theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_239
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_239

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23351 on Regulator of Social Housing: Translation Services, which document includes guidance to registered providers of social housing on supplying information in different languages. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 23351 on 21 January 2025 and the answer given to Question UIN 30140 on 18 February 2025.

I also refer the hon. Member to the Regulator of Social Housing’s Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, which can be found on gov.uk here and the consumer standards Code of Practice which can be found on gov.uk here.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_240
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_240

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2025,to Question 26561 on HM Land Registry: Buildings, how many Land Registry staff assigned to work in the Croydon office attended that office in person on average in December 2024. \p Matthew Pennycook: 359 staff assigned to work in the Croydon office attended that office in person in December 2024. No adjustment has been made to attendance numbers to account for those on short term leave.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_241
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_241

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure national scale cavity nesting habitat is (a) preserved and (b) created to stabilise populations of red listed birds reliant on buildings to breed. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 22080 on 15 January 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_242
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_242

Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Renters' Rights Bill will place penalties on landlords who have been unable to sell their properties and want to re-rent. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Renters’ Rights Bill will introduce a new ground for possession for landlords who wish to sell their property. To prevent abuse of this ground, landlords will not be able to market or re-let their property for twelve months after using the selling ground. This will remove the financial incentive to landlords from misusing the grounds and evicting a tenant with the intention to re-let at a higher rent.

Once the legislation is in place, landlords could be given a fine of up to £40,000 by local councils if they market or re-let their properties within twelve months of using the moving and selling grounds. Tenants will also be able to seek Rent Repayment Orders for this offence. Tenants will be able toc challenge evictions in court if they believe the landlord is misusing the grounds. If this happens, the landlord will need demonstrate that their intention to sell or move in is genuine.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_243
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_243

Michael Payne:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 31 July 2024 to Question 1176 on Park Homes: Sales, what her policy is on the longstanding concerns about the regulation of park home sites and the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home. \p Matthew Pennycook: The park homes sector is an important part of the housing market.

The government recognises that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home.

We will set out plans in due course to seek further evidence from the sector on the rationale for the commission.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_244
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_244

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the target number of affordable homes provided through the 2021-26 Affordable Housing Programme is; and how many of those homes are (a) social rent, (b) affordable rent, (c) affordable home ownership, (d) supported housing and (e) rural housing across (i) England and (ii) London. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Department published an update on targets in respect of the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme on 30 July 2024. It can be found on gov.uk here.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has shared targets for the programme in London. These can be found on gov.uk here.

Homes England set out their target for the programme outside of London in their annual report and accounts. This can be found on gov.uk here.

As set out in my answer to Question UIN xx-xxxx-xxxx on 16 December 2024, the government will continue to work with Homes England and the GLA to support them to deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and home-ownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for Social Rent.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_245
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_245

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many applications for (a) Navigational Watch Rating certificates, (b) Engine Room Watch Rating certificates, (c) Electro-Technical Watch Ratings Certificates, (d) Able Seafarer Deck Certificates of Proficiency and (e) Yacht Rating Certificates, were received by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in each year since 2014-15; and how many were issued by the MCA in each of those years. \p Mike Kane: The MCA received the following applications and awarded the following Certificates in the years since 2014/15.

Applications Received Annually

Year

Navigational Watch Rating Certificate (NWRC)

Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate (ERWRC)

Electro-Technical Rating Certificate (ETRC)

Able Seafarer (AB) - Deck

Yacht Rating Certificate (YRC)

Total

14/15

246

37

-

109

392

15/16

202

27

-

126

355

16/17

193

34

-

157

384

17/18

197

27

-

133

357

18/19

96

22

-

104

222

19/20

97

18

-

95

210

20/21

129

22

-

122

273

21/22

104

21

-

121

246

22/23

228

35

-

140

403

23/24

252

40

-

134

426

24/25

228

56

-

158

442

Total

1972

339

1399

3710

NB

Aug 2020 received data for ratings data wiped due to a retention policy on the file

Certificates Issued Annually

Year

Navigational Watch Rating Certificate (NWRC)

Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate (ERWRC)

Electro-Technical Rating Certificate (ETRC)

Able Seafarer (AB) - Deck

Yacht Rating Certificate (YRC)

