theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current maths curriculum in the context of increasing demand for data skills. \p Catherine McKinnell: ​High and rising standards across education, from early years to adulthood, are the key to unlocking stronger outcomes and a better future for children and young people. Our new regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams are now working closely with schools, including Maths Hubs to sharing best practice and put in place targeted plans to drive-up performance in schools needing extra support.

The department funded, school-led network of Maths Hubs across both primary and secondary schools, focusses on reducing attainment gaps by providing school-to-school support with mathematics subject knowledge and pedagogy training for teachers. In addition, the department funds the Maths Champions programme working with early years settings to boost young children’s basic number skills, and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme supporting disadvantaged students with an aptitude for mathematics to go on to further study.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review is closely examining the key challenges to attainment for young people and the barriers which hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve, to help us ensure high standards for all. The Review’s interim report, published in March, recognised the need for the curriculum to respond to social and technological change, including to consider what opportunities might be offered around the rise of artificial intelligence and trends in digital information demand.

Please note that in the context of international standings in PISA tests, this response extends only to England as education is a devolved matter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Chris Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to reduce educational inequalities in (a) the South East and (b) nationally. \p Catherine McKinnell: All children and young people should have every opportunity to succeed, no matter where they are from. However, we know educational inequalities exist across the country. This is not acceptable in the South East or nationally.

The department is tackling inequalities in the system head-on through our plan for change. From September we will be rolling out 30 hours of funded childcare for working parents, saving eligible parents using their full entitlement an average of £7,500 a year. We are also rolling out free breakfast clubs in every state-funded primary school, expanding free school meals to all children on Universal Credit and have delivered the largest ever uplift to early years pupil premium.

We are recruiting an additional 6,500 expert teachers in our schools and colleges and are making good progress, with over 2,000 more teachers in our secondary and special schools.

The department will spend close to £1.5 billion over the next three years on improving family services and early years education to begin the hard work needed.

We will fund Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to ensure that children and families who need support the most, especially those from low-income backgrounds or with additional vulnerabilities, can access it. These hubs will be open to all families but will be located in disadvantaged communities where support is most needed, ensuring services are both inclusive and targeted.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that Shropshire Council has the resources to provide timely access to education, health and care plans. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

The government confirmed a substantial increase in high needs funding in 2025/26, this includes almost £1 billion which is intended to help local authorities in meeting the costs associated with supporting those children and young people with education, health and care plans. A further £740 million has been made available for councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools, paving the way for significant, long-term reform.

The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025/26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase on 2024/2025. For Shropshire Council, the final Settlement represents an increase in Core Spending Power of up to 3.8%, making available a total of up to £353.2 million in 2025/26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much she plans to spend on the Best Start for Life programme in the (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29 financial years. \p Stephen Morgan: The department has allocated close to £1.5 billion over the next three financial years on improving family services and early years education. This funding includes both programme and capital funding, and is separate from the additional funding being provided for early years entitlements.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Oral Statement of 7 July 2025 on Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life, Official Report, column 680, what steps she plans to take to help support (a) babies and (b) parents in each of the years of the 2025 Spending Review Period. \p Stephen Morgan: The department’s strategy, ‘Giving every child the best start in life’ set out that we will spend close to £1.5 billion over the next three years on improving family services and early years education.

Over the next three years, the department will provide over half a billion pounds of investment in the Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services to ensure all babies, children and families have access to the early intervention and support they need.

The department is making big investments in early education and childcare. Government spending on funded hours will reach £9 billion next year and will continue to rise over Parliament. And we are setting aside £400 million over the next three years to improve quality in early years settings and reception classes and drive better outcomes for children.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent changes to National Insurance contributions on the financial viability of early years settings. \p Stephen Morgan: It is the government’s ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life.

Despite tough decisions to get public finances back on track, the government is continuing to prioritise and invest in supporting early education and childcare providers, including social enterprise nurseries, with the costs they face.

