theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will reinstate the Rural Services Delivery Grant in the next local government financial settlement for Shropshire. \p Jim McMahon: The government is absolutely committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. However, the Rural Services Delivery Grant did not properly account for need and a large number of predominantly rural councils receive nothing from it – that’s clearly not right and a sign we need to allocate funding more effectively.

The 25-26 Settlement will deliver on our commitment by ensuring that places with a significant rural population will on average receive around a 5% increase in their Core Spending Power next year, which is a real terms increase.

The government is keen to hear from councils about how best to consider the impact of rurality on the costs of service delivery, and demand, as part of our longer term consultations on local authority funding reform.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22648 on Smoking: Public Places, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent local authorities from introducing byelaws on smoking restrictions that go further than provided for in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. \p Jim McMahon: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill and byelaw reform commitments outlined in the English Devolution White Paper are both subject to public consultation, and we will consider all views.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22644 on Council tax, if she will take steps to advertise the council tax discounts, disregards and exemptions for (a) the severely mentally impaired and (b) their carers. \p Jim McMahon: The government does not have any current plans for a publicity campaign for council tax disregards. The government does make this information publicly and freely available through its plain English guide to council tax. The government’s approach is the same as that of the previous government.
wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22645 on Workplace Pensions: Councillors and Mayors, whether she has had discussions with local authorities on reinstating pensions for (a) mayors and (b) councils since 5 July 2024. \p Jim McMahon: Since 5 July 2024, the Secretary of State has not held discussions with any local authorities regarding re-instating access to the Local Government Pension Scheme for mayors or councillors in England, though it is recognised that the subject has been raised by the sector over many years since the scheme was closed to those office holders in 2014.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 14996, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether Innovate UK requested that the planning application be called-in. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 14996 on 27 November 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the answer of 15 January 2025 to the Urgent Question on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report column 344, if she will make it her policy that both district county councils in a two-tier area agree with the principle of restructuring as a condition of her agreeing to that restructuring. \p Jim McMahon: The English Devolution White Paper set out our policy on local government reorganisation and our commitment to get on with delivering what areas need. We will expect all two tier areas and smaller or failing unitaries to develop proposals for reorganisation. All levels of local government have a part to play in bringing improved structures to their area through reorganisation, and we expect all councils in an area to work together to develop unitary proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the potential role of the United Front Work Department in relation to the planning application for the Chinese Embassy. \p Matthew Pennycook: An appointed Inspector will hold a public inquiry which will hear a range of evidence for and against the proposals, after which a decision will be made by MHCLG ministers. As this case will come before ministers in MHCLG to determine, it would not be appropriate to comment further. Decisions on planning applications are based on material planning considerations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people with refugee status have received settled status in each of the last ten years. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes data on refugees granted settlement in Table Se_D01 within the Settlement dataset in the ‘Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK’. The figures for grants of settlement to “Recognised refugees” include people who held refugee status immediately prior to being granted settlement.

Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook and the latest data is available to 2023. Data for 2024 will be published in late May 2025.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in Employer National Insurance contributions on West Midlands Police (a) staffing revenue budgets, (b) staffing levels and (c) non-staffing revenue budgets. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As set out at the final police funding settlement on 30 January, overall funding for policing will total up to £19.6 billion in 2025-26, an increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement.

Total funding to police forces will be up to £17.5 billion, an increase of up to £1.1 billion compared to the 2024/25 police funding settlement. This equates to a 6.6% cash increase, and 4.1% real terms increase in funding.

The 2025-26 provisional police funding settlement provides an additional £230.3 million to support territorial police forces with the increase to the changes to employer National Insurance Contributions as set out by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget.

Based on the provisional police funding settlement, in 2025-26, West Midlands will receive funding of up to £ 844.5 million, an increase of £54.1 million compared to 2024-5. This includes £11.6 million towards covering the costs of the employer National Insurance Contributions increase.