Total

14/15

Non-Digital until April 2016

Non-Digital until 06/2016

N/A

-

Non-Digital until April 2016

-

15/16

Non-Digital until April 2016

Non-Digital until 06/2016

N/A

-

Non-Digital until April 2016

-

16/17

138

24

4

-

126

292

17/18

187

29

3

-

122

341

18/19

133

23

3

-

63

222

19/20

156

19

1

-

140

316

20/21

159

18

6

-

145

328

21/22

144

21

1

-

117

283

22/23

145

24

2

-

122

293

23/24

215

36

3

-

128

382

24/25

205

28

13

-

116

362

Total

1482

222

36

1079

2819

This data comes with the following commentary:
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_246
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_246

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the availability of (a) practical and (b) theory driving tests is commensurate with the expected number of applicants at any given time. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) practical test booking service is live, and candidates are advised to check for new appointments regularly. Test appointments are released on a rolling 24-week basis, and slots are added as soon as they become available.

As of 3 March 2025, there were 576,004 car practical driving tests booked, and 34,169 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window.

On the 18 December, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK.

Theory test availability is monitored by both DVSA and the external service providers. Candidates wait on average no more than 28 calendar days from booking to their theory test appointment date, as per the contractual performance measures.

Capacity in the theory test centre network is managed using demand forecasting, and ongoing monitoring of tests booked into the 211 test centres in the network across Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_247
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_247

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 34603 on Rolling Stock: Northern, what information her Department holds on the number of train cars in good working order but not in use by Northern. \p Simon Lightwood: Northern currently has 954 carriages that operate according to train service requirements set by the Department.

Train operators are responsible for ensuring that they meet the needs of customers by deploying the appropriate number of vehicles into service to deliver train services. The Department does not hold information in respect of the number of vehicles that are available for service but not in traffic, this is a matter for the operator who must make effective use of their fleet by balancing demand against maintenance, refurbishment and overhaul tasks.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_248
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_248

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in Employers National Insurance Contributions on the budgets of train and bus operators transitioning from franchise to public mode of operations management. \p Simon Lightwood: Budgets for 2025/26 are in the process of being agreed, as part of the annual business planning process, with train operating companies. These budgets take account of the increase in the cost of changes to employer National Insurance contributions made at Autumn Budget 2024.

The increase to National Insurance employers’ contributions announced at the Budget is expected to increase bus operator costs. We are committed to working with the sector to deliver better bus services for passengers, and have confirmed investment of over £1 billion for buses in the financial year 2025 to 2026.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_249
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_249

Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has developed contingency plans to respond to potential legal challenges to the proposed expansion to Heathrow airport. \p Mike Kane: The Government will take all necessary and appropriate actions to ensure a sound legal basis for its decisions.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_250

Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the capacity of the UK transport network to facilitate the delivery of Special Order category abnormal indivisible loads required to achieve the Government’s Net Zero targets. \p Lilian Greenwood: National Highways manage the High and Heavy Loads Grid on behalf of the Department to facilitate the movement of abnormal indivisible loads. Management of assets (such as bridges) is a devolved matter with responsibility falling to the relevant owner, such as National Highways for those on the Strategic Road Network, or a local transport authority for local roads. All special-order proposals require case-by-case consultation with National Highways’ central team and a special-order permit to be issued. That team co-ordinate the route clearance with every road and structure owner and police authority along a suggested route to gain approval, taking into account the dimensions of a proposed vehicle configuration. Only when all affected parties give their approval that the proposed route is safe to traverse can a special-order permit be issued.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_251

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent sinkhole formation in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: Tackling problems such as sinkholes on local roads is a matter for local highway authorities. Surrey County Council is the local highway authority for Surrey Heath constituency. For the 2025/26 financial year, the Government is providing Surrey County Council with £32.4 million for local highway maintenance, which is an extra £8.5 million compared to 2024/25. It is up to local highway authorities to determine how best to spend this funding to maintain all parts of their networks, including tackling issues of this sort.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_252
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_252

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) forestry timber, and (b) recyclable waste wood remain ineligible as feedstocks for the manufacture of sustainable aviation fuel. \p Mike Kane: Biofuel feedstocks under the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate must be wastes or residues. The use of wastes in SAF production must adhere to the waste hierarchy, which ensures the best end use of a material. The waste hierarchy requires that only waste materials that can’t be prevented, reused or recycled can be used for fuel production. This means that forestry timber, which is considered a product, and recyclable waste wood are not eligible.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_253
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_253

Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what definition her Department applies to determine when a road network is operating (a) at and (b) over full capacity. \p Lilian Greenwood: Transport Business Cases follow the HM Treasury five-case Business Case model. Decisions are informed by the assessment of the scheme in relation to strategic fit, value for money, deliverability, commercial and financial considerations. The Department provides guidance to scheme promoters in DfT’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

The relationship between levels of demand and road capacity would be considered as part of the transport modelling and analysis for potential transport investments.