In the 2025/26 financial year, the department plans to spend over £8 billion on early years entitlements, rising to over £9 billion in 2026/27. We are also providing the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45%, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year. The department is also providing £25 million in respect of additional National Insurance contributions (NICs) costs through the Early Years NICs and Teachers Pay Grant, for public sector employers in the early years. This is in addition to a further £75 million through the early years expansion grant to support the sector as it prepares to deliver the final phase of expanded childcare entitlements from September 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to his oral contribution in response to the hon. Member for Twickenham during the Oral Statement of 7 July 2025 on Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life, Official Report, column 687, if she will publish further details on the (a) training format, (b) curriculum content and (c) delivery organisations to improve early years inspector training. \p Stephen Morgan: The safety of our youngest children is our utmost priority, and the department continually monitors and reviews safeguarding requirements for early years settings. Ofsted has delivered important changes to the way it works in response to the Big Listen consultation. This work is important and ongoing. Parents of young children and babies rightly expect all inspections to be high-quality, consistent and conducted with the highest levels of professionalism.

As announced in the recent Best Start in Life publication, Ofsted will receive additional investment from the department to raise the quality and consistency of inspections. While there is no additional funding allocated to directly early years settings at this time in relation to this, we will be working with Ofsted to strengthen quality assurance and to deliver focused inspector training.

Ofsted are also increasing inspection frequency to ensure better oversight of early years settings. More regular inspections will be most effective when accompanied by improvements to inspection quality. We know that this sentiment is echoed in the early years sector and are determined to help all children get the best start in life.

We constantly monitor and review the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework requirements and how these requirements are inspected by Ofsted to ensure children are kept as safe as possible. Changes are informed by extensive engagement with providers, health professionals, sector stakeholders and safeguarding experts and using lessons learned from previous incidents. Ofsted inspectors are early years professionals with relevant knowledge of safer sleep practice and can assess a provider’s adherence to the relevant safer sleeping requirements in the EYFS.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had recent discussions with Ofsted on the potential merits of the use of CCTV as a safeguarding tool in early years settings. \p Stephen Morgan: The safety of our children is the department’s utmost priority and we continually monitor and review the early years foundation stage (EYFS) safeguarding requirements to ensure children are kept as safe as possible.

Currently, the decision to install and use camera surveillance equipment in a nursery is a matter for individual providers to determine based on their own risk assessment and policies.

The department works closely with Ofsted in our work monitoring and reviewing the safeguarding requirements within the EYFS. This includes ongoing discussions regarding the merits and concerns regarding the use of CCTV in early years settings.

Any proposed changes to EYFS requirements will be informed by engagement with providers, health professionals, sector stakeholders and safeguarding experts.

From September 2025, we are strengthening the safeguarding requirements in the EYFS, including:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether safe sleep practices are included in early years qualifications; and whether her Department plans to make this training mandatory. \p Stephen Morgan: The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements all early years providers must meet to ensure that children have the best start in life and are kept healthy and safe: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. The safety of our children is the department’s utmost priority and we continually monitor and review the EYFS safeguarding requirements to ensure children are kept as safe as possible.

Within the EYFS there is a requirement for babies to be placed down to sleep in line with the latest government safety guidance, accessible here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/. The department is currently exploring whether changes are needed to these requirements and are due to meet with various safe sleep experts.

The department works closely with Ofsted to analyse data on safety within early years settings, including inspection data and serious incident reports. This informs our ongoing monitoring and review of the EYFS safeguarding requirements and whether any changes are required.

The Level 2 Early Years Practitioner criteria, and the Level 3 Early Years Educator criteria, can be found at Annex C and Annex E of the Early Years Requirements and Standards document here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a4fc4e0e720adbd4f6ae27/Early_years_qualification_requirements-and-standards.pdf. Both criteria contain references to suitable sleep provision, and staff must meet these criteria in order to work within staff:child ratios.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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David Baines:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to page 10 of Ofsted's radicalisation and extremism inspection document, if she will take steps to ensure that it no longer informs inspectors that children with autism are at increased risk of being susceptible to extremism. \p Stephen Morgan: This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend, the Member for St Helens North directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to help (a) raise the profile and (b) increase levels of use of the Best Start digital service. \p Stephen Morgan: The Best Start digital service is still in the early stages of development. The department is currently exploring how best to design, position and deliver the service to meet the needs of parents and families. As this work progresses, we will consider how to raise its profile and encourage take-up as part of the wider implementation approach.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which schools in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency will receive funding from the school rebuilding programme. \p Stephen Morgan: The government has given a long-term commitment for funding through to 2034/35 to improve the condition of schools and colleges across England.