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are the locally elected and democratically accountable official for policing in their area, and it is up to PCCs to decide how to balance their expenditure on their policing and crime priorities based on their local knowledge and experience.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 18221, on Supreme Court: Judgments, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Supreme Court judgements referenced. \p Dame Diana Johnson: While legal proceedings remain ongoing, it would be premature to comment on the final implications.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that people entering the UK illegally can never apply for (a) settled status and (b) citizenship. \p Seema Malhotra: The Government keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it remains her Department's policy to introduce a unified consent regime to include (a) pavement licensing and (b) licensing consent for the consumption and sale of alcohol in that pavement area. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The previous Government explored the feasibility of creating a unified consent regime that would grant businesses a pavement licence and the ability to sell alcohol for consumption there. Unifying the two regimes did not prove workable, so the then Government launched a consultation on alternative options relating to the consumption of alcohol in licensed pavement areas in May 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the results of this consultation and will publish the results shortly alongside next steps.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for pavement licences. The Government supports the use of pavement licences to encourage better use of outdoor space on our high streets, supporting businesses and revitalising the spaces that communities use. We have no plans to change the streamlined application process introduced under the last government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to provide police forces with the power to require the removal of (a) dangerous items and (b) content (i) online and (ii) for sale online. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Online Safety Act requires platforms to take action to prevent the proliferation of illegal content online and ensure that their services are not used for offending. This means they will need to proactively mitigate the risk that their services are used for illegal activity or to share illegal content, and to design their services to mitigate the risk of this occurring.

Ofcom has now laid the first edition of the Illegal Harms Codes in Parliament, setting out what platforms need to do to comply with the Online Safety Act. These will come into force, subject to Parliamentary approval, on the 17th of March 2025. Firms do not need to wait for these duties to come into effect and can act now.

Ofcom has a tough suite of enforcement powers to use against companies who fail to fulfil their duties. This includes fines of up to £18 million or 10 per cent of qualifying annual global turnover (whichever is greater).

The Home Secretary has also outlined measures to prevent the online sale of knives and other weapons to children to reduce knife crime. We have already banned deadly zombie-style knives and machetes and are fast progressing with banning Ninja swords. We have also consulted on introducing personal liability measures on senior executives of online platforms and marketplaces who fail to take action to remove illegal content related to knives and offensive weapons off their platforms and marketplaces. The consultation closed on 11 December 2024 and we are currently analysing the responses. The Home Secretary has also announced that the Government intends to strengthen age verification controls and checks for all online sellers of knives at the point of purchase and on delivery.
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Jo White:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many work visas have been issued in each of the last ten years, broken down by country. \p Seema Malhotra: The Home Office publishes data on entry clearance visas in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on visas granted, by year, visa route, and nationality are published in table Vis_D02 of the Entry clearance visas detailed dataset. Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data cover the period up to the end of September 2024.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent trends in the level of police funding on the prevalence of police activity in local communities. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As set out at the final police funding settlement on 30 January, overall funding for policing will total up to £19.6 billion in 2025-26, an increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 settlement.

Total funding to police forces will be up to £17.5 billion, an increase of up to £1.1 billion compared to the 2024/25 police funding settlement. This equates to a 6.6% cash increase, and 4.1% real terms increase in funding.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people with refugee status became UK citizens in each of the last ten years. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave him on 28 January to the same question asked in a slightly different form (UIN 25043).
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many new firearms licence certificates have been granted in each of the last five years. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office collects and publishes information annually on the number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in the Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates publication. The latest available data is for the year ending 31 March 2024 and can be accessed at the following link: Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates: April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV. UK (www.gov.uk).

The number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in each of the last five years can be found in data table 1.
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Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using drone technology to support fire and rescue services. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Fire and Rescue Services have been early adopters of drones which can improve decision making, operational efficiency and reduce risk to firefighters. We work closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council, who co-ordinate the use of Fire & Rescue Service Drones, ensuring services are aware of new technology and the benefits available.

