theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_144

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to reform the marine licensing process. \p Emma Hardy: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for the operation of the marine licensing system. With Defra, the MMO seeks continuous improvement to ensure the system is streamlined, cost effective and proportionate, and supports economic growth and the delivery of environmental benefits. Defra is considering options for future reform which would be subject to stakeholder consultation in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_145

Josh MacAlister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of issuing a Regulation 12 determination under the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004 confirming that the use of ionising radiation for the generation of electricity from nuclear energy using oxide fuel of low enrichment in fissile content in light water cooled, water moderated thermal reactors is considered an Existing Practice for projects such as those proposed by Great British Nuclear. \p Emma Hardy: In his role as Justifying Authority for nuclear energy, the Secretary of State can consider a broad class or type of practice under Regulation 12 of the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004. A determination to justify a broad class or type of practice would assume that all potential nuclear reactor designs in scope of that class or type of practice would result in a similar balance of benefits and detriments. Where there is sufficient evidence to make such an assessment, the Justifying Authority remains open to the possibility of accommodating a broader range of designs in a class or type of practice when assessing justification applications.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_146

Mr Paul Foster:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been spent on flood prevention works to protect the village of Croston in South Ribble constituency in the last five years; and what funds are allocated for future improvements. \p Emma Hardy: Protecting communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities.

To ensure we protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, the Government will invest £2.4 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences.

In South Ribble, the £7.3 million Croston Flood Scheme was completed in 2017 - protecting 438 properties. In the last 5 years (2019 -2024) there has been a further investment of around £500,000 for reconditioning projects, electricity running costs and repair works for the scheme and flood defence in Croston Village. An additional £42,000 is planned for 2024/25.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_147

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the contribution of farming to the economy of (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire. \p Daniel Zeichner: Regional estimates of total income from farming are produced at international territorial levels (ITL) 1, 2 and 3, with ITL3 being the most granular geographical breakdown. As such, the specific breakdown requested for part a) of the question is not available.

In 2023, total income from farming for Lincolnshire was £579.17 million.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_148

Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to ban the (a) sale and (b) use of shock collars for dogs. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government will introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation and will bring forward plans in due course. Ministers will be considering available evidence around the use of hand-controlled e-collars and their effects on the welfare of animals.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_149

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of breeding for extreme conformations on the health and welfare of (a) dogs and (b) cats. \p Daniel Zeichner: To provide a detailed scientific view on the range of issues faced by breeding dogs and cats, the Department commissioned two Opinions from the Government’s Animal Welfare Committee. One Opinion assesses the welfare implications of specialised canine reproductive practices, and one on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices. The Opinions can be found here: Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_150

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the conclusions within his Department's Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 Post Implementation Review 2024, published in December 2024; and whether he plans to introduce regulatory requirements and conditions relating to cat breeding. \p Daniel Zeichner: Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (the 2018 Regulations), anyone in the business of breeding and selling cats as pets needs to have a valid licence issued by their local authority. Licensees must meet strict statutory minimum welfare standards which are enforced by local authorities who have powers to issue, refuse, vary or revoke licences.

The Government is considering the findings of its post-implementation review of the 2018 Regulations and will be outlining more detail on next steps in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_151

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the use of exemptions within the Hunting Act 2004 for stag hunting. \p Mary Creagh: This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans in a generation to improve animal welfare and that is exactly what we will do. The Government has already committed to a ban on trail hunting which will provide significant protections to wild animals including foxes and hares. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing and further announcements will be made in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_152

Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the written statement entitled Plan for Change: Milestones for mission-led Government, published on 5 December 2024, HCWS285, and the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, whether funding announced in the Plan for Change includes funding previously announced by the Government; and whether there will be Barnett consequential funding for devolved administrations. \p Darren Jones: The government sets out its plans for departmental expenditure at regular Spending Reviews. The current Spending Review (SR25) is split into two phases.

Phase 1 of the Spending Review was published alongside Autumn Budget 2024, resetting budgets for 2024-25 and setting departmental budgets for 2025-26, including funding which will support delivery of the Plan for Change priorities. Autumn Budget confirmed the largest real-terms funding settlement for the Devolved Governments since devolution.

