theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Jessica Morden:What steps his Department is taking with universities to support research and innovation. \p Feryal Clark: Research and innovation is key to delivering the government’s missions, and universities are essential for this.

We are increasing Core Research funding to over £6.1bn to deliver on the government’s research priorities and offer real terms protection to the UK's world leading universities.

This Government has committed to record funding of R&D in the recent budget. Total HMG investment in R&D is rising to a record allocation of £20.4bn in 2025/26
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle disinformation through AI-generated deepfakes. \p Feryal Clark: We have recently announced that we are delivering on our manifesto commitment to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.

Deepfakes more broadly are captured by the Online Safety Act where they are shared on social media platforms and are considered illegal content or content which is harmful to children.

For those who think that there are no repercussions for online activity, we saw convictions for illegal online activity following the summer riots, including under the new False Communications Offence.
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Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to increase levels of innovation in Stoke-on-Trent. \p Feryal Clark: I set out in my previous answer to the Honourable Member for Stafford, that we are investing £29.8 million in research and innovation projects in Staffordshire.

For example, through the Strength in Places Fund, we are investing £18 million in the Midlands Advanced Ceramics for Industry 4.0 project. This is a consortium of researchers, manufacturers and end-users led by the Lucideon Group, which has sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stone. It will develop streamlined processes for proving and bringing new advanced ceramics technologies to market faster, with less energy usage and lower carbon emissions.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of rural broadband coverage. \p Chris Bryant: According to Ofcom’s December 2024 Connected Nations report, just 0.1% of properties are unable to get decent broadband coverage (defined as at least 10 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed), with 89% of rural UK residential properties having superfast broadband coverage (>=30 Mbps). Clearly this still leaves a significant number of rural properties with inadequate broadband coverage.

Through Project Gigabit, more than £2 billion of contracts have been signed to connect over a million more premises with gigabit-capable broadband (>1000 Mbps). These premises predominantly fall in rural areas.

For those premises still unable to get a decent broadband connection, the Broadband USO provides consumers the right to request a decent broadband connection.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps is he taking to ensure that all villages are included the rollout of broadband infrastructure. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is committed to the rollout of fast, reliable broadband to all parts of the UK. So far we have over 30 Project Gigabit contracts in place, filling in gaps that are not being met commercially, predominantly in rural areas. This includes a contract across South Oxfordshire which will provide approximately 3,500 premises in the Henley and Thame constituency with access to gigabit-capable broadband.
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Josh Newbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development and (b) evaluation of (i) non-animal test methods and (ii) new approach methodologies to replace animal testing. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is committed to supporting the uptake, development and evaluation of alternative methods to the use of animals in science and new approach methodologies. It is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements for their use.

We recognise that any work to support the transition to new approach methodologies must be science-led and in lock step with partners, and so we are meeting with key stakeholders to pursue this work. We will make any announcements on our plans in due course.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to remove the gender-neutral toilets in her Department in Marsham Street. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The current number and location of gender neutral toilets in the Home Office’s Marsham office was established under the previous government in October 2017, at a cost of £36,963.20, and has remained unchanged since that time.

There are no plans to spend further public money on the reconfiguration of the Home Office’s toilets.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will launch an inquiry into grooming and rape gangs. \p Jess Phillips: The Government's priority is to take action on delivering against the recommendations of the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The Home Secretary announced on 6th January that we will be bringing in mandatory reporting, making grooming an aggravating factor in CSA cases, and setting up a new panel to ensure victims' and survivors' voices are prioritised in future policy making.

The Government will continue to support further inquiries that are needed, which can expose failings and wrongdoings in local areas and institutions. It is right that these take place at a localised level so that those are responsible for delivering services work to ensure lessons are learnt and that local partners are doing all they can to improve their response. We support local areas like Oldham Council, who have confirmed that work to set up a further local inquiry is already underway.

The Government invest in the Child Sexual Exploitation Police Taskforce (or 'Grooming Gangs Taskforce') which provides practical, expert, on the ground support for local forces investigating complex, group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, with a focus on grooming gangs.