Fire and rescue authorities and services are operationally independent from government. Decisions on how their resources are best deployed to meet their core functions and keep their communities safe are a matter for each fire and rescue authority, based on its analysis of risk and local circumstances. Any consideration of equipment, including drones, will be part of this process.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many deaths in police custody there have been in the last five years. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Data on deaths in police custody for England and Wales is produced by the Independent Office for Police Complaints in its annual report: Annual deaths during or following police contact report - 2023/24 | Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

There have been 95 deaths in police custody in England and Wales for the period 2019 – 2024 as follows;

Year

19/20

20/21

21/22

22/23

23/24

Deaths

18

19

11

23

24
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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which 100 wards in London are the furthest distance from a police station. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office does not hold centrally, and could only collate and verify it for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

It is up to Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners to make decisions on local resourcing and estates, including police stations. They are best placed to make these decisions based on their local knowledge and experience.

Police stations are just one of the ways people can access their local police services, including reporting online and by phone 24/7.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what funding her Department provided to the (a) Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline, (b) National Perpetrator Helpline, (c) Men’s Advice Line, (d) Galop national LGBT+ victims' Helpline, (e) National Stalking Helpline and (f) Revenge Porn Helpline in financial year (i) 2023-24 and (ii) 2024-25. \p Jess Phillips: The Home Office allocated funding to the following organisations in FY2023-24 and FY2024-25:

Name of organisation

FY2023-24 Allocation

FY2024-25 Allocation

Refuge - National Domestic Abuse Helpline

£2,079,718

£1,000,000

Respect – Perpetrator Helpline

£150,000

£150,000

Respect – Men's Advice Line

£290,000

£200,000

Galop – LGBT+ Victims Helpline

£200,000

£200,000

Suzy Lamplugh Trust – Stalking Helpline

£160,430

£160,430

South West Grid for London – Revenge Porn Helpline

£150,000

£150,000

Karma Nirvanan – Honour Based Abuse Helpline

£165,000

£165,000

Total

£3,195,148

£2,025,430

The Home Office has allocated funding to Karma Nirvana – Honour Based Abuse Helpline as outlined in the table above.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the increase in the cost of electronic travel authorisations. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I, in my capacity as Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, speak regularly with my counterpart Maroš Šefčovič on a range of issues relating to the EU-UK relationship. In addition, HMG officials engage regularly with counterparts across the EU and EU Member States to ensure they are kept abreast of any changes regarding UK travel policy. This includes engaging on ETA.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 22044 on Council of the Nations and Regions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of inviting council representatives from (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland to the Council of the Nations and Regions. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As set out in its Terms of Reference, the Council of the Nations and Regions is a central, driving, forum that brings together governments and authorities with devolved responsibilities to determine actions for tackling some of the biggest and most cross-cutting challenges the country faces. Local government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is devolved, with the devolved governments responsible for the further devolution of powers to, and direct relationships with, respective local governments.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many refugees were in receipt of Personal Independence Payment in each of the last five years; and what the cost to the public purse was. \p Andrew Western: The Department does not hold the requested information on refugees in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Decision-makers check that an individual has leave to remain in the UK with recourse to public funds and meets all other eligibility requirements. Once this is established, the claim is processed like any other claim. Refugee claims are not flagged or marked on PIP administrative systems separately that would allow us to provide the information requested.
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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill on disabled people in receipt of the Personal Independence Payment. \p Andrew Western: The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill will help the Government to better identify, prevent and deter public sector fraud and error and enable the better recovery of debt owed to the taxpayer.

Safeguarding vulnerable claimants is always a priority. All the powers included in the Bill include strong safeguards ensuring they are used appropriately and proportionately – including new oversight and reporting mechanisms.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the number of people living in Wales that have received overpayments of the Carers Allowance. \p Andrew Western: We don’t measure or report Fraud and Error statistics at a regional level. Our benefit review sample sizes are not large enough to support this level of detail measure or report Fraud and Error statistics at a regional level.
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Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the annual budget of the Child Maintenance Service was in each year since 2021; and what the forecast budget is for 2025. \p Andrew Western: The table below outlines the Child Maintenance Service budget for each year since 2021, sourced from the CMS Management Accounts.