Phase 2 of the Spending Review will conclude later this year and the milestones announced in the Plan for Change will be the core priorities. Phase 2 will allocate departmental budgets between 2026-27 and 2028-29, with an additional year (2029-30) for capital spending. The Barnett formula will continue to apply in the usual way.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_153

Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, if she will make it her policy to publish an annual spending review for the milestones set out in the Plan for Change showing how much funding has been (a) allocated, (b) spent and (c) reallocated for each of the five milestones. \p Darren Jones: The Prime Minister’s Plan for Change sets out the government’s agenda and priorities for the remainder of this Parliament, to strengthen our country through a decade of national renewal. The Spending Review will deliver on this agenda.

Phase 1 of the Spending Review was published alongside Autumn Budget 2024, resetting budgets for 2024-25 and setting departmental budgets for 2025-26. Phase 2 of the Spending Review will conclude later this year and the milestones announced in the PfC will be the core priorities. Phase 2 will allocate departmental budgets between 2026-27 and 2028-29, with an additional year (2029-30) for capital spending.

The government has committed to regular Spending Reviews, allocating all departmental spending, every two years to provide a more stable and transparent spending framework.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_154

James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent trends in borrowing costs on the Government's capacity to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP expenditure. \p Darren Jones: This government is fully committed to economic stability and sound public finances. That is why the Chancellor has made clear that meeting the fiscal rules is non-negotiable.

Economic stability is one of the foundations that underpins the Prime Minister's Plan for Change, and the government has restored it with tough decisions, strict spending rules and robust institutions.

The Spending Review will rewire government spending, to deliver the Plan for Change priorities, focusing on driving growth and reforming public services, whilst living within the spending envelope that has been set out.

The first duty of government is to keep the country safe and protect our citizens. Under this government the Ministry of Defence’s budget is increasing by £2.9 billion from 2024-25 to 2025-26. It means the Defence budget will grow in line with the economy in 2025-26, ensuring the UK comfortably exceeds the NATO target of 2% of GDP.

As the Chancellor set out at Budget, we will set a path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence at a future fiscal event.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_155

James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of HMRC's policies on supporting victims of fraud. \p James Murray: The Treasury and HMRC have frequent discussions on a wide range of issues relating to policy development and delivery. Furthermore, HMRC regularly review their policies on the support they provide to customers who need extra help, which includes but is not limited to victims of fraud.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_156

James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21166 on Fraud: Compensation, what discussions her Department has had with HMRC on victims of fraud being taxed on the money taken from them. \p James Murray: HMT has ongoing discussions with HMRC on all aspects of the tax system.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_157
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_157

Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, what metrics she plans to use to measure progress towards the target to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7. \p Tulip Siddiq: Improving economic growth is one of the core missions of the government and our Plan for Change. We aim to have the highest growth in the G7 by the end of the parliament, measured using estimates of real terms Gross Domestic Product per capita.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_158
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_158

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will have discussions with financial institutions to establish which additional banks will participate in the roll out of banking hubs. \p Tulip Siddiq: Banking hubs are a voluntary service developed by the financial services sector in the context of legislation to protect access to cash under the Financial Services Act 2023. Their rollout is overseen by Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit company set up and funded by industry for the purpose of delivering shared access to cash solutions. Membership of Cash Access UK and involvement in banking hubs is voluntary, and it is possible for banks and building societies in scope of the FCA’s access to cash regime to choose to meet their cash access obligations through other methods, for example their branch network.

However, the Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Over 175 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_159

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate she has made of the change in GDP per capita by 2030. \p Tulip Siddiq: GDP per capita is projected by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to grow by an annual average of 1.1% over this parliament.

