part of the ongoing Spending Review, set to conclude in June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_183

Mel Stride:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will provide a breakdown by department of the additional capital expenditure announced at the October Budget for each financial year up to 2029-30. \p Darren Jones: At Autumn Budget 2024 the government announced over £100 billion of additional capital investment over the next five years compared to the plans the government inherited. In 2025-26, this amounts a £13 billion increase compared to Spring Budget 2024 plans.

Allocations of departmental capital spending in 2025-26 can be found in Table C.4 of the Autumn Budget Document. Allocations from 2026-27 to 2029-30 will be announced at the conclusion of the ongoing Spending Review in June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_184

Mel Stride:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the forecast level of (a) public sector net debt, (b) public sector net debt excluding Bank of England and (c) public sector net financial liabilities was at the time of the Autumn Budget 2024 in (i) cash terms, (ii) real terms and (iii) as a proportion of GDP on a (A) pre and (B) post measures basis in each financial year to 2029-30. \p Darren Jones: At Autumn Budget 2024, the government put the public finances on a sustainable path by strengthening the fiscal framework, including announcing new fiscal rules, and taking difficult decisions on tax, welfare and spending.

The information requested is all publicly available in the AB24 Economic and Fiscal Outlook and the OBR’s Public Sector Finances aggregates databank
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_185

James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are the (a) economic and fiscal conditions and (b) operational needs required to reach three per cent of GDP on defence expenditure in the next Parliament. \p Darren Jones: The Chancellor will continue to set fiscally responsible, credible spending plans to meet this goal, supported by the number one mission of this government – to drive economic growth. Putting a stake in the ground now drives preparation and sends a clear message about prioritising security in an increasingly turbulent world.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_186

James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether the funding announced for the intelligence and security services will meet the NATO definition of defence expenditure. \p Darren Jones: The definition of defence spending will be broadened to include our security and intelligence services, which could have the effect of increasing the GDP percentage of NATO qualifying defence spending in 2027-28 by around an additional 0.1%.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_187

Tom Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of exempting DIY loft insultation from VAT. \p James Murray: Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs), including insulation materials, in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a charitable purpose benefit from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027. After this, they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent.

Insulation products purchased for DIY insulation are subject to the standard rate of VAT at 20 per cent, which applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

One of the key considerations when assessing a new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates. The Government has no current plans to introduce a VAT relief on the sale of insulation productions, but the Government keeps all taxes under review.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_188

Sarah Green:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing VAT exemptions on zero-emission boilers. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to improving the quality and sustainability of our housing stock, through improvements such as low carbon heating, insulation, solar panels, and batteries. Zero-emission boilers are a type of heat battery.

Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a charitable purpose benefit from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027, after which they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent.

Decisions on tax policy are taken by the Chancellor and are considered as part of the Budget process.