theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68786 on Right to Buy scheme, if he will publish the (a) total value of Right to Buy receipts generated and (b) value of Right to Buy receipts retained by (i) local authorities and (ii) the Government in each of the last five years. \p Matthew Pennycook: Receipts from Right to Buy (or equivalent) sales of local authority stock for the financial year 2012-13 onwards, including for each of the last five years, are published on gov.uk here.

The government does not publish the amount of Right to Buy receipts retained by local authorities in each financial year
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Northumberland County Council and (b) Newcastle City Council on (i) housing targets and (ii) local planning development. \p Matthew Pennycook: Officials from my Department met with officers from Newcastle City Council on 11 June 2025 to discuss bringing forward a new local development plan under the new plan-making system.

The Chief Planner also met senior planners from Newcastle City Council and Northumberland County Council at a meeting convened by North East Combined Authority on 31 July 2025. They discussed strategic planning; planning capacity and capability; digital planning; and the National Planning Policy Framework.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sarah Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing (a) time limits and (b) penalties for local planning authorities that do not determine small applications within statutory deadlines. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department recognises the importance of timely decision-making in the planning system, particularly for small applications which are often vital to local communities and small businesses.

Local planning authorities are already subject to statutory timeframes for determining planning application. For small or non-major application, the statutory deadline is eight weeks. Where this deadline is not met, and no extended time period has been agreed, applicants have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination.

My Department monitors the performance of local planning authorities in terms of both the speed and quality of decision-making, with separate metrics for major and non-major applications. Speed of decision-making is measured by the proportion of decisions that are made within the statutory deadline or an agreed extended time period. The current performance threshold for non-major applications is at least 70% of decisions made within these timeframes.

Where an authority fails to meet this threshold, the Secretary of State has the power to designate the authority. Designation requires the authority to prepare an improvement plan, and applicants may choose to submit relevant applications directly to the Planning Inspectorate, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81306 on Planning, when he plans to publish the evaluation plan on (a) gov.uk and (b) the evaluation registry. \p Matthew Pennycook: Details of the government’s Digital Planning Programme Evaluation are published on gov.uk here.

It is not a requirement to publish an evaluation plan and the publication of one is yet to be determined for this programme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration his Department has given to allowing interested third parties to seek a review of administrative planning conditions. \p Matthew Pennycook: Conditions on planning applications can be challenged by the applicant through appeal, but not by a third party.

Third parties can make representations on planning applications during the consultation stage and through engagement with the local planning authority.

In making a decision on a planning application, the local planning authority must have considered all the representations made and must take into account those views.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the Minister for Housing and Planning plans to respond to the correspondence sent by the hon. Member for Twickenham on 2 July 2025, reference MC2025/19101. \p Matthew Pennycook: A response was sent to the hon. Member on 3 November 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56831 on Planning Permission, and to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question HL8773, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if he will (a) list and (b) publish each of the post-inquiry representations that have been made since the ending of the Planning Inspectorate’s public inquiry. \p Matthew Pennycook: Post-inquiry representations are routinely listed at the end of the final decision letter and are available on request once the decision letter has issued.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78232 on MHCLG: Remote Working, for what reason junior civil servants have a lower office workplace requirement than senior civil servants. \p Samantha Dixon: Senior Civil Servants in MHCLG have a higher expectation for Office Attendance than other employees as they have a key leadership role in the Department and have a responsibility to be visible and accessible to their colleagues. Office Attendance expectations within the Department reflect the available capacity across the MHCLG estate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Darren Paffey:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many residential buildings have been decanted due to (a) unsafe cladding and (b) other fire safety defects in each year since the passage of the Building Safety Act 2022. \p Samantha Dixon: Building decants arise in one of two ways – either in a planned way as part of a schedule of works or in an emergency situation due to emerging safety concerns. Not all decants are reported to the Department, particularly if they are planned. Emergency decants are a local operational matter led either by the entity responsible for the building or by local regulators. Where emergency decants are reported to uswe work with local regulators and responsible entities to ensure residents are placed at the centre of decision-making by all parties.