As set out at the Autumn Budget 2024, through the seven pillars of the growth mission, the Government is restoring stability, increasing investment, and reforming the economy. Growth can only be achieved in partnership with business, so we will develop and deliver these policies together.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_160
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_160

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how the Data (Use and Access) Bill will ensure that publishers can access data effectively when ensuring regulatory compliance. \p Chris Bryant: When processing personal data organisations, including publishers, must comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. If publishers are providing online services, then they may also be required to comply with requirements of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR). The Data (Use and Access) Bill introduces a new exception to PECR that would permit online publishers to use cookies and similar technologies to collect statistical data to enable them to improve their online services, subject to certain safeguards being met.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_161
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_161

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20241 on Electronic Government, what his planned timetable is for onboarding HMRC to One Login. \p Feryal Clark: GDS and HMRC continue to collaborate on delivering the technical requirements necessary to go-live and conducting end-to-end testing within GOV.UK One Login as part of its ongoing internal private beta phase to support users accessing HMRC services. The aim is to launch an external private beta in Spring 2025, followed by a rollout to all new users over the remainder of the year, with existing HMRC users included in subsequent phases.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_162
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_162

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is taking steps to allow people to retain their mobile numbers when changing mobile contracts while retaining the same network provider. \p Chris Bryant: Consumers can retain their existing mobile number when renewing their contract or moving to a new contract.

Ofcom has in place rules on retaining an existing number when moving providers, known as "porting", but these only apply when the consumer is leaving one provider and joining a new one.

We would expect mobile operators retaining customers who are changing contract to be motivated to help them retain their existing number should they wish to. People should speak directly to their provider if they are experiencing any issues.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_163
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_163

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the enforcement practices of the Information Commissioner's Office cohere with the regulatory duties of that Office. \p Chris Bryant: Although DSIT acts as the ICO’s sponsor within government, it is an independent regulator and accountable to Parliament. It is not appropriate for Government to comment on how it exercises its regulatory duties.

The ICO publishes details of its enforcement activity and an annual report across its operations on its website.

The Data (Use and Access) Bill introduces a new governance structure for the ICO – including a new statutory board - to bring it into line with regulatory best practice. The Bill also introduces new reporting requirements on the ICO, including annual metrics on its investigations, their outcomes and use of its powers. This will bring greater transparency and accountability.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_164
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_164

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to prevent the use of denudifying apps by children in the creation of pornographic deepfake images. \p Feryal Clark: Where an adult or a child uses generative AI to make sexual images of a child, that content is child sexual exploitation and abuse material, and is illegal.

We are also bringing forward provisions to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes images of adults without consent in the Crime and Policing Bill, making this behaviour criminal so that perpetrators can be brought to justice.

The sharing of or threatening to share a deepfake intimate image without consent is already a criminal offence under the Online Safety Act and was designated as a priority offence in November 2024. In-scope services will be required to proactively tackle this type of content, preventing its proliferation online.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_165
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_165

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to prevent the use of denudifying apps used to create pornographic deepfake images. \p Feryal Clark: The Government made a manifesto commitment to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images, as part of the government’s commitment to halve the prevalence of violence against women and girls (VAWG) within the decade.

We are bringing forward provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill to meet that commitment. This will make this behaviour criminal, so that perpetrators can be brought to justice.

The sharing of or threatening to share a deepfake intimate image without consent is already a criminal offence under the Online Safety Act and was designated as a priority offence in November 2024. Companies in scope of the Act’s illegal safety duties will be required to proactively tackle this type of content, preventing its proliferation online.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_166
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_166

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve mobile phone and broadband access in South Kesteven. \p Chris Bryant: Project Gigabit is the government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. Eligible premises in the district council area of South Kesteven are set to benefit from three Project Gigabit contracts currently set to deliver new gigabit-capable connections between now and 2029.

