theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade of 1 July 2025 in the debate on Hospitality Sector, Official Report, column 81WH, what the membership of the licensing taskforce is. \p Gareth Thomas: The Taskforce Terms of Reference and membership is published: Terms of Reference and taskforce member list - GOV.UK
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Sonia Kumar:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to increase economic growth in Dudley constituency. \p Gareth Thomas: The recently announced Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy, forming part of our wider Growth Mission, aim to support businesses across the country by creating the conditions for companies to invest, employ and grow.

Dudley, with its rich manufacturing heritage, will benefit from a range of new interventions, including measures to reduce energy costs and, assistance to develop and attract the right skills.

As part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Dudley has and will continue to benefit from enhanced support targeting the region including devolved funding for local leaders, to continue delivering the right support.

We will also be publishing our Small Business Strategy soon which will set out further measures to increase economic growth in Dudley and across the country.
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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his planned timetable is for the consultation on the British industrial competitiveness scheme. \p Sarah Jones: From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) will reduce electricity costs by c.£35-40/MWh for thousands of eligible businesses. These firms will be exempt from paying levies on the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market.

We announced that we would consult on eligibility and design of the scheme. We recognise the need to work quickly and we will publish the consultation and Terms of Reference as soon as we can. We have committed to ensure that the scheme is ready to launch in 2027.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of Google's compliance with the AI safety commitments made at the Seoul AI Safety Summit in May 2024 in relation to its Gemini 2.5 Pro model. \p Feryal Clark: We expect all signatories to the Seoul commitments to stand by their agreements. The AI Security Institute, within DSIT, has ongoing discussions will all major developers, including Google DeepMind, about the implementation of frontier AI frameworks that guide the safe development of AI.

The government welcomes Google's recently published framework that prioritises the emerging risk of deception in AI models and their plans to publish safety cases.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help ensure all signatory companies from the Seoul AI Safety Summit honour their commitments made at that summit. \p Feryal Clark: We expect all signatories to the Seoul commitments to stand by their agreements. The AI Security Institute, within DSIT, has ongoing discussions will all major developers, about the implementation of frontier AI frameworks that guide the safe development of AI.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on early diagnosis of (a) lung, (b) pancreatic and (c) other cancers. \p Feryal Clark: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology invests in cancer research via UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and the Department of Health and Social Care via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). UKRI and NIHR support research which explores the impact of AI on cancer diagnosis, including the £21 million AI Diagnostic Fund (using AI for faster lung cancer diagnosis). AI presents significant opportunities for improving outcomes and diagnosis for cancer patients and driving faster triage of patients with suspected symptoms. Evaluations of the impact of AI on cancer diagnosis are ongoing.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is for publishing the consultation on the proposed AI Bill. \p Feryal Clark: The Government plans to publish a consultation later this year on AI legislation.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to cybersecurity training for small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland. \p Feryal Clark: Cyber security is a priority for the government. We are taking action to protect businesses, citizens and essential services against cyber threats. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers a range of free cyber security training, including a free online module for small organisations called ‘Top Tips For Staff’, a cyber incident management training package called ‘Exercise in a Box’, and training for boards and directors as part of the government’s cyber governance package to help organisations manage digital risks.

Cyber security training is also widely available on a commercial basis, including in Northern Ireland where there is a successful, growing cyber security sector with 128 cyber security providers supporting over £237 million direct GVA to the local economy and employing over 2,750 people.

SMEs are also encouraged to take advantage of the NCSC’s Small Business Guide to improve their resilience, and to create a Cyber Action Plan for a personalised list of actions to help businesses improve their cyber security.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will hold discussions with Ordance Survey on the potential merits of making the Ordnance Survey Maps Premium (a) service and (b) app available to the public for free. \p Feryal Clark: Ordnance Survey is a public corporation, operating on a commercial basis. Ministers meet regularly with the leadership of Ordnance Survey to discuss how the company can support the Government’s priorities.