In the past year, 10 emergency decants related to fire safety defects have been reported to the Department. We have also collaboratively with local regulators and other parties to prevent decants from taking place and since December 2023 this work has allowed more than 6000 households to remain in their homes safely.

When local authorities take enforcement action against a mid or high-rise residential building, the Department asks the local authority to voluntarily upload details to a designated data platform. Local authorities share details of buildings subject to enforcement under powers within the 2004 Housing Act, including inspections, information gathering notices and statutory notices requiring action (such as improvement and prohibition notices). Local authorities can also share data pertaining to remediation orders and remediation contribution orders under the Building Safety Act 2022. We publish enforcement information as part of the monthly remediation data release on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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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 improve fire service workforce resilience in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency. \p Samantha Dixon: The Government acknowledges the vital contributions made by fire and rescue services. Decisions on how their resources are best deployed are a matter for each Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) as the employer, based on its analysis of risk and local circumstances.

Fire and rescue reform priorities continue to be shaped through regular engagement with sector leaders via the Ministerial Advisory Group on Fire and Rescue Reform (MAGFRR) and other key forums. Established by the Government, MAGFRR provides a strategic platform for addressing policy challenges and supporting the modernisation of fire and rescue services.

The Government remains committed to working collaboratively with all sector partners to deliver meaningful change and ensure services are equipped to keep the public safe.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the policy paper entitled Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, published on 17 July 2025, whether he plans to bring forward any further policies on elections. \p Samantha Dixon: The Government’s Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections set out the key priorities the Government plans to take on elections during this Parliament. Legislation to deliver the policies outlined in this Strategy will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78240 on Absent Voting: British Nationals Abroad, what information his Department holds on which countries had the slowest postal service for returning overseas votes in the 2024 general election. \p Samantha Dixon: MHCLG does not hold information on which countries had the slowest postal service for returning overseas votes in the 2024 election.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2025 to Question 78206 on Housing: Asylum, over what period of time the £500 million is allocated; and whether the basic alternative accommodation will involve the utilisation of existing (a) social and (b) private rented housing. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 78206 on 23 October 2025 and the answer to Question UIN 78187 on 20 October 2025. We continue to engage with local government on options for design of the fund and the best way to deliver this accommodation in different areas. We will confirm further details in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the amount that was received from (a) parish precepts, (b) mayoral precepts excluding police and (c) police precepts (i) in cash terms as receipts and (ii) on the average Band D bill in the latest period for which data is available. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: We do not collect data on the amount of receipts collected broken down by precepting authorities or in relation to the precept that they have set.   Data on the average Band D council tax and council tax requirement set by precepting authorities for 2025-26 can be found in Table 10 on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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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 guidance entitled Community Recovery Fund: Guidance, published on 18 September 2024, whether councils report to his Department on how the Police Special Grant was spent. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Councils do not report to this Department on how the Police Special Grant is spent. The Police Special Grant is for police and crime commissioners to apply for and is administered by the Home Office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether any changes have been made to the (a) government funding and (b) funding profile for the Eden North project following the decision to cancel the Levelling Up Fund. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The MHCLG Levelling Up Fund, Town Deals, and Simplification Pathfinder Pilot have been consolidated into the Local Regeneration Fund.

There have been no changes to government funding and no changes to the funding profile, since the MoU was fully signed in November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77628 on South West: Investment, whether there are grant conditions on the use of the £281,250. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Great South West 2025/26 grant was issued to the accountable body under a section 31 grant pursuant to the Local Government Act 2003.

Alongside this, milestones were agreed between MHCLG and Great South West covering key activity around economic intelligence and insight, planning for long-term sustainability and funding options, acting as a regional business voice, and strategic collaboration for growth and inward investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 50 of his Department's policy paper entitled Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September 2025, how much funding has been allocated to Belong; and whether that funding is new funding. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 75178 on 12 September 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride, by what mechanism will his Department block (a) vapes stores and (b) fake barbers. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government’s Pride in Place strategy sets out how we are giving communities the tools to drive improvements on their high streets. These include powers to auction leases of long-term vacant properties, which will provide opportunities for councils to cultivate a more diverse high street offering, as well as streamlined compulsory purchase order powers, and a new community right to buy valued local assets.