An introduction to this modelling, including the interaction of supply conditions and road demand, is provided in Chapter 3 of the TAG guidance for the Senior Responsible Officer. Further technical detail is provided in Appendix E of TAG unit M3.1, TAG unit M3.1 highway assignment modelling.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_254

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) condition and (b) traffic capacity of the A35 Sea Road South. \p Lilian Greenwood: This Government recognises that maintaining the condition of the country’s roads is essential to ensure people can travel safely and effectively. The condition of the A35 is regularly inspected and any identified maintenance defects are addressed accordingly in line with their severity. Traffic capacity and congestion along the route is monitored regionally by National Highways and fed into a prioritisation process as appropriate.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_255
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_255

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing funding for the A35 Sea Road South scheme in 2025-26. \p Lilian Greenwood: National Highways has entered an interim settlement year to allow time for ministers to pause and consider Strategic Road Network priorities and capital spend. It has received an allocation of Customer and Communities funding for this interim settlement and prioritised schemes nationally against this allocation. While the A35 Sea Road South scheme did not score highly enough within the prioritisation process to receive this funding, money has been allocated to a scheme which addresses road safety on this route.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_256
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_256

Zarah Sultana:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support she is providing to the DVSA to improve the recruitment of driving instructors and reduce driving test waiting times. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 18 December, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA also introduced tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.

DVSA continues recruitment for DEs at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve customers in Coventry South and is currently working through the recruitment process from recent campaigns.

As part of this, DVSA has two potential new DEs for Coventry DTC in training. Another potential new DE is currently undergoing checks as part of the recruitment process.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_257
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_257

Katie White:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with the aircraft industry to help reduce (a) noise and (b) carbon emissions from aircraft and (c) air space modernisation. \p Mike Kane: The Department works closely with Sustainable Aviation – an industry alliance to support a sustainable UK aviation sector – and they published an updated Noise Road Map in February 2025. We recognise the nationwide noise reduction benefits that the latest generation of aircraft and aircraft technology will deliver.

The Government has also established the Jet Zero Taskforce to convene stakeholders from across the UK aviation sector to identify, and advise on, unblocking the key barriers in delivering greener aviation. Further, through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, Government is co-investing with industry in the development of ultra-efficient and zero-carbon aircraft technology. It aims to grow the UK’s competitive position in civil aerospace while reducing harmful emissions, including CO2 and noise.

The Government’s airspace modernisation programme works closely with a range of industry stakeholders, primarily airports and airlines, to ensure the environmental benefits of airspace modernisation can be realised as quickly as possible.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_258
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_258

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a guaranteed strike price for sustainable aviation fuel on the (a) costs (i) of air fares and (ii) for (A) manufacturers and (B) the wood panel industry and (b) market for feedstock materials. \p Mike Kane: We will be delivering a Revenue Certainty Mechanism to derisk Sustainable Aviation Fuel projects in the UK and encourage investment. This will play a key role in growing the economy and bringing down our transport emissions.

A cost-benefit analysis will be published alongside the introduction of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Revenue Support Mechanism) Bill, which was announced for this Parliamentary session in the King’s Speech. This will include its potential impact on air fares. We will control the cost of the revenue certainty mechanism by managing the scale and number of contracts entered into, as well as the prices negotiated, thereby helping protect consumers and airlines from price increases and fluctuations. We therefore expect any rises to be in line with the usual market variation of ticket prices. We have not assessed its impact on manufacturers, the wood panel industry or the market for feedstocks as these effects will depend significantly on the plants that are supported through the mechanism.

