theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_83
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_83

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the (a) capital and (b) notional market rent of the Deputy Prime Minister's residence in Admiralty House. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Admiralty House is managed by the Government Property Agency for commercial and residential use. There is not an up-to-date assessment of market rent for residential space within this.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_84
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_84

Tim Roca:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what progress he has made in securing an agreement to remove the need to batch test medicines exported from the UK to the European Union. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: This Government is committed to reducing barriers to trade with the EU. We have secured a wide ranging deal with the EU that will reduce red tape, adding nearly £9 billion to our economy by 2040 and includes commitment to regular dialogue on economy and trade to ensure we keep talking about areas of mutual interest. The UK has also agreed a landmark deal with the US, which will protect the UK’s pharmaceutical sector.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_85
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_85

Sarah Olney:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects all payments by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to eligible people to be made. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The recently published Framework Document sets out the timelines agreed between IBCA and Cabinet Office; namely for the bulk of infected people to be paid no later than the end of 2027 and the bulk of affected people to be paid no later than the end of 2029. I do not regard those as targets. I regard those as backstops, and the objective should absolutely be to pay as soon as possible.

IBCA is committed to opening the full compensation service to all those eligible as soon as possible. Whilst the roll out of the scheme is an operational decision for IBCA as an independent body, I fully support their commitment to moving forward as swiftly as possible and as the Minister, I stand ready to help and assist in any way I can to speed up the payments.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_86
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_86

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people living in South Holland and the Deepings constituency are claiming PIP and not in work. \p Sir Stephen Timms: In the South Holland and The Deepings constituency, 3,750 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants are not in work.

The figure has been rounded to the nearest 10. This only includes claimants with normal rules and who are working-age adults. Data is for March 2024 which is the latest employment data available.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_87
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_87

Steve Witherden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2025 to Question 44809 on Local Housing Allowance: Wales, what (a) metrics, (b) data points and (c) analysis were used to assess the impact of Local Housing Allowance rates referenced his answer; and whether this included the impact on the number of people becoming homeless. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The impacts referenced in the previous answer were determined using a wide variety of metrics, data and analysis. These included:

As covered in the previous answer, the causes of homelessness are multi-faceted and interact dynamically. This makes it very difficult to isolate the relative importance of individual factors such as individual benefit rates. But interactions with key measures such as Temporary Accommodation were considered with input from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

At Autumn Budget the Government prioritised a downpayment on poverty, by introducing a Fair Payment Rate for Universal Credit (UC) customers with deductions to retain more of their benefit award. We have invested £1bn in extending the Household Support Fund and maintaining Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) at current levels (including Barnett impacts) for 2025/26.

We continue to work across Government on the development of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping strategy in England. Housing and homelessness policy is devolved to Wales.

Any future decisions on LHA policy will be taken in the context of the Government’s missions, goals on housing and the fiscal context.

DHPs are available from local authorities and can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or UC who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_88
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_88

Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the (a) length in number of applicants and (b) duration of time of the backlog in Personal Independence Payment awards for appeals where a decision was previously made. \p Sir Stephen Timms: As of April 2025, a total of 8,900 appeals are currently in progress. This figure has been rounded to the nearest 100.

Although we hold information on the time between initial disallowance and appeal hearing, DWP is not solely responsible for this wait time. Appeals are lodged by claimants with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS), which the claimant may take up to 13 months to do. DWP then have 28 days to respond to the appeal when notified by HMCTS. After this the time taken to list the appeal is dependent on HMCTS, who run tribunal hearings.

The median journey time for an appeal where the initial decision was made in December 2023, was 42 weeks. This represents time from appeal lodgement to clearance within DWP only and excludes any further time prior to Tribunal.

Data for initial decisions made from 2024 onwards has not been used, to ensure reasonable time has passed for an accurate assessment of the time between an appeal lodgement and clearance within DWP.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_89
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_89

Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the (a) length in number of applicants and (b) duration of time of the backlog in Personal Independence Payment awards. \p Sir Stephen Timms: As at the end of January 2025, a total of 265,000 New Claims were in progress. This figure has been rounded to the nearest 1,000.