Enforcement against rogue traders, such as fake barbers, is being strengthened through enhanced checks by Companies House and coordinated national enforcement. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the advertising and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products and provide powers for ministers to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department will make a decision on the funding of the ACM cladding remediation project at Northpoint Bromley. \p Samantha Dixon: MHCLG funded the cladding remediation project at Northpoint Bromley, including work required to remove the unsafe ACM, completed in 2024.

Our delivery partner, the Greater London Authority, has since submitted a funding variation request related to the defects liability period. This is progressing this through the Department’s funding governance processes and a decision will be made in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Dr Beccy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) accountability in the management of fire safety equipment in leasehold properties. \p Samantha Dixon: Under Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, those responsible for fire safety in their premises (Responsible Persons) must make sure that any preventive and protective measures installed to address fire safety risks are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. It is also a requirement on Responsible Persons for multi-occupied residential buildings to communicate the preventive and protective measures they have installed as a result of a fire risk assessment to residents in a comprehensible way.

There is a regulatory making power to mandate the frequency of this information, and we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the legislation to identify if such a mandate is necessary.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 75447 on Trade union Officials: Facilities Agreements, whether the increase in facility time was (a) requested by trade unions and (b) approved by Ministers. \p Samantha Dixon: Trade union representatives have a legal right to be given time off to undertake their duties and this is requested in line with MHCLG policy. Facility time is granted in line with Cabinet Office guidance and remains within 1% of our overall pay bill. Ministerial approval is not required for facility time.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the substantive information released on 21 October 2025 under the Freedom of Information Act, ref FOI2025/12565. \p Anna Turley: All Freedom of Information requests are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the relevant legislation. A copy of the information released in the response will be deposited in the House Library.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2025 to Question 71197 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, when the UK Statistics Authority plans to publish (a) the synthesis of work and (b) next steps on harmonised standards for sex and gender identity. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 28th October is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 109.9KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department holds (a) final business cases and (b) data protection impact assessments for (i) the Gov.uk One Login programme and (ii) other digital identity schemes. \p Josh Simons: GOV.UK One Login has a full business case which has been approved by the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury ministers. GOV.UK One Login has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), which we continue to develop with any new identity verification journeys. A business case and DPIA are currently being conducted for the GOV.UK Wallet.

The Government has announced plans for a new digital ID to be available to UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. We will consult and engage on the practical operation of the scheme and the data structures underpinning it, as it is developed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed mandatory enrolment in a digital ID system on the rights of (a) individuals and (b) business under the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. \p Josh Simons: The Government will launch a public consultation on the design of the new digital ID which will inform ongoing policy development and assessments of impacts.

We have been in touch with the Devolved Government in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government and will continue to engage with them to ensure systems work for people on both sides of the border, as committed to in the Good Friday Agreement and across the Common Travel Area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department would expect employers to take to check a person's digital ID to validate evidence of a right to work. \p Josh Simons: Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks by the end of this parliament.

We will be consulting on the details of the programme in due course, including how to help employers of all sizes onboard onto the system and how they will validate the credential to prove an employee's right to work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Kim Johnson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consideration he has given to the role of post offices in (a) onboarding and (b) supporting people who suffer from (i) identity and (ii) digital exclusion during the roll out of the digital identity scheme. \p Josh Simons: The new digital ID will be designed to be inclusive. We will launch a public consultation and have already started to engage with a range of expert organisations and community groups.

We will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to ensure everyone eligible is able to access this new digital ID and benefit from it. We are considering options like a digitally enabled physical alternative for those without access to technology, as well as in-person onboarding support for those who struggle to engage digitally, such as post offices, and a dedicated case working function for those who may struggle to initially prove their identity and access the system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 70512 on Government Hospitality: Wines, what the cost of each transaction from Berry Bros was since 4 July 2025; and which items were purchased. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As has been the case under successive administrations, a detailed breakdown of each item in a purchase is not routinely published. Details of Government Procurement Card spending over £500 is published on gov.uk.

