theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_169
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_169

Lincoln Jopp:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to close the asylum hotel in Spelthorne constituency. \p Dame Angela Eagle: It has been the longstanding policy of the Home Office under successive governments not to disclose information about specific hotels which may or may not be used for asylum accommodation.

However, the Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to fulfil our statutory obligations and deliver our commitment to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, including ending the use of hotels, by the end of this Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_170
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_170

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on where Iranian migrants are being housed in asylum hotels. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office publishes data on a quarterly basis on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation. The data, which can be broken down by nationality, UK region and accommodation type, is located within Asy_D09 tab of the Immigration statistics data tables - Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_171
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_171

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether (a) migrants and (b) asylum seekers are checked for associations with Islamist terror organisations. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The first priority of Government is protecting national security and protecting UK citizens from terrorism. It would not be appropriate to comment in detail on operational security matters or specific cases but the Home Office uses various tools to detect and disrupt travel by those posing a national security risk, and all applications for UK immigration status, including asylum claims, are subject to comprehensive security checks.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_172
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_172

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is her policy to allow people with pending deportation orders to change their name. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him to Question 58408.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_173
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_173

John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her press release entitled New UK-French action to go after smuggler gangs, published 28 February 2025, how many of the 12 planned specialist intelligence officers to be part of the judicial police unit, the Groupe d’Appui Operationnel, are in post. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Twelve.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_174
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_174

John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the (a) joint working arrangements and (b) enforcement plans to help tackle people smuggling gangs that were agreed with France on 27 February 2025. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the oral statement made to the House by the Home Secretary on 14 July.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_175
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_175

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason her Department has not published service standards for the time taken for applications for Family visas made on the basis of a person’s private life to be considered. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, including service standards for processing visa applications.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_176
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_176

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of increasing the proportion of (a) police, (b) fire and (c) other emergency service vehicles that are fitted with defibrillators. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Department for Health and Social Care has confirmed that all ambulances carry defibrillators. Provision of defibrillators in police and fire vehicles is an operational matter for either the individual police force or fire and rescue service to determine at local level.

The Home Office recently purchased over 500 defibrillators to distribute to police forces free of charge and for them to deploy according to their local knowledge. We continue to work to explore what more could be done to increase availability of defibrillators more generally where this is within the remit of the Home Office, including through our ongoing engagement with the OurJay Foundation.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_177
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_177

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with police forces on antisemitism at universities. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Government is committed to tackling antisemitic hate crimes and supports the police in taking robust action, wherever those crimes occur and whoever is responsible.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_178
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_178

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on the (a) delivery and (b) effectiveness of knife crime prevention training provided by police forces in schools. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), the government-funded what works centre for protecting children from involvement in violence, provides detailed, practical and evidence-based guidance for schools and education settings on how best to protect children from involvement in violence. To further understand how it can support schools, the Department for Education has commissioned research with 40 schools on the ways in which they identify and respond to serious violence and knife crime. The research report will be published later this year.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_179
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_179

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the system of recording abuse against roadworkers. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Assaults against a person are already an offence (Common Assault) under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and are covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.

Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_180
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_180

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her Department’s policies of the recommendations of the article entitled Abuse of Women Runners: implications for the violence against women and girls policy agenda, published in November 2024. \p Jess Phillips: This Government has been clear that the level of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in our country is intolerable, and we are treating it as the national emergency that it is. Everyone should both be and feel safe whilst going about their day-to-day lives – and we recognise the particular vulnerability that women runners may feel.

We will go further than before to deliver a cross-government transformative approach to halve VAWG in a decade, underpinned by a new VAWG strategy, which we are aiming to publish in September.

We are working across Government to use every tool available to target perpetrators and address the root causes of abuse and violence to keep all women safe.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_181
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_181

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department with Cabinet colleagues to help seek justice for every victim of grooming gangs. \p Jess Phillips: On 16 June 2025, the Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament announcing Government's acceptance of all the recommendations made in Baroness Louise Casey's independent National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in England and Wales.