The department is investing almost £20 billion in the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034/35, delivering rebuilding projects at over 500 schools across England within the existing programme and expanding the School Rebuilding Programme, with a further 250 schools to be selected within the next two years.

Details of schools currently in the School Rebuilding Programme are published on GOV.UK, including the following schools in the constituency of Birmingham Edgbaston: Welsh House Farm Community School and Special Needs Resources Base, and Baskerville School. The department plans to set out further details about the selection process for the additional 250 schools to be selected for the programme later this year.

In addition, the department is investing almost £3 billion per year by 2034/35 in capital maintenance and renewal to improve the condition of the school and college estate, rising from £2.4 billion in 2025/26. Details of annual capital funding are made available on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate has she made of the number of children who will be eligible for Free School Meals under the plans to expand eligibility in (a) Birmingham Edgbaston constituency, (b) Birmingham and (c) the West Midlands. \p Stephen Morgan: This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and tackling child poverty. We have now announced that we are extending free school meals to all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit from September 2026. This will lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty and put £500 back in families’ pockets, supporting parents in decisive action to improve lives ahead of the Child Poverty Strategy coming later this year.

Providing over half a million children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds with a free, nutritious lunchtime meal every school day will also lead to higher attainment, improved behaviour and better outcomes, meaning children get the best possible education and chance to succeed in work and life.

We have published data on the number of children who could benefit from expanded provision by constituency/region/local authority here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-expansion-impact-on-poverty-levels.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-08-01)

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Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the level of equity of access for children to healthcare checks in independent schools in the UK. \p Stephen Morgan: Access to healthcare services is based on the clinical needs of the individual. The type of school a child attends does not affect their eligibility for access to NHS healthcare services. Parents or carers with concerns about their child’s health can speak to their GP who can make a referral to the relevant healthcare services. The NHS will consider referrals based on clinical need.

It remains the case that the NHS is free at the point of use and provides care to anyone who needs it.
wrans/answers2025-04-22 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what (a) portraits and (b) other artwork from the Parliamentary Art Collection that were previously on display have been moved to storage since (i) the dissolution of the last Parliament and (ii) 4 July 2024. \p Nick Smith: 80 artworks moved from display to storage between dissolution (30 May 2024) and 4 July 2024, of which none were portraits. Since 4 July 2024, 405 artworks have moved to store, of which one was a portrait.

These changes have been for a number of reasons: movement of Members’ offices, required conservation work, or temporary storage due to maintenance projects. Many artworks in store are currently under consideration by Members for new office selections.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 24487 on Members’ Interests, whether (a) gifts and (b) hospitality which are registered and then (i) returned and (ii) repaid remain on the published list of interests. \p Nick Smith: This is not a matter for the House of Commons Commission.

The rules are set out in the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members, approved by the House on 12 December 2022 (HC 1083).

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmcode/1083/1083-1.pdf

Members seeking advice on the registration of specific interests should contact the Registrar of Members’ Interests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what guidance has been provided to hon. Members on whether they must declare the date that a political donation was (a) received by the linked recipient and (b) given by the ultimate donor. \p Nick Smith: This is not a matter for the House of Commons Commission.

The rules are set out in the Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members, approved by the House on 12 December 2022 (HC 1083).

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmcode/1083/1083-1.pdf

Members seeking advice on the registration of specific interests should contact the Registrar of Members’ Interests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating of single service procurement directorates. \p Maria Eagle: The National Armaments Director (NAD) is responsible for end-to-end acquisition and efficient delivery of capability, maximising value for money.

