theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason it is her policy to place a mandatory gambling levy on society lotteries while not requiring the National Lottery to  make a mandatory problem gambling contribution. \p Stephanie Peacock: Under the terms of the fourth licence, the National Lottery operator, Allwyn, is required to make a £1.6million annual contribution to socially responsible purposes such as research and treatment.

Society lotteries will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%, in recognition of the comparatively low rates of harm associated with participation in society lotteries and the important benefits they bring to good cause fundraising.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to improve funding available for youth sports competitions. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government puts children and young people at the heart of our priorities. This includes breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child to access high-quality sport and physical activity, especially those who are less likely to be active. We are committed to protecting time for physical education in school and supporting the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport.

The School Games Organisers are essential in ensuring that all children have the opportunity to take part in local and accessible sport and physical activity competitions. In the 2023/24 academic year, the country-wide network of 450 SGOs provided 2.3 million opportunities for school children to engage in local and inclusive sporting competitions across 40 different sports and activities. The Government has confirmed funding for the School Games Organisers until the end of the 25/26 Financial Year.

We provide the majority of our funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year and funds National Governing Bodies and sport organisations to deliver a range of local, accessible sport for young people, including competitions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Stuart Andrew:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on the National Youth Strategy. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we remain committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. That is why we are developing a National Youth Strategy to set out a new vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.

In 2025/26, has committed to funding over £85 million of capital funding to create fit-for-purpose spaces in places where it is most needed, which includes £26 million for youth clubs to buy new equipment and do renovations under the Better Youth Spaces Fund. We will be launching the Local Youth Transformation pilot this year, which will support local authorities to build back capability to improve local youth offers. Further funding allocations for specific youth programmes will be set out in due course.

We will publish the Strategy this summer, following the Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing mandatory independent press regulation. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government currently has no plans to establish mandatory press regulation.

This Government is committed to an independent and free media. Having a press that is completely separate from the Government is important to ensure the public have access to accurate and trustworthy information from a range of different sources. An independent self-regulatory regime is important to ensure the press adheres to clear and high standards. We are also clear, however, that with this freedom comes responsibility, and newspapers must operate within the bounds of the law. This includes ensuring access to clear, timely and effective routes to redress.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Stuart Andrew:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to her Department's planned budget for the 2025-26 financial year on access to sport for disabled people. \p Stephanie Peacock: Access to sport and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health and this Government is committed to ensuring everyone, no matter their age, background or ability, should be able to play sport and be active. The majority of grassroots sport funding is provided by our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, that will invest in excess of £250 million of exchequer and lottery funding through 2025/26.

We are also supporting more people in getting active wherever they live through continuation of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. On 21 March the Government announced £100 million funding to be delivered through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme during 2025/26, supporting high-quality, inclusive facilities across the UK.

The Government puts children and young people at the heart of our priorities. This includes breaking down barriers to opportunity for every child to access high-quality sport and physical activity, especially those who are less likely to be active. We have committed to protecting time for physical education and supporting the role grassroots clubs play in expanding access to sport. The expert-led review of the school curriculum will ensure that all children can engage with a broad range of subjects, including PE and sport.

Sport England is also committed to increasing participation in sport and physical activity for disabled people and improving their access to sport facilities. Sport England runs specific initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign, impacting directly on disabled people, and those with a long-term health condition. Sport England also has partnerships with organisations such as Disability Rights UK, Activity Alliance, Aspire, and Sense, to help more disabled people get active.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many days each Minister has spent in her Department's Manchester office since 4 July 2024. \p Stephanie Peacock: Ministers visit the DCMS office in Manchester as their diaries permit. Most recently, all four DCMS Ministers visited the Manchester office on 10 April.
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Mr Alex Barros-Curtis:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including the Six Nations as part of the listed events regime. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring access to sporting events, including the Six Nations, so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. However, this must also be balanced with the ability of sports national governing bodies to generate essential broadcast revenue to invest in their sports at all levels.

The Six Nations is listed under the Broadcasting Act 1996 Act as a “Group B” protected event, meaning secondary coverage must be offered to free-to-air broadcasters.

The Government believes that the current list of events works well and that it strikes an appropriate balance between access to sporting events and allowing sports to maximise broadcasting revenue.

I am pleased that Six Nations Rugby have recently agreed a deal to broadcast the Six Nations on free-to-air broadcasters until 2029.
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to enhance press regulation. \p Stephanie Peacock: In the UK, there exists an independent, self-regulatory system for the press and the Government therefore does not intervene in or oversee the work of press regulators. We are also clear, however, that with this freedom comes responsibility, and newspapers must operate within the bounds of the law. This includes ensuring access to clear, timely and effective routes to redress.