The Government is now moving swiftly to act on these recommendations which includes the establishment of a national inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation, with the power to go into local areas, gather evidence, talk to victims, compel witnesses to appear, and to get to the truth of institutional failures.

We have also announced that the police will launch a new national criminal operation into group-based child sexual exploitation, overseen by the National Crime Agency, against a backdrop of continued investment in other work to strengthen law enforcement capacity and capability to tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation, including the Child Sexual Exploitation Police Taskforce which - since July 2023 - has supported the arrest of over 1300 individuals and protected thousands of victims.

Both initiatives will operate in parallel with continued commitment from Government to strengthen efforts to tackle this abhorrent crime and improve victims and survivors' access to justice.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_182
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_182

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the new Defence Research and Evaluation organisation to be fully operational. \p Maria Eagle: In response to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendations, and as part of Defence Reform, the department is currently making substantive changes to the end-to-end process for Science, Technology, Innovation, Integration, Acquisition and Support. These changes will ensure Defence: better adopts leading edge research from academia, allies and wider government; works more closely with UK based industry especially SMEs to mature leading edge technology; better leverages the UK’s leading financial sector for the benefit of defence; and catalyses UK based industry to execute differentiating innovation; all at a pace to enable us to react to the threats faced by the nation.

The DRE will be formed by an evolution of Dstl and Defence Science and Technology. There is still design work to be completed and will be announced in due course. The intention remains to focus the organisation on that work that must be done in Government for UK defence and security, including: early-stage research that must be led by officials; maintaining critical national capabilities in essential areas such as chemical and biological defence, novel and unconventional weapons, explosives and energetics and counter-terrorism technology where the market cannot sustain; and ensure Ministry of Defence is an intelligent customer for Science and Technology.

The SDR stated that the department may wish to keep the Dstl brand. Dstl is a widely respected brand internationally and nationally.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_183
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_183

Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the supply chain for the Challenger 3 programme is based in the (a) UK and (b) North East. \p Maria Eagle: Approximately 60% of the Challenger 3 supply chain will be provided by UK suppliers. North East suppliers represent a significant contribution to this figure.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_184
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_184

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled UK to purchase F-35As and join NATO nuclear mission as Government steps up national security and delivers defence dividend, published on 24 June 2025, whether the new RAF plans will be equipped with (a) strategic or (b) tactical nuclear weapons. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 July 2025 to Question 67413 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-07-14/67413
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_185
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_185

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 52037 on F-35 Aircraft: Meteor Missiles, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the delay to the integration of the Meteor air-to-air missile with F-35B aircraft on F-35 capability. \p Maria Eagle: With the F-35 Lightning, the RAF is already equipped with one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, and the integration of METEOR will further improve the aircraft's capability in future years. While Meteor integration is in progress, the UK's fleet of F-35 aircraft already carry AIM-120 AMRAAM. Once operational, Meteor and AMRAAM will offer a complementary capability.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_186
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_186

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many scalable tactical vests his Department has ordered since 5 July 2024. \p Maria Eagle: To meet the ongoing demand for scalable tactical vests (STV) in August 2024, 1,980 STV textile covers in civilian blue (No Multi-Terrain Pattern) and without the Soft Armour Filler(SAF), were ordered. Defence Equipment and Support have ordered 15 Special Measure bespoke STV (SAF and MTP cover) since July 2024 for those that do not fit in any of the 12 standard sizes.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_187

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking as part of the Valour programme to support veterans in South Shropshire constituency. \p Al Carns: This Government remains committed to delivering on our manifesto promise to ensure that veterans in South Shropshire and across the country achieve the recognition, support and opportunities they deserve.

That is why we recently launched VALOUR, our commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. This will be an institutionally resilient system that will reform the system at the local, the regional, and the national level, ensuring that support is available across the country, and that it is tailored to the needs of veterans in the communities where they live.