In March this year, the Government took action to cancel government procurement cards and this is working. In the first 4 months after introducing these changes, spend on GPCs has decreased by £25m (30%) across government compared with the previous 4 months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what performance indicators are used in the Civil Service; and how frequently performance is assessed. \p Anna Turley: A summary of the performance indicators used for Senior Civil Servants in the civil service and the timeline setting out how frequently performance is assessed is published on gov.uk at the following webpage:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/senior-civil-service-performance-management/performance-management-framework-for-the-senior-civil-service-2025-to-2026-performance-year

For departmental grades (AA - G6), departments have the flexibility in their performance management approach under the Performance Management Framework. Departments will set performance standards and box marks, where these are used.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of Ministerial severance packages between 1 September and 8 September 2025. \p Anna Turley: Departments are responsible for making salary and loss of office payments to their Ministers. This information would only be held by individual departments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55254 on Public Bodies: Reviews, how many civil servants are involved in the review by grade. \p Anna Turley: As of 31st October 2025, the Cabinet Office maintains 1 Deputy Director, 1 Grade 7 and 1 HEO to staff the ALB Review. Information on departmental staffing levels for the ALB Review is not held centrally.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 74185 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, when in August the payment was made to Westminster City Council; and whether a (a) revised council tax demand and (b) reminder notice for the second homes council tax premium had been received from Westminster City Council. \p Anna Turley: As the property was a second residence, the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former Deputy Prime Minister - in line with long-standing precedent under successive governments. The Government Property Agency is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House.

Following the introduction of the second homes premium, this has been paid in full in a one-off payment in July 2025. This payment was made on the date the invoice was received from Westminster City Council. No revised council tax demand or reminder notice was received.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025, to Question 78294 on Admiralty House: Council Tax, what council tax (a) discounts, (b) premiums, (c) exemptions and (d) disregards, were claimed for and applied to each of the three Admiralty House dwellings (i) between July 2024 to March 2025 and (ii) since 1 April 2025. \p Anna Turley: Council tax discount, exemption, disregard and premiums billing for Admiralty House are determined by the Local Authority. In this instance, this would be Westminster City Council.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Future of Work Committee has (a) met and (b) carried out business via correspondence since 5 September 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: It is a long established precedent that the frequency and business of Cabinet Committee meetings is not usually publicly disclosed.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the 2025 Honours Committee handbook. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As noted in our answer to PQ 43222, the Honours Committee handbook is a document used to induct newly appointed independent chairs and committee members to the honours system and the committee process. This document is intended for internal use only. More information on these can be found on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 81327 on Government Departments: Advertising, on which (a) programmes and (b) topics his Department used each contractor. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As with any communication campaign approach, channels are selected based on their ability to engage with audiences in alignment with the government's priorities.

Social media has been utilised on campaigns of varying scale and reach, supporting missions communications and government priorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77545 on Cabinet Office: Social Media, whether his Department has undertaken expenditure (a) directly and (b) through contractors on digital influencers outside the New Media Unit since 4 July 2024. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Cabinet Office has worked with influencers outside of the New Media Unit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81876 on Government Departments: Advertising, which publications have been assessed as appropriate for government advertising under the SAFE framework. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: There are currently no plans to publish the full list of publications assessed under the SAFE framework.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 82668 on New Media Unit: Marketing, how the £13.2 million is allocated by (a) topic and (b) programme. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: This allocation has enabled multiple campaigns of varying scale and reach, supporting missions communications and government priorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_69

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department made of the potential impact of a legal duty to implement public enquiry recommendations on public trust in government. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Public inquiries are independent of Government and can make recommendations of their choosing. Government takes the recommendations of inquiries very seriously, and determines which recommendations it accepts. To ensure clarity and transparency of progress on the recommendations that Government has accepted, we have established a record on GOV.UK of inquiry recommendations, starting with the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Infected Blood Inquiry. This will be periodically updated and expanded to capture future inquiry recommendations. This will be an enduring mechanism for monitoring and tracking government implementation of inquiry recommendations. It will allow the public to track the progress of implementation enhancing public trust in Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_70