The budget for 2025/2026 has not yet been finalised and therefore is not included.

Year

21/22

22/23

23/24

24/25

Budget

£117.0m

£108.7m

£116.3m

£106.5m

Note: the budget information does not represent actual spend.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Pension Credit applications were made in each of the last five years for which data is available. \p Torsten Bell: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2024 to Question 16393 on Department for Work and Pensions: Staff, what the additional cost is of the private providers. \p Andrew Western: The information you request is not available. DWP operates a 'forecast and volumes' based pricing model, where supplier costs specific to the increase in Pension Credit New Claims demand, following the Chancellor's announcement in July 2024 are not itemised. However, we can confirm these costs were part of a contract extension worth £1.7m.
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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has to work with regional upper tier authorities to coordinate public-private initiatives for development in the sustainable biomanufacturing sector; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of trialling support hub initiatives for sustainable biotechnology in the North West. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT is considering how Engineering Biology could play a role in driving sustainable growth through the Industrial Strategy, which will be published in Spring 2025 by HMT and DBT. Regional growth is a key objective of the Industrial Strategy, and DSIT will engage with a range of local authorities through that process to consider opportunities across the UK.
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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to create a taskforce to develop a sustainable biomanufacturing strategy. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT does not currently have plans to create a taskforce to develop a sustainable biomanufacturing strategy. DSIT is considering how Engineering Biology could play a role in driving sustainable growth through the Industrial Strategy, which will be published in Spring 2025 by HMT and DBT.
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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has conducted a market impact assessment for the options in the open consultation entitled Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, published on 17 December 2024. \p Feryal Clark: The Government published the consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

Prior to its publication, the Government considered a range of approaches to clarify copyright law and meet its objectives for AI innovators and the creative industries. Further detail of the Government’s assessment of options can be found in the summary assessment (external link) published alongside the consultation.

The consultation closes on 25 February.
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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will introduce transparency obligations on Artificial intelligence firms to disclose material used to train models. \p Feryal Clark: The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on a number of issues relating to copyright and AI. It sets a clear objective of achieving proportionate transparency from AI developers over the creative content that is used to train their models.

The consultation closes on 25 February.
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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of EU rights reservation mechanisms for Artificial intelligence and copyright. \p Feryal Clark: The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation is seeking views on a similar approach to the EU’s, which many AI firms and right holders are already familiar with. However, we recognise that there is more work to do on technical standards and transparency before a rights reservation model can be considered workable for right holders and AI developers alike. We will use responses to the consultation to inform work on this detail and bring forward firm proposals.

The consultation closes on 25 February
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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that proposed copyright exemptions for Artificial intelligence training will lead to inward investment. \p Feryal Clark: The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation is seeking views on how to promote growth and investment in both the creative industries and AI sector - both of which are essential parts of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

This will help the Government develop an approach which will accelerate growth in the UK for both sectors.

The consultation closes on 25 February.
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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to develop technical standards to enable rightsholders to reserve rights if they opt-out of training generative artificial intelligence models. \p Feryal Clark: The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation proposes a new regulatory model for text and data mining, and seeks views on creating an effective rights reservation system.