The VALOUR pilot was launched on 26 June 2025, in partnership with Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire, and will help to develop a blueprint to roll out VALOUR across the country next year.

Details regarding the VALOUR development funding will be released in the coming months. Existing organisations throughout South Shropshire will be able to apply for this funding and, if successful, will be recognised as a VALOUR support centre. This process will recognise existing best practice in local communities, while maintaining agility and flexibility across the sector.

I would ask the hon. Member to encourage organisations and veterans in your constituency to sign up for updates and to register their interest in taking part in future surveys or focus groups on VALOUR. This collaborative approach will ensure that this service works for those who need it. More information is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_188

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2024 to Question 19002 on Ministry of Defence: Temporary Accommodation, how many Afghans are being accommodated on the defence estate. \p Luke Pollard: As of 18 July 2025, there are currently 972 eligible Afghans in transitional accommodation on the Defence Estate under the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP). Use of the Defence Estate will be gradually reduced over the coming months, with a view to ceasing its use as transitional accommodation for Afghan families by the end of 2025.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_189
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_189

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65492 on Iran: Nuclear Weapons, whether his Department has received information on the Iranian nuclear programme from (a) allies and (b) the International Atomic Energy Agency since August 2023. \p Luke Pollard: The Government continues to work closely with our allies to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme, and is in regular contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)including through the UK’s permanent mission in Vienna. The IAEA issued its latest report on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme on 31 May 2025. This report confirmed that Iran had continued to expand its nuclear programme, including through accumulating a large stockpile of High Enriched Uranium. We are also concerned by the Iranian law proposing a suspension of cooperation with the IAEA. Iran must urgently resume cooperation with the IAEA to enable the Agency to verify Iran’s nuclear material as it is legally required to do under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_190
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_190

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of (a) Royal Navy, (b) British Army, and (c) RAF personnel are in frontline roles. \p Luke Pollard: The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force do not have a definition for ‘frontline roles’ and the figures below therefore reflect the current Full-Time Trained Strength:

Royal Navy/Royal Marines – 28,040

Army – 70,860

Royal Air Force – 27,710
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_191
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_191

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what additional security his Department plans to provide to UK army bases. \p Luke Pollard: As per my statement on Monday 23 June 2025, a full security review is being conducted across the defence estate. Further plans will be announced in due course after the completion of the review.

Whilst the Army will undertake some specific measures to provide additional security for its infrastructure as part of this wider work, these cannot be disclosed for reasons of operational security.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_192
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_192

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much Ofwat has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Emma Hardy: Ofwat's staff balance working from home and in the office. This is important to support collaboration, build and sustain relationships with others, and support the delivery of Ofwat's business outcomes. Working from the office provides opportunities for face-to-face interaction and connection, in-person meetings, and networking.

Taking this hybrid approach, Ofwat recognises that staff are likely to incur new or additional spend on hybrid working incidentals. Ofwat has spent the following on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years:
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_193
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_193

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s (VMD’s) spend on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years is:

Year

Total

FY2022/23

£10,579.77

FY2023/24

£6,248.34

FY2024/25

£3,235.72

The VMD is unable to differentiate between costs that are associated with the provision of equipment for use at home relating to a workplace adjustment, and formal working contracts versus any costs associated with hybrid working arrangements. Obtaining this information could only be achieved at a disproportionate cost.

The VMD, in common with other directorates and Government departments, has agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_194
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_194

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of departmental procurement contracts were awarded to British companies in the last financial year. \p Daniel Zeichner: There were 508 contracts awarded by Defra as the contract owner in financial year 2024/25 – 500 are to UK-based suppliers, which equates to 98.43% and excludes purchase orders raised for Defra below threshold.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_195
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_195

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much their Department has spent on translating documents into languages other than (a) English and (b) other native UK languages in each year since 2023; and what these languages were. \p Daniel Zeichner: The amount of expenditure recorded for translation services in the 2023/24 financial year, which runs from 1 April to 31 March, is £1,699.13. For the 2024/25 financial year, the provisional expenditure is £2,703.84.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_196
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_196

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by his Department. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The current harmonised standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group.

