theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_409
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_409

Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to increase police powers to help tackle anti-social behaviour linked to drone use. \p Mike Kane: There are a range of existing powers to tackle anti-social drone behaviour, this includes the police powers under the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Act 2021 to require a person to land a drone and to carry out stop and search for certain drone-related offences; and under the Air Navigation Order 2016, it is an offence to endanger an aircraft through non-compliant drone use, punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.

We work closely with the police and home office to keep the need for powers under review, and from 1 January 2026, Direct Remote ID requirements will come into force for some types of drones (UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6 UAS), enabling the police to access location information during flight to support more effective enforcement and deterrence. Remote ID will also increase operator accountability by allowing the unique ID of a drone to be reported and linked to a registered individual, supporting police investigations into misuse.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_410
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the annual cost of free bus passes for people over the State Pension age. \p Simon Lightwood: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_411
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reason he rejected the Electoral Commission of Northern Ireland's request to separate the next scheduled local government and Assembly elections. \p Hilary Benn: The date for local government elections is set in statute as the first Thursday in May every 4 years, and for the Assembly elections as the first Thursday in May every 5 years. The people of Northern Ireland expect to go to the polls on 6 May 2027 and the Government has no intention of changing that.
wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_1

Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Executive Summary of his Department's policy paper entitled Flood and coastal erosion risk management: An investment plan for 2021 to 2027, published on 29 July 2021, what steps his Department is taking to support the implementation of flood defence projects; and whether he expects all projects to be delivered on time. \p Emma Hardy: We have inherited a floods investment programme which is behind schedule due to the impacts of inflation, the covid pandemic and skills and labour shortages.

To ensure we protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, we will invest £2.4 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience, by building, maintaining, and repairing flood defences. We will also launch a consultation of the existing floods funding formula to ensure that we get the greatest impact from our funding, with the new approach expected to be brought in from April 2026.

The list of projects to receive Government funding in 2025/26 will be agreed by the Environment Agency over the coming months in the usual way through Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, with local representation.
wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much (a) his Department has and (b) his Department's arms length bodies have spent on hospitality in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) since 5 July 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: We do not routinely publish this data, as has been the case under successive administrations. All Business Units within Defra have a responsibility to carefully manage official hospitality costs and demonstrate good value for money.

Details of ministerial and senior official hospitality are published on a quarterly basis, and are available on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to update data held on farms by (a) constituency and (b) local authority. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra does not routinely publish farming statistics by parliamentary constituency. The latest available data on the number of farms by constituency are for 2021, but there are currently no plans to update these.

Farming statistics by local authority are usually published every 5 years and are next due to be updated in March 2025 with 2024 data. The dataset will be published here Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for reopening the main Capital Grant offer for new applications. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Capital Grants scheme is currently under review after exceptional demand over the Autumn. Officials are currently reviewing the offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. This review will include looking again at spending controls removed by the last Government. Defra will explain the outcome of that review and provide an update to all applicants, including farmers who have submitted but not yet been offered an agreement, in early 2025.
wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_5

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency took to communicate to operators that RPS248 would be withdrawn. \p Mary Creagh: A Regulatory Position Statement explains when the Environment Agency will not take enforcement action for not complying with a legal requirement.

In July 2021 RPS 248 was published. The RPS was time limited and written to enable the use of shredded waste carpet whilst industry and regulators did further work on understanding the environmental risks. RPS withdrawal was always a potential outcome from this work.

In advance of RPS248 being withdrawn, the Environment Agency sent a briefing note to industry explaining the reasoning behind the planned withdrawal. The briefing was sent to Carpet Recycling UK (who had a working group on waste carpet in equestrian surfaces) and to companies notifying that they were using the RPS. A notification under the RPS was a critical requirement of the RPS.

Some companies not notifying under RPS248 subsequently contacted the Environment Agency for further information and the briefing note was shared on request. The RPS was subsequently withdrawn in January 2024, as the RPS posed an unacceptable risk to the environment and the future liabilities of end users.

Industry must now meet the legal requirement for an environmental permit for the use of shredded waste carpet in equestrian surfacing.
wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Anna Dixon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for awarding funding to applicants via the Water Restoration Fund. \p Emma Hardy: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. That is why we are placing water companies under special measures through the Water (Special Measures) Bill, including giving environmental regulators powers to impose penalties on the civil standard of proof, in addition to new automatic penalties. The regulators will also be able to recover costs for a much greater range of enforcement activities.

In October 2024, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, also launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system. This is a wide-ranging review to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Defra is continuing to work with His Majesty’s Treasury regarding continued reinvestment of the water company fines and penalties on water environment improvement.
wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Ministerial correspondence of 17 January 2025 with reference MC2024/24342/SB, when the consultation process on the review of the existing funding formula will (a) begin and (b) be announced; and whether stakeholders in Great Yarmouth constituency will be included in the consultation process. \p Emma Hardy: This Government inherited an outdated funding formula for allocating money to proposed flood defences. That’s why we will launch a consultation in the coming months which will include a review of the existing flood funding formula to ensure that the challenges facing businesses and rural and coastal communities are adequately taken into account when delivering flood protection. The consultation will be open to all stakeholders, including community groups and members of the public in Great Yarmouth constituency.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Tessa Munt:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of recovered used tyres exported from the UK to India in the last 12 months. \p Emma Hardy: This data is publicly available on the HMRC’s trade database which is available at https://www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data.
wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the decision-making process on whether to grant conditional emergency authorisation to use a product containing neonicotinoids includes an assessment of the potential impact of those neonicotinoids on butterflies. \p Emma Hardy: Decisions on emergency authorisation applications must be taken in line with legal requirements. In making these decisions, Ministers take full account of the available evidence and expert advice, including on risks to pollinating insects.

The Government will honour its manifesto commitment on this topic.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to help tackle bovine TB outbreaks in areas of high incidence in each of the last five years. \p Daniel Zeichner: Policy on bovine TB is devolved to governments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In England, in the last five years, my department has spent approximately £100 million per year on disease control measures tackling bovine TB.

It is not possible to break down the amount spent, by individual TB risk area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions Ministers in his Department have had with their counterparts in the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the Northern Ireland Executive on the foot and mouth outbreak in Germany. \p Daniel Zeichner: In response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Germany, we are in contact with German counterparts to understand the latest situation and, as is routine procedure, we are working closely with the Devolved Governments to understand the risks to the UK and prevent an incursion from imported goods.

On 21 January, the situation and the need for ongoing collaboration and vigilance was also discussed at a meeting between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Hayman of Ullock; Andrew Muir MLA; and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Member for Leeds South (Hilary Benn).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Alberto Costa:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on developing a licensing regime to enable the wild release of beavers. \p Mary Creagh: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

Defra will continue to work with Natural England to develop our approach to beaver reintroductions and management in England. This work includes the development of a licensing regime to enable the wild release of beavers in England.

Further information on this will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Applying Environment Act 2021 civil sanctions. \p Emma Hardy: Online engagement is an efficient and transparent means for sharing proposals and gathering feedback from groups and individuals affected by or interested in proposed changes. It is part of a wider engagement process.

The consultation relates to a targeted national audience of business stakeholder interests. Communications to affected stakeholders included emailing numerous key stakeholder businesses and trade associations.

People who are unable to respond to the consultation online can request a printed copy of the consultation documents and a response form that can be returned to the Environment Agency by post.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to review the UK Chemical Strategy. \p Emma Hardy: Delivery of a Chemicals Strategy was a commitment set by the previous Government and is being considered as part of our rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_15

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on dredging rivers. \p Emma Hardy: Defra works closely with the Environment Agency (EA) to ensure it is equipped to carry out its functions effectively and deliver for the public and the environment; this includes flood risk management and watercourse maintenance.

The EA focuses its efforts on those activities which will achieve the greatest benefit in terms of protecting people and property from flooding. Dredging and main river clearance are an important part of EA’s maintenance programme. Before undertaking dredging, the EA will work in close consultation with local communities to assess whether it is technically achievable and cost effective, does not significantly increase flood risk for others downstream, and is environmentally acceptable.

In most places there are much more effective and efficient ways to better protect communities and increase their resilience to flooding, as part of a catchment-based approach. Whilst dredging is part of the solution in some locations, it is not a universal solution to what is a complex issue.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the protection of assistance animals from abuse and neglect; and what additional steps he plans to take to improve safeguards for these animals. \p Daniel Zeichner: Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, including assistance animals, is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The maximum sentence for this offence  is five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Those convicted of an offence may also be disqualified from owning or keeping animals.

The 2006 Act is backed up by the statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs which provides owners and keepers with general welfare information including a specific section on how to provide the correct environment for their dog and protect them from pain, suffering, injury and disease: Code of practice for the welfare of dogs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many medical rank reservists there were in the (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army and (c) RAF in each year since 2015. \p Al Carns: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

Whilst a statistical release of overall Armed Forces strength is published annually, strength and capability statistics for certain specialisations are not released.

Releasing the current strength and requirement of medical service personnel could be exploited by our adversaries to target, disrupt and degrade an important element of Armed Forces capability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the (a) budget for and (b) amount spent on Defence medical services was in each year since 2015. \p Al Carns: The table below presents the budget and amount spent by Defence Medical Services in each year since 2016. Figures prior to 2016 are not held in the format requested:

Financial Year

Budget £

Spend £

16/17

505,432,887.00

457,074,000

17/18

476,356,801.00

461,981,000

18/19

469,936,182.00

470,270,000

19/20

498,647,556.00

494,110,000

20/21

502,061,045.00

470,433,673

21/22

507,039,627.00

492,879,950

22/23

530,653,498.00

509,508,070

23/24

550,152,449.00

544,294,366
wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_19

Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many overseas army training exercises took place each year since 2010. \p Luke Pollard: The Army invests significantly in skills, education and training for its people to build the problem-solving attributes, teamwork, resilience, intellect and creativity needed to be successful now and in the future.

The Army maintains an active overseas training programme that delivers against robust training objectives and supports UK defence engagement efforts overseas, as well as demonstrating our clear commitment to our Allies and partners.

The information requested is not held centrally, but I have provided a broad estimate of approximate figures. An illustrative estimate of the number of overseas training exercises conducted as part of the Overseas Training Exercise (OTX) programme is provided below. Please be aware however that some exercises are not included (such as those for specialist units) in the figures provided and the table represents only a partial picture. Information required to answer the question in full is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Year

Number of Overseas Exercises held

2010-2020

75 exercises per year. (estimated)*

2020-2021

0 - due to COVID

2021-2022

0 - due to COVID

2022-2023

55

2023-2024

84

2024-2025

70 to be completed (estimated)

*Detailed information on training activity prior to 2020 is no longer held in accordance with MOD data retention policy, as a result this figure is strictly an estimate of annual activity
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20117 on Defence Equipment Expenditure, when his Department plans to send that letter. \p Maria Eagle: The response to Question 20117 on Defence Equipment Expenditure is in the process of being finalised and will be sent shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential demand for Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4+ (a) in (b) beyond 2025. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence continually reviews the demand for Combat Aircraft, including through the ongoing Strategic Defence Review. UK Combat Aircraft will be required to operate in increasingly demanding threat environments. The UK Combat Air strategy recognises this changing threat and determines our mix of 4th and 5th generation aircraft mix, in order to provide the UK the most relevant and capable force mix. As part of the four Partner-Nation Eurofighter Programme, the UK is committed to upgrades to ensure the Typhoon aircraft remains competitive into the future, including the introduction of the European Common Radar Standard 2 radar.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2024 to Question 16652 on Military Bases, if his Department will now provide a response. \p Luke Pollard: I’d like to thank the hon. Member for her question. As she will understand collating this data is a considerable exercise but I’m pleased to confirm that I wrote to her on 27 January 2025 and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Shockat Adam:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what protocols are in place over the deployment of US nuclear weapons stored at RAF Lakenheath. \p Luke Pollard: It remains longstanding UK and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any given location.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he decided not to release the workforce requirement figures of Army regiments for reasons of operational security. \p Luke Pollard: In 2022, with Departmental support, the Army adopted a position not to release the workforce requirement of its internal organisations following the announcement of the Integrated Review and Future Soldier transformation.

I am happy to speak to my hon. Friend about this further.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned out of service date for the Royal Navy's Crowsnest AEW helicopter system is. \p Maria Eagle: The CROWSNEST programme delivers the Royal Navy's Merlin Mark2 helicopter Airborne Surveillance and Control capability, which includes Airborne Early Warning. There has been no change to the current out of service date, and the planned retirement date remains 31 December 2029, as the capability was not extended in the 2021 Integrated Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated whole-life cost is of the E-7 Wedgetail programme. \p Maria Eagle: The estimated whole life cost of the E-7 Wedgetail remains subject to approval of the Full Business Case.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many radar units for the E-7 Wedgetail have been delivered to (a) Boeing and (b) the RAF by Northrop Grumman. \p Maria Eagle: Three Multi-Role-Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radars have been delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) at the UK production facility.

The remaining two MESA radars are in production with Northrop Grumman and will be delivered to the RAF in Summer 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the E-7 Wedgetail is in operational service with the RAF. \p Maria Eagle: The Wedgetail aircraft has yet to enter operational service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning social media for under-16s. \p Feryal Clark: We continue to consider all options in the pursuit of online safety for children. We live in a digital age and it is important we strike the right balance. Our priority is the effective implementation of the Online Safety Act so children can benefit from its wide-reaching protections as quickly as possible. We are building the evidence base to inform any future action and have launched a research project looking at the links between social media and children’s wellbeing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with businesses on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication. \p Feryal Clark: The AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, sets out how we will achieve our ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier.

The Action Plan has been informed by a series of external roundtables with experts from across the AI ecosystem. These discussions covered key areas such as the collaboration between the public and private sectors to create a robust AI ecosystem and to unmask the potential economic impact of AI technologies. As the Government takes the Plan forward, it will continue to engage widely with these stakeholders to ensure its implementation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with Horizon Europe on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication. \p Feryal Clark: The AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier.

The Action Plan was informed by a series of external roundtables with experts from across the AI ecosystem including civil society, academia, investors, and industry, including from UKRI. The department also regularly engages with the Horizon Programme and the responsible EU officials. These discussions have informed the action plan and continue to shape our ongoing work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with the Geospatial Commission on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication. \p Feryal Clark: The AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology engaged in numerous discussions with various stakeholders and government departments as part of the broader effort to ensure the AI Opportunities Action Plan was comprehensive and aligned with the government’s ambition for growth. The Geospatial Commission is part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Officials in geospatial and AI policy engage regularly, including on the AI Action Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with the UKRI on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication. \p Feryal Clark: The AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier.

UKRI representatives, including research councils, have been engaged throughout the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. We are committed to working closely with the UKRI who are a critical delivery partner for key elements of the Action plan. We will continue to engage widely across the AI ecosystem as government takes the Action Plan forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with universities on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication. \p Feryal Clark: The Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, has been informed by a series of external roundtables with experts from across the AI ecosystem, including civil society, academia, investors, and industry. As the plan moves forward, it will continue to engage widely with these stakeholders to ensure its implementation.

The Action Plan also includes new initiatives, such as expanding the Turing AI Fellowships offer and doubling the capacity of the AI Research Resource. The UK’s publicly funded portfolio of AI R&D investments is worth £1 billion, including investments in centres for doctoral training, the Alan Turing Institute, Bridge AI, Responsible AI UK, and AI hubs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with the Government Office for Technology Transfer on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication. \p Feryal Clark: The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology engaged in numerous discussions with various stakeholders and government departments as part of the broader effort to ensure the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, was comprehensive and aligned with the government’s ambition for growth. The Government Office for Technology Transfer plays a crucial role in accelerating government innovations towards the market, driving growth, and delivering new products and services for citizens. As Government takes the Plan forward it will continue to engage widely.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_36

Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of designating sites in Bedfordshire as AI Growth Zones. \p Feryal Clark: We are committed to working in partnership with regional and local authorities on AI Growth Zones (AIGZs). The selection process will open in spring 2025, and we welcome interest from areas with strong access to power infrastructure and economic potential. AIGZs will be closely aligned with wider government initiatives, including Local Growth Plans, to ensure they deliver substantial regional and national benefits.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_37

Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to (a) protect and (b) increase employment in AI growth zones. \p Feryal Clark: AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) will be closely aligned with wider government initiatives, including Local Growth Plans. This is to ensure AIGZs deliver substantial regional and national benefits, such as upskilling and employment opportunities.

The investment in AI-enabled data centres will have a spillover effect in local communities, providing construction jobs, enhancing local skills, rejuvenating areas, and therefore driving the UK’s ambition to become a global hub for AI talent and investment.

UK government and local authorities will actively seek to secure the best deal possible for local communities where data centres are built, ensuring they benefit from ongoing direct employment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_38

Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what criteria his Department is using to select sites as AI Growth Zones. \p Feryal Clark: Central government will lay out a selection process, and local / regional authorities will be able to nominate themselves to host an AI Growth Zone. Important criteria will include power infrastructure or line of sight to power, along with supportive local planning authorities.

The selection process will open in spring 2025, and we welcome interest from areas with strong power infrastructure and economic potential.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_39

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken to ensure Project Gigabit contracts deliver (a) on time and (b) within budget. \p Chris Bryant: All Project Gigabit contracts include measures and obligations regarding time and budget against which suppliers’ performance is monitored. These include measures to manage effective build plans, milestones, risks and issues.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) holds regular meetings with suppliers to discuss their progress. Each supplier’s performance is measured using monthly contractual reporting, reviewing the build progress and payment claims on each contract.

Failure to deliver to a contract milestone on any build phase of a contract can result in the trigger of a rectification plan process and cessation of payments until the milestone is achieved.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_40

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to prioritise connectivity to rural premises without access to gigabit-capable broadband in (a) England and (b) the South West. \p Chris Bryant: According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 86% of premises in England have access to gigabit-capable broadband. To improve broadband connectivity further, we have put in place over 30 Project Gigabit contracts that are set to deliver fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million rural and hard-to-reach premises that would otherwise not be reached by the commercial market alone.

There are multiple contracts being delivered across the South West, including in Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We recently announced new Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach that will also bring gigabit-capable broadband to premises in Devon and Somerset.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_41

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the training provided to mainstream school teachers for inclusive teaching practices towards pupils with special educational needs in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: From September 2025 the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) will set out a minimum entitlement to training for new teachers and must be used by providers of Initial Teacher Training and those delivering provider-led early career training to create their curricula.

The department’s review of content for the ITTECF paid particular attention to the needs of trainees and Early Career Teachers (ECTs) when supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There is now significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with SEND. The content includes, for example, developing an understanding of different pupil needs, and learning how to provide opportunities for success for all pupils. The department tested this approach with SEND educational experts with consensus that the approach of ‘quality-first teaching’ would be the best way to improve outcomes for all children, particularly those with SEND.

The department recognises that continuous improvement is essential and have recently committed to a full review of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement in 2027 to ensure it continues to provide the best possible support for ECTs. This review will focus on the support we provide new teachers in teaching pupils with SEND.

Ofsted inspect all teacher training that leads to qualified teacher status, as well as department-funded lead providers of training for ECTs. Their inspections give an independent, external evaluation of a provider’s effectiveness and, where appropriate, highlight areas for improvement.

On 1 September 2024, the government introduced a new mandatory leadership level National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs). The NPQ must be completed within three years of taking up a SENCO post. The new NPQ will play a key role improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND by ensuring SENCOs consistently receive high-quality, evidence-based training.

The £12 million Universal Services programme also helps the school and further education workforce to identify and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND earlier and more effectively. The programme offers online training, professional development groups, bespoke school and college improvement projects, sector-led research, autism awareness training and an embedded focus on preparation for adulthood, including employer-led webinars for college staff.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_42

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure that there is equal service provision by local authorities for the (a) issuing and (b) delivery of education, health and care plans. \p Catherine McKinnell: The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to work with a wide range of partners, including schools and colleges, health and social care partners and, crucially, parents and young people, to develop their Local Offer of services and provision for special educational needs (SEN). This recognises the differing circumstances of each local area and places decision-making with the local authority. In responding to different local needs, the department would expect to see variation in the way needs are met across local authorities, including variation in the rates of education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to assess whether children and young people have SEN that require an EHC plan. A local authority must conduct an EHC needs assessment if the child or young person has or may have SEN and it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made in accordance with an EHC plan.

If the local authority issues an EHC plan, it must secure the special educational provision it specifies, working with its health and social care partners, who have separate duties.

Local authorities identified as having issues with EHC plan timeliness are subject to additional monitoring by the department who work with the specific local authority. Where the department has concerns about the local authority’s capacity to make the required improvements, it has secured specialist special educational needs and disabilities advisor support to help identify the barriers to EHC plan process timeliness and put in place practical plans for recovery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_43

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on increased demand for SEN support in schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: Over the last ten years there has been an international increase in identified special educational needs (SEN). Between 2016/17 and 2021/22, England saw a 40% increase in the percentage of pupils with an official SEN designation, whilst France saw a 49% increase and Germany a 19%.

Improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools is a key part of this government’s ambition to ensure that all children and young people receive the support they need, in the most appropriate setting. Conversations are ongoing between the department and the Department for Health and Social Care, including at Ministerial level, as we work closely on addressing the increased demand for SEN support in schools.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_44

Tom Gordon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of school buildings. \p Stephen Morgan: Ensuring schools and colleges have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every young person the best start in life.

Responsibility for keeping school buildings safe and well-maintained lies with the institutions and their responsible bodies - typically local authorities, academy trusts or voluntary aided school bodies. We support them by providing capital funding, delivering major rebuilding programmes and offering guidance and support.

Where the department is notified of a significant safety issue with a building that cannot be managed independently, the department considers additional advice and support on a case-by-case basis.

The department is working with expert groups, technical advisors and stakeholders to ensure we have an up-to-date understanding of future issues that could present themselves as the school and college estate ages. In addition to the ongoing Condition Data Collection 2, we have commissioned new research due to complete by spring 2026 which includes data analysis and field-work, with some in-depth surveys to better understand the performance of post-war education buildings.

At the Autumn Budget 2024, this government increased capital allocations to improve the condition of school buildings to £2.1 billion for 2025/26. This is £300 million more than this financial year. This is on top of targeted support for RAAC. This is part of £6.7 billion in capital overall for education in 2025/26.

We have committed £1.4 billion next year to support the current School Rebuilding Programme, which is rebuilding or significantly refurbishing buildings at 518 schools and sixth form colleges across England, prioritised on condition and safety.

We are committed to improving the condition of the estate through the department’s annual funding, the continuing School Rebuilding Programme and by fixing the problem of RAAC.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_45

Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Education,what steps she is taking to improve SEND provision in Berkshire. \p Catherine McKinnell: Our promise to families is that we are absolutely committed to improving the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and regaining their confidence.

The department and NHS England have systems in place to support and challenge local areas across Berkshire, to ensure children and young people with SEND have the best possible outcomes.

Where a council does not meet its duties, the department can take action that prioritises children’s needs and supports local areas to bring about rapid improvement. We continue to offer a range of universal, targeted and intensive support through the department’s managed programmes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-27 conversation_46

Dr Jeevun Sandher:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the number of construction apprenticeships. \p Janet Daby: This government has an ambitious plan for re-building Britain, delivering 1.5 million homes in England in this Parliament.

Around 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available per year by the 2027/28 financial year thanks to an £140 million industry investment to get Britain building again.

32 new Homebuilding Skills Hubs will deliver fast-track training in critical areas such as bricklaying, groundwork, and site carpentry, to boost housebuilding and drive forward the government’s growth mission.