The Director General Commercial & Industry, in the NAD group, will delegate Commercial authorities to procurement directorates across Defence, including to Commercial resource embedded within the Military Commands.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department provided helicopter journeys for Ministers from other Departments between 4 July 2024 and 31 December 2024. \p Maria Eagle: No Command Support Air Transport helicopter flights were provided to Ministers from other Departments between 4 July 2024 and 31 December 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence in drafting ministerial correspondence since 5 July 2024. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence is exploring various applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance corporate services and drive efficiency. While officials may use approved AI tools (such as large language models) to assist with background research and editing, all Ministerial correspondence is drafted and approved by officials and signed off by a Minister.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Strategic Defence Review will be published before the Comprehensive Spending Review on the 11th June. \p Luke Pollard: As the Prime Minister explained in his Defence and Security statement to the House of Commons, the Strategic Defence Review is in an advanced state. The Review will be published in the Spring, and will set strategic direction for Defence for the next decade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at what price he plans to sell (a) HMS Albion and (b) HMS Bulwark to the Brazilian Government. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 32948 on 3 March 2025 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois).

HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark: Decommissioning (docx, 28.8KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of US tariffs on defence procurement from US providers. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 April 2025 to Question 43981 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).

USA: Import Duties (docx, 29.2KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing the Mensa programme. \p Maria Eagle: The MENSA programme has presented several challenges which have resulted in cost growth and delays. The programme is nearing the end of its construction and commissioning stage, which is reflected by the Amber rating in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Annual Report 2023-24.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made on the Martlet programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Martlet programme achieved Initial Operating Capability in October 2021 and is on track to reach Full Operating Capability in Summer 2025. Martlet has been in regular use including successful firings in support of training and trials and has been deployed on operations such as OP KIPION. The capability will provide force protection for OP HIGHMAST in 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the New Medium Helicopter programme. \p Maria Eagle: The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) Programme is an initiative to acquire a modern medium-lift support helicopter, addressing multiple rotary wing requirements to improve efficiency and operational flexibility. The NMH programme is part of a wider holistic approach on the Ministry of Defence's use of rotary wing capability. The tender evaluation remains ongoing and will complete before a commitment decision is made. All capability requirements, including NMH, are being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) programme will deliver a suite of new sensor systems and enable a digitalised Army, by fusing data sources and ensuring capacity for effective and faster decision-making. At the core of the programme is project ZODIAC, which will provide the digital infrastructure required to network our sensors into a fused intelligence picture that is displayed across the network and automate our intelligence collection and analytical processes.

The ZODIAC Minimum Viable Product was delivered to 3 (UK) Division in 2024. Following a period of continuous development, enabled by the agile nature of the project, it will deliver the backbone of the Divisional ISTAR system for the forthcoming Warfighter Exercise in the US in May 2025.

The TIQUILA project will provide a new Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to support Brigade and Divisional Operations. It has now achieved its Initial Operating Capability, delivering three trained and equipped detachments into the Joint Aviation Command (JAC). TIQUILA is on schedule to reach Full Operating Capability by mid-2026, which will deliver a further 21 detachments that are fully integrated into the ZODIAC system.

Under TIQUILA's spiral upgrade programme, platforms will be fitted with resilient hardware and Long-Range Antennas, enabling them to operate in Global Navigation Satellite Systems-denied environments with greater reach.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Collective Training Transformation Programme. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 February 2025 to Question 29128 to the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr Bailey).

Army: Training (docx, 16.0KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the RCH 155 programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Mobile Fires Platform project team will deliver the Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155 gun system this decade. The team continue to investigate opportunities to accelerate procurement and are working with industry to generate a costed proposal.

