theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to meet with the British Retail Consortium to discuss its request that the UK’s de minimis limit on low value imports be reviewed. \p James Murray: The Government has received a broad range of representation from stakeholders who are interested in the customs treatment of low value imports. Last week the Government announced a review of these arrangements and as part of this, Treasury Ministers and officials will engage a broad range of stakeholders, including the British Retail Consortium, to further understand their views and gather evidence to support our analysis.
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Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology,  what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of levels of research funding in the higher education sector. \p Feryal Clark: Total government investment in research and development will amount to £20.4 billion in 2025-26, protecting the highest levels of public investment in the sector. UKRI has been allocated £8.8 billion, of which £6 billion has been allocated through research council R&D budgets. This includes £2.4 billion through Research England for strategic institutional research funding for higher education providers.
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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to complete the implementation of the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is considering options for ratifying the Beijing Treaty and will announce its intended approach in due course.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to introduce transparency obligations on generative AI developers to disclose information on creative works used in AI training. \p Feryal Clark: The Government’s consultation on copyright and AI, which closed on 25 February, specifically sought views on a proposal to require AI model developers to be more transparent about how they obtain and use copyright works in their training.

Our priority now is to review the evidence from the consultation which will inform the Government response, including any legislative proposals.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has had made of the effectiveness of the distribution of funding for research and development across different regions. \p Feryal Clark: I refer my Hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 11th April to Question UIN 43862.
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Dr Andrew Murrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what guidance his Department has issued to public sector organisations on storing data generated by (a) AI and (b) large language models. \p Feryal Clark: The Government Digital Service in DSIT has issued an AI playbook (available on gov.uk) which gives departments advice on governing their use of AI, including large language models (LLMs). The ‘Data Protection and Privacy’ section in the AI playbook sets out data protection principles relevant to the use of AI, including ‘storage limitation’.

The use of AI and Large Language Models for government business engages the department’s record’s management responsibilities and will be managed in accordance with the Code of Practice on the management of records issued under section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Whether such information is retained and the period for which it is retained will vary depending on the technology used.
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Dr Andrew Murrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which (a) generative AI or (b) large language models are in use in the public sector; and whether these models were (i) developed internally and (ii) are commercially available. \p Feryal Clark: There are a number of Generative AI and LLM models used across HMG. The Government publishes information on the use of these in the public sector through the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, available on GOV.UK. These records show that departments use a mixture of in-house and commercial solutions, including tools built on foundational models. Use cases range from operational support to decision-making aids, and are subject to appropriate oversight and assurance processes
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Dr Andrew Murrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential use of (a) AI and (b) large language models in the public sector; and whether there are any pilots currently underway. \p Feryal Clark: The Cabinet Office on behalf of government has assessed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) across the Civil Service, aiming to identify areas offering the highest value and impact. A number of pilot projects are underway across multiple departments. Pilots are currently underway for a range of tools investigating the potential impact on productivity and employee satisfaction, trials will be published once analysis has been completed.
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Kim Leadbeater:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to (a) develop satellite navigation capabilities and (b) ensure that satellite navigation systems are up to date. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The National Space Strategy and our identified priority capability goals, including Space Positioning Navigation and Timing, continue to drive government policy and we will publish an ambitious programme for space when the Spending Review has completed.

The Government is also implementing the October 2023 Policy Framework for Greater Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Resilience, which will provide improved resilience for PNT services in the event of any disruption to Global Navigation Satellite Systems. The UK does not own or operate any Global Navigation Satellite Systems, and responsibility for ensuring those systems are up to date lies with their owners.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what geoengineering projects the Advanced Research and Invention Agency have (a) underway and (b) planned in financial year 2025-26. \p Feryal Clark: Details of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency’s (ARIA) ‘Exploring Climate Cooling’ programme, are available on ARIA’s website: https://www.aria.org.uk/opportunity-spaces/future-proofing-our-climate-and-weather/exploring-climate-cooling

ARIA is intending to publish further details of projects within this programme shortly.
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Dr Andrew Murrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether National Cyber Security Centre guidelines are used to assess the potential impact of AI on the public sector. \p Feryal Clark: National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance is a key resource used by the Government when assessing the potential impact of AI on government and the broader public sector. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Cabinet Office incorporate NCSC guidance and actively engage with their subject matter experts when developing policy and guidance, including the AI Playbook.
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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to tackle health misinformation. \p Feryal Clark: Under the Online Safety Act, companies must remove illegal health mis- and disinformation content if they become aware of it on their services. This includes content amounting to the False Communications offence, capturing communications where the sender knows information to be false but sends it intending to cause significant harm: such as encouraging drinking bleach to cure flu. If a service is likely to be accessed by children, it will have to protect them from encountering harmful health mis- and disinformation.