We also want all areas of the UK to benefit from good quality mobile coverage. 4G coverage is now available from all four mobile network operators in 97% of South Kesteven. Our ambition is to go further, with all populated areas, including South Kesteven, having higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_167
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_167

Claire Hanna:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) withdrawing the Copyright and Performances (Application to Other Countries) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1124) and (b) commencing a consultation into the potential impact of introducing the regulation. \p Feryal Clark: The Government introduced SI 2024/1124 following a public consultation and careful consideration of the views and evidence submitted thereto. The effect of the SI is to largely maintain the effect of the law as it formerly applied (Option 0 in the consultation), except for limited changes, most of which are made to allow the UK to comply with its international obligations. Revoking this SI and adopting any of the other options considered at consultation would risk costs and disruption for the UK’s creative industries, as set out in the Government’s response to the consultation.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_168
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_168

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason late-night services at Worcester Park station are not being reinstated between Thursday and Sunday. \p Simon Lightwood: Worcester Park continues to have a later train on Fridays and Saturdays from London Waterloo, but there is judged to be insufficient demand to justify the costs of a similar provision on Thursdays and Sundays.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_169
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_169

Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Civil Aviation Authority is reviewing the ban on Pakistan International Airlines; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of that ban on travel between the UK and Pakistan since 2020. \p Mike Kane: Pakistan is currently listed on the UK Air Safety List (ASL). The UK Air Safety Committee regularly reviews all carriers and States listed on the ASL.

No assessment is made on the impact of the ban as decisions are based on a safety assessment only. Travel between the UK and Pakistan since 2020 has continued to be facilitated through direct services – including via UK airlines, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic – and indirect services.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_170
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_170

Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her planned timetable is for allocating the next round of Access for All funding. \p Simon Lightwood: Improving the accessibility is an important element of our plan to fix Britain’s broken rail system. The Department is carefully considering the best approach to station accessibility and recognises the huge social and economic benefits it brings to communities. MPs and stakeholders will be updated in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_171
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_171

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles worth of road lighting on (a) motorways and (b) all-purpose trunk roads have been permanently switched off following completion of the TA 501 appraisal process each of the last five years. \p Lilian Greenwood: The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_172
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_172

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of waiting times for practical driving tests on the duration of the validity of driving theory tests. \p Lilian Greenwood: It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.

The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a candidate’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.

Ensuring new drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the preparation of new drivers, who are disproportionality represented in casualty statistics. Learners will therefore need to pass another theory test if their certificate expires.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_173
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_173

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many road lighting schemes on (a) motorways and (b) all-purpose trunk roads that were switched off following completion of the TA 501 appraisal process were in the final 18 months of their design life in each of the last five years. \p Lilian Greenwood: The answer could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_174
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_174

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the relationship between switching off lighting on stretches of (a) motorways and (b) major trunk roads and trends in the level of accidents on these roads. \p Lilian Greenwood: National Highways assesses the benefits and costs of any potential changes in lighting provision. This is in line with the design and appraisal standards set out in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, which ensures that road lighting is provided at a sufficient level to support road safety, whilst also being cost effective, energy efficient and not causing unnecessary light pollution.

Where National Highways determines lighting should be removed, the implementation plan includes a full switch-off for an initial period of one year. This enables the collision and casualty rates to be monitored to determine if there is an impact on safety and if mitigating action is required.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_175
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_175

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to tackle issues related to falsified (a) driving licences and (b) other transport-related documents created by AI. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has processes in place to identify fake and forged documents including genuine documents that may have been altered. These measures help to make original documents difficult to counterfeit and forgeries easier to identify. DVLA documents, including the driving licence, contain a number of security features to prevent misuse. These features are regularly reviewed and periodically updated to help keep documents secure and to help tackle fraud.

The DVLA also provides the police with information about these security features to help them to identify genuine documents.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_176
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_176

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to make rail fares more affordable. \p Simon Lightwood: Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. Most regulated rail fares will increase by 4.6 per cent on 2 March 2025. This will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government’s long-term plans to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_177
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_177

Jo White:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress she has made on introducing tooth brushing lessons in primary schools. \p Stephen Morgan: The department is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to help promote and deliver supervised toothbrushing programmes for 3 to 5-year-olds in the most deprived communities.

The department recognises that prevention is better than cure. For this reason, we will be targeting the areas of highest need to have the greatest impact on young children’s oral health.

Further information on the implementation timetable will be confirmed in due course.