While the Army’s modernisation will continue over the next decade with a programme of investment worth billions of pounds, future capability development priorities will be guided by the Strategic Defence Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Future Materials Campus programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Future Materials Campus consolidates the delivery of several complex infrastructure projects at AWE Aldermaston. These will renew existing facilities for the manufacture and storage of nuclear materials, provide improved science and analysis capabilities, and invest in new capabilities for nuclear material recovery. The Programme remains in an early phase of its delivery, as reflected by the Amber rating in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Annual Report 2023-24.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the National Armaments Director Group is a non-departmental public body. \p Maria Eagle: No.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 42680 on RAF Molesworth: US Air Force, from which budget the cost of the European Infrastructure Consolidation construction works at RAF Molesworth will come. \p Maria Eagle: All United States Visiting Forces projects are funded using the Ministry of Defence (MOD) budget, with all construction and maintenance work subsequently recharged to the United States Visiting Forces. They also provide a contribution of 7.5% of actual construction costs towards MOD expenses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with BAE Systems (BAES) to ensure the Type 26 programme remains on track to meet all user requirements and deliver world-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates to replace the Type 23.

Following the steel-cut ceremony for HMS Sheffield on 28 November 2024, five of the eight Type 26 frigates are now under construction on the Clyde. HMS Cardiff is structurally complete and has joined HMS Glasgow in the dry dock at Scotstoun for the outfitting phase. Unit and block assembly on HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham continues.

HMS Glasgow is forecast to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2028, with construction of all eight frigates expected to be complete by the mid-2030s.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what budgetary powers will be held by the single services. \p Maria Eagle: As part of Defence Reform, the Chiefs will report directly to the Chief of the Defence Staff for the first time under the Military Strategic Headquarters, and will be responsible for the running costs of their business, including maintaining the readiness of the military personnel, equipment and capabilities under their command.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, what the detailed changes to the Chief of Defence nuclear portfolio will be as a result of Defence Reform. \p Maria Eagle: There are no changes proposed to the Chief of Defence Nuclear portfolio at this time.

Whilst the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) structures remain the same, it will continue to work as an integrated enterprise as part of One Defence and use Defence Reform to strengthen the DNE's collaboration across Defence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Gareth Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her oral answer to the question from the Rt hon. Member for Gainsborough on 21 January 2025, Official Report, col 859, how the Government plans to compensate hospices for the increase in Secondary Class 1 National Insurance Contributions. \p James Murray: The Government recognises the vital role hospices play in supporting people at the end of life and their families. The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional employer National Insurance costs only. Private sector firms or charities including hospices or social care providers that are contracted by central or local Government will not be exempt from these changes. This is the usual approach the Government takes to supporting the public sector with additional employer National Insurance contributions as was the case with the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.

The Government is determined to shift more healthcare into the community and ensure patients and their families receive high-quality, personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and hospices will have a big role to play in that shift.

Integrated Care Boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services to meet the needs of their local populations; where ICBs provide funding, they will work with hospices to agree funding arrangements through the normal contracting process.

The Government has recently announced that we are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care, and £26 million revenue to support children and young people’s hospices. We will set out the details of the funding allocation in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mike Martin:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to orchestral tax relief on (a) the ability of orchestras to operate within the UK and (b) the ability of British orchestras to bring money from abroad to the UK through touring. \p James Murray: Orchestra tax relief is available for costs incurred on goods or services that are used or consumed in the UK. This replaces the previous rule that qualifying costs were those incurred on goods or services provided from the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA).

To ease the transition to the new rule, orchestras with concerts in train on 1 April 2024 were permitted to continue claiming relief on goods or services provided from within the EEA until 31 March 2025.

It is appropriate to refocus orchestra tax relief on UK expenditure now that the UK has left the EU. Under the new rule, the relief incentivises activity within the UK, rather than the UK and the EEA. This does not prevent qualifying productions from touring in the EEA (nor elsewhere).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Gareth Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 27493 on British Business Bank: National Wealth Fund and with reference to the press release entitled Boost for new National Wealth Fund to unlock private investment, published on 9 July 2024, for what reason the British Business Bank will no longer be aligned under National Wealth Fund with the UK Infrastructure Bank. \p James Murray: The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is at the forefront of investing public money and will work in close partnership with other public financial institutions, including the British Business Bank.

The UK’s public financial institutions each target specific market failures and finance gaps to drive growth. The Government is strengthening strategic coordination across these institutions, including by creating the Strategic Public Investment Forum.