For the average clearance times in median weeks for New Claims under Normal Rules, please see the Personal Independence Payment Official Statistics to January 2025, the information you requested can be found on Table 1A.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_90
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_90

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of restricting access to the limited work capability component of Universal Credit for those under the age of 22 on (a) armed forces early service leavers and (b) people who have been medically discharged from the armed forces. \p Sir Stephen Timms: In our recent Pathways to Work Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, we announced a broad package of reforms to the health and disability benefit and support system. Importantly, no changes are proposed to Armed Forces Independence Payments (AFIP), which continue to provide support to some of the most severely disabled veterans.

For those in receipt of PIP who may be affected by the proposed eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to ensure health and eligible care needs are met. We also intend to launch a wider review of the PIP assessment process, bringing together experts, stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience. We will provide further details as plans progress.

As we develop proposals further, we are carefully considering the potential impacts, including on veterans and their families, as part of our broader response to the Green Paper consultation. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, such as the Royal British Legion, the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA), and many others, to contribute their views on how best to support wounded, injured, and sick veterans.

I have also asked my officials to work with their counterparts in the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) to organise a dedicated consultation event for armed forces stakeholders, likely to take place in June. We are also providing detailed briefings on the proposals to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and OVA officials. Once we have completed the consultation we will be building up to a White Paper, where we will once again engage with MoD and the OVA in advance of collective agreement.

We are also welcoming views on raising the age at which someone can access the Universal Credit health element to 22 as part of our Green Paper consultation.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_91
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_91

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending disability living allowance for children up to the age of 25. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Through our Green Paper, Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, we are consulting on raising the age at which young people move from Disability Living Allowance for children (DLAc) to the adult disability benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The aim of this proposed change is to better align the age at which young people first claim adult disability benefits with other key milestones in the transition to adulthood. It also aims to reduce pressure on still relatively young people going through adult PIP assessments.

The consultation question asks if the age for young people to move from claiming DLAc to PIP should be 18, and if not, at what age this should happen. We encourage the public to respond to the consultation. More details can be found at Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_92
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_92

James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to improve access to financial advice for people with little to no savings. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to supporting people of all income levels and all stages of life to save, and recognises the importance of accessible, high-quality financial advice and guidance - particularly for those with little or no savings.

To help achieve this, the Government sponsors the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), which provides free and impartial money and pensions guidance to the public online and by telephone. MaPS also offers a range of practical tools and resources to help individuals build savings, including a free Budget Planner and guides to help people manage their money, track spending, and identify opportunities to save.

At the Autumn Budget last year we extended the Help to Save scheme, which encourages low-income workers to save regularly. This Government also extended the eligibility criteria to include all Universal Credit claimants in work, not just those earning above a certain threshold

In addition, the Government is taking forward a Financial Inclusion Strategy to ensure that everyone has access to appropriate and affordable financial products and services. As part of this strategy, we are considering what more can be done to support people to build savings and strengthen their financial resilience.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_93
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_93

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to delay the implementation of changes to Inheritance Tax for farmers by 12 months. \p James Murray: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

These reforms were announced in October 2024 and will take effect in April 2026.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_94
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_94

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many enquiries have hon. Members made to HMRC on errors that led to constituents being overcharged tax in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those enquiries resulted in HMRC repaying overcharged tax in each of the last five years. \p James Murray: HMRC receives enquiries from hon. Members through a variety of channels, including calls, emails and letters, covering a wide range of topics. HMRC does not systematically record which of these enquires specifically relate to instances of overcharged tax, nor whether they resulted in a repayment.

Obtaining this information would require a detailed analysis of every enquiry raised by hon. Members. The level of resource needed to conduct such an in-depth review would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold for written parliamentary questions.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_95

Jo Platt:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the level of profits earned by social fundraising platforms from charging commission on Gift Aid in the last 12 months. \p James Murray: The Government recognises the vital role played by the charity sector and the generosity of the British public. That is why we support charitable giving with over £1.6billion in Gift Aid each year.