Currently all state-funded schools in England are required to teach about good oral hygiene as part of the statutory health education set out within relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance. Independent schools are required to cover health education as part of their responsibility to provide personal, social, health and economic education.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_178
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_178

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many air cleaning units were provided to education facilities in (a) Birmingham Northfield constituency, (b) Birmingham, (c) the West Midlands and (d) England since 2020. \p Stephen Morgan: Between January 2022 and April 2023, the department provided over 9,000 air cleaning units to over 1,300 education and childcare settings that had been identified with poor ventilation.

Four air cleaning units were provided to education settings in the Birmingham Northfield constituency, 269 units were provided to education settings in the Birmingham City Council area and 996 units were provided to education settings in the West Midlands. In total, 8,848 air cleaning units were delivered to education settings in England. These figures do not include units provided to early years settings.

The department has published guidance on how to use CO2 monitors and air cleaning units, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-co-monitors-and-air-cleaning-units-in-education-and-care-settings.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_179
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_179

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether it is her policy to continue the Opening Schools Facilities funding. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government is determined to create the healthiest generation ever and break down the barriers to opportunity for every child.

We are working across government to ensure that our funding is coherent and effectively contributes to a lasting and sustainable impact on children’s physical activity levels and the provision of more opportunities for all children to participate in sport. The work sits alongside that of other system levers, for instance the Curriculum and Assessment Review which is examining how to deliver a curriculum which is rich and broad, so that children and young people do not miss out on subjects such as sport.

The Opening School Facilities programme will end in March as planned. The learning from the programme will help inform the department’s ongoing work to support high-quality PE, school sport and physical activity for all pupils.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_180
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_180

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase access to assessments for Special Educational Needs. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Through a graduated approach, it is the responsibility of teachers to monitor the progress of all pupils and put support in place where needed. Where a child who has special educational needs requires more support than the school they are in can usually provide, schools, parents or carers can ask the local authority to carry out an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment.

The department recognises the critical role of educational psychologists within the SEND system, including in their statutory contribution to EHC assessments. To support this, the department is investing over £21 million to train 400 more educational psychologists from 2024. This builds on the £10 million currently being invested in a cohort of over 200 trainees who began their training in September 2023. As these trainees complete their studies, they will join the workforce to support the capacity of local authority educational psychology services, including in delivering assessments.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_181
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_181

Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the child poverty strategy will include specific measures to help tackle child poverty amongst (a) disabled and (b) other groups that are most affected. \p Catherine McKinnell: The Child Poverty Taskforce, of which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is Co-Chair, is considering all children across the United Kingdom as it develops the child poverty strategy. We recognise different groups of children, including disabled children, have distinct challenges. The causes of child poverty are deep-rooted, with solutions that go beyond government, and the Taskforce is exploring all available levers in response.

The strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience, and better local support especially in the early years. The terms of reference for the Child Poverty Taskforce were published on 14 August 2024 and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-poverty-taskforce-terms-of-reference.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_182
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_182

Liam Conlon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help improve support for children with cerebral palsy in education settings. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government is committed to strengthening the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system for all children and young people, including those with cerebral palsy, to ensure they receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

The department will be improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools and colleges, as well as ensuring special settings cater to those with the most complex needs, restoring parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need. This includes strengthening accountability for inclusivity, including through Ofsted, and encouraging schools to set up resourced provision or special educational needs units to increase capacity in mainstream schools.

High-quality teaching in schools is central to ensuring that all pupils are given the best possible opportunity to achieve. The department is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers over the course of this Parliament. To support all teachers, the department is implementing a range of teacher training reforms to ensure teachers have the skills to support all pupils to succeed, including those with cerebral palsy.

The department is providing almost £1 billion more for high needs budgets in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding to £11.9 billion. This funding will help local authorities and schools with the increasing costs of supporting children and young people with complex SEND. The department has also announced £740 million of high needs capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year to invest in places for children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision.

The department has also introduced a new mandatory leadership level qualification to enhance the training of special educational needs co-ordinators in mainstream schools.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_183
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_183

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of Vision Impairment education services; and what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations proposed by the report entitled A Vision for VI education by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, published in September 2024. \p Catherine McKinnell: ​​​​For too long the education and care system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and this includes pupils with vision impairment. This government’s ambition is that all children and young people receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. We are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs, restoring parents’ trust that their child will get the support they need.