The Act will also require large platforms to remove health misinformation if it’s prohibited in their terms of service.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to support communities to access media literacy education. \p Feryal Clark: Government is adopting a holistic approach to digital inclusion integrating related policy on digital skills and media literacy. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps towards delivering digital inclusion for everyone in the UK, including supporting community initiatives for boosting digital skills and media literacy.

Under updated media literacy duties, Ofcom is developing a ‘place-based’ model to embed media literacy into community digital strategies, working with the Good Things Foundation to support Digital Inclusion Hubs to offer media literacy.

Prevent’s network of Civil Society Organisations also deliver projects across England & Wales related to media literacy and critical thinking skills.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 29226 on Media, what the two media literacy programmes funded in 2024 were called; and where he plans to publish further information about each. \p Feryal Clark: In 2024 the Government provided £0.5 million to expand the National Literacy Trust’s ‘Empower’ and Parent Zone’s ‘Everyday Digital’ programmes.

‘Empower’ provided media literacy education to nearly 4,000 vulnerable students aged 11-16, who were excluded or at risk of exclusion, increasing critical thinking and awareness of online harms. It also trained schoolteachers to lead media literacy within their schools.

‘Everyday Digital’ reached over 60,000 parents, helping improve their understanding of media literacy, set digital boundaries and critically evaluate online content. The evaluation showed a 45% improvement in media literacy understanding.

Both organisations evaluated their programmes’ impact and will publish reports.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will conduct an audit of technology infrastructure classified as critically important to national interests to identify whether they contain Chinese-made components. \p Feryal Clark: The Prime Minister has emphasised that national security is the first duty of our government. Supply chain resilience and security remains a core part of this, and multiple government departments are working closely with international partners to embed resilience into critical UK and global supply chains. The Procurement Act and National Security and Investment Act are particularly important aspects of our toolkit for safeguarding critically important technology infrastructure.

The Government is carrying out a full and comprehensive audit on the breadth of the UK’s relationship with China, which will bring a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests, so we can will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Information Commissioner has produced guidance on the inclusion of local Electoral Returning Officers within the definition of local authorities for the Re-use of Public Sector Information. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The Re-Use of Public Sector Information (RPSI) Regulations 2015 apply to public sector bodies in the UK, including local authorities. The ICO has produced guidance on the RPSI, which can be accessed on its website and includes details about the scope of the legislation. The National Archives also has detailed guidance available on its website.

The ICO does not have specific plans to update this guidance.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure there will be no disruption to telecare users' service with the end of the Public Switched Telephone Network. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The Government is determined to ensure that any risks arising from the industry-led migration of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for all customers across the UK.

Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, ensuring their commitment to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN migration. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards in the Non-Voluntary Migrations Checklist. Safeguards include signing data sharing agreements with local authorities to identify telecare users and a commitment to ensuring no disruption to telecare users' service when their landlines are migrated. As of April 2025, over 90% of local authorities have signed a data sharing agreement with at least one communication provider.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that people who rely on the Public Switched Telephone Network can migrate to broadband before January 2027. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is the technology underpinning analogue landline connections. The PSTN is failing – with a 45% increase in major incidents between 2023-2024. Industry is migrating the network to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which requires a minimum speed of just 0.5mbps. For current landline-only customers it will be possible to switch to a VoIP landline without purchasing a general internet connection.

The Government is prioritising broadband rollout, aiming for nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030. Through Project-Gigabit, government is providing subsidy to ensure premises left out of commercial rollout plans can access a gigabit capable broadband connection.
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Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to include improvements to connecting commuter roads in villages and towns in the road investment strategy. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Road Investment Strategy is a long-term government plan that sets out what the Department for Transport expects National Highways to deliver on England’s strategic road network of motorways and major A roads in England over a five-year period. As part of National Highways Licence, the company is expected to consider how its network integrates effectively with the local road network, that is the responsibility of the relevant local highways authority, to provide a seamless experience for road users.
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Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to improve road (a) services and (b) networks. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has set the budgets for the financial year 2025/26 as part of the Autumn Budget 2024. This allocated £4.842 billion as part of an interim settlement for National Highways for the operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the strategic road network. Funding beyond this for a future Road Investment Strategy will be confirmed through the ongoing Spending Review which is due to complete in late Spring 2025.