We will regularly monitor the costs and impacts of the Revenue Certainty Mechanism to avoid undue burdens across the economy.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_259
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_259

Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has asked HS2 Limited to make an assessment of the potential impact of the provision of funding for a railway station at East Birmingham on the regeneration of that area. \p Lilian Greenwood: HS2 Ltd has defined scope to deliver two HS2 stations in the West Midlands: Birmingham Curzon Street and Interchange. These stations will have a transformative economic impact on the wider city, including East Birmingham. There are no plans for an additional HS2 station in East Birmingham.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_260
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_260

Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what independent modelling her Department has used to conduct cost-benefit analysis of Heathrow expansion; and whether this analysis included consideration of (a) air pollution-related illnesses and premature deaths and (b) NHS expenditure. \p Mike Kane: The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_261
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_261

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of existing enforcement of HGV restrictions. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department keeps all policies under its remit affecting Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) under review, such as those on weights and dimensions. Local restrictions, such as access times for HGVs on certain routes, is a matter for the relevant transport authority (for example, National Highways in the case of the Strategic Road Network).

Enforcement is a matter for both the police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The DVSA target their enforcement using a number of available tools to ensure that we do not place an unnecessary burden on compliant operators in the UK.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_262
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_262

Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Heathrow airport expansion on trends in the level of particulate matter. \p Mike Kane: The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

On 27 February the Secretary of State has said she is ‘minded to approve’ the expansion of Gatwick Airport. Gatwick Airport is now asked to respond to the Secretary of State on the matters raised by 24 April 2025. The Secretary of State will make her final decision on or before 27 October. As this is a live planning application and the Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role in this process we therefore cannot comment on it further.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_263
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_263

Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the report by the Civil Aviation Authority entitled CAP3010: Annual Report & Accounts 2023/2024, published on 12 September 2024, if she will take steps to ensure (a) the accuracy of (i) drone operator (A) numbers and (B) projections and (ii) other information in that report and (b) that accurate data is used in future regulatory decisions affecting the drone industry. \p Mike Kane: Late last year the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) became aware of an error in its Annual Report and Accounts for 2023/24 and immediately notified the Department for Transport. The Department for Transport officially put this error right by means of a correction slip. This was laid in both Houses of Parliament on 16 December 2024, alongside the original report which had been laid on 12 September 2024. This corrected error has had no implications for regulatory decisions, charging models or future projections made or to be made by the CAA. The CAA has since taken steps to further strengthen its Annual Report and Accounts auditing process to confirm the accuracy of all the statistics in future Annual Reports and Accounts before they are laid in Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_264
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_264

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32525 on Airports, which airports are designated Level 3. \p Mike Kane: There are currently 9 Level 3 coordinated airports in the UK: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Stansted, London Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds Bradford.​ Leeds Bradford is Level 3 coordinated for summer season only, the other airports are Level 3 coordinated on year-round basis.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_265
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_265

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many times his Department has met with the Centre for Countering Digital Hate; and when those meetings took place. \p Feryal Clark: Ministers, special advisers, and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders. Details of ministerial meetings, including the purpose of meetings, are published quarterly on the gov.uk website.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_266
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_266

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has met representatives of Faculty AI. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT’s contract with Faculty AI came into force in February 2024. Details of that contract can be found here. DSIT officials routinely engage with representatives of Faculty AI as part of the contract management process.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_267
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_267

Kanishka Narayan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on the establishment of an AI Growth Zone in the Vale of Glamorgan. \p Feryal Clark: The UK Government recognises the critical role of AI infrastructure in supporting advanced AI technologies. The AI Opportunities Action Plan outlines how the UK can build the cutting-edge compute infrastructure needed to lead in AI development and deployment, securing long-term economic growth and staying at the forefront of AI innovation.

We are partnering with local and regional authorities and Devolved Governments to establish AI Growth Zones (AIGZs), ensuring substantial regional and national benefits, such as upskilling and employment opportunities, are felt across the country.