The Taskforce collect and report on data on group-based offending quarterly. 'Group-based' offending in this context includes any offence with two or more perpetrators. This will include - but is not limited to - 'grooming gang' type offending; other 'group-based' offending includes intra-familial and peer-on-peer abuse, for example.

In November 2024, the Taskforce published 2023 data on group-based offending (available here: https://www.hydrantprogramme.co.uk/publications/hydrant-publications#LatestNews) which includes data on ethnicity. However, it is important to note that ethnicity data is limited and should be treated with caution. The Government will be working with the Taskforce to improve data collection, including dealing with the issues around ethnicity.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects to resume processing asylum applications from Syrian nationals. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review, so we can respond to emerging issues. Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the Home Office has withdrawn the Country Policy Information Notes and Guidance relating to Syria.

Consequently, as the Home Office continues to assess the current situation in Syria, the Home Office has temporarily paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims.

We will provide a further update to Parliament as soon as possible.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects the first overseas visitors to Northern Ireland arriving via the Republic of Ireland to be impacted by the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. \p Seema Malhotra: We are introducing the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to enhance our ability to screen travellers upstream and stop those who pose a threat from travelling to the UK. The scheme, which already applies to nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, has now being extended to all remaining non-visa nationals (except Europeans) and will be a requirement for this cohort for travel from 8 January 2025.

The Government appreciates that the introduction of ETAs represents a substantial change for millions of overseas visitors to the UK (including those intending to cross the land border from Ireland). We are communicating these changes across a range of channels to all those potentially in scope, and there has been regular engagement to that end with officials in the Northern Ireland tourism sector.

The application process is quick and simple. Applicants usually get a decision within three working days.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 11 December 2024 from the hon. Member for Tooting, reference number RA60941. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office responded to the correspondence on 7 January.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2024, to Question 10992, on Ministers: private property, whether the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention submitted a claim to the Department for the costs relating to the theft of her personal effects whilst on official duties at the Police Superintendents' Association conference in Kenilworth in September 2024. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention has not submitted a claim to the Department for the costs relating to the theft of her personal effects whilst on official duties at the Police Superintendents' Association conference in Kenilworth in September 2024.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what date the Infected Blood Compensation Authority compensation scheme will open for members of the infected blood community to make claims. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Infected Blood Compensation Authority opened the compensation scheme to a small number of people in October 2024 as part of the initial development and testing of the compensation payment service. This will increase to around 250 people by March of this year, increasing to larger numbers after that. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority is responsible for the operational delivery of the scheme, including the management of the application process.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many members of the infected blood community were invited to start their claim for compensation between 17 October 2024 and 31 December 2024. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Between 17 October and 31 December 2024, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority invited 45 people to make a claim for compensation, comprising the initial group of 20 invitees and a further group of 25 at the end of December. The Authority made the first compensation offers to 10 people with a total value of more than £13 million, and so far 4 of those offers have been paid out.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Office for National Statistics has made an estimate of the (a) number and (b) proportion of people who are potentially in the UK illegally. \p Georgia Gould: The Home Office publishes a statistical release with an overview of people who come to the UK irregularly. It includes those arriving on a small boat across the English Channel, along with some other groups arriving without prior lawful permission. The Office for National Statistics does not publish this information.

The most recent Home Office statistics, for the year ending June 2024, are available on gov.uk. As was the case under the previous administration, these statistics should not be used to infer the size of the irregular population in the UK, nor the total number of people entering the UK irregularly.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many transactions have been blocked under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 since 5 July 2024; and which transactions were blocked. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government publishes notices of final orders made on GOV.UK - this includes cases that are blocked, unwound, or cleared subject to conditions. The Government also publishes annual reports to provide information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a national security assessment.