The Government recognises the important role that motorway service areas and rest areas on the trunk A road network play in providing a safe place for road users to stop and take a short break from driving. It is for the private sector to promote and operate service areas that meet the needs of the travelling public.
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Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many posts there are for (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications staff in her Department; and what the salary band is for each post. \p Mike Kane: In the central Department for Transport communications team, there are a total of 91.01 Full Time Equivalent Government Communication Service professionals.

Of this total, 31.82 work in the media discipline which covers press and media responsibilities.

This is the latest available data from June 2024.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate has she made of the number of vehicles with a SORN certificate that are still being driven on the public highway. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport last carried out a roadside survey in 2023 which estimated the rate of vehicle excise duty evasion among vehicles seen on UK roads. The survey results were published on 7 December 2023 and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/vehicle-excise-duty-evasion-statistics-2023/vehicle-excise-duty-evasion-statistics-2023. Out of the unlicensed vehicles observed during the latest survey, five per cent were shown on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s database as having a current Statutory Off Road Notification in place.
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Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for driving tests in Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce driving test waiting times across the country.

Further information on these actions and progress on the DVSA’s 7-point plan, which was set out last year, can be found on GOV.UK.

A recruitment campaign has recently closed, and from this DVSA hope to recruit examiners for test centres that serve the Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy constituency.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the M5 into Newton Abbot constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: National Highways routinely assesses the current performance and potential future needs of the strategic road network through its Route Strategies process. The routes serving the Newton Abbot constituency and surrounding area have been considered as part of its South West Peninsula strategy. There are no plans to extend the M5 into the Newton Abbot constituency, and the A38 Devon Expressway will remain the principal strategic route serving Newton Abbot in Devon.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether their Department plans to amend its policies on access to (a) toilets, (b) changing facilities and (c) other single-sex spaces in (i) Departmental buildings and (ii) other buildings within their Department’s remit following the Supreme Court judgement in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025. \p Mike Kane: The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Providers should note and follow the ruling.

It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling.

The Equality & Human Rights Commission, as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it following further work in light of this ruling.

The Government is considering the implications of the Court’s judgment, including what this means for Government buildings.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will conduct an audit of transport infrastructure identified as critically important to national interests to identify whether they contain Chinese-made components. \p Mike Kane: The Government takes the security and resilience of our critical infrastructure extremely seriously. We balance this with ongoing cooperation with China on trade and investment, supporting UK businesses to engage with the world’s second largest economy while being clear-eyed about any risks.

We work with the National Cyber Security Centre, National Protective Security Authority and across government to advise owners and operators of critical national infrastructure on supply chains and the risks posed by components manufactured overseas. We may also consider powers afforded by the Procurement Act 2023, which allow the Government to exclude and debar any company from public procurement on grounds of national security if required. We continue to actively monitor for any threats and, where risks are identified, will not hesitate to take action, with policy options kept under review.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department issues to drivers on (a) verifying the accuracy of their driving licence entitlements and (b) what recourse is available to them if discrepancies to their licence entitlements are found. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) sends leaflets with all driving licences which advise the licence holder to check that all details, including the vehicle categories or driving entitlements, are correct. The leaflet also explains the information contained on the licence and where it is found so that any issues can be easily identified.

If a licence holder notices any errors or discrepancies on their licence, they should return it to the DVLA to be corrected.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the ongoing e-scooter trials, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of e-scooters on (a) the modal shift of transport away from private cars and (b) reducing traffic congestion in trial areas; and what estimate she has made of the number of collisions involving e-scooters. \p Simon Lightwood: The first national evaluation of the e-scooter trials was published in December 2022. This found that e-scooters increasingly replaced private motor vehicle or taxi use over time (from 12% of journeys in March 2021 to 21% in December 2021). 42% of e-scooter trips replaced walking journeys in December 2021, and 9% of e-scooter journeys in the same period would otherwise not have been made.

Statistics on road collisions are collected via data reported to the Department by police forces. Provisional estimates for the year ending June 2024 suggest that there were 1,194 casualties in collisions involving both private and rented e-scooters.
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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the findings of the Review of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in August 2024; and whether she plans to introduce a statutory requirement on local authorities to include Companion Bus Passes as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as including companion passes, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

The Department for Transport conducted a review of the ENCTS and is currently considering next steps. The review did not consider adding companion passes to the statutory criteria for the scheme.

Currently, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending the travel time criteria for the ENCTS.

The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Hampshire County Council has been allocated £14 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area to include companion passes.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with relevant industry stakeholders on the potential introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft for passenger use. \p Mike Kane: The government recognises the potential decarbonisation and growth benefits that new forms of zero-emission aircraft using hydrogen could provide.