Charities have the flexibility to decide on their own strategy for fundraising and are free to partner with other organisations to process their Gift Aid claims. It will ultimately be a commercial decision on the part of a charity to work with a fundraising platform and whether it is appropriate to pay a fee for any services provided.

The Government does not provide financial support or subsidies to social fundraising platforms

Organisations that process Gift Aid and charge commission must report their annual income to HMRC. However, HMRC do not specifically request them to separately report how much income is earned from commission. Therefore, HMRC does not hold the information you have requested.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_96
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_96

Alex Easton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the outcome of the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025. \p James Murray: We estimate that the Emission Trading System and food and agriculture elements of the agreement alone will boost the economy by nearly £9 billion by 2040.

Implementation costs will be confirmed in due course when we have negotiated the details of these arrangements. This will include proportionate contributions in specific and limited areas, such as where access to specific IT systems will help to remove trade barriers for UK firms or help us to manage biosecurity risks. We will not be making general contributions to the EU budget.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_97
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_97

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homes will be built on Wyton Airfield in Cambridgeshire. \p Matthew Pennycook: It is not yet possible to indicate the exact number of new homes that will be delivered at Wyton Airfield.

Huntingdonshire District Council are in the process of updating its Local Plan and the Wyton Airfield site has been submitted through the ‘call for sites’ with an indicative capacity of 4,500 homes.

Any proposals for new housing will be the subject of planning applications in due course.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_98
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_98

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring mandatory quotas of disability accessible housing for new developments. \p Matthew Pennycook: The revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024 requires local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those of disabled people, and to reflect this in planning policies.

Where an identified need exists, plans are expected to help bring forward an adequate supply of accessible housing. This can include setting out the proportion of new housing to be delivered to the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard.

The government will shortly set out its policies on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_99
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_99

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the accredited official statistics entitled Local authority green belt statistics for England: 2023 to 2024, published on 5 December 2024, whether these statistics include metropolitan open land. \p Matthew Pennycook: The local authority green belt statistics publication issued by my Department does not include figures for metropolitan open land.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_100

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if there will be a mayoral election for Lancashire County Combined Authority in May 2026. \p Jim McMahon: We are continuing to work with Lancashire Combined County Authority to deepen their existing devolution agreement and, dependent on their ongoing governance review, we will explore a path towards mayoral devolution for the region.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_101
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_101

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what county flags have been flown from her Department's headquarters in Marsham Street since 4 July 2024. \p Jim McMahon: No historic county flags have been flown over the Department’s headquarters in Marsham Street since 4 July 2024.

The decision was taken to give English counties more prominence and status by moving from the department offices to the Houses of Parliament, where they will be seen by more people, and closer to MPs, Lords, and visitors wishing to celebrate their own specific county day.

We are pleased to say that individual historic county days are now managed by the Speaker's Office, with flags flown in New Palace Yard. It is expected that the flying of flags in New Palace Yard will increase visibility and engagement, and reflects the importance the government places on historic county days.

We will continue the celebration of Historic County Flag Day around the 23 July this year by the flying of all registered historic county flags and the Union flag in Parliament Square, and encourage all MPs to celebrate the rich history of our counties.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_102

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 34056 on Fire and Rescue Services: Finance, when will the population data be updated to include a population projection from the 2021 census data. \p Jim McMahon: In reference to when any updates or changes may be made to the Fire Funding Formula, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 36212 on 11 March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_103

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance to local billing authorities on whether a second homes council tax premium can be applied where a person claims a job-related second homes council tax discount. \p Jim McMahon: The government has published guidance on the implementation of council tax premiums and exceptions. This guidance sets out there is a mandatory exception from the second home premium for dwellings which are job-related, or where the person concerned is living in another dwelling with is job-related. Where a discount applies due to a dwelling’s job-related status, the premium also would not apply.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_104

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress she has made on leasehold reform. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government outlined its approach to leasehold and commonhold reform in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

We took swift action in the early months of the Parliament to implement provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 relating to rent charge arrears, building safety legal costs and the work of professional insolvency practitioners.