This CEO-level forum will consider how to leverage the institutions’ different expertise to best support investment and collectively identifying opportunities for greater effectiveness and coherence in the landscape.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Gareth Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her letter to the CEO of the National Wealth Fund entitled Statement of Strategic Priorities to the National Wealth Fund, dated 19 March 2025, whether additional risk management employees will be hired as the National Wealth Fund takes on greater risk. \p James Murray: As the National Wealth Fund delivers on its wider remit with an increased risk appetite, and its portfolio of investments grows, it will require more resources and expertise to manage the increasing number of projects effectively. The risk function is one of several front office teams that will need to expand to deliver on these objectives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with (a) UK Finance, (b) individual lenders, (c) credit reference agencies and (d) other relevant organisations to ensure that (i) credit reference agencies and (ii) lenders differentiate between individuals who (A) responsibly manage their debts through (1) payment plans or (2) debt management plans and (B) those who are subject to (a) court or (b) bankruptcy proceedings. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government recognises that credit, when provided responsibly, can be crucial for people facing unexpected expenses or managing their cash flow. That is why it is committed to expanding access to affordable credit, so that everyone has the opportunity to access products and services which support their financial wellbeing and goals.

In December 2023, the FCA published the final report for the Credit Information Market Study, proposing twelve remedies to improve the market. This included a mandatory data sharing proposal to improve the availability of accurate, consistent and comprehensive credit information,

which is intended to support the responsible provision of credit services, and a proposal to streamline the processes regarding vulnerability markers. The FCA and industry are jointly establishing a new Credit Reporting Governance Body, which will be responsible for overseeing the sharing of credit information and implementing these recommendations.

More broadly, HM Treasury regularly engages with the consumer credit sector to discuss a range of policy matters, including provision of affordable credit, which also forms a key part of the financial inclusion strategy work announced last year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Dave Doogan:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will require the Financial Conduct Authority to consider access to banking services when carrying out local access to cash assessments. \p Emma Reynolds: The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 granted the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the responsibility and powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. Under the FCA’s regime, LINK, the operator of the UK’s ATM network, is responsible for undertaking access to cash assessments. When a cash service such as a bank branch closes, or if LINK receives a request directly from a community, LINK assesses a community’s access to cash needs and can recommend a new service, such as a banking hub.

The criteria for access to cash assessments is a matter for LINK, the financial services sector and the FCA. We have no plans to change the criteria.

The FCA is required by law to keep its access to cash rules under review and is monitoring the impact of these rules on an ongoing basis to ensure they deliver the right outcomes for businesses and consumers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will meet with representatives of the banking sector to discuss end of month payday payments. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government was concerned to hear of the issues impacting customers of several UK banks earlier this year, particularly given these coinciding with end-of-month payment cycles, but understands that services were quickly restored.

Engagement with specific firms is a matter for the sector’s regulators, including the Bank of England, Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority, who will continue to monitor the firms and the impact of the issues.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Mel Stride:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43439 on Public Expenditure, the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 40157 on Public Expenditure and with reference to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury's statement to the House on 28 October 2024, Official Report, column 562, whether the Chief Secretary will correct the record. \p Darren Jones: The current budget was last in a sustained surplus between 1998-99 and 2001-02. The last financial year for which the current budget was in surplus was 2018-19, when there was a surplus of 0.0% of GDP.

This information is available in the public finances databank, published by the Office for Budget Responsibility: www.obr.uk/data/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-22)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2025 to Question 19620 on Public Expenditure: Northern Ireland, what the value of the Barnett consequential for 2025-26 to (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland is for the purpose of providing funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy; and when that payment will be made. \p Darren Jones: At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy.

The devolved governments will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way in 2025-26, including on this support. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.  The outcome of the Barnett formula will be confirmed, and funding provided for all devolved governments at Main Estimates 2025-26.

The devolved governments’ Phase 1 Spending Review 2025 settlements are growing in real terms in 2025-26 and are the largest spending review settlements in real terms of any settlements since devolution. The devolved governments are each receiving at least 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £16 billion more in 2025-26.