The Department for Business and Trade is co-investing with industry through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme in R&D on aerospace technology, including projects focussed on hydrogen-powered aircraft. The Budget confirmed a five-year extension to the ATI programme with nearly £1bn of funding.

Supported by Department for Transport funding, the Civil Aviation Authority is also expanding its Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge this year.

The Jet Zero Taskforce, convening representatives from government, industry, and academia, has established a dedicated Task and Finish group to review barriers to the commercial operation of zero-carbon hydrogen aircraft.

In addition, as Minister for Aviation I have recently met with the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance regarding the potential for commercial hydrogen-powered aircraft.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of granting electric vehicle charging infrastructure statutory rights. \p Lilian Greenwood: In December 2024, the Government published the outcome of a consultation on a proposal to include chargepoint operators into the street works permitting regime, removing the requirement for a Section 50 licence. A clause to make this change has been included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the grid connection process for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. \p Lilian Greenwood: We are radically reforming the grid connections process to remove speculative projects and accelerate connections for investments that will support our clean power and growth missions, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Ofgem has committed £22.2 billion over five years to upgrade local grids vital to this transition.

In December 2024, the Government published the outcome of a review on improving the grid connection process for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The review addresses common issues surrounding the rollout of EV infrastructure and grid connections, outlines best practice, and clarifies roles and responsibilities. Addressing these issues will ensure the transport and energy sectors can deliver charging infrastructure at the pace needed to support the transition.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will hold discussions with local leaders in Bedfordshire on the effectiveness of (a) rules relating to on-street parking and (b) the enforcement of those rules near train stations on the (a) Thameslink line and (b) Marston Vale line in the context of increased visitors to the Universal Bedfordshire project. \p Lilian Greenwood: Responsibility for implementing parking restrictions rests with the appropriate local authority, as they are best placed to consider how to balance the needs of residents, emergency services, local business and those who work in and visit the area. Central Bedfordshire Council has civil parking enforcement powers to deal with any contraventions of their parking restrictions.
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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many and what proportion of vehicle accidents resulting in death or serious injury involved a vehicle without valid vehicle excise duty; and how many and what proportion of these untaxed vehicles were (a) driven by an uninsured driver, (b) not the subject of a valid MOT certificate and (c) both driven by an uninsured driver and not the subject of a valid MOT certificate. \p Lilian Greenwood: This information is not held by the Department.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to provide additional funding to Bedfordshire’s road network to manage increased traffic from the planned Universal Studios theme park. \p Lilian Greenwood: As part of the Plan for Change, the government is working towards delivering a major investment in infrastructure around the site to support the delivery of the project and ensure it is well connected and easily accessible.

The details of negotiations between private investors and the Government are currently confidential. Further information on plans for infrastructure investment around the site will be set out in due course.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing funding available to Highways England for the maintenance of flood resilience infrastructure. \p Lilian Greenwood: National Highways undertakes flood resilience work on England’s motorways and trunk A roads through a combination of ongoing maintenance and renewals activity that extends the life of, or replaces, existing roads and structures. The Department has set the budgets for the financial year 2025/26 as part of the Autumn Budget 2024. This allocated £1.455 billion to operations and maintenance, and a further £1.951 billion to renewals as part of a wider £4.842 billion interim settlement for National Highways. Funding beyond this financial year will be confirmed through the ongoing Spending Review which is due to complete in late Spring 2025.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing the UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 battery regulations in the second hand electric vehicle market. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is currently analysing options for the implementation of GTR No.22 regulations in the UK.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of PAS1899 guidance for electric vehicle charge points. \p Lilian Greenwood: PAS 1899 was developed jointly by OZEV and Motability Foundation and launched in October 2022. My Department has recently undertaken a review of this standard alongside the British Standards Institution, charging industry, disabled users, accessibility experts, consumer groups and the devolved administrations. The Department will consider the outcome of this review and potential next steps.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the weight of volumetric concrete mixers on (a) the number of journeys undertaken by volumetric concrete mixers and (b) carbon emissions. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The following factors were considered: reduction in payload per journey, increased waste, and increased vehicle mileage. Information received did not provide any compelling evidence for permitting a weight limit exemption specifically for VCMs.

As part of its consideration of the evidence, the Department for Transport has assessed the potential environmental impacts in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 which requires Ministers of the Crown to have ‘due regard’ to the environmental principles policy statement when making policy.

This is not a change to the policy on weights for VCMs but a decision to continue with the existing policy that a temporary exemption will come to an end in 2028.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the maximum weight of volumetric concrete mixers on the number of lorry drivers required. \p Lilian Greenwood: The call for evidence conducted from October to December 2023 was an opportunity for respondents to present evidence, but it did not reveal significant new evidence supporting a change in policy.