On 31 October 2024, the government commenced further building safety measures.

On 31 January 2025, provisions to remove the two-year qualifying rule in relation to enfranchisement and lease extensions came into force.

On 3 March 2025, the right to manage provisions (expanding access, reforming its costs, and voting rights) came into force and we published the Commonhold White Paper, which is a crucial first step in ensuring commonhold becomes the default tenure for flats.

An ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill will be published later this year.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_105

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the publication Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, CP1326, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of restricting access to local authority housing for (a) current and (b) former overseas nationals based on their English language proficiency. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has no plans to make such an assessment.

Eligibility for social housing is tightly controlled. If a person’s visa means that they cannot access state benefits or local authority housing assistance, they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. Only eligible individuals can join waiting lists and be given a social housing tenancy.

Where foreign nationals are eligible, they will have their housing needs considered on the same basis as other eligible applicants in accordance with the local authority’s housing allocation scheme. People who are homeless, in overcrowded housing or who need to move for medical reasons are prioritised.

The previous government consulted on changes to social housing allocation tests. This government’s response was published on 2 September and can be found on gov.uk here.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_106

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of foreign investment on housing affordability in the UK. \p Matthew Pennycook: Data on property ownership by overseas companies in England and Wales is published by HM Land Registry and is publicly available on gov.uk.

My Department has not conducted a specific assessment of the potential impact of foreign investment on housing affordability in the UK.

We recognise concerns about the impact of overseas investment on housing affordability, particularly for first-time buyers. In response, and as part of our commitment to supporting first-time buyers, including giving them the first chance to buy homes, we have introduced fiscal measures to level the playing field.

Non-UK residents already pay a 2% surcharge on top of the residential rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) when purchasing a dwelling in England or Northern Ireland.

In addition, at the Autumn Budget 2024, the government increased the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. The higher rates are also paid by non-UK residents purchasing additional property.

Increasing the higher rates of SDLT helps to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords and companies purchasing residential property.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_107

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of compliance by social landlords with guidance that service charge increases are restricted in line with rent increases. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government does not regulate the level of service charges for social housing tenants.

Our policy statement on social housing rents states that Registered Providers of social housing should endeavour to keep any service charge increases for tenants within the limit on rent increases, to help keep charges affordable.

Registered Providers are expected to set reasonable and transparent service charges for tenants which reflect the service being provided, and tenants should also be supplied with clear information about how service charges are set.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_108

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of local government restructuring on the Local Government Pension Scheme. \p Jim McMahon: Local government reorganisation will have impacts on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and may require the transfer of various functions, including the responsibility for administering an LGPS fund to a different authority. We would expect councils to work with relevant administering authorities on any implications of restructuring on the LGPS.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_109

Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to ensure that Disabled Students’ Allowance funding for completed Non-Medical Help support is paid in the event of a provider’s insolvency. \p Janet Daby: ​In the event of a provider’s insolvency, the Student Loans Company would act in accordance with the instructions issued by the appointed liquidator or administrator in relation to the payment of any outstanding invoices. The department remains fully committed to ensuring that Disabled Students Allowance funding for completed Non-Medical Help support is administered appropriately, and to minimising any potential disruption to students.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_110

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of halal food served in schools. \p Stephen Morgan: The department does not collect information on the proportion of halal food served in schools.

The government sets out required minimum standards for school food in the School Food Standards. The standards do not specify food requirements in terms of cultural and religious needs. Headteachers, governors and their caterers are best placed to make decisions about their school food policies, taking into account cultural, religious and special dietary needs and by working with parents.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_111

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many posts there are for (a) press, (b) media and (c) other communications staff in her Department; and what the salary band is for each post. \p Janet Daby: In the central Department for Education communications team, there are a total of 93.82 full-time equivalent (FTE) Government Communication Service professionals.

Of this total, 27.80 FTE are in the media discipline which covers press and media responsibilities. This is the latest available data from June 2024.