Having a press that is completely separate from the Government is important for press freedom and to ensure the public have access to accurate and trustworthy information from a range of different sources. An independent self-regulatory regime is important to ensure the press adheres to clear and high standards and the Government currently has no plans to change the present system of press regulation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34451 on Center for Countering Digital Hate, whether (a) her Department and (b) the National Lottery has previously funded the Center for Countering Digital Hate. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not provided funding to the Center for Countering Digital Hate, either directly or through National Lottery funding.
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Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the enforcement by the Gambling Commission of legislation on preventing unlicensed online gambling operators from being advertised by Premier League football clubs. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Gambling Commission has been clear that sports organisations must diligently and continuously ensure that they are not advertising illegal gambling. Under current rules, sports organisations who engage in sponsoring and advertising arrangements with unlicensed gambling operators are at serious risk of committing the offence of advertising unlawful gambling under Section 330 of the Gambling Act 2005. The Commission has warned relevant club officials that they may be liable to prosecution and, if convicted, face a fine, imprisonment or both if they promote unlicensed gambling businesses that transact with consumers in Great Britain. Sports organisations engaging in such arrangements with an unlicensed brand must ensure that online gambling activity for that unlicensed brand is blocked and inaccessible to consumers in Great Britain.

In such instances, the Commission will seek assurance from clubs that they have carried out due diligence on their gambling partners and that consumers in Great Britain cannot transact with the unlicensed websites. The Commission will also take steps to independently verify effective blocking measures are in place.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what (a) financial and (b) other support her Department provides to (i) zoos and (ii) aquariums. \p Chris Bryant: The government acknowledges the significant impact that zoos and aquariums have on the Visitor Economy. Iconic and cultural attractions like Chester zoo, which was the third most visited paid attraction in England in 2023, draw in visitors from across the country and beyond, play a significant role in attracting families, supporting local tourism, and contributing to conservation efforts.

While policy responsibility for the welfare and management of animals kept by zoos and aquariums, as well as the conservation work zoos and aquariums are required to undertake, sits with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we remain engaged on cross-cutting matters where relevant to the UK’s visitor economy. Rather than moving things between departments, we believe it is better to get departments to work together.

This includes ensuring the UK’s diverse visitor offer is promoted effectively through national tourism bodies, including VisitEngland and VisitBritain.

Similarly, aquariums such as the 14 Sea Life Centres across the UK, including prominent sites in Blackpool and Scarborough, attract thousands of visitors to rural and coastal areas each year. The Sea Life Center London alone welcomes around 1 million visitors annually and serves as a key attraction for visitors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Helen Whately:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many times the Public Sector Fraud Authority has applied to the county court for a recovery order for the assets of people found to have committed fraud in each of the last five years. \p Georgia Gould: The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) works with government departments and public bodies to understand and reduce the impact of fraud and error against the public sector. The PSFA is expected to surpass its 2024-25 target of recovering and preventing £250m of fraud - ensuring public money is out of the hands of fraudsters.

Since the Authority’s launch in 2022, the PSFA has started the pilot of the new Enforcement Unit for government, which began fraud investigations in May 2024.The Enforcement Unit is actively investigating cases of fraud, and will seek to use relevant civil powers to recover funds stolen by fraudsters. To date, the PSFA has not applied to any county court for a recovery order regarding the assets of people found to have committed fraud.

This government is taking tough action to reduce public sector fraud. In January, we introduced the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill, giving us more tools to combat fraud, allowing government to investigate fraud, recover public money and sending fraudsters a clear message: you won’t get away with stealing public money.
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Andrew Ranger:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to help increase the number of civil servants who come from low income backgrounds. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: We are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service that delivers high quality public services.

There are a range of policies to support those from low socio-economic backgrounds wishing to join the Civil Service, this includes internships and apprenticeships which support people to gain valuable paid work experience in the Civil Service, as well as extensive outreach events to raise awareness of the Civil Service as an inclusive employer.

The Civil Service also provides entry routes through the Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) recruitment schemes across government. GFiE uses innovative approaches, working in partnership including with local government and the voluntary sector, to recruit people from a wide range of backgrounds into the Civil Service who may not otherwise have considered a Civil Service job, including people from low socio-economic backgrounds.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to allow pets to travel in and out of the UK in the main cabin of aircraft. \p Daniel Zeichner: All pets travelling into Great Britain are checked for compliance with the necessary health and documentary requirements prior to entry to safeguard our biosecurity. When travelling to Great Britain by air, pets travel as manifest cargo to facilitate these checks upon arrival. The only animals that are authorised to travel in the cabin of a commercial aircraft into Great Britian are Recognised Assistance Dogs.

We have no current plans to change the process by which pet cats, dogs and ferrets may enter Great Britain in aircraft.

When travelling with a pet abroad, pet owners and assistance dog users should seek guidance as to whether their pet is permitted to travel in the aircraft from the relevant competent authority and airline.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 56077 on Farmer: Mental Health, what (a) funding and (b) support his Department is providing directly to farming welfare charities to enhance mental health outreach and services in rural and agricultural communities. \p Daniel Zeichner: Delivery of mental health interventions sits with the Department for Health and Social Care, who are investing in mental health to ensure it receives the same attention as physical health. This includes the hiring of 8,500 new mental health support workers, which will reduce delays and provide faster treatment closer to people’s homes – including in rural communities.