The outcome of my department’s review into VCMs was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review

This is not a change to the policy on weights for VCMs, but a decision to continue with the existing policy that a temporary exemption will come to an end in 2028.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made with the Office of Rail and Road and Network Rail on (a) identifying unused track access rights and (b) making underused rail capacity available to open access operators. \p Lilian Greenwood: Identification and address of unused track access rights is through the robust industry process for maintenance of rights in accordance with the Network Code, applied by the Operators and Network Rail as overseen by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). Open access operators may apply to utilise available capacity alongside operators contracted by Government. It will then be a matter for Network Rail and the ORR to decide through the established systems and processes how capacity should ultimately be allocated.
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Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Network Rail on the proposed redevelopment of (a) London Euston and (b) London Liverpool Street stations. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has regular discussions with Network Rail, as part of our engagement with key partners to develop affordable, integrated plans for the Euston Station campus. This will comprise the new HS2 station, an upgraded Network Rail station and enhancements to the London Underground station and local transport facilities, along with a significant level of development. As part of this process, Network Rail is developing a scheme for the redevelopment of the existing Euston Station that will accommodate current and future passenger demand on the West Coast Main Line, while replacing life expired station assets in a cost-effective manner.

Officials in my Department are engaged with Network Rail Property and Planning teams around the redevelopment proposals for Liverpool Street station. These plans are at an early stage and will be subject to planning consents. Both my Department and Network Rail will continue to review these plans as they develop.
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Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the cost to the public purse was for the development of the planning application by Network Rail for the redevelopment of London Liverpool Street station; and what estimate she has made of the potential cost of the (a) planning and (b) redevelopment of London Liverpool Streest station in each of the next five financial years. \p Lilian Greenwood: The planning application, for a fully intermodal transport solution for Liverpool Street Station, was prepared through a Network Rail and Transport for London partnership at a cost of £8.7m. These costs will be re-imbursed as part of securing a development and investment partner, which will also provide private investment in the order of hundreds of millions of pounds. This is a detailed application and subject to timely consents, the planning process will incur no further costs.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Northern Ireland on tackling unsafe road conditions. \p Lilian Greenwood: As transport is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive to mitigate for unsafe road conditions. Where appropriate, the Department for Transport will work with the Northern Ireland Executive on shared transport challenges.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-opening Kingskerswell station. \p Simon Lightwood: No assessment of the potential merits of reopening Kingskerswell station is planned at this time.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 42602 on Stonewall: Subscriptions, whether the National Audit Office pays subscription fees to Stonewall. \p Clive Efford: The National Audit Office does not pay subscriptions to Stonewall.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what plans the Electoral Commission has to provide a substantive response to the internal review request to the Freedom of Information Act response reference 137-24, submitted for internal review in February 2025. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Electoral Commission responded to the internal review request on 30 April.
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Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to direct the Circular Economy Taskforce to promote (a) repair and reuse and (b) other waste reduction measures. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer, waste is reduced, we accelerate the path to net zero, we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs, our economy prospers, and nature thrives. This Government is currently considering the actions that can be taken to promote repair and reuse and address the challenges associated with excessive consumption and waste reduction.

Defra recognises the importance of assessing the impacts of high carbon advertising and the work of AdGreen in this space. As we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England, we will consider the evidence for action from right across the economy and evaluate what interventions may be needed. Sheffield Council has already introduced policy on this issue.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will expand agroforestry support to include (a) multiple species and (b) increased tree planting density. \p Daniel Zeichner: Our in-field agroforestry offers under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes allow flexibility for land managers to decide on tree species and densities that suit their objectives, to realise the multiple benefits that trees provide in the farming landscape. Land managers are able to establish and maintain a wide range of eligible woodland and fruit tree species, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eligible-tree-species-elm-agroforestry-action. Land managers can also be paid a supplement under capital item AF3 (Species diversity bonus supplement) if they plant 5 or more species of tree, to help improve the resilience of agroforestry systems.

There are no restrictions on the species of livestock that can be farmed within in-field agroforestry systems.

Our ELM in-field agroforestry offers allow for a range of planting densities. Under the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, land managers can establish and maintain in-field agroforestry systems with an average of 30-130 trees per hectare on low sensitivity land. Our Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier offers will pay land managers to maintain in-field agroforestry systems up to an average of 400 trees her hectare. Above 400 trees per hectare support is available for woodlands via Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier woodland management actions and the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).
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Richard Foord:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of classifying water companies as public authorities for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. \p Emma Hardy: Defra has not made an assessment.