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year.

We await the outcome of this review.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_197
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_197

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025 on (a) small-scale and (b) hill farmers in South East Cornwall constituency. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Department has made no specific assessment of the impact of the Sheep Carcase (Classification and Price Reporting) (England) Regulations 2025 on small scale and hill farmers in South East Cornwall.

The mandating of sheep carcase classification and price reporting will create a more transparent, productive and efficient sheep market across the UK. It will encourage producers to improve productivity and to rear sheep to better meet market specifications and consumer demand, bringing the sector in line with the beef and pig sectors. Carcases will be assessed against a consistent grading and pricing system rewarding producers for the quality of lambs being sent for slaughter.

The regulations will be applicable to abattoirs with a throughput of at least 2,000 sheep per week. Abattoirs processing 1,000 to 1999 sheep per week are able to opt into the mandatory scheme. The weekly throughput of 2,000 sheep per week will exempt smaller abattoirs from the scheme so that we do not place additional regulatory and administrative burdens on them.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_198
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_198

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on new dog breeding laws. \p Daniel Zeichner: Animal welfare is a devolved matter in the UK. This means that responsibility for animal welfare policy in each of the nations, including the regulation of dog breeding, is the responsibility of the relevant nation’s Ministers.

Defra works closely with the devolved Governments on a range of shared priorities, including animal welfare, and will discuss any relevant matters as necessary, including at meetings of the Interministerial Group (EFRA).
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_199

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce levels of plastic waste. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy for plastics – 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. We will publish proposals for the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England this autumn. It will include a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis. One of the six sectors we will start with is the chemicals and plastics sector. As a part of the transition to a circular economy, managing and reducing plastic waste will be crucial. This will build upon the existing Collection and Packaging Reforms (CPR) programme which is central to the Government’s mission to minimise waste, promote resource efficiency and move towards a more circular economy.

We will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and/or materials to take a systematic approach, in line with circular economy principles, to reduce the use of unnecessary single-use plastic products and encourage reuse solutions.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_200
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_200

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of fossil fuel lobbying groups on the effectiveness of the Global Plastics Treaty. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is committed to reaching agreement on an ambitious and effective treaty to end plastic pollution when negotiations resume in August 2025 and will be working closely with a range of countries both within the High Ambition Coalition and outside it to achieve this.

The UK is committed to an open, transparent and inclusive approach to negotiations to ensure that all have equal opportunity for their views to be heard.

The UK Government, at all stages of the INC process, has made it a priority to engage with a broad range of stakeholders. We partnered with the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network to run the UK Treaty Dialogues ahead of each round of negotiations. These brought together stakeholders from across the plastics value chain, including trade associations representing fossil fuel and petrochemical industries, but also academia, eNGOs and other civil society organisations.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_201
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_201

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of a national rainwater management strategy. \p Emma Hardy: We recognise that recycling rainwater plays a key role in balancing water supply and demand. Implementing rainwater management systems is a key part of existing Government strategy to review Building Regulations and water regulation, to meet the statutory Water Demand Target to reduce water usage by 20% by 2038.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_202
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_202

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many full-time equivalent staff were assigned to the (a) identification and (b) removal of yellow-legged Asian hornet nests in (i) 2025, (ii) 2023 and (iii) 2022. \p Mary Creagh: There has been 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff assigned to nest destruction in 2022, 2023 and 2025. This means they were assigned to that role and available on call when needed.

There has been one FTE Senior Operational Lead dedicated to yellow-legged hornet since 2024 to manage the overall response.