The implementation of any text and data mining exception is contingent upon having workable technical solutions in place for rights reservation. Some standards already exist and more are in development. If there is a role for Government to play, it is to ensure that standards work for right holders as well as developers, and to facilitate convergence on a manageable set of standards.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether driving licences available through the gov.uk app will have integration with (a) Apple Wallet, (b) Google Wallet, (c) Samsung Wallet and (d) other common on-device wallets. \p Feryal Clark: We recognise there may be value in government documents, such as the digital driving licence, being available through private sector wallets that have been certified as part of the government's Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. There are no current plans but we are open to exploring this in the future. Currently, Apple, Google and Samsung Wallets are not certified, but may choose to become so in the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Innovate UK on their (a) cybersecurity and (b) procedures to prevent cyber and ransomware attacks since July 2024; and how many such incidents have occurred since July 2024. \p Feryal Clark: Ministers and officials meet regularly with industry stakeholders and public bodies to discuss cyber security and bolstering cyber resilience. The National Cyber Security Centre offers range of support and guidance showing businesses, agencies and government departments how to protect against cyber attacks. The Cyber Breaches Survey 2024 shows that 50% of businesses report having experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. The Government recognises the importance of strengthening the UK’s cyber resilience and protecting the digital economy to deliver growth. To address this, the Government is introducing a Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. The Bill will strengthen the UK’s cyber defences and ensure that more essential digital services than ever before are protected. On 14 January the government published a consultation on proposals to further protect businesses and public services from ransomware attacks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_111

Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on eligibility for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy of Afghans of changes of refugee policy in the United States of America; and what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact on other Departmental schemes aiming to provide targeted refuge for Afghans. \p Luke Pollard: The eligibility criteria of the UK’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is unaffected by changes in the US. This Government is fully committed to delivering on the pledge made by Parliament to those in Afghanistan who are eligible to relocate and resettle, and we continue to welcome eligible Afghans and their families to the UK through our Afghan resettlement schemes.

The Government has recognised the opportunities for improvements to fixing the foundations of a complicated system and as announced in December 2024 Ministers in multiple government departments are engaging and working collaboratively to deliver a single pipeline for Afghan resettlement. This will deliver greater efficiency and better outcomes across Government, as well as improving the outcomes for eligible Afghans.

Over the past 12 months, the UK has welcomed around 90 eligible families each month and we expect this pace to continue. This cannot, however, be an endless process and ultimately, the Government intends to reach a position where the UK Afghan resettlement schemes can be closed. We will update the House on this accordingly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_112

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of medically unfit personnel are non-deployable for reasons of dental health in the (a) RAF, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Army. \p Al Carns: This information is not held in the format requested.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_113

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December to Question 20237 on Ministry of Defence: Employers’ Contributions, when his Department plans to publish the details of the funding set aside to cover the increased cost of National Insurance contributions. \p Maria Eagle: The Government will be supporting Departments with the cost of additional employer national insurance contributions. This is in line with the Government's usual approach to supporting the public sector, as was the case with the previous Government's Health and Social Care Levy. The allocation for the Ministry of Defence, along with all other Departments, will be set out in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_114

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December to Question 18985 on Army, whether the Departmental priority to double the lethality of the British Army by 2027 includes the acceleration beyond current plans of any current armoured vehicle programmes as a metric of measuring whether that target has been achieved. \p Luke Pollard: The ambition set by the Chief of the General Staff to double the fighting power of the British Army by 2027 and treble it by 2030 exists within the Army as a principle to guide Army modernisation. It is not tied to specific programmes or procurements, but will incorporate the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_115

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) dependents and (b) extended family members have been requested to join Afghans residing in Service Families Accommodation. \p Luke Pollard: Under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP), the Ministry of Defence does not categorise under the terms dependents and extended family members. The Ministry of Defence currently accommodates all those within the scope of the ARAP scheme in temporary and long-term accommodation on the Defence Estate. This takes place on a case-by-case basis in accordance with individual needs, as well as family size and available capacity. In the event family members are separated, we aim to reunite them, however the ability to do so depends on a variety of factors such as family size and specific needs.

The Secretary of State for Defence recently made an announcement regarding the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP). The ARP is a cross-Government delivery programme that will improve efficiency, value for money and outcomes across Afghan Resettlement. Alongside British personnel, many Afghans also worked with commitment and courage to support the UK mission in Afghanistan. This Government has always supported the aims of the Afghan resettlement schemes and we will deliver its commitments to those in Afghanistan who are eligible to relocate and resettle in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_116

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his formal target to procure RCH 155 within the 5-year limit for hardware platforms. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 December 2024 to Question xx-xxxx-xxxx to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois). I explained that whilst the Mobile Fires Platform aims to achieve Minimum Deployable Capability (MDC) within this decade, a timeline or definition of MDC is yet to be determined, both of which will be guided by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

Whilst the MDC is not yet defined, the target for delivery of the RCH 155 is in line with the Defence Command Paper and the Integrated Procurement Model’s five-year target.