The NSI Annual Report 2023-24 was published on 10 September 2024 and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-security-and-investment-act-2021-annual-report-2023-24. The period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 will be covered in the next annual report, which will be published later this year.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 15229 on Senior Civil Servants: Freedom of Information, what best practice guidance does the (a) Cabinet Office FOI Clearing House Internal Review and (b) its successor provide to departments on the level of seniority at which information on civil servants should normally be disclosed in response to FOI requests. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Cabinet Office has not issued either internal or external guidance on whether Freedom of Information Act requests requesting information on senior civil servants should be disclosed. All requests are considered on their own merits in all circumstances.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the funding level of the Integrated Security Fund will be in (a) 2025/26 and (b) each of the following five years. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The ISF funding level in 2025/26 will be published shortly. Funding levels for future years will be considered as part of the second phase of the Spending Review.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times Ministers across Government have communicated with the President-Elect's transition team since 6 November 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The department does not intend to publish this information, for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2024 to Question 16598 on Ministers: Official Cars, whether he has a target date for the Government Car Service to move to a fully-electric fleet. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government remains committed to its target for all government vehicles to be zero emission by the end of 2027. The Government Car Service will continue working towards this goal, aligning its transition plans with the broader objectives set for the fleet.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of spending on (a) alcohol and (b) narcotics in each of the last five years; and what proportion of this spending is estimated as being illegal. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18 December is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 120.6KB)
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to (a) the Crown Prosecution Service, Annual Report and Accounts 2013–14, July 2014, HC6, page 73, and (b) The Pensions Increase (Pension Scheme for Keir Starmer QC) Regulations 2013, what the metric is by which the Keir Starmer QC Pension Scheme has been uprated by inflation each year; and if he will list the pension benefits offered to pension scheme’s member. \p Georgia Gould: I refer the right honourable member to the answer given to PQ UIN 2321 on 2 September 2024. The uprating mechanism and benefits have not changed since the Scheme was made in 2013.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December to Question 19728 on National Security Adviser: Pay, when he plans to publish the Annual Report on Special Advisers. \p Georgia Gould: The Annual Report on Special Advisers is published annually as per the requirements of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, as was the case under the previous Administration. The 2025 Annual Report on Special Advisers will be published later this year.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many non-departmental public bodies has the Government (a) announced it will open, (b) opened, (c) announced it will close and (d) closed since 4 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: Cabinet Office maintains records and oversight of formally established Arm’s Length Bodies, including NDPBs. No NDPBs have been formally established since 4 July 2024. Similarly, there have been no formal closures of NDPBs since 4 July 2024.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Prime Minister's oral contribution of 4 December 2024, Official Report, column 291, on what evidential basis he stated that two of the Leader of the Opposition’s predecessors had convictions for breaking covid rules. \p Georgia Gould: My Rt Hon Friend the Prime Minister was referring to the Fixed Penalty Notices received by two former Prime Ministers for breaking COVID lockdown rules. The Prime Minister is happy to clarify that a Fixed Penalty Notice does not constitute a criminal conviction. He stands by the relevance of raising to the attention of the House that two former Conservative Prime Ministers were fined by the police for breaking the COVID rules that they put in place for others.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance he has provided to Government departments on publishing details of individual Civil Service pensions for senior officials under (a) Financial Reporting requirements and (b) the Freedom of Information Act. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: In relation to what guidance the Cabinet Office has provided to government departments on publishing details of individual Civil Service pensions for senior officials:

(a) Financial Reporting requirements - The Cabinet Office issues an ‘Employer Pension Notice’ (EPN) to government departments each year, so they can provide the disclosure of Senior Civil Servants' pensions under their Financial Reporting requirements.