Ordnance Survey makes its authoritative geospatial data available to the public and private sectors, including individuals, directly and through commercial partners. A free version of the OS Maps app, which uses data that Ordnance Survey makes available under Open Government Licence, is used by over a million people every month. The premium subscription provides additional features and has over half a million active subscribers. It is already freely available to key users such as Mountain Rescue in Scotland, England and Wales.
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Sir Mark Hendrick:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to have further phases of civil service relocation; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of relocating civil servants to (a) Preston and (b) other host cities. \p Georgia Gould: The next phase of Places for Growth will move thousands more roles out of London to bring the Civil Service closer to the communities it serves. Preston will continue to have a thriving Civil Service community as part of the North West Digital and Cyber Security corridor. Government departments can also continue to build on the existing Civil Service presence there if it aligns with their business needs.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what new Government contracts have been awarded to Fujitsu since 5 July 2024; and what the value was of those contracts. \p Georgia Gould: In January 2024, Fujitsu said it would withdraw from bidding for contracts with new Government customers until the Post Office Horizon inquiry concludes – and it would only bid for work with existing Government customers where it already has an existing customer relationship with them, or where there is an agreed need for Fujitsu’s skills and capabilities. Fujitsu's bid approach is detailed in correspondence deposited in the Houses of Parliament libraries on 4 March 2024 (DEP2024-0247).

Details of public sector awards are publicly available on Contracts Finder & Find a Tender services. In addition to extensions available under Fujitsu’s existing contracts, Contracts Finder and Find a Tender provide details of twelve new Fujitsu contracts since July 2024. These awards are compliant with Fujitsu's commitment not to bid for work with new customers. The majority are for services already provided by Fujitsu and were put in place as a direct award to ensure continuity of services whilst competitive procurements are being set up.

The Government is determined to hold those responsible for the Horizon scandal to account, and will continue to make rapid progress on compensation and redress. Fujitsu’s role in Horizon is one of the issues which is being reviewed by Sir Wyn Williams’s statutory inquiry. The Cabinet Office has been monitoring the situation, in addition to continuing its usual monitoring of Fujitsu as a strategic supplier. The Government will carefully consider volume 1 of the report, to be published on 8 July, which is limited in scope. Once the inquiry establishes the full facts, we will review its final report and consider any further action, as appropriate.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Energy Performance Certificate rating is of the Deputy Prime Minister’s residence in Admiralty House. \p Georgia Gould: The residences at Admiralty House are not separately measured for Energy Performance. The Energy Performance Certificate Rating for Admiralty House is B.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 53888 on Civil Service: Equality, how many civil servants work in the CSIP Team; and what the annual operating cost is of that business unit. \p Georgia Gould: For the year 2024-2025, the CSIP Team had 11.16FTE; the annual operating cost including non-pay costs for that business unit the same year was £1,092,548.37. This includes all staff costs and overheads as well as operational non-pay costs and overheads (such as Estates, IT and Shared Services).
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will require the National Security Adviser to publish details of meetings with external organisations other than senior media executives. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: As a special adviser, the National Security Adviser is bound by the transparency obligations set out in the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the requirement for applicants to demonstrate three years of continuous residence in the UK to be considered for civil service roles on the ability of British nationals who have spent periods residing abroad to join the civil service. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: To join the Civil Service, individuals must pass pre-employment checks contained within the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). As part of the Right to Work check conducted within the BPSS, organisations need to assure themselves through obtaining documentation if individuals have resided overseas for six months or more within the last three years.

For Civil Service roles that require National Security Vetting (NSV), in order for meaningful NSV checks to be carried out, individuals will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. This period varies depending on the level of clearance required, to enable appropriate checks to provide the required level of assurance. For the Counter Terrorism Check (CTC), the recommended UK residency is three years preceding the NSV application.

These NSV policies are long standing and are kept under regular review.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Office for National Statistics holds comparative data on new dwellings in each nation of the UK in each year since 2008-09. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 30th June is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 173.5KB)
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55304 on Government Departments: Sanitation, whether the Government Property Agency plans to repurpose more gender-neutral toilets into separate male and female toilets. \p Georgia Gould: The Government Property Agency continues to monitor the requirements of its estate. Changes are made as necessary to provide the best delivery for our clients and in line with legislative requirements.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 57737 on European Parliament Members: Workplace Pensions, which public body holds information on the pension scheme liabilities for UK MEPs from 2009 up to the date the UK left the EU. \p Georgia Gould: The European Parliamentary (United Kingdom Representatives) Pension Scheme closed to new members in 2009. Active members were able to continue contributing to this scheme or to join a new European Union (EU) Members of the European Parliament (MEP) scheme. HMT holds information on the pension scheme liabilities for this scheme and the information is available in the Consolidated Fund Accounts 2023 to 2024 page 37 section 7:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consolidated-fund-account-2023-to-2024

In 2009, the EU implemented a uniform pension scheme for all MEPs, replacing the previous system where MEPs received pensions and salaries from their respective member states.

MEPs elected from 2009 onwards are members of the EU pension scheme and the UK’s share of the pension liabilities are covered by the EU Exit agreement. Information about the EU scheme liabilities can be found at the following link on the UK Parliament website:https://committees.parliament.uk/work/3906/exiting-the-eu-the-financial-settlement-inquiry/#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%20ongoing,the%20estimated%20settlement%20and%20why.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54781 on Arm’s Length Bodies: Equality, whether there is any monitoring of the EDI spending exemptions authorised by Arm’s Length Bodies; and whether there is any requirement on Arm’s Length Bodies to publish details of the exempted expenditure as Whitehall departments are required. \p Georgia Gould: The Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance published on 14 May 2024 applies to all Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) who employ civil servants. As such, those ALBs are required to publish details of the exempted expenditure as Whitehall departments are required.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government’s Lead Non Executive Director is a member of any Government (a) board and (b) committee. \p Georgia Gould: The Government Lead Non Executive is not currently a member of any Government board or committee. Baroness Casey oversees non-executives from across government to support the delivery of the Plan for Change. She works closely with the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Cabinet Secretary, the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer, and other ministers and senior civil servants across government.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the number of people with Hepatitis B who are entitled to compensation from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: While there is no way of knowing exactly how many people were infected as a result of this scandal, the findings of the Statistical Expert Group, established by the Infected Blood Inquiry, has provided valuable insight into the numbers of infections from blood and blood products in the UK between 1970 and 1991. In their September 2022 Report, they noted that, due to the limitations in the data available, it is not possible to answer the question of how many people were infected with Hepatitis B due to infected blood “with any reasonable accuracy when compared to other infections.”

Therefore, the final number of eligible people infected with Hepatitis B will ultimately depend on the number of victims who come forward to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, who are responsible for the delivery of the Compensation Scheme. There is no limit or target on the amount announced for the scheme and each eligible person will get the compensation they are due.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress his Department has made on securing integrated tariff treatment for the Falkland Islands, in the context of the UK-EU reset. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: We recognise the challenges these tariffs pose for the Falkland Islands. They stem from the fact the previous Government’s Brexit deal does not cover the Overseas Territories. The EU has been clear that they are not willing to re-open the fundamental terms of that deal. However, the UK and Falkland Islands governments have been working together on supporting the seafood sector, including securing US agreement to consider reducing tariffs on Falklands exports.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54800 on Government Departments: Press Offices, if he will publish the guidance on the use of party political commodities at Government press conferences. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Rt Hon Member to my answer of 21 March 2025, Official Report, PQ 47333.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the contribution of the GREAT campaign to the economy in the 2023-24 financial year. \p Ellie Reeves: GREAT has a robust evaluation framework which has been independently assessed by the National Audit Office, Ipsos and Deloitte and was recently commended by the joint Cabinet Office / HM Treasury Evaluation Task Force.

The independent GREAT Strategic Review conducted in November-December 2024 recognised the effectiveness of the GREAT Campaign in supporting the government's strategic aims and its role in delivering the economic growth mission.

In 2023/2024, GREAT contributed returns to the UK economy of over £900 million foreign direct investment, £631 million additional expenditure from international students, £210 million additional expenditure from international tourism and over £90 million export wins for UK companies.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much 10 Downing Street spent on equipment for (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: This information is not centrally held. All staff are issued with a laptop and mobile to allow remote working where necessary. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 53528 on Admiralty House for what reason the offices in Admiralty House are no longer used for a Minister and Ministerial private office. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office, Official Report, PQ 43478.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answers of 18 June and 6 March 2025 to Questions 54778 and 34454 on Prime Minister: Aviation, whether the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme offsets other domestic flights; and if the Government will make it their policy to ensure that all the Prime Minister’s flights are carbon offset. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Official Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset where that is possible.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the response to the Freedom of Information Act request reference FOI2025/05753 of 12 June 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The request document will be deposited in the House Libraries.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 53899 on Cabinet Office: pay, what the median salary is of a civil servant in (a) the Civil Service and (b) the Cabinet Office averaged across all grades. \p Georgia Gould: Data on median salaries for the Civil Service, also aggregated by department, can be found in the Civil Service Statistics publication. The latest data published on 31 July 2024 can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - April 2025 (Spending by Business Units no longer part of Cabinet Office), published on 29 May 2025, how many (a) virtual and (b) physical Government Procurement Cards are held by his Department. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office has 37 staff who have access to raise virtual cards and has 214 physical Government Procurement cardholders. Approximately half of the physical cards are held by the Government Car Service, which was transferred to the Cabinet Office in April 2025.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Cabinet Office: Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - March 2025, published on 24 April 2025, what the spending to the House of Commons was for. \p Georgia Gould: The spending in question was incurred by the Civil Service Commission, and entailed room hire and catering for an event to recognise the award of Civil Service Commission’s Commissioners' Mark of Excellence (CME), held on 6 March 2025.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Cabinet Office: Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - March 2025, published on 24 April 2025, what the spending to Made by Cooper was for. \p Georgia Gould: The spend referred to was for the GREAT campaign, with the invoice dated 27 February 2025.

The items procured were pin badges and associated branded packaging in support of GREAT events.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the transparency data entitled Cabinet Office: Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - December 2024, published on 30 January 2025, what the spending on PYM ARTEMISPLUS EXPRE was for. \p Georgia Gould: The spend on Pym Artemisplus Expre was for catering for an event delivered as part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's funded "Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme".
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - April 2025 (Spending by Business Units no longer part of Cabinet Office), published on 29 May 2025, what the spending at Total Conflict Mgmt was for. \p Georgia Gould: The expenditure was for a training course for a member of the Government Commercial Function.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54760 on Civil Servants: London, if he will publish his Department's relocation policy; and whether voluntarily relocated civil servants continue to receive a London weighting. \p Georgia Gould: This policy has not been previously published, and as with many internal staff policies, there are no current plans to publish it.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his Department's policy is on flying the Armed Forces flag on Armed Forces Day. \p Georgia Gould: The Government Property Agency takes instruction from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for when to fly flags as part of events, ceremonies and celebrations such as Armed Forces Day.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress has been made on appointing the new Conservative political member for the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The appointment of political members to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) is a decision for the Prime Minister following nomination from the relevant Party with a vacancy. A decision on the appointment of a Conservative member to the Committee will be confirmed as soon as possible.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of the Prime Minister’s international flights on (a) the Envoy IV, (b) Voyager and (c) GB-NI have been carbon offset since July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Official Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset where that is possible.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether TotalEnergies Gas & Power and its subsidiaries supply gas to 10 Downing Street; and what assessment he has made of whether TotalEnergies' LNG gas is sourced from Russia. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The UK has ended all imports of Russian fossil fuels in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. This contract started under the previous government.
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Sonia Kumar:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the emissions trading scheme on the clay brick and rooftile industry. \p Sarah Jones: UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) participants, including the clay brick and rooftile sector, are provided with free allocations, reducing their exposure to the carbon price and mitigating their risk of carbon leakage whilst continuing to provide an incentive to decarbonise at the least cost route. This approach is currently being reviewed to ensure we can better target support for sectors most at risk of carbon leakage.

We are very mindful of the impact of the ETS on industrial participants, and have committed to an ongoing assessment of the scheme’s effectiveness – outputs of this review will be published in 2026. Interim outcomes of this review can be found on gov.uk.
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve energy security and grid resilience in Northern Ireland. \p Michael Shanks: Whilst energy policy and electricity system resilience of Northern Ireland remains a devolved competence for the Northern Ireland Executive, the Department has maintained a close working relationship with the Department for the Economy to support them in managing energy security.
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Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme on electricity bills for non-exempt consumers. \p Michael Shanks: The government is looking to fund this support by bearing down on levies and other costs in the energy system, alongside revenues from the strengthening and expansion of carbon pricing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_239

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the viability of the Wood Group’s North Sea oil and gas contracts. \p Michael Shanks: Wood Group’s North Sea oil and gas contracts are a commercial matter for the company.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_240

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will discuss the position of contractor employees at Wood Group with trade union signatories to the Energy Services Agreement. \p Michael Shanks: Ministers and officials regularly engage with trade union representatives to discuss a variety of issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_241

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to respond to the consultation entitled Building the North Sea’s energy future which closed on 30 April 2025. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ is currently analysing the responses received. We will publish a government response setting out our next steps in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_242

Nigel Huddleston:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of siting solar farms near Category A prisons on the security of (a) communications, (b) wi-fi and (c) energy supplies. \p Michael Shanks: No such assessment has been made.

Maintaining security of energy supplies is a key priority and critical energy operators are required to meet a minimum standard of cyber security and resilience, through the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018. The Department works continually with Ofgem and the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure that these regulations continue to capture all the most critical operators of energy generation systems.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_243

Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals to amend the Coal Industry Act 1994 to prohibit new coal extraction licences; and if he will ensure that those legislative proposals protect the rights of freeminers in the Forest of Dean. \p Michael Shanks: On 14 November 2024 we announced that we will introduce new legislation as soon as possible to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines. Under our plans, the historic rights of Freeminers in the Forest of Dean will be exempted and can continue.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_244

Sonia Kumar:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support green projects in the Black Country. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government supports local places to drive action to deliver green projects and help realise our national net zero targets. Great British Energy will partner with community energy groups and local government, including Mayoral Strategic Authorities, to support the development of clean energy projects. Government also funds the Local Net Zero Accelerator pilot programme (including in West Midlands Combined Authority) to test how to support local places to leverage in commercial net zero investment at scale, alongside five Local Net Zero Hubs (including the Midlands Net Zero Hub) to support local government to develop net zero projects and attract commercial investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_245

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, CP 1336, published on 11 June 2025, how much and what proportion of the £5 billion funding for the Warm Homes Plan identified as financial transactions will be in the form of (a) loans, (b) equity investments and (c) guarantees. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government has committed £5 billion funding as financial transactions. We will work with the UK’s expert public finance institutions, including the NWF (National Wealth Fund), to agree ways to support the delivery of the Warm Homes Plan through this. Further details will be confirmed by October.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_246

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent meetings he has had with people who have had spray foam installation in their homes in Devon. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_247

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to (a) help improve (i) public confidence and (ii) perceptions of fairness in policing and (b) measure progress on the implementation of the measures set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. \p Dame Diana Johnson: This Government’s Safer Streets mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, halving serious violence and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing and the criminal justice system.

The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee was developed through close working with the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) and other policing leads, and we continue to work closely with them to ensure it is delivered across all police forces in England and Wales.