Artillery: Procurement (docx, 16.1KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_117

Antonia Bance:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with Oscar Mayer on their employment practices. \p Justin Madders: Ministers meet regularly with business organisations and trade associations. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly on GOV.UK.

This Government has introduced the Employment Rights Bill, representing the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. This includes day one protections from unfair dismissal, banning exploitative zero hours contracts and ending fire and rehire.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_118

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of free trade agreements on farmers. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Our approach to trade deals will always consider the impacts and opportunities for those working within the agricultural sector, along with those employed within other sectors of the economy and our Growth Mission.

The independent Trade and Agriculture Commission scrutinises new FTAs and assesses whether they are consistent with the maintenance of UK levels of statutory protections in relation to animal and plant life or health, animal welfare, and the environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_119

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department provided evidence to the Strategic Defence Review. \p Gareth Thomas: On 30 July 2024, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) was invited, alongside other Government Departments, to provide written evidence to the Strategic Defence Review (SDR).

DBT responded to that call for evidence on 23 September 2024. The findings of the SDR are due to be published in 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_120

Andrew Ranger:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the selection criteria is for membership of the Hospitality Sector Council. \p Gareth Thomas: The Hospitality Sector Council’s Terms of Reference is publicly available, outlining that membership is by invitation only and is subject to final agreement by DBT Ministers in consultation with the joint chairs. Members are selected to provide a breadth of knowledge and experience across the hospitality sector and Government. All members are selected in a personal capacity and will be expected to speak for their areas of expertise rather than the specific interests of their organisation.

Membership is reviewed by DBT and it may be amended to take account of changing priorities in the sector to ensure appropriate representation and expertise is maintained.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_121

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what priority policy areas the Brexit Opportunities Unit is working on in 2025. \p Justin Madders: The Brexit Opportunities Unit transitioned into the Regulation Directorate (RD) through a machinery of government change in February 2023. RD aims to improve regulation to support the Government’s mission to boost economic growth.

RD is leading the regulatory reform agenda across government in collaboration with HM Treasury. We recognise that for regulation to be effective, it must be created in partnership with business and regulators, which is why we have asked regulators to provide proposals for prioritising growth with the support of government. Our plans for the government’s overall regulatory vision will be set out in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_122

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20536 on Department for Business and Trade: Official Cars, how many Government Car Service (a) cars and (b) drivers are provided for the use of civil servants. \p Justin Madders: No Government Car Service cars or drivers are provided specifically for the use of civil servants.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_123

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2024 to Question 13801 on Office for the Pay Review Bodies, in what way the change in name better reflects the role of the organisation. \p Justin Madders: The change of name from the Office of Manpower Economics to the Office for the Pay Review Bodies better reflects the role of the organisation as the work of the Office for the Pay Review Bodies is to support the eight independent public sector pay review bodies. This involves a broader range of activities than manpower economics alone.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_124

Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what (a) employment and (b) mental health support is available to entrepreneurs whose businesses go into liquidation. \p Justin Madders:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-31)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-31 conversation_125

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses in rural areas. \p Gareth Thomas: Rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy. As with all places, fulfilling the needs of people and businesses in rural areas is at the heart of our policymaking.

The Government has recently announced our intention to launch a Business Growth Service (BGS), a national service with local delivery at its heart. Over time, it will bring a range of existing core services under the BGS banner, working hand in glove with local and devolved governments and the Growth Hubs network.

All businesses can access their Local Growth Hubs, which provide advice and support throughout the business journey, shaping their offer around the unique needs, whether town or country.