Defra is supporting farming welfare charities through funding the Farmer Welfare Grant. This aids organisations to deliver projects which will support mental health and build resilience in local farming communities. One recipient, the Farming Community Network, is using the funding to expand their FarmWell platform. This online resource provides business and personal resilience advice on topics including mental health, isolation, depression and suicide.

Currently, grant recipients operate in Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and online via the FCN’s FarmWell platform.

The RPA also runs a Welfare Forum, which brings together England’s largest farming and welfare organisations that provide mental health support to discuss issues farmers are facing.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of climate change on farm animal welfare. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra has commissioned, and published, research detailing potential adaptation options which farms could implement in order to adapt to the changing climate, including extreme heat, drought, rainfall and flooding. The analysis included potential adaptation options which would contribute towards the maintenance of animal welfare on-farm, in response to climate events.

The Animal Welfare Committee, the expert committee of Defra, and the Scottish and Welsh Governments, has also recently begun work on a project to consider how best to safeguard the welfare of poultry from the effect of climate change.
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Chris Webb:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of levels of public awareness of where to find bathing water quality test results; and whether it plans to improve the (a) visibility and (b) accessibility of this information at bathing sites and online. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Environment Agency (EA) recently commissioned research on behaviours and attitudes of people involved in water activities and included a question on where people accessed information. This revealed that the most popular sources were signs at beaches, the EA’s Swimfo website and Gov.UK online.

The EA is committed to improving the provision of bathing water information to the public and has used the research findings to inform re-development of its Swimfo website which will be delivered over the next few years. The project is currently at its scoping stage and aims to modernise Swimfo and to provide bathers with targeted information on bathing water quality. There are no plans to change beach signage at this stage.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 60563 on Livestock: Death, whether his Department plans to review the temperature threshold for transporting farm animals in the context of the frequency of extreme weather events. \p Daniel Zeichner: It is the responsibility of authorised transporters to ensure that any compromise to animal welfare is minimised during transport and that unnecessary suffering does not occur. Defra has published research detailing adaptations which farms could implement to adapt to the changing climate, including mitigating actions that can be taken when transporting animals. Defra has also commissioned and published research into the welfare outcomes of transporting poultry in temperature-controlled vehicles.

Defra guidance recommends that animals should not be transported in temperatures over 30°C and that transporters should consider a number of other factors, including checking the ‘feels like’ temperature for the intended journey if humidity is high.

Where incidents of unnecessary suffering caused by transporting animals in extreme weather are identified, APHA will take appropriate regulatory action, which may include the suspension of transporter authorisations, and will work with Local Authorities who are responsible for taking any enforcement action.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of veterinarian costs on the number of animals being put down. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra does not hold data on the number of animals being euthanised due to veterinary costs.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is conducting a full market investigation into the supply of veterinary services (including costs) for household pets in the UK. The market investigation is expected to conclude in May 2026. Defra cannot comment on an ongoing investigation but looks forward to seeing the recommendations made by the CMA.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to (a) monitor and (b) report annually on the levels of bottom trawling activity within Marine Protected Areas. \p Daniel Zeichner: The management and enforcement of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across the UK are devolved matters, and the information provided in this answer therefore relates to England only. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the ten Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities are responsible for assessing fishing activity in the English MPAs for which they are responsible; for deciding on the management measures are required for those MPAs to meet their conservation objectives; and for enforcing existing restrictions within MPAs. For example, the MMO remotely monitors the movements of all fishing vessels using satellite technology, and incursions into areas of MPAs where fishing activities are restricted are investigated. In addition, MMO’s two offshore patrol vessels and aerial surveillance flights are used to monitor and deter any prohibited activity.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 60563 on Livestock: Death, how many breaches of animal welfare regulations during periods of extreme weather have been recorded by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in each of the last five years. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) was made aware that the meat chicken sector experienced high mortality during the heat spell in July 2022. when an estimate of four million meat chickens died of heat stroke during two days of extreme heat. APHA inspectors visited 31 affected premises; in addition to the required regulatory actions, APHA has been liaising with the British Poultry council to raise awareness on the most common findings to allow appropriate contingency actions to be promptly implemented. Inspectors from APHA have been conducting follow-up inspections to monitor compliance on seven premises in 2023 (one disclosed as non-compliant) and ten premises in 2024 (with no non-compliances disclosed).

In addition to that, the Agency continue investigating allegations of potential animal welfare breaches however no specific figures are collected to identify the non-compliances specifically related to extreme weather conditions. Where incidents of unnecessary suffering caused on farm or by transporting animals in extreme weather are identified, APHA will take appropriate regulatory action which may include the suspension of transporter authorisations. The Local Authority is notified and supported by APHA in any investigation carried out including those where enforcement actions are