No other staff are employed or allocated on a full-time basis to yellow-legged hornet The response is managed by redeploying staff from other business as usual delivery, based on outbreak demand.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_203
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_203

Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to encourage business investment in (a) Sutton Coldfield constituency and (b) the West Midlands. \p Sarah Jones: This department is taking significant steps to encourage business investment across the West Midlands, including Sutton Coldfield constituency. For 2025/26, we have committed £490,700 in core funding to Business Growth West Midlands through the West Midlands Combined Authority, providing tailored business support services including access to finance, export opportunities, and innovation support.

In addition, UK businesses, including those in the West Midlands, can also access DBT's export support via Great.gov.uk, including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, International Markets network, and International Trade Advisers, to support their business growth.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_204
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_204

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy 2025, published on 23 June 2025, if he will provide a breakdown of where he plans for the 41,000 new homes in the West Midlands to be built; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on this matter. \p Sarah Jones: In setting out how the Government will strengthen connections between and within city regions and clusters, the Industrial Strategy confirmed our commitment to delivering and maximising the growth benefits of HS2. The Industrial Strategy referenced independent research by Arcadis, conducted on behalf of HS2 Ltd, that suggests HS2 could lead to 41,000 new homes in the West Midlands. The source can be found at https://www.arcadis.com/en-gb/projects/europe/united-kingdom/hs2-impact-study.

The department has worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government during the development of the Industrial Strategy and will continue to do so.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_205
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_205

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to introduce legislation to ban the importation of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods originating in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. UK Government guidance equips individuals and businesses to make their own informed choices regarding such commercial activities.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_206
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_206

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on (a) monitoring and (b) reporting on the quality of parcel delivery services in rural areas. \p Justin Madders: Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf

Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_207
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_207

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of moving to (a) single and (b) double summer time on cumulative carbon emissions. \p Justin Madders: The Government believes the current daylight-saving arrangements represent the optimal use of the available daylight across the UK. Therefore, we have no plans to introduce single summertime, double summertime, or other such changes. Since the Government does not intend to make changes to the existing system, we have not conducted a recent assessment of the impact on cumulative carbon emissions. The Government is fully committed to complying with the statutory duties outlined in the Climate Change Act and reaching net zero by 2050.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_208
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_208

Uma Kumaran:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the Fair Work Agency has the required resource to enforce (a) the minimum wage, (b) protection from harassment and (c) protection from gender discrimination at work for young women. \p Justin Madders: The Fair Work Agency will deliver a much-needed upgrade to the enforcement of workers’ rights, including the rights of young women.

The specific legislation the Fair Work Agency will be responsible for enforcing is set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill.

The Government is committed to giving the Fair Work Agency the resources it needs to enforce its remit effectively. More detail around funding will be released in due course.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_209
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_209

John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with (a) trade bodies and (c) businesses on the potential impact of class action lawsuits on levels of (a) inward investment and (b) economic growth. \p Justin Madders: I engage regularly with both stakeholders and my Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, including how we can prioritise and encourage economic growth.

The department’s remit is limited to collective actions brought in relation to competition issues. In that context, class actions can improve access to justice where bringing a claim would otherwise be impractical or unaffordable.

A robust competition regime, including a route that enables consumers (including businesses) to seek redress through litigation, facilitates consumer protection and encourages investment and growth.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_210
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_210

Helena Dollimore:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the length of the statute of limitations for medical devices as specified under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. \p Justin Madders: Given the importance, breadth and complexity of this area of law – and as I set out in Committee on the Product Regulation and Metrology Act – the Government has asked the Law Commission to conduct a full review of product liability legislation. This includes considering the time limits for bringing claims. Following a wide consultation that will begin soon, I expect the Law Commission to make recommendations later next year.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_211
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_211

Tim Roca:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will extend (a) workplace protections and (b) formal recognition for (i) Mountain Rescue Team members and (ii) other voluntary emergency service personnel to supported them in their duties without detriment to their employment. \p Justin Madders: The Plan to Make Work Pay sets out an ambitious agenda to deliver our Plan for Change by ensuring employment rights are fit for a modern economy, empowering working people and contributing to economic growth.