The department does not hold salary band information in the format requested. Our HR system holds positions based on team name and grade and not specific job titles with corresponding salary costs.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_112

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support single parents re-entering the workforce with funding to access high-quality childcare. \p Stephen Morgan: Single parents of children aged nine months and over may qualify for 30 hours of funded childcare from September this year, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Each parent needs to expect to earn the equivalent of 16 hours at National Living Wage and no more than £100,000 per year adjusted net income. This is equivalent to £195 per week or £10,158 per year (in 2025/26).

The Tax-Free Childcare scheme is also available to eligible working parents, including eligible single parents, and aims to help parents work, return to work, and work more when they want or need to. It can save eligible working parents up to £2,000 per year on the cost of childcare, or up to £4,000 for eligible children with disabilities.

Where households (including single parent households) do not meet the eligibility requirements, they may still qualify for support through the 15-hour entitlement for two-year-olds receiving some additional forms of support. All three and four-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours free early education regardless of their parent’s income.

Parents may wish to explore support through Universal Credit childcare. If eligible, parents can receive help with up to 85% of their childcare costs through Universal Credit Childcare which can be used in addition to the early education entitlements to support with the costs of childcare.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_113

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that it is financially viable for childcare settings to offer places to three and four year-old children. \p Stephen Morgan: In 2025/26 alone, we plan to provide over £8 billion for the early years entitlements, a more than 30% increase compared to 2024/25. We have announced the largest ever increase to Early Years Pupil Premium since its introduction and will also deliver a significant tranche of supplementary funding of £75 million through the Early Years Expansion Grant.

We are increasing core funding rates. For 2025/26, the national average three and four-year-old hourly funding rate of local authorities is increasing by 4.1%, two-year-old hourly funding rate is increasing by 3.3%, and nine months to two-year-old hourly funding rate is increasing by 3.4%.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_114

Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to retrofit schools to help meet net zero targets. \p Stephen Morgan: The department is committed to supporting the UK net zero carbon targets. Since 2021, our own building standards have required that all new school buildings we deliver are net zero carbon in operation and are adapted to climate change.

The department is also providing support for all schools and colleges to start on their journey towards net zero via our new online ‘Sustainability support for education’ platform and our climate ambassador programme. Where schools are considering options to become more sustainable, including considering decarbonisation of their energy supply, our ‘Get help buying’ service provides support to ensure that schemes procured are of high-quality and value to the sector. More information can be found at: https://gethelpbuyingforschools.campaign.gov.uk/.

Capital funding allocated to the school sector each year can also be used for projects that improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of school buildings, as well as improving the condition of the estate to keep schools safe and operational. The department has allocated £2.1 billion in condition funding for the 2025/26 financial year, which is £300 million more than the previous year.

In addition, we are working with Great British Energy, as part of their solar programme, and investing a total of £80 million to install solar and other related interventions in 200 schools and colleges in areas of deprivation.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_115

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her priorities are for the Education World Forum. \p Stephen Morgan: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education was pleased to host the Education World Forum in London from 18 to 21 May, with over 140 education and skills Ministers from around the world joining. The forum supports the government’s priorities and our Growth and Opportunity Missions through engaging with international Ministers and showcasing our international education strengths and offer. It is a key opportunity to demonstrate UK government leadership in this area and a valuable soft power event.

The theme of this year’s event, ‘From stability to growth: Building stronger, bolder better education together’, allowed us to discuss and learn from each other across multiple priority areas in education such as artificial intelligence and technology in education, skills for the future, early years, and special educational needs and disabilities, among many others.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_116

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much capital funding she plans to provide to schools in Lincolnshire in 2026-27. \p Stephen Morgan: The department has recently announced over £1 billion of new capital investment to support local authorities to create mainstream school places needed by September 2028. £640 million will be allocated in the financial year 2026/27, of which Lincolnshire local authority will receive £23.9 million.

Other capital budgets for 2026/27 will be decided as part of the ongoing multi-year spending review.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_117

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to meet the demand for (a) special and (b) mainstream school placements for children with SEN in the London Borough of Enfield. \p Stephen Morgan: The department has published allocations for £740 million in high needs provision capital allocations for the 2025/26 financial year. The funding can be used to adapt schools to be more accessible for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs, and to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

Enfield Council has been allocated £6.2 million high needs capital funding for 2025/26. It is up to local authorities to prioritise their funding to meet local needs.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_118

Maureen Burke:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN); and whether her Department provides additional funding for ASN courses in schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Glasgow North East to the answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45165.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_119

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to support grammar schools in Lincolnshire. \p Catherine McKinnell: The national funding formula, and wider education policies, support all state-funded schools equally, including grammar schools.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_120

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children are on the SEND waiting list in Edmonton and Winchmore Hill constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department does not hold information on the number of children waiting to be assessed for an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

The department collects information from local authorities on the number of requests for an EHC needs assessment, the number of EHC needs assessments carried out, and the number of EHC plans issued within the statutory 20-week timeframe. This data is published annually in the statistical release ‘Education, health and care plans’. The release can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/education-health-and-care-plans/2024.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_121

Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the establishment of Great British Railways on funding for the British Transport Police. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_122

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will ask Network Rail to install Overlay Miniature Stop Lights at Viaduct level crossing in Chirk Bank. \p Simon Lightwood: My department looks to Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for Britain’s railways, to make operational decisions independent of government in accordance with its statutory safety duties and expertise. These include decisions on the appropriate safety arrangements at specific level crossings, which are informed by thorough risk assessments. These risk assessments consider a range of factors, including potential hazards, visibility, train speed and level crossing usage.

It is important that these decisions are made by Network Rail, without any interference or direction from my department, to maintain its independence.

I have, however, passed on this request to Network Rail, who will be able to advise on the appropriateness of the safety arrangements at Viaduct Level Crossing in Chirk Bank.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_123

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her plans are for future funding arrangements for British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_124

Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to improve rail services in the West Midlands. \p Simon Lightwood: West Midlands Trains has recently introduced two brand new fleets of high capacity trains in the West Midlands area, with a third new fleet on its West Coast routes starting service shortly. Five new stations are also under construction. Meanwhile, CrossCountry started operating a bigger fleet last weekend, significantly boosting capacity on its network, and all its trains will be fully refurbished in the next three years. A Pay-As-You-Go scheme is being implemented to help deliver seamless journey integration. Longer term, work continues on developing the Midlands Rail Hub scheme.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_125

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to develop a zero-emission coach travel roadmap to 2050. \p Simon Lightwood: We have no current plans to draft a roadmap. The Government is working with the sector to fully decarbonise the coach fleet. We are pleased to see the progress that has been made so far, particularly as long distance zero emission coaches have only been on the market since 2024. We expect to see the numbers of zero emission coaches on UK roads continue to grow as more coach operators opt for them on commercial grounds. We also welcome that some coach operators are starting to use charging infrastructure at bus depots and strongly encourage this shared use of facilities.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_126

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for the British Transport Police. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_127

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with National Grid on resilience in the rail sector. \p Simon Lightwood: Network Rail, as the owner and operator of Great Britian’s railway infrastructure, is responsible for ensuring the resilience of the railway.

Network Rail and National Grid are actively engaged in discussions about the rail sector's resilience, including issues related to power supply, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure improvements. These discussions involve stakeholders from across the industry to ensure a collaborative approach to addressing challenges and opportunities to grow, expand and improve the resilience of the railway network to meet the needs of passengers and freight users.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_128

Daniel Francis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Network Rail on maintaining ownership of the northern part of Hornbeam Lane in Barnehurst. \p Simon Lightwood: There have are no active discussions between officials in my Department and Network Rail regarding maintaining ownership of the northern part of Hornbeam Lane. If the hon member provides details, my Department would be happy to support the resolution of any issues.
wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-27 conversation_129

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has for future funding arrangements for the British Transport Police (a) during and (b) after the transition to Great British Railways. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set currently set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

We anticipate that the level of funding for the BTP during the transition to and commencement of Great British Railways will similarly balance the needs of the industry and the force against public sector affordability.