(b) Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - I refer the right honourable member to the answer given in 15229 answered on 29 November 2024. The Cabinet Office has not issued either internal or external guidance on whether FOIA requests requesting information on senior civil servants should be disclosed. All requests are considered on their own merits in all circumstances.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to introduce further regulations to enable the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to issue payments to the affected. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Subject to Parliamentary approval, I am aiming for the second set of Infected Blood regulations to be in force by 31st March 2025.
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Mims Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the rise in National Insurance contributions on women’s charities. \p James Murray: The Government publishes Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) for tax policy changes. TIINs give a clear explanation of the policy objective and an assessment of the impacts including on the Exchequer, individuals and families, businesses including civil society organisations and others. The TIIN for the employer NICs changes was published on 13 November 2024.
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James Wild:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increases in (a) vehicle excise duty and (b) the HGV road user levy on the logistics industry. \p James Murray: As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, from 1 April 2025, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for Heavy Goods Vehicles and the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) levy will be uprated by Retail Price Index for 2025-26. This means rates will remain unchanged in real terms for vehicle keepers.

The tax information and impact note published alongside the Budget when these changes were announced sets out the expected impact on businesses which own or sell HGVs, which is estimated to be “negligible”. The note also sets out expected economic, equalities and other impacts of the changes, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vehicle-excise-duty-rates-for-heavy-goods-vehicles-and-heavy-goods-vehicles-road-user-levy-from-1-april-2025

Revenue from motoring taxes helps ensure we can continue to fund the vital public services and infrastructure that people and families across the UK expect.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19620 on Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland, if she will increase funding to Northern Ireland for the additional cost associated with changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions in the context of the higher proportion of public sector employees. \p Darren Jones: The UK Government has agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support them with the additional costs associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy.

The Northern Ireland Executive will receive funding through the Barnett formula for any additional support provided to UK Government departments in 2025-26 as a result of this policy change. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements for the devolved governments as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.

The Interim Fiscal Framework agreed by the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive recognises that Northern Ireland has a higher level of relative need compared to equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. A 24% needs-based factor is now included in the Barnett Formula for the Northern Ireland Executive, and the Executive is receiving over 24% more per person than equivalent UK Government spending in 2024-25 and 2025-26, including the 2024 restoration financial package.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much interest has accrued on the £2.5bn seized following the sale of Chelsea Football Club. \p Tulip Siddiq: The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), part of HM Treasury, is the authority for the implementation of financial sanctions in the UK.

An asset freeze does not involve a change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, nor are they transferred to HM Treasury. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are therefore not held by the UK Government. They are currently frozen in a UK bank account after OFSI issued a licence to permit the sale of the football club.

Any interest accrued on these assets is subject to the asset freeze, to be frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them.

In the latest Annual Review published in December 2023, OFSI announced that £22.7 billion in Russian Assets has been reported as frozen as of October 2023. This figure is provided in aggregate so as not to disclose the value of any funds held by particular designated persons and is a cumulative total of assets reported.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure the accessibility of touch screens for (a) card payment machines and (b) other services for people with visual impairments. \p Tulip Siddiq: The government is committed to ensuring high standards of financial inclusion across the financial services sector.

The Treasury continues to engage with UK Finance, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and other Government departments on the issue of accessibility of card payment terminals.

UK Finance, the leading trade association for the banking sector, maintains voluntary standards to help ensure point-of-sale technology remains accessible for those who are visually impaired. UK Finance will soon be assessing potential initiatives to drive improvements and adoption. The Government continues to closely monitor progress in this important area.
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Matt Bishop:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help improve access to travel insurance for patients with long-term illnesses. \p Tulip Siddiq: The government is determined that everyone has access to suitable insurance products at the right price.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry, including firms providing travel insurance. Under FCA rules, insurers must offer products that provide fair value. This means that the price a consumer pays for a product or service must be reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive. The FCA has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules.

Under FCA rules introduced in 2021, if a travel insurance customer is declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium based on their pre-existing medical condition, insurers are required to signpost consumers to a directory of specialist providers who may be better placed to provide cover.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to pay additional compensation to people impacted by the collapse of Equitable Life. \p Tulip Siddiq: The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016 and there are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.
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Liam Byrne:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what role her Department’s Enterprise and Growth Unit will have in supporting (a) the Government’s Growth Mission and (b) the Spending Review next year. \p Tulip Siddiq: The growth mission is the government’s central mission. The Enterprise and Growth Unit plays a key role in driving the mission forward. It is focused on policy development, in partnership with business, industry and other stakeholders, across the seven growth mission pillars outlined at the Autumn Budget. It works closely with other groups within HM Treasury, for example the International and Financial Services Groups and the new Growth Delivery Unit which is focused on delivery.

At the Spending Review, the Enterprise and Growth Unit is responsible for spending control for several departments and will work closely with departments to ensure spending plans are affordable and support the government’s missions.
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Liam Byrne:To ask the Chancellor for the Exchequer, if she will publish the forecasts of the size of the UK labour force broken down by the net migration forecast by (a) the Office of Budget Responsibility and (b) other bodies for the forecast period used by that Office. \p Tulip Siddiq: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility is responsible for producing forecasts of the UK economy, including the size of the labour force and net migration. The OBR’s latest forecasts, in the October 2024 Economic and fiscal outlook, are available at the OBR’s website.1.

The Office for National Statistics publishes National Population Projections. For the purposes of producing these projections, the ONS produces assumptions for the projected growth in population due to net migration. The ONS’s latest projections, published in January 2024, assume long-term net international migration of 315,000 per year from the year ending mid-2028 onwards. The projections are published on the ONS’s website here: National population projections - Office for National Statistics

1. https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-october-2024/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to support the BBC with the cost of employers’ National Insurance contributions. \p James Murray: The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs. This funding will be allocated to departments, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way. This will be in line with the approach taken under the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy. Details of the funding set aside for 2025-26, including its allocation, will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_148

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether pupils on the choir schools scholarship scheme will be exempt from increases in VAT in (a) this academic year and (b) subsequent financial years. \p James Murray: Performing arts schools that offer full-time education to children of compulsory school age and/or 16-19 year olds for a charge are in scope of the application of VAT to private school fees. This is to ensure fairness and consistency across all schools that provide education services and vocational training for a charge. It is the government’s position, therefore, that carving these schools out of the policy would be unfair to other private schools.

The Department for Education provides means-tested bursaries for eligible families as part of the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) if their child has a place at any one of eight MDS performing arts private schools. For this academic year 2024/25, lower income families will receive additional support to ensure the total cost of their parental contributions do not rise from January 2025 as a result of the VAT change. This means that almost half of eligible families will be receiving further support in addition to the bursary already provided.

As part of the MDS, the Department also provides a grant to the Choir Schools Association (CSA) for their Choir Schools Scholarship Scheme. This scheme provides means-tested support to choristers attending CSA member schools. Whether member schools charge VAT from 1 January 2025 on their education fee will vary, depending on whether schools are private or state-funded.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_149

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish all Departmental research undertaken in relation to the Government's response to the PHSO report on communication of Women's State Pension age on 17 December 2024. \p Emma Reynolds: The research that has been used to inform the response is published, available online and is referenced within the response.

The response itself has been deposited in the House of Commons Library and published on Gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-parliamentary-and-health-service-ombudsmans-investigation-into-womens-state-pension-age-communications-and-associated-issues
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_150

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of State Pension age changes on the six sample cases in the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's report entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, HC 638, published on 21 March 2024. \p Emma Reynolds: The six sample complainants were impacted by State Pension age changes introduced by both the Pensions Act 1995 and the Pensions Act 2011.

The Ombudsman did not investigate the decisions to increase the State Pension age for women in 1995, or to accelerate that increase in 2011. The Ombudsman are clear that policy decisions to increase the State Pension age in 1995 onwards were taken by Parliament and considered lawful by the Courts and were not within their remit to consider.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_151

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 19693 on Department for Work and Pensions: Artificial Intelligence, on what date her Department decided not to publish that equality impact assessment. \p Andrew Western: Machine learning is currently used to flag cases requiring further examination. Our equality analysis found no issues of concern as set out in the Annual Report and Accounts.

The most recent consideration of the release of this information took place following receipt of Question 19693 on 13th December 2024 where the department considered the balance between releasing information and protecting the effectiveness of our fraud prevention and detection methods.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_152

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for Pension Credit were (a) received, (b) processed and granted and (c) processed and not granted in each month between July and December 2024. \p Emma Reynolds: Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK.

Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_153

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pension credit claims received since 1 August 2024 have (a) not been paid to the claimant and (b) refused on grounds the claimant is ineligible. \p Emma Reynolds: Because of how we capture our operational data, information on claims received over that period which have not been paid to the claimant/refused on the grounds of the claimant being ineligible is not available and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.

Statistics on Pension Credit award volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This publication includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK. Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_154

Jessica Toale:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of equalising the (a) basic and (b) new State Pension. \p Emma Reynolds: We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.

We have made no such assessment. It is not possible to make direct, like for like comparisons between State Pension amounts received under the pre 2016 State Pension system and the new State Pension. Under both systems, the amount people are entitled to varies according to their National Insurance record. It is not the case that everyone in the new system receives more than everyone in the pre 2016 system.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_155

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the potential savings to the public purse of means testing the winter fuel payment. \p Emma Reynolds: It is estimated that the changes to Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales will save around £1.3 billion in 2024/25, rising to £1.5 billion by 2029/30.

This figure has been published in the Office of Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook (October 2024), available here: https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/OBR_Economic_and_fiscal_outlook_Oct_2024.pdf
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_156

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time is for a successful Pension Credit claimant to start receiving winter fuel payments. \p Emma Reynolds: The department does not hold data on the average time taken for a successful Pension Credit claimant to receive their winter fuel payment. However, where the customer is eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the department aims to make this payment within 2 weeks of the award of Pension Credit.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_157
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_157

Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to review the rates of the Local Housing Allowance to reflect housing costs in inner London boroughs. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The decision at Autumn Budget to maintain Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates at current levels for 2025/26 considered a range of factors such as rental data,the Government’s missions and wider fiscal context.

LHA rates were last increased in April 2024 at a cost of £7bn over 5 years. The national maximum caps, which apply in London, were also increased. These caps protect taxpayer costs for exceptionally high rental prices.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities for those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs and need further support.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_158
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_158

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of delays in winter fuel payments on pensioners experiencing poverty. \p Emma Reynolds: No such assessment has been made.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_159

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to tackle delays in processing claims for pension credit. \p Emma Reynolds: We have deployed more than 500 additional staff to process the increase in Pension Credit claims.

Pensioners won't miss out on Winter Fuel Payments even if their Pension Credit claim takes longer to process than usual. Where the customer is eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the Department aims to make this payment within 2 weeks of the award of Pension Credit.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_160
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_160

Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2024 to Question 14654 on Personal Independence Payment, what estimate her Department has made of the total amount lost to PIP fraud in financial year (a) 2020-21, (b) 2021-22 and (c) 2022-23. \p Andrew Western: Estimates of the levels of fraud and error in the benefit system for the financial years requested can be found at: Fraud and error in the benefit system - GOV.UK

Please see the requested information in the attached document.

Attachment (docx, 14.9KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_161

Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19366 on Social Security Benefits: Appeals, what role Mandatory Reconsideration Decision Makers have in reducing clearance times for mandatory reconsiderations of Personal Independence Payment decisions. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Mandatory Reconsideration clearances can fluctuate for many reasons, but we expect to recover the current backlog of cases by March 2025.

The role of a Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) decision maker is to make a robust decision, supported by the law and available evidence.

In law there is no time limit within which a MR decision must be made. This reflects the overarching policy that the focus should be on making the right decision and not the speed of clearance. Decisions should always be made without delay, but if the decision maker considers that more time is needed to gather or consider evidence, then they will give themselves that time to ensure they are confident that the decision made is correct.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_162

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many written representations on compensation for women affected by changes to the state pension age she has received from Labour (a) hon. Members representing Scottish constituencies and (b) Members of the Scottish Parliament since 5 July 2024. \p Emma Reynolds: The Department does not keep this information centrally and therefore it is not readily available. Providing the information that the Department does hold would incur disproportionate costs.