The Government values the vital work carried out by all volunteers particularly those who respond in emergencies and those who volunteer for public duties.

We are currently reviewing the entitlement to time off for public duties under Section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 to ensure it remains fit for purpose or if any changes or additions need to be made.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_212

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress he has made on consulting animal welfare organisations on the review of fireworks legislation. \p Justin Madders: I have met with several animal charities in recent months, including Dogs Trust, the RSPCA and Redwings, through the fireworks working group. I continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks. It is important that we ensure the safe, responsible and considerate use of fireworks for business and consumers alike.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_213

Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many heat pumps have been removed from homes in the last 12 months. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offer a one-off, upfront grant payment to help property owners transition to low carbon heating. The scheme’s independent evaluation follows up with a sample of participants and the interim report published in January, found that 79% of property owners were satisfied with their low carbon heating system overall.

Building regulations on the energy efficiency of buildings restrict the replacement of a heating system with a less efficient or higher emission system. There are currently no data available on heat pump systems which have been removed, including those which have reached the end of their lifecycle.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_214

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that decision making about the return of the BCSSS investment reserve can be made as swiftly as possible. \p Sarah Jones: I met the BCSSS Trustees on 22 April, 11 June and 22 July and confirmed the Government’s commitment to considering their proposals regarding the reserve and the future of the scheme. DESNZ will now engage HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

I am aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_215

Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies on animal testing of the ability of (a) organ-on-chip, (b) artificial intelligence and (c) advanced use of human cells and tissues to provide human-relevant data on the effects of potential new medicines in whole biological systems. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year. While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use, we support approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research, and provide human-relevant translatable data, including organ-on-chip, cell-based assays and AI. The impact of individual technical advancements are however a matter for individual regulators to consider, and the Government strategy will help facilitate the inclusion and adoption of alternative methods in these regulatory contexts.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_216

Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Performance assessment and economic analysis of a human Liver-Chip for predictive toxicology study published in 2022 in Nature Communications Medicine. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year. While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use, we support approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research, including human Liver-Chip models. The economic impact of individual technical advancements are to be defined as these technologies are utilised more widely by industry stakeholders in drug discovery and development. The Government strategy will help facilitate the inclusion, review and adoption of these types of validated alternative methods by regulators.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_217

Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is planning to take to keep Parliament informed of the progress of the expert working groups on (a) transparency, (b) licensing and (c) other technical standards. \p Feryal Clark: The Government has committed to establishing expert stakeholder working groups to inform the development of policy on copyright and AI.

The Secretaries of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport convened the first meeting of these stakeholder working groups on 16th July. Information relating to this group will be published on GOV.UK, which will include further details and a list of working group members.

The Government has also committed to set up a Parliamentary working group for members to engage with and feed views into this process.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_218

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much the Intellectual Property Office has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Feryal Clark: The Intellectual Property Office does not hold a complete central record of all spending on equipment to support home working as provision can be made utilising office surplus or stock equipment. Information is only centrally recorded where the individual costs exceed £500 or recorded as a reasonable adjustment in line with Health and Safety legislation for Occupational Health.

The Office has spent the following on equipment for safe and productive home working:

(i) 2022-23 = £27,069.13

(ii) 2023-24 = £8250.11

(iii) 2024-25 = Zero spend

To obtain comprehensive data for each of the last three years, it would be necessary to contact holders of asset registers across the organisation, which would not be possible within the timeframe for responding to a Written Parliamentary Question, and would incur a disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-24 conversation_219

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to raise awareness on the potential risks associated with AI. \p Feryal Clark: We are hugely optimistic about how AI will transform the lives of British people for the better – but advanced AI could lead to serious security risks.

The UK Government has been clear eyed about the risks AI could bring and have been clear on the need to balance these risks, for example via: