theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_339
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_339

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether any of the 0.2% funding reallocated from the Overseas Development Assistance budget will be used to fund the Chagos settlement. \p Luke Pollard: The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and no decision has been made at this time.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether the Strategic Defence Review will include a spending plan which takes into account the planned increased expenditure to 3% in the next Parliament. \p Luke Pollard: The conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) regarding the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century must be deliverable within the resources available to Defence, which is included in the review terms of reference. This takes account of the commitment to increase spending on defence to 2.5% GDP from April 2027 and the ambition to spend 3% GDP on defence in the next Parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, what the planned publication date is for the Strategic Defence Review. \p Luke Pollard: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State in the spring of this year. The Secretary of State will then subsequently report to Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_342
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_342

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, whether the announced increase in defence spending will be used to fund the Chagos settlement. \p Luke Pollard: The terms of the treaty and the associated funding arrangements are still being finalised and no decision has been made at this time.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_343
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, whether the Strategic Defence Review will be published separately to the National Security Strategy. \p Luke Pollard: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report in the spring and the Defence Secretary will subsequently report to Parliament. The SDR will feed into the national security strategy which brings together the reviews already commissioned across Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_344

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve military security. \p Luke Pollard: This Government announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, reaching 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, and setting a clear ambition for defence spending to rise to 3% in the next Parliament. The Strategic Defence Review will ensure that Defence is central both to the security, and to the economic growth and prosperity, of the United Kingdom. The Reviewers will make their final report to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and then Secretary of State in the spring of this year. The Secretary of State will then subsequently report to Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_345
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_345

Steve Barclay:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 February 2025 to Question 30623 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty, what the estimated full time equivalent is of those officials. \p Luke Pollard: Work on the British Indian Ocean Territory - including policy development, legal advice and operational work - is spread across a wide range of officials in teams across the Ministry of Defence. It is therefore difficult to provide a full-time equivalent figure that is both precise and appropriately conveys the amount of time devoted to this issue.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_346
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_346

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is to publish the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review. \p Luke Pollard: The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is well underway, and the Reviewers are reporting regularly on progress to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Secretary of State for Defence. The Reviewers will make their final report in the Spring and the Defence Secretary will subsequently report to Parliament. The SDR will feed into the national security strategy which brings together the reviews already commissioned across Government.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_347
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_347

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to conduct an investigation into drone activity over (a) RAF Mildenhall, (b) RAF Feltwell and (c) RAF Lakenheath in November 2024. \p Luke Pollard: The use of uncrewed aerial systems around protected areas in the UK causes a risk to life and is illegal. Such activity will be subject to thorough investigation.

The Ministry of Defence Police is leading the investigation into drone activity over RAF sites on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and we continue to work in partnership with our allies and the appropriate civilian authorities.

We take the safety and security of our sites seriously and we maintain robust security measures, including counter-drone capabilities.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_348
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_348

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with the Royal Air Force on the procurement of the Aermacchi M-345 fast jet trainer. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Air Force continuously researches and assesses options for the sustainment, enhancement and development of hardware and systems to maintain competitive advantage within the flying training system. The Aermacchi M-345 fast jet trainer is one of several market options available and no formal market engagement has been conducted.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 3 December 2024 to Question 15292 and 13 January 2025 Question 22654.

Global Combat Air Programme (docx, 15.8KB)

Military Aircraft: Procurement (docx, 15.6KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_349

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he expects the issues surrounding the sale and movement of plants to be resolved. \p Hilary Benn: The Government is absolutely committed to ensuring the smooth flow of goods across the UK internal market. Growers and traders in Great Britain can move plants to Northern Ireland using the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL).

We continue to work closely with the horticultural sector, including through the Horticulture Working Group which meets regularly, to maximise opportunities for trade in plants and plant products within the United Kingdom. The group will continue to identify and resolve issues related to the movement of plants and seeds between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework on an ongoing basis.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_350
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_350

Lee Anderson:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has received a request from Stonewall for additional government funding. \p Seema Malhotra: The Cabinet Office, including the Office for Equality and Opportunity, has received no requests for additional government funding from Stonewall.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_351
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_351

Patrick Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had recent discussions with the Scottish Government on school standards. \p Kirsty McNeill: It was John Swinney himself who said education was the “defining mission” of the SNP government. Yet just last week, we got the news that standards of attainment in Scotland's schools are declining across the board and, shamefully, outcomes for young working-class Scots are getting worse, compared to those from wealthier backgrounds. Scotland’s teachers, parents, and children all deserve a better standard in our schools.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_352
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Martin Rhodes:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting economic growth in Glasgow. \p Ian Murray: Scotland’s largest city has a huge role to play in delivering growth. Glasgow was selected as one of four UK areas for the National Wealth Funds Strategic Growth Partnerships.

The Glasgow City Region Investment Zone will be backed by £160 million to promote investment opportunities and create new jobs.

And we recently opened the Govan-Patrick bridge, reconnecting my Honourable Friend’s constituency with the Member for Glasgow South West’s.

The Scotland Office also led the way in securing the Commonwealth Games in 2026, helping showcase the city to the world once again.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_353
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_353

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on improving transport connectivity to Scottish islands. \p Kirsty McNeill: There are few issues which better encapsulate the incompetence and arrogance of the SNP government than their long-running ferry fiasco.

Scotland’s island communities have been let down time and time again, from Nicola Sturgeon pretending to launch a ferry with the windows painted on, to the recent reports that the Glen Rosa may not be delivered until 2026 - eight years behind schedule.

John Swinney and the SNP have left Scotland’s islands with no functioning ferry network. Our island communities deserve better, they deserve a new direction.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_354
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_354

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on contingency plans for the Radio Teleswitch Service switch off in Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) will continue until the end of June this year.

My colleagues in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are in close contact with the regulator and suppliers to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Smart meters are an opportunity to upgrade people’s homes, and critically, for them to access smart tariffs that will give them greater control and reduce bills.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_355
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the recent increase in the energy price cap on fuel poverty in Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: The Government is taking steps to protect consumers by consulting on an expansion to the Warm Homes Discount. This proposal will help an additional 200,000 households in Scotland with £150 off their energy bills.

However, the way to bring down bills for good is to deliver our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower - with GB energy, based in Aberdeen, playing a key role in this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Torcuil Crichton:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to promote Scotland internationally. \p Ian Murray: Brand Scotland, the Scotland Office’s programme of international trade and investment promotion, is about selling Scotland to the world.

I have already visited Norway, Singapore and Malaysia, to promote our food and drink, energy, and defence sectors. Next month, I will be in Washington D.C and New York for the famous Tartan Week.

Closer to home, I was delighted to meet my Honourable Friend last week to discuss how Brand Scotland can support some of his constituents’ finest products - Harris tweed and Scottish seafood - and I commend his outstanding work in this area.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_357
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of installing noise cameras to tackle excessively noisy vehicles on rural roads in Bedfordshire. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport conducted roadside trials of noise camera technology between October 2022 and February 2023, which assessed a range of different road conditions. This trial demonstrated that noise cameras currently have the potential to be used for enforcement to tackle excessive vehicle noise but only when accompanied by human review.

It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area. The use of noise camera technology has already been taken forward by some local authorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23556 on Bus Services: Timetables, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the definition of privately organised trips to cover more closed-door home-to-school transport services. \p Simon Lightwood: The government is committed to delivering better bus services, and part of this work is improving the information available to passengers about their bus services. The Bus Open Data Service (BODS) was launched in 2020 and requires all bus operators of local services in England to provide passengers with high-quality, accurate and up-to-date passenger information including timetables, fares, tickets and vehicle location information. We are committed to working with the bus sector to ensure BODS is a success, and engage with stakeholders on a regular basis to identify and consider opportunities to improve the service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of continuing the bus fare cap. \p Simon Lightwood: Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services is one of the government’s top priorities and we know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The government is investing over £150 million to deliver a new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2025 to help millions access better opportunities and promote greater bus use by passengers.

If we had not taken action in the Budget, the bus fare cap would have ended and fares would have jumped back up to their previous levels on 31 December 2024. This would have meant some fares soared above £10 on the most expensive routes, as the last government had not funded the fare cap beyond the end of the year. Instead, we chose to fund an additional year of the fare cap but with the maximum price now set at £3. This does not mean, however, that all fares will rise to £3 as we will require operators to demonstrate that they have not raised fares any higher than inflation.

This government is committed to improving bus services across the country, which is why the Budget allocated more than £1 billion to local bus services. This will be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people.

Moving forward, the government is exploring more targeted options that deliver value for money to the taxpayer, to ensure affordable bus travel is always available for the groups who need it the most – such as young people.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Anna Dixon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of (a) the potential implications for her policies of car insurance terms allowing providers to retain up to 90 percent of refunds on cancellation and (b) the potential merits of reforming this practice. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Secretary of State has made no assessment of the potential implications of motor insurance terms allowing providers to retain up to 90 percent of refunds on cancellation, or the potential merits of reforming this practice.

Motor insurers are responsible for setting the terms and conditions of the policies that they offer. The Government does not generally intervene or seek to control the market.

The UK motor insurance market is very competitive and shopping around for the best possible option before making decisions is likely to benefit customers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_361

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what additional funding she plans to provide to local authorities in rural areas for road repairs. \p Lilian Greenwood: This Government takes the condition of our country’s roads very seriously and is committed to supporting both rural and urban authorities in maintaining and renewing their highway networks. We have announced a £500 million highway maintenance funding uplift for the 2025/26 financial year, which will allow local highway authorities across England to do the equivalent of fixing an additional seven million potholes.

Funding for local highway maintenance is based on the assets for which local highway authorities are responsible. The Department allocates capital funding based on a formula that includes the length of roads each authority is responsible for as well as the number of structures they are required to maintain. Rural authorities are generally responsible for more miles of roads than urban authorities, and this is reflected in their funding allocations.

Herefordshire County Council is the local highway authority responsible for the condition and maintenance of roads in the North Herefordshire constituency, and the Department for Transport has allocated it £22.9 million to help it carry out its local highway maintenance responsibilities in 2025/26. This is £6.1 million more than in the current financial year, or an increase of around 37%. It is Herefordshire County Council’s responsibility to decide how that funding is used, based on local needs and priorities.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_362
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_362

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many social media accounts her Department operates; and how much her Department spent on social media (a) subscriptions and (b) advertisements on each social media platform in each of the last three years. \p Mike Kane: The Government communicates across a range of media channels in order to reach its target audience effectively. Channels are selected based on whether they will reach the intended audience on a specific issue to have the most impact.

Social media is an essential part of government communications and is used to inform the public directly about matters which may affect their lives or interests.

DfT operates 23 separate social media accounts, and in the last three years it has spent £201.60 on social media subscriptions.

The table below shows how much DfT have spent advertising on social media platforms for each of the last 3 calendar years for public behaviour change campaigns predominantly on road safety and accessibility.

Year

META PLATFORMS IRELAND LIMITED

PINTEREST EUROPE LTD

REDDIT INC

SNAP GROUP LIMITED

TWITTER UK LTD

Total

2021

£661,232

£46,481

£15,927

£149,184

£195,613

£1,068,437

2022

£485,431

£4,642

£54,707

£311,344

£200,741

£1,056,865

2023

£311,333

£2,101

£101,775

£215,300

£41,448

£671,957

2024

£276,223

£158,849

£207,426

£0

£642,498

Total

£1,734,219

£53,224

£331,258

£883,254

£437,802

£3,439,757
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_363
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has taken recent steps to improve the resilience of railways to extreme weather conditions. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport has plans in place and underway with industry to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather caused by climate change on the railway.

Network Rail, and the wider rail industry, are working to improve our resilience to climate change impacts and more widely to disruptive events. Network Rail published its fourth adaptation report in December 2024 which provided a more detailed and updated climate risk assessment and associated adaptation action. For the first time, two train operating companies published reports under the adaptation reporting power, recognising that the risks posed by the changing climate will affect their operations and customers too. In addition, adaptation commitments are being progressed in train operating companies' business plans for the first time.

The Department is also planning to publish its finalised transport adaptation strategy which will set out priorities for adapting to climate change and help drive further engagement with industry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the estimated cost to the public purse is of the new railway station at Tempsford. \p Lilian Greenwood: The current cost estimate for Connection Stages 2/3 of EWR is £5-6bn, which is inclusive of an interchange station at Tempsford. The design of Tempsford station is not sufficiently advanced to give a robust cost estimate at this time.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_365
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_365

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has taken recent steps to improve the resilience of railways to landslips. \p Lilian Greenwood: Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager of Britain’s railways, has the main responsibility for maintaining the integrity and safety of the rail network from landslips. To this end, Network Rail has allocated £2.8 billion during Control Period 7 (2024-2029) to be invested on activities and technology to improve system wide resilience to extreme weather and climate change, including landslips.  These activities include both preventative and reactive measures, including reinforcing embankments, enhancing drainage systems, stabilising slopes, and using remote sensing and real-time monitoring to predict and monitor slope movements to enable early intervention.  Network Rail has recently invested £33m to prevent landslips on the Browney Curvey near Durham, £25m on the Severn Estuary line and £3.5m on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line.  Network Rail has also developed a range of measures to enable it to anticipate and mitigate disruption to the rail network caused by extreme weather, which are contained in its Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Plan.  These build on the recommendations of the Mair-Slingo reports, which were commissioned following the Stonehaven derailment in August 2020.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_366
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_366

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many hedgehog crossing signs have been installed on roads in England in the last three years. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department authorised the use of the small wild animal sign in December 2023, giving local authorities permission to place the sign without reference to the Department. Prior to this none of these signs had been authorised. The Department does not hold information on how many signs are installed by local authorities.

There are no plans to encourage local authorities to install these signs, it is entirely a matter for local authorities to decide upon.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending sections 1 to 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to extend dangerous driving offences to include incidents causing the (a) death and (b) serious injury of (i) dogs, (ii) other domestic pets and (iii) other animals. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government has no plans to consider amending the Road Traffic Act 1988 in the way suggested.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_368
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of electric vehicle charging points in the UK. \p Lilian Greenwood: As of 1 February 2025, the Government and industry have supported the installation of 74,234 publicly available charging devices (including 14,687 rapid charging devices) across the UK. More than 680,000 English households have access to a domestic charging device. Government workplace charging grants have supported the installation of over 1,400 chargepoint sockets in schools and 59,000 in other workplaces.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_369
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_369

Alison Bennett:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review offences in the Road Traffic Act 1988 relating to driving under the influence of drinks or drugs. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. My Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade, and will share more details in due course.

The Government is listening closely to the concerns of those affected by tragic cases of death or serious injury on our roads.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_370
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_370

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) accessibility and (b) ease of use of the delay repay systems used by each rail operator. \p Simon Lightwood: My Department conducts a bi-annual delay repay compensation survey which includes questions about accessibility and the ease of use of the system. The next survey is taking place this year and the results will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_371
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of people impacted by train delays in 2024. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department does not hold information on the number of people affected by train delays. Rail industry data measures train delays. The Office of Rail and Road publishes quarterly and periodic (four-weekly) statistics on punctuality, reliability and causes of delay for passenger trains operating on the mainline network in Great Britain.

This data set includes the percentage of recorded station stops that were arrived at ‘On Time’ (early or less than one minute after the scheduled time). In the year ending 4 January 2025, the proportion of station stops that were arrived at ‘On Time’ was 67.1%.

These statistics can be found on the passenger rail performance data portal at https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/ .
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_372
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of train cars that were in use by Northern in January 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: On 1 January 2025, Northern had 954 carriages available for use.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_373
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the level of funding provided by her Department for transport infrastructure on business productivity in each of the last five years. \p Mike Kane: DfT's annual report and accounts which are published on gov.uk set out the Department's spending and an assessment of the Department's performance each year.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_374
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what additional funding she plans to provide to local authorities in rural areas to improve road safety. \p Lilian Greenwood: We have awarded local authorities £185.8 million of funding between 2017 and 2024 through the Safer Roads Fund to improve the safety of England's most high risk 'A' roads. To date, it has funded 445.3 miles of rural roads which make up 62.4% of all funded routes.

We acknowledge there is more that can be done; therefore, my Government is developing a road safety strategy, the first in over ten years, and we will set out more details in due course.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress she has made on the construction of the Midlands Rail Hub project. \p Simon Lightwood: £123m was committed to design the first phase of Midlands Rail Hub in March 2024, which, subject to future decisions, could be delivered by the early 2030s.

In December, the Chancellor launched the second stage of the Spending Review. This is a zero-based Spending Review, to ensure every line of spending – including the transport infrastructure portfolio – delivers the Plan for Change and provides good value for taxpayers. We expect the Spending Review to conclude by June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_376

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to increase the active travel budget. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government has already increased the active travel budget by £100 million for 2025/26 compared to 2024/25. On 12 February, the Government announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6. This will help local authorities to provide high-quality and easily accessible active travel schemes across England and will enable more children to walk and cycle to school.

Decisions on funding for active travel from 2026/27 onwards, as well as on other areas of transport expenditure, will be taken as part of the Government’s Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_377
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_377

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to improve road safety in North Herefordshire constituency in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Lilian Greenwood: Local authorities often use Integrated Transport Block funding for road safety improvements: the Department hopes to announce ITB allocations for 2025/26 for Herefordshire and other authorities shortly. This will allow Herefordshire County Council to decide how best to use the available funding: the Department does not get involved in local authority decision making of this sort.

On highways maintenance, all local authority allocations for highway maintenance block capital funding in 2025/26, including for Herefordshire County Council, were announced by the Secretary of State for Transport on 20 December 2024 and are published on gov.uk. Herefordshire County Council will be receiving an uplift of over £6.1 million compared to the current financial year, taking its total funding for the year to nearly £23 million.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_1

Mrs Sharon Hodgson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on reducing food supply chain waste through mandatory food waste reporting. \p Mary Creagh: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. No recent discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject of mandatory food waste reporting.

This Government is committed to setting a clear roadmap to a circular economy – a future where our resources are used as efficiently and productively as possible for as long as possible, and waste is reduced. We are reviewing policies to address the challenges associated with tackling food waste in the supply chain and we are working with businesses to drive down food waste and make sure food is put on the plates of those in greatest need. This includes supporting surplus food redistribution to charities and programmes to help citizens reduce their food waste.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_2

John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) the border target operating model and (b) border control posts are adequately (i) resourced and (ii) equipped to ensure horticulture growers can import the required plant products to meet demand. \p Daniel Zeichner: Checks at border control posts are handled by trained staff working to standard operating procedures, ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently. The Animal Plant and Health Agency plant health import inspection process is accredited to the ISO 17020 Inspection Standard which is subject to external audits from the UK Accreditation Service.

Inspectors are rigorously trained and are equipped to ensure sanitary and phytosanitary goods are handled safely and with care.

GB plant health services have significantly increased the number of plant health inspection staff to service the demand for import checks in England and Wales of EU plants and plant products. Inspector levels are being monitored to ensure these meet demand and ensure minimal trade disruption.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_3

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of Packaging Export Recovery Note (PERN) system on global plastic pollution. \p Mary Creagh: All exports of plastic packaging waste are made in accordance with the relevant regulations related to the shipment of waste and are enforced by the Environment Agency (relevant regulator). The PRN/PERN system provides economic support for the recycling of packaging waste whether reprocessed in the UK or overseas.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_4

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) packing export recovery and (b) packaging recovery notes that have been issued each year since 2010. \p Mary Creagh: This data is available on the National Packaging Waste Database – National Packaging Waste Database.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_5

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an estimate of the number of arrests for fraud concerning packaging export recovery notes in each year since 2010. \p Mary Creagh: Data related to prosecutions is published by the relevant regulators. https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-enforcement-action
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_6

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of splitting recycling targets for (a) packaging recovery notes and (b) packaging export recovery notes. \p Mary Creagh: Defra will shortly be engaging with relevant stakeholders to better understand the merits of this and other potential enhancements to the Package Recovery Note system.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_7

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) where and (b) how standards apply in statutory regulations to control concentrations of pollutants in ambient air in England. \p Emma Hardy: The key legislation that details how and where air pollutant concentration standards apply in England are the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 and the Environment Act Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) Targets (England) 2023. Requirements for local air quality management are set out in the Environment Act 1995 requiring local authorities to review and assess air quality concentrations in their areas.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_8

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which five pollutants in ambient air in England have seen the largest reduction in concentrations since Directive 2008/50/EC was introduced. \p Emma Hardy: Trends on air pollutant concentrations can be found in Defra’s annual compliance reporting here.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_9

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where the limit values set in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2016 to control concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) in ambient air apply. \p Emma Hardy: The limit values set in the Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010) to control concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) in ambient air apply across the UK. Compliance with the limit values is assessed through a combination of monitored and modelled data, with non-compliance being determined if any one location breaches the limit value.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_10

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) limit values, (b) objectives and (c) targets to control concentrations of pollutants in ambient air in England. \p Emma Hardy: Limit values, national objectives and long-term targets complement each other and are all recognised as necessary in delivering cleaner air.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_11

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce concentrations for pollutants in ambient air once the relevant limit value has been achieved. \p Emma Hardy: Under the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 where levels of pollutants are below the set limit values, they must continue to be maintained. We have also set a Population Exposure Reduction Target for PM2.5, which will continue to reduce peoples’ average exposure across the country.

The Government is committed to working with local authorities and stakeholders to continue reducing air pollution and its harmful effects.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_12

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether concentrations of nitrogen dioxide are allowed to exceed the annual mean limit value once achieved throughout a zone or agglomeration. \p Emma Hardy: Under the Air Quality Standards Regulations (2010), there is a requirement to meet annual mean limit values for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) of 40μg/m3. This is an ongoing requirement and does not expire once the limit value has been met in a single reporting year.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_13

Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether there have been any formal complaints to the Office for Environmental Protection on exceedances of the nitrogen dioxide annual limit value in the UK. \p Emma Hardy: As an independent public body set up to hold public authorities to account, the OEP does not routinely share information regarding specific complaints with Defra unless those complaints relate directly to Defra and are considered eligible by the OEP. To date, the OEP has notified us of one complaint in relation to this topic. The OEP publishes a quarterly complaints report on their website providing an overview of the complaints received and ongoing enforcement activity. They also publish information relating to individual casework where investigations have been launched and resolutions achieved.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_14

Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the extended producer responsibility scheme on small food manufacturers. \p Mary Creagh: The Government has worked closely with industry, including the food sector, throughout development of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging. Feedback from stakeholders has been factored into finalising the regulations, including consulting stakeholders on a draft of the pEPR regulations in 2023.

Government recognises the importance of protecting small producers from direct cost obligations. This is why the regulations include a de-minimis threshold of £2 million turnover and 50 tonnes which exempts approximately 70% of the UK's smaller producers from paying scheme fees.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_15

Will Stone:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to protect brown hares in England and Wales from being shot for sport during their breeding season. \p Mary Creagh: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only, with the potential for relevant policy to extend and apply to Wales.

While the Government has no immediate plan to introduce a close season for hares in England, the policy remains under consideration as part of the Government’s plans to introduce the most ambitious programme for animal welfare in a generation.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_16

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects his Department to respond to the UK REACH Alternative Transitional Registration model (ATRm) consultation, which closed on 25 July 2024. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is currently considering the best approach to chemicals regulation, including UK REACH. We will publish the Government response to the ATRm consultation in 2025.
wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-01 conversation_17

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress has been made on developing a UK Chemicals Strategy. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Improvement Plan (EIP) 2023 included the commitment to publish a UK Chemicals Strategy. The EIP has been under review and a revised EIP will be published in 2025. The revised EIP will include the Government’s approach to managing chemicals.