The Home Office has also worked with the College of Policing and the NPCC to develop a performance framework which outlines to forces and the public the performance measures which are being assessed to monitor the progress of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

The framework is attached at the following link Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee performance framework - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_248

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As the directly elected representative for policing in their area, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have an important local role acting as the voice of the public and victims in policing, holding Chief Constables to account and leading local partnerships to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

In her Written Ministerial Statement of 19 November 2024 (HCWS232), the Home Secretary announced her intention to present a White Paper to Parliament this year on reforms to deliver more effective and efficient policing, to rebuild public confidence and to deliver the Government’s Safer Streets mission. We will consider the role of PCCs in local accountability and preventing crime as part of wider reforms to the policing system and we will set out our plans in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_249

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he plans to publish force-level recruitment figures for neighbourhood policing roles. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will deliver 13,000 additional policing personnel into neighbourhood teams by the end of this parliament, including 3000 additional neighbourhood officers by Spring 2026. All forces have agreed their delivery plans, and force-level recruitment projections are published here: Neighbourhood policing grant allocations and projections: 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK..

The number of neighbourhood police personnel as of 31 March 2025 will be published in the Home Office’s upcoming biannual ‘Police Workforce Statistics, England and Wales’ publication. This release will provide a comprehensive overview of force-level workforce composition.

We will publish progress against neighbourhood policing force delivery plans in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_250

Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department has (a) allocated to and (b) spent on prevention of female genital mutilation in each financial year since 2014-15. \p Jess Phillips: The Government is tackling female genital mutilation (FGM) through its landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

We will not tolerate a practice that can cause extreme and lifelong physical and psychological suffering to women and girls. The Government’s approach is focused on preventing these crimes from happening, supporting and protecting survivors and those at risk, and bringing perpetrators to justice.

The below outlines the annual spending allocated by the Home Office to prevent and tackle FGM in England and Wales in each financial year since 2015. The Home Office does not hold funding information for earlier than 2015/2016. This funding was used for a range of activity to tackle FGM, including victim support helplines, training courses on FGM for frontline personnel, academic research and communication campaigns:

FY 2015-2016: £2,718,000

FY 2016-2017: £1,664,000

FY 2017-2018: £2,358,768

FY 2018-2019: £2,403,768

FY 2019-2020: £1,023,768

FY 2020-2021: £334,234

FY 2021-2022: £211,020

FY 2022-2023: £259,568

FY 2023-2024: £1,170,209

FY 2024-2025: £1,108,599
wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_251

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department has issued to (a) police forces and (b) local authorities on the use of facial recognition cameras in public places. \p Dame Diana Johnson: When using facial recognition technology, all police forces and local authorities must comply with data protection, equalities and human rights laws. They must also comply with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice.

Police forces are also required to comply with any published policing policies and in the case of live facial recognition, follow the College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice.

The government wants to ensure that facial recognition operates on a firm footing, providing maximum confidence to both the public and the police on the use of these tools. To that end, I have been listening carefully to stakeholders and partners and have held a series of roundtables with policing, civil society groups, regulators and others. Formal evaluation work on the impact of the technology is also underway, and we intend to set out our plans in the coming months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_252

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to improve coordination between (a) healthcare providers and (b) law enforcement in responding to suspected spiking incidents. \p Jess Phillips: It is crucial that all organisations that may be involved in supporting victims of spiking and collecting evidence (including those in the healthcare, hospitality and education sectors) do so in a joined-up way.

The Home Office is currently working with the police-led National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) to assess options for schemes that promote a greater joining up between the police and other stakeholders on the collection of evidence samples from victims.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_253

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training is provided to frontline police officers to improve the (a) identification and (b) handling of spiking cases. \p Jess Phillips: The Government have introduced through the Crime and Policing Bill a new criminal offence for spiking, to help police better respond to this crime.

The Home Office has funded specialist spiking training for staff in the hospitality industry to ensure they have the skills to better detect spiking incidents, support victims who have been spiked and support law enforcement with evidence collection.

The Home Office is currently working with the police-led National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP) on the development of police guidance across a range of VAWG crimes, including spiking.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-07 conversation_254

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessments her Department has made of trends in the number of spiking incidents. \p Jess Phillips: Spiking is often underreported and this can make analysis of trends difficult.

In order to improve our understanding of trends, from April 2026 offences which involve spiking will be added to the Home Office’s Annual Data Requirement. This is the formal mechanism through which the Home Office collects data from all police forces in England and Wales. This will ensure that the Home Office has access to formal, standardised and regular reporting from the police on offences involving spiking.