In February, Devolved Governments and local authorities, along with industry, were invited to come forward with potential sites suitable for hosting AI infrastructure as an early expression of interest. DSIT regularly engages with the Welsh Government on a range of issues and we are delighted by the significant interest in AIGZs from across the UK. We will open the formal selection process in early spring.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_268
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_268

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what personal data the National Security Online Information Team may (a) receive and (b) process in the course of its work. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT’s National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) does not actively collect personal data. However, it may receive or process some personal data in the course of its work and follows the requirements of UK GDPR and any advice or guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

NSOIT has published privacy notices on Gov.uk which set out how personal data may be processed. These notices include a section explaining the public’s data protection rights and how to establish if NSOIT does hold any individual data.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_269
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_269

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will conduct a review of the work of the National Security Online Information Team. \p Feryal Clark: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences from mis and disinformation. This remit and the work of NSOIT is kept under review by ministers.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_270
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_270

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the collection of (a) political and (b) philosophical opinions by the National Security Online Information Team. \p Feryal Clark: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences from mis and disinformation. This remit and the work of NSOIT is kept under review by ministers.

NSOIT’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression is embedded in its policies and practices. For example, NSOIT has a blanket ban on referring content from journalists and politicians to social media platforms. Its privacy notices are available on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_271

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much online content was flagged as disinformation by his Department in the last 12 months; and what the nature was of that content. \p Feryal Clark: In 2024 the National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) referred 180 pieces of content to platforms, across national security and public safety risks. Any online content referred to social media platforms falls within NSOIT’s defined remit of public safety and national security, be capable of causing harm and potentially breach the platform’s terms of service.

Where content is flagged to a social media platform, the next steps for dealing with that content lie solely with the platform.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_272

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department plans to provide for countering disinformation online in each of the next three financial years. \p Feryal Clark: In October 2023 the Counter Disinformation Unit became the National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT). The name more accurately reflects the team’s revised remit to identify and understand information threats that pose national security and public safety risks to UK audiences from mis and disinformation.

It would not be appropriate for me to share details of the department’s spend on counter-disinformation as this could give hostile actors insights into UK capabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_273

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the remit is of the (a) Information Commissioner's Office and (b) Ofcom for algorithmic recommender systems on social media. \p Feryal Clark: The Information Commissioner’s Office enforces the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. Organisations that process personal data through algorithmic recommender systems are subject to the requirements of the data protection legislation.

Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can require social media providers to take proportionate steps relating to the design of their service, to help keep users safe. This includes steps relating to content recommender systems.

Both regulators have various audit and enforcement tools, such as the ability to request information from individuals and issue monetary penalties for non-compliance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_274

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what (a) themes and (b) trends will be monitored by the Counter Disinformation Data Platform. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT uses the Counter Disinformation Data Platform (CDDP) in accordance with relevant existing UK legislation, including on data protection and human rights.

DSIT officials use the platform to analyse disinformation narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to risks to national security and public safety, which is a remit set by ministers. In line with the role of government and DSIT’s compliance policies, the CDDP is not used to restrict freedom of expression.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_275

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to take steps to help ensure private telecommunications infrastructure providers are unable to install hardware without consultation with local communities. \p Chris Bryant: We deprecate the installation of unnecessarily intrusive telecommunications infrastructure, especially where operators have not cooperated in sharing infrastructure or followed guidelines such as consulting communities. Planning regulations aim to strike a balance between the economic and social benefits of investments in digital infrastructure and the needs and concerns of local communities.

The deployment of telecoms infrastructure in England requires planning permission. Most telecommunications infrastructure, including new masts and poles, benefit from permitted development rights.

Regulations and guidelines set out the requirements that communications providers must adhere to when exercising these rights, including any requirements to engage with or notify local planning authorities prior to deploying new infrastructure, and any expectations for engaging with communities. Local planning authorities have discretion on engaging communities about proposed applications.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_276

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the broadcasting sector's contribution to telecoms resilience. \p Chris Bryant: The broadcasting sector plays an important role in enhancing telecoms resilience by providing robust infrastructure and rapidly circulating news and information to the public during emergencies. DSIT collaborates with TV and radio broadcast and telecom operators through the Electronic Resilience & Response Group (EC-RRG) industry forum, sharing best practices and strengthening the networks to ensure the continuity of communication services and public safety during crises. Both DSIT and DCMS (who have responsibility for the broadcast sector) recognise the importance of ongoing collaboration to maintain and enhance telecoms resilience.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_277

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking with Openreach to deliver Full Fibre broadband to homes and businesses. \p Chris Bryant: The government is committed to delivering 2030 nationwide gigabit connectivity coverage, with 86% of premises now able to access a gigabit-capable connection thanks to a pro-competition regulatory environment. As a result, there is now a thriving market of over 100 providers, including Openreach, investing over £40bn rolling out gigabit broadband all over the UK.