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take legislative steps to require public sector organisations to publish reports on (a) internal culture, (b) risk management and (c) the implementation of inquiry recommendations. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Public Office (Accountability) Bill is currently progressing through parliament. The legislation will include a requirement that all public bodies establish a professional duty of candour for staff set out within a wider code of ethics. This obligation will require public bodies to promote the ethical conduct of their employees. The Government will drive forward implementation with determination and hold public sector organisations accountable. Public Sector leaders will join ministers on a dedicated new implementation board to monitor progress.

Public inquiries are independent of Government and can make recommendations of their choosing. Government takes the recommendations of inquiries very seriously, and determines which recommendations it accepts. To ensure clarity and transparency of progress on the recommendations that Government has accepted, we have established a record on GOV.UK of inquiry recommendations, starting with the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Infected Blood Inquiry. This will be periodically updated and expanded to capture future inquiry recommendations. This will be an enduring mechanism for monitoring and tracking government implementation of inquiry recommendations. It will allow the public to track the progress of implementation enhancing public trust in Government.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_71

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_72

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 50850 on Local Government: Israel and with reference to the Cabinet Office document entitled Code of conduct for board members of public bodies, published in November 2019, what guidance his Department has issued on whether people who hold regulated public appointments may (a) campaign and (b) support (i) boycott, (ii) divestment and (iii) sanction campaigns outside of where formal legal (A) sanctions, (B) embargoes and (C) restrictions have been put in place by the Government. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Advice on political activity is contained within the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code of Conduct requires public appointees - in their public role - to generally be, and be seen to be, politically impartial and to abstain from all controversial political activity. It also advises that appointees, on matters directly related to the work of the body, should not make political statements or engage in any other political activity. However, subject to these guidelines, the Code does not preclude engagement in general political activity by appointees. They must first have informed the body and/or sponsor department and should remain conscious of their responsibilities and exercise proper discretion at all times.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_73

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the (a) governance structure, (b) terms of reference for the (i) Senior Steering Group, (ii) Champions Network and (iii) Expert Advisory Group, (c) minutes, (d) declared interests and (e) any recorded conflicts of interest and information on how these were managed for One Big Thing 2024. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The following sets out the key individuals and groups that made up the governance structure for One Big Thing 2024, including their roles:

Group/Individual

Membership

Role

Sponsor for One Big Thing 2024

Jo Shanmugalingam, 2nd Permanent Secretary, DfT (at the time)

Responsible for advocacy/ championing One Big Thing 2024 and encouraging participation across the Civil Service.

Senior Responsible Owner (SRO)

Sapana Agrawal, Director for Civil Service Strategy Unit

Day-to-day leadership of One Big Thing, responsible for ensuring the project meets its objectives.

Senior Steering Group

Sponsor, SRO, and other senior civil servants (SCS) with responsibility for relevant areas such as Civil Service Communications, Government People Group, and Government Digital Service.

This group acted as a review and challenge function and assured that the design aligned with the needs of the Civil Service. It was responsible for signing off on the approach and products.

Departmental Champions

SCS departmental champions, nominated by permanent secretaries.

Responsible for ensuring successful delivery and participation in their departments and feeding into overall initiative design and plan via monthly Champion Network meetings.

Expert Advisory Group

Internal and external innovation experts

This group provided advice to inform the design and development of the One Big Thing 2024 learning offer.

Central working group

The central project management team in the Cabinet Office’s Civil Service Strategy Unit and delivery partners.

Day-to-day delivery across workstreams, including training products, comms and engagement, platform, data collection, and evaluation.

No conflicts of interest were recorded. The Expert Advisory Group had representation from external experts from the private sector and academia. Their role was limited to providing subject matter expertise, with no decision-making/ sign-off authority or involvement with delivery.

