theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to question 89765 on Military Aircraft: Procurement, what the in-year saving made by cancelling the Shadow Mk2 upgrade programme was. \p Luke Pollard: The decision to cancel the Shadow Mk2 upgrade programme was driven by delays in delivering the required capability and an assessment of increased costs for uncontracted work. As a result, no direct in-year savings were realised from this decision. However, allocated sustainment funding continues to support the operational output of the existing Shadow R Mk1 fleet.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the £400 million allocated to UK Defence Innovation in 2025-26 will be available to firms outside the designated factory locations, including in the North West. \p Luke Pollard: UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will support high-tech businesses across the UK, including the North west. The ringfenced budget of £400 million for 2025-26 will focus on novel technologies, including dual-use systems.

UKDI will invest in structures to support business growth and to increase investment into SMEs, start-ups, and non-traditional defence suppliers to support a diverse and agile supply chain across the UK.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69526 on Army: Ajax Vehicles and Boxer Vehicles, will anti-tank platoons be equipped with a mix of Ajax and Boxer or one or the other depending on whether the unit is tracked or wheeled. \p Luke Pollard: Anti-tank platoons within Armoured Infantry units will be equipped with Boxer variants.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal. \p Luke Pollard: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Scotland Defence Growth Deal. \p Luke Pollard: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Scotland Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Wales Defence Growth Deal. \p Luke Pollard: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Wales Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal. \p Luke Pollard: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the South Yorkshire Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. This timeline reflects our dedication to ensuring these Deals are implemented effectively, delivering tangible benefits to local economies and the wider defence sector.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to implement the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal. \p Luke Pollard: Our ambition is for all five Defence Growth Deals, including the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal, to be operational by the end of Summer 2026. We have already made tangible progress with the launch of Team Plymouth on 19 September, who will be leading the delivery of the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much was the UK contribution to Lots 39 and 40 of the $3.5 billion contract awarded to Raytheon on 31 July 2025, for the continued production of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). \p Luke Pollard: Lot 39 of the contract is expected to be placed by the end of 2025. Lot 40 of the contract is yet to be negotiated by the US Government. The UK proportionate contribution towards the $3.5 billion contract is classified as commercially sensitive information.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the timeline is for implementing the Government’s Forces First approach for new homes built on surplus Ministry of Defence land, and whether any such sites are planned in Wiltshire. \p Luke Pollard: The Government’s Forces First approach will apply to a proportion of new homes on selected surplus Defence sites, agreed between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the local authority and the developer based on demand and site viability.

This will increase the number of Service Family Accommodation through MOD acquisition of high-quality new build properties developed on surplus Defence sites, where these are needed. This ensures military families benefit directly from the construction taking place on former military land, creating investment and improvement.

Final plans for construction are pending, so any future military housing in Wiltshire cannot yet be confirmed. Priority access to selected sites will be agreed with local authorities and developers to support Service personnel and national housebuilding targets.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November to Question 85232 on Defence: Contracts, whether he held discussions with representatives from British SMEs regarding the location of the Defence Office for Small Business Growth. \p Luke Pollard: Planning for the new Defence Office for Small Business Growth continues at pace. The Office will reflect modern ways of working and will not be restricted by a physical location. By using a networked approach that utilizes services provided by existing organisations including the Trade Bodies and Regional Defence and Security Clusters, the Office will address one of the significant barriers to entry for SME support. The offering will be across the country and utilising effective digital tools, enabling small businesses to connect with the Office regardless of location.
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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what amount of financial savings the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army, and (c) Royal Air Force have been asked to make in (i) 2025-26 and (ii) 2026-27. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence applies in-year controls across the Department to manage performance against the Defence budget and these controls are subject to continuous review.