Whilst we recognise the urgency and need to drive improvements for children and young people with SEND, we are conscious that there are no quick fixes and want to take a considered approach to deliver sustainable education reform. We are aware that we cannot achieve this alone and want to work with organisations across the SEND sector, including the Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), as essential and valued partners to deliver our shared mission. We therefore welcome TPT’s report entitled “A Vision for VI education” and are reviewing their recommendations.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_184
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_184

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is collecting data on trends in the number of in-year school applications in each local authority area. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department does not collect data on the number of in-year school admission applications received in each local authority area.

Admission authorities must notify their local authority of all in-year applications they receive and their outcomes.

Local authorities are not required to co-ordinate the in-year admissions process for schools in their area for which they are not the admission authority, although some local authorities choose to do so. In areas where the local authority does not co-ordinate in-year admissions, schools which are their own admission authority manage their own in-year admissions processes and parents must submit their applications directly to the admission authorities of the schools they wish to apply.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_185
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_185

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department holds data on the number of coaches booked by schools for (a) cultural and (b) sports trips in (i) 2024 to date and (ii) the last five years. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department does not hold data on the number of coaches booked by schools, including for (a) cultural and (b) sports trips.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_186
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_186

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, at what grades new teachers will be recruited; and if she will publish recruitment targets by subject area. \p Catherine McKinnell: ​​Recruiting and retaining more qualified, expert teachers is critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost the life chances for every child. The within school factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s educational outcome is high-quality teaching. Yet this government has inherited a system with critical shortages of teachers with numbers not keeping pace with demographic changes.

This is why the government has set out the ambition to recruit 6,500 new expert teachers across our schools, both mainstream and specialist, and our colleges over the course of this Parliament, including targeting shortage subjects.

The department will continue to work alongside the sector as it develops its delivery plan and seeks to re-establish teaching as an attractive profession. The department’s measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges and tackling retention issues.

The department has already made good early progress towards this key pledge by accepting in full the 5.5% pay award, by expanding our ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’ recruitment campaign, by making £233 million available for bursaries in 2025/26 and by doubling retention payments for new teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing working in disadvantaged schools.

However, the best recruitment strategy is a retention strategy to ensure teachers stay and thrive in the profession. This is why the department is doing more to support workload and wellbeing. This includes introducing new report cards to replace Ofsted single-word judgements to provide parents with a clear picture of their schools and proportionate accountability for schools, allowing teacher’s planning, preparation and assessment time to be taken from home and making key resources to support well-being, developed with school leaders, available to teachers.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_187

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what age ranges Young Futures hubs will work with. \p Janet Daby: The government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity. Too many children and young people today do not have access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers, suffer from poor mental health and, in some cases, end up being drawn into crime rather than going on to achieve and thrive.

Young Futures Hubs will bring together the support services that tackle underlying needs and make them more accessible to those that need them. The department is engaging with local areas, communities, statutory partners, charities and other key stakeholders to support the design of the Young Futures Hubs, including the specific age-range they will serve. The department will share further information in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-14 conversation_188

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many youth hubs will be established in rural areas. \p Janet Daby: The government is committed to breaking down barriers to success and opportunity. Too many children and young people today do not have access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers, suffer from poor mental health, and, in some cases, end up being drawn into crime rather than going on to achieve and thrive.

Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling them to thrive. Ensuring young people from rural areas are included in the rollout of Young Futures Hubs is incredibly important.

As part of the development process, the department is engaging with local areas, communities, statutory partners, charities and other key stakeholders to support the design of the Young Futures Hubs and explore options for their delivery. This will ensure we are making use of the vast knowledge and experience that already exists, and will include considerations of the most suitable locations, as well as how best to engage with those young people who would benefit most from their support. The number of Young Futures Hubs, their specific locations and their reach are still being determined, and we will share further information regarding these Hubs in due course.