We are unable to publish the minutes of meetings, as requested, as the effective design of One Big Thing is reliant upon these being internal forums for free and frank discussions, with attendees often providing informal opinions or preliminary views.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_74

Mark Garnier:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to help support students who are retaking (a) maths and (b) English GCSE whilst in further education. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is committed to supporting high quality teaching and learning for students who are continuing their English and maths study during 16 to 19 under the maths and English condition of funding. The department has already introduced the requirement for providers to offer 100 hours minimum of classroom teaching per subject, supported by additional funding for providers, and set clearer expectations on which students should typically be entered into November resits, to avoid unnecessary repeated resits which we recognise are demoralising for students.

We are also introducing new level 1 stepping stone qualifications to support post-16 students to consolidate foundational skills and knowledge, preparing those with lower prior attainment for successful GCSE resits the following year. In addition, we are working with the further education Commissioner to gather and share effective practice, to help providers support their students.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_75

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 73665 on Pupils: English Language, what proportion of children starting primary school cannot speak English to an acceptable standard. \p Georgia Gould: ​​The department does not hold specific data on the proportion of children starting primary school who are unable to speak English to an acceptable standard.

​Information on teacher assessments of children’s development at the end of the early years foundation stage (EYFS), specifically the end of the academic year in which a child turns five, is published as part of the annual statistical release, which can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-results/2023-24.

The latest data on the percentage of children at expected level for communication and language, including speaking, can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/d481e08f-ef55-4809-f8d6-08de0724494a.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_76

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with her Northern Ireland counterpart on substitute teachers unable to get permanent jobs. \p Georgia Gould: Supply teachers perform a valuable role and make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and covering teacher absences.

Schools, academies and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of supply teachers, which includes deciding whether they contract supply teachers directly or use employment agencies.

Education is a devolved matter. The department is in contact with Northern Ireland counterparts at an official level to discuss and share valuable knowledge about supply teachers and the supply system in England and Northern Ireland.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_77
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_77

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing funding levels for the Music and Dance Scheme; and whether she plans to (a) uplift bursary rates in line with inflation and (b) provide multi-year funding settlements to give greater certainty to participating schools. \p Georgia Gould: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Bedford, to the answer of 23 October 2025 to Question 78882.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_78

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy that all primary schools must adopt a national sun safe policy. \p Josh MacAlister: Schools are responsible for safeguarding children in their care. We expect all schools to make sensible decisions about sun safety when temperatures are high.

The department’s Education Hub website signposts the UK Security Agency’s advice for teachers and other educational professionals on looking after children before and after hot weather, and the Health and Safety Executive’s advice for schools as employers.

We also expect schools to engage parents and pupils in discussions about what precautions are acceptable, including how schools adhere to the UK Security Agency’s advice around whether staff should administer sunscreen to younger pupils, whether children are allowed to carry their own sunscreen or cover up, wear sunglasses and a hat.

The department has no plans to introduce a national sun safe policy for primary schools. We believe schools are best placed to determine what measures are practical within the context of their school to minimise the risks arising from pupils being exposed to the sun during the school day.
wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_79
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_79

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children are on waiting lists for Education, Health and Care plan assessments in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Georgia Gould: The department does not hold information on the number of children waiting for an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment.

Information is published on the number of requests for an EHC needs assessment and the number of assessments carried out. The number of requests for an EHC needs assessment which were outstanding at the end of the 2024 calendar year in Northumberland, Newcastle, the North East and England for the 2024 calendar year is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/99797c00-9a15-49d0-7af8-08de11c58191.

The number of EHC needs assessments which were outstanding at the end of the 2024 calendar year in Northumberland, Newcastle, the North East and England for the 2024 calendar year is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/e0532abe-628f-452a-7af9-08de11c58191.

This information is not available at constituency level.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_80

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to distribute funds to support chess in schools during 2025-26. \p Georgia Gould: The core funding schools receive is not ringfenced, and it is for headteachers to decide how best to manage their budgets.