As part of Project Gigabit, we have announced six contracts with Openreach across the UK to provide access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection to premises that would not be connected through the commercial market.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_278

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent progress his Department has made on Project Gigabit. \p Chris Bryant: We continue to make good progress on the delivery of Project Gigabit. According to the independent website ThinkBroadband.com, over 86% of UK premises can now access a gigabit-capable broadband connection.

At the beginning of this year, we signed four additional Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach and last month, we announced the first Project Gigabit contract in Scotland. In total, more than £2 billion of contracts have now been signed to bring fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach premises across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_279

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to encourage scientists to emigrate to the UK. \p Feryal Clark: The UK offers one of the strongest science bases in the world, with world-leading universities and research institutions, with opportunities in growing areas like quantum and AI. The UK’s immigration offer enables talented scientists, researchers and innovators to come here through various fast-track visa routes, such as the Global Talent, High Potential Individual and Skilled Worker visas. Our Global Talent Network aims to grow our science and technology power by attracting top international science talent to pursue opportunities in the UK. The UK's association to Horizon Europe enables international researchers to come to UK research establishments and collaborate across Europe.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_280

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging scheme that will be introduced in April 2025 on the drinks industry. \p Mary Creagh: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I provided to PQ 33304 on 4 March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_281

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the definition of household waste under the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging scheme to apply exemptions to products consumed and disposed of within hospitality venues. \p Mary Creagh: The Government has been engaging extensively with stakeholders from various sectors, including the hospitality sector, to develop a better understanding of the potential impacts of a change in the definition of household packaging. The government will set out its intended next steps on the definition shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_282

Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 October 2024 to Question 10174 on Pesticides, when he plans to publish the National Action Plan on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. \p Emma Hardy: We intend to publish a Pesticides National Action Plan this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_283

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on phasing out lead ammunition for gamebird shooting. \p Emma Hardy: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has now published a final Opinion on their restriction proposal for lead in ammunition, informed by information from public consultations, as well as independent scientific advice. Now Defra has received HSE’s final Opinion on their proposed restriction, we are assessing their proposals, and a decision will follow. This decision will be taken with consent from the Devolved Governments of Scotland and Wales.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_284

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference to ensure the effective management of Marine Protected Areas. \p Emma Hardy: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are already protected from the point of designation by the planning and marine licensing regimes that cover activities such as dredging for aggregates and construction of offshore wind farms. In addition, the Department is considering next steps to manage bottom trawling, along with other fishing methods, where this might damage MPA features or benthic habitats, in the context of our domestic and international nature conservation obligations. We are keen to continue to work closely with fisheries and marine stakeholders as we develop our plans for future fisheries and marine management. The 2025 UN Ocean Conference offers an opportunity to discuss our approach with a wide range of organisations and partners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_285

Andrew Pakes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the spread of mitten crabs to Cambridgeshire. \p Mary Creagh: The Government understands concerns regarding the impact of Chinese mitten crab in Cambridgeshire. However, whilst we continue to take steps to prevent the further spread of Chinese mitten crab, Defra is not currently aware of any cost-effective or proven methods of controlling this species in areas it is currently present, such as Cambridgeshire. Due to the known impact of this species we continue to monitor for any new viable methods of controlling and managing populations and to preventing further spread.

Although control in currently impacted areas is not currently possible, Defra has taken clear steps towards reducing the spread of this species. Chinese mitten crab is listed as a ‘Species of Special Concern’, this means it cannot be brought into GB, kept, bred, transported, sold, used or exchanged, allowed to reproduce, grown or cultivated, or released into the environment.

Defra also funds the Fish Health Inspectorate to carry out work to prevent the illegal sale and spread of this species and continues to support the ‘Check Clean Dry’ campaign which offers aquatic biosecurity advice to minimise the risk of spreading invasive plants and animals to new areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_286

Ms Julie Minns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which properties received Farming Recovery payments in Carlisle and North Cumbria constituency in each of the last five years. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Rural Payments Agency can confirm that no payments were made to properties under the Farming Recovery payments in Carlisle and North Cumbria constituency in each of the last five years.