This approach is part of normal good financial management and ensures that resources are allocated effectively to meet operational priorities.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Major £5 billion technology investment accelerates UK defence innovation in a European first, published on 2 June 2025, as a monetary figure, how much of the £4 billion for autonomous systems is currently unallocated. \p Luke Pollard: The Strategic Defence Review 2025 recommended a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK's conventional force. Defence will deliver on this commitment by incorporating uncrewed and autonomous systems into the Integrated Force in higher numbers over the next five years.

We are committed to ensuring the Defence industry is a powerhouse for economic growth through strengthened industrial relationships and domestic investment, and will leverage investments such as the Autonomy Fund to this end whilst ensuring operational benefits. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including autonomous and uncrewed systems, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Major £5 billion technology investment accelerates UK defence innovation in a European first, published on 2 June 2025, as a monetary figure, how much of the £4 billion for autonomous systems will be spent in the current Parliament. \p Luke Pollard: Uncrewed and Autonomous systems are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons gleaned from the war in Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence has spent over £450 million on Uncrewed Systems, including over £300 million on their research and development over the last year. The Strategic Defence Review announced an increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this Parliament, taking total Defence investment in autonomy to circa £4 billion. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on autonomy and drones, will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the new cross-government veteran employment taskforce is taking to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises, including those in rural areas, have access to veteran talent. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Government recognises the vital role small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK play in our economy and is committed to ensuring they have access to the skills and talents they need to succeed. Veterans bring exceptional qualities such as leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and resilience, which are invaluable to UK business, from SMEs to large organisations.

The recently published Veterans Strategy sets out how this Government will ensure veterans can maximise the skills gained during their time in service, whether supporting them into sustainable careers in high growth, critical industries, or ensuring they can access the tools needed to set up and scale their own business.

The Veteran Employment Taskforce will bring together teams from across government, including the Defence Office for Defence Small Business Growth, to ensure veterans are reflected in the Government's employment strategies and identify opportunities for SMEs to access veteran talent effectively. This will be supported by ongoing collaboration with businesses, particularly the 8,000+ Defence Employer Recognition Scheme holders, to identify and share best practice.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help ensure that veterans without reliable digital access can still obtain the Digital Veteran Card. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: We recognise that not all veterans can reliably access digital services or the internet. The digital Veteran Card is an optional version of the existing physical HM Armed Forces Veteran Card. Eligibility for a digital version, includes that applicants must already hold a physical card.

Applications for both Veteran Cards can be made either online or via post, ensuring that a fully non-digital route remains available. This approach ensures that all veterans can access the support and benefits they are entitled to. Veterans who require additional help can access support through the Veterans UK helpline.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to publish the membership and terms of reference for the cross-government delivery group for veterans. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The Veterans Strategy commits to redesign the underpinning governance and engagement that drives delivery of veterans’ priorities and decision making. I will work with Ministers across UK Government and Devolved Governments to deliver on the priorities set out in the strategy.

The cross-Government delivery group is an official level group that supports Ministers to implement this important strategy.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the Government plans to publish the first tranche of data gathered through VALOUR support centres, and whether that data will be disaggregated by region. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: The VALOUR programme is being developed and funding for VALOUR Recognised Centres opened on 10 November and closes on 14 January 2026. There will be an expectation on centres to share data with VALOUR HQ, where it will then be reviewed and analysed, to be then be used to further inform policymaking.
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to ensure that VALOUR-recognised support centres will be evenly distributed across rural areas. \p Louise Sandher-Jones: Applications are currently open for organisations to bid to become VALOUR recognised centres. The locations of centres will be dependent on which organisations apply and are awarded funding; however, consideration will be given to the geographic spread of centres. The programme guidance for applicants encourages them to consider how their bid will deliver more equity of access and consistency in service quality throughout the UK.

VALOUR recognised centres will facilitate in-person access to multiple services for veterans right across the UK. These centres will be required to meet high standards and provide timely data to the UK Government regarding the needs and experiences of veterans to inform future service improvements.
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the advice provided to the Government by the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As part of the Government’s careful consideration of the Working Group’s advice, officials have undertaken some limited and focused informal engagement with stakeholders. It is standard practice for Government to engage stakeholders on policy development.

Following consideration of the above, we will make any relevant announcements in due course.
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Tom Gordon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the value for money of parish polls. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government acknowledges that a significant time has passed since the coalition government consulted on proposals to modernise the parish polls.

The government has no immediate plans to amend the parish poll regulations.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require landlords and agents to accept rental payment history as proof of affordability. \p Matthew Pennycook: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining whether any given tenancy will be sustainable and good landlords already assess tenant suitability on the basis of individual’s circumstances.

Landlords and agents remain free to undertake referencing and affordability checks with a view to ascertaining whether a tenancy is sustainable. This may include a history of rental payments, but other available referencing criteria can also be taken into account.

Where a private landlord or agent is not satisfied by the outcome of pre-tenancy checks, there remain options available to provide further reassurance such as requiring a tenant to provide a guarantor. Professional guarantor services are also available and can help prospective tenants acquire a guarantor in circumstances where they otherwise would not have been able to do so. Local authorities may also offer guarantee schemes or assistance with rent payments to help people on low incomes or at risk of homelessness to secure a property.

The government has no current plans to legislate to require social or private landlords and agents to accept rental payment history as proof of affordability.
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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ensuring that the Fair Funding Review will ensure that the most deprived areas of the country will see the biggest increases in funding. \p Alison McGovern: The government published the local government finance policy statement Local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29 - GOV.UK and government response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on Thursday 20 November which set out the government’s plans to introduce a fairer and evidence-led system, that will realign funding with need and deprivation.

The government has used the most robust and up to date evidence available. On this basis, we are now using data from the recently published 2025 Indices of Multiple Deprivation in our assessment of need.

We expect that by 2028-29, the top 10% most deprived authorities will see a significant increase in their Core Spending Power per head, compared to the least deprived.

We will publish provisional local authority allocations at the upcoming provisional multi-year Settlement in December. Proposals and allocations will be subject to consultation and the usual Parliamentary process.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has held discussions with Peterborough City Council on the options for local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire. \p Alison McGovern: My officials have held discussions with all the councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, including Peterborough City Council, as they have developed proposals in response to their invitation. Those proposals are due to be submitted on 28 November.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to improve access to homelessness services for people sleeping rough. \p Alison McGovern: The Government has increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million to a total of more than £1 billion in 2025/26. This includes £255.5 million through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant for local authorities to tackle rough sleeping. We announced £69.9 million top-up funding for the grant in October 2025.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 78227 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Standards, if he will provide the data for each of those metrics from July 2024. \p Samantha Dixon: The metrics currently used in the dashboard are mainly derived from datasets available on the Office for National Statistics and GOV.UK websites, supported by both additional internal analysis and data sources provided under licence by third party organisations with restrictions on publication. This is used to support live policy development.
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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of parks and green spaces on communities. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Parks and urban green spaces are important for community cohesion, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and civic pride.

Responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining them lies mainly with local authorities. The government is committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to look after parks and green spaces.

The cornerstone of our support for communities is the government’s Pride in Place Programme, providing up to £5 billion funding and support over 10 years to 244 places. This flagship offer will help build strong, resilient and integrated communities in areas that experience the most entrenched social and economic challenges. This includes opportunities for communities to invest in their local parks and green spaces.

We are also committed to maintaining the quality of parks and green spaces through the MHCLG-owned Green Flag Award, which sets the national quality standard. The scheme has helped to transform thousands of parks and green spaces across the country.

The government's statutory guidance on local government reorganisation requires that unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens and that unitary structures should enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment, including parks and green spaces.

The government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is also clear that planning policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places and make sufficient provision for the conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including green infrastructure.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what extra resource his department is providing those wards within the governments pride in place program. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: On 25 September, the Government launched its overarching Pride in Place Strategy, committing up to £5 billion in funding and support to 339 communities.

The flagship Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 places over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Phase 1 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March.

The neighbourhoods selected to receive funding and support from the Pride in Place Programme include Woodside in Telford and 28 places in the West Midlands. In addition, 7 local authorities across the West Midlands have been awarded funding through the Pride in Place Impact Fund, with each receiving up to £1.5m over two years. In total, the Government is investing up to £570.5 million across the West Midlands through the Pride in Place Programme and the Pride in Place Impact Fund.

Each area selected through the Pride in Place Programme will receive dedicated delivery support from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure the successful delivery of the programme. This support will be provided by the Communities Delivery Unit, which will work in partnership with Pride in Place Boards and local authorities, and will include access to place-specific data, guidance and capability support tailored to local needs.

The Communities Delivery Unit in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government will also work with the Department for Work and Pensions and other government departments to identify relevant programmes, data and support that Pride in Place neighbourhoods can draw on as they develop their local plans.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the trends in the number of houses in multiple occupation on house prices in each local authority. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 75141 on 16 September 2025.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (b) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and (c) mayoral authorities on the Government's commitments to the hospitality sector. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: In April, the Government launched a joint government and industry taskforce to bring together representatives from the hospitality industry, police, local and central government to explore a more enabling approach to licensing with a greater focus on growth. This included officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and HM Treasury who have continued to work closely together to explore the recommendations made in the Taskforce report, which was published in July. We are committed to reducing the costs for hospitality businesses in the UK by restoring licensing to its founding ethos of flexibility and growth, while maintaining a focus on the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder. It is in this spirit that we have just published a first iteration of a National Licensing Policy Framework setting out a strategic vision for a modern licensing system.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 80174, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that policy on (a) the Traveller community and (b) park home residents. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has made no such assessment.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to accelerate brownfield regeneration in the West Midlands; and what support is available to local authorities to bring derelict land back into use. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses.

Through the revisions made to the NPPF on 12 December 2024 we broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas.

On 22 September 2024, the government published a ‘brownfield passport’ working paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land. This included exploring the role of national policy in setting minimum density expectations for certain types of locations, to support intensification in the right places. Utilising the feedback provided, we intend to consult this year on a new suite of national policies for decision making that will give effect to these proposals.

On 18 June 2025, my Department announced £5 billion of new capital grant funding for infrastructure and land. This funding will be administered by the new National Housing Delivery Fund, through which councils will be able to secure funding for prospective projects, to contribute to the Government’s priority of delivering 1.5 million homes. Details of the funding made available to WMCA in 2025/26, via the Integrated Settlement, is available on gov.uk here. Details of the funding for 2026/27 onwards will be set out shortly.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of Question 21 October 2025 to Question 84026 on housing prices, what data he uses to inform targeted housing policy. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department uses a wide range of data sources to inform the development of policy.

Public sources include the English Housing Survey; ONS datasets on house prices, rents and affordability; and Departmental statistics on housing supply, affordable housing, and homelessness and rough sleeping.

Local Authority Housing Statistics provide information on waiting lists, allocations, and lettings, while programme delivery data from Homes England and the Greater London Authority track outputs under the Affordable Homes Programme.

Planning and housing supply data, including starts, completions and permissions, are published quarterly.

Certain proprietary data cannot be published due to contractual restrictions and commercial sensitivities.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of recent reports that social media platform algorithms may promote harmful or extremist content to users. \p Kanishka Narayan: Under the Online Safety Act, platforms now have a legal duty to protect users. Since March 2025, services must proactively scan for and remove illegal content such as terrorist material, or that which stirs up racial hatred. In July 2025, additional new child safety duties came into force, placing a legal duty on services to protect children from content that is harmful to them, including that which is hateful or abusive. Services must ensure their algorithms do not promote this content and enable users to easily report where it appears on regulated services.   The Act requires the Secretary of State to review and report to Parliament on the effectiveness of the regime 2-5 years after the Act is fully implemented.
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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capacity of (a) sectoral regulators and (b) the NCSC to process and respond to cyber incident reports as a result of the expanded reporting requirements in the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill. \p Kanishka Narayan: Officials have worked closely with regulators and the NCSC in developing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and will continue to do so throughout its parliamentary passage and implementation planning.

The NCSC already leads the UK’s response to cyber incidents by triaging reports, supporting affected organisations and coordinating government action during major incidents. In the year preceding, September 2025, NCSC received 1,727 incident tips, 429 of which required direct support. The Bill will expand the type of incidents reported to regulators and the NCSC, strengthening understanding of the threat landscape and improving national cyber-defences.

The Bill will also bolster regulator resources by reforming cost recovery. Currently, regulators are constrained – for example, they cannot recover the cost of enforcement. The Bill will enable regulators to fully recover their costs and utilise flexible, sector-appropriate charging mechanisms, ensuring they are properly equipped to meet their duties.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the department is taking with Ofcom to help ensure that telegraph poles are not being overwhelmed by an excess of new wiring resulting from the coexistence of coaxial cable systems and phone line-based networks. \p Kanishka Narayan: The government supports sharing of poles between network operators as it reduces costs and disruption to residents and supports competition in the market. The Access to Infrastructure (ATI) Regulations 2016 are designed to facilitate sharing of physical infrastructure between operators, and Ofcom’s Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product mandates Openreach to provide access to their poles to other operators.

The PIA Working Group, chaired by the Office of the Telecoms Adjudicator, monitors and provides guidance on appropriate number of lines and weight bearing per pole to prevent them being overwhelmed.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including decisions regarding enforcement of the ATI Regulations and PIA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_218

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what conversations the Department has had with relevant stakeholders regarding improving connectivity in hard-to-reach areas across the country as part of the Shared Rural Network. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department and its delivery partner Mova have engaged with relevant stakeholders across the country through frequent progress meetings targeted at key stakeholders from Wales, Scotland and England. Relevant stakeholders include the UK's mobile network operators, devolved governments, local authorities in rural areas, planning departments, statutory organisations, representative bodies, and key enabling stakeholders such as SSE. The Department regularly engages with MPs, MSPs and MSs on the progress of the programme through written updates and MP drop in events. Furthermore, the Department and Mova also regularly respond to enquiries from local stakeholders, including Councillors, and Parish and Community Councils.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_219

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the resilience and security of digital landline and mobile communications in rural areas during prolonged power outages; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that residents in areas such as Rutland are not left without access to emergency services in the event of cyber incidents or electricity failure. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 introduced a robust security framework for UK telecoms networks and places legal duties on providers to identify, reduce and prepare for security and resilience risks, including cyber threats, and we have recently completed a public consultation proposing to update these measures to further protect against evolving threats and technologies. Digital landlines require a battery back-up to work during a power cut, and providers must offer at least one solution providing access to emergency services for at least one hour, free of charge for those who rely on their landline. Many providers exceed these standards. Ofcom have completed a public consultation on power back-up for mobile services, which identified a particular impact on rural communities. They published an update on their work this February, and announced they are completing further analysis to determine the appropriate and proportionate measures required to ensure adequate resilience for consumers. For calls to 999, if a customer’s own mobile network is unavailable, calls automatically roam to any available provider.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_220

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what conversations the Department has had with relevant stakeholders in the North East regarding the Shared Rural Network. \p Kanishka Narayan: In the North East, the Shared Rural Network is currently planning to upgrade nine Home Office Emergency Services Network sites across the regions of Durham and Northumbria. The programme has primarily engaged with Northumberland County Council who the department has met with twice in the last six months. Previously the Department and its delivery partner Mova have engaged with the Borderlands Partnership and spoken to key audiences at Connected North. The Department and Mova have also responded to enquires from local stakeholders, including elected members.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_221

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what representations her Department has received on candidates to be the next Chair of Ofcom. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to ensuring that the appointment of the Chair of Ofcom is fully compliant with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the department is following the Code on Public Appointments including the principles of fairness, openness and merit.

The advisory assessment panel for the appointment of the new Ofcom Chair is constituted in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, the panel includes a Senior Independent Panel Member who does not hold a ministerial or departmental role, and whose remit is to provide assurance that the process is fair, open and merit-based.

The Secretary of State for DSIT engages regularly with the SoS for DCMS about a range of matters.

The recruitment process will be conducted in full compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, ensuring it is fair, open and based on merit. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology treats all information about candidates for the Chair of Ofcom as strictly confidential.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_222

Dr Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March to Question 39828, how many properties in the North Herefordshire constituency have been identified as very hard to reach by Project Gigabit; and what alternative connectivity options are available to ensure that people in these (i) properties and (ii) communities have the connectivity they require to access online services. \p Kanishka Narayan: BDUK’s May 2025 Open Market Review identified approximately 5,100 premises in North Herefordshire with no current or planned gigabit-capable infrastructure. Approximately 3,050 premises are now included in Project Gigabit contracts. Work is ongoing to finalise how many premises might remain outside of any plans, some of which may be very hard to reach.

Alternative connectivity can be obtained through technologies such as fixed wireless access (for example from Vodafone, Three, EE and Airband) and satellites. We continue to consider what the government can do to further enable these fibre alternatives for premises and communities located in very hard to reach areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_223

Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of effectiveness of the tax incentives available to increase the formation of Employee Ownership Trusts. \p Dan Tomlinson: An evaluation of the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) tax regime commissioned by HMRC and published in May 2025 found that the tax reliefs encourage company owners to transition their companies to employee ownership under the EOT model. This evaluation can be found at GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/qualitative-evaluation-of-employee-ownership-trusts

However, the cost of the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) relief has increased significantly in recent years. The original costing from 2013 suggested the entire EOT tax regime would cost less than £100m in 2018-19. The cost of the CGT relief alone reached £600m in 2021-22 and forecasts suggest it could rise to more than 20 times the original costing to £2 billion by 2028-29 without any action.

The relief also allowed wealthy business owners to sell their shares without paying any CGT, with around half of the relief going to the largest 10% of disposals.

At Budget 2025, the government announced that it will reduce the relief available on these disposals from 100% of the gain to 50%. This will retain a strong incentive for employee ownership whilst ensuring that business owners pay their fair share of tax. The relief remains more generous than alternative reliefs that individuals might use when disposing of their companies, such as Business Asset Disposal Relief.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_224

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what change in the number of people paying income tax at 40% does she estimate will take place between 2023 and 2028. \p Dan Tomlinson: The number of people forecast to pay tax by marginal rate from 2023-24 to 2028-29 can be found in Table 3.19 in the OBR’s November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts, linked below:

https://obr.uk/download/november-2025-economic-and-fiscal-outlook-detailed-forecast-tables-receipts/?tmstv=1764165511

The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-27 conversation_225

Sir John Whittingdale:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will amend the Financial Promotions Order to remove the exemption for self-certified sophisticated investors. \p Lucy Rigby: The financial promotion regime includes a number of targeted exemptions that are designed to reduce regulatory burdens, including for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to raise capital through sophisticated private investors.

The previous government brought forward proposals to amend the exemptions for self-certified sophisticated investors and high-net-worth individuals, which came into effect in January 2024. Those reforms aimed to strike a balance between increasing consumer protection and preserving the ability of SMEs to raise capital.

However, following significant concerns having been raised about the impact of these changes on SMEs raising capital, the previous Chancellor announced at Spring Budget 2024 that the government would legislate to reinstate the previous eligibility criteria. Those changes came into effect on 27 March 2024.

The Government has no plans to remove the exemption for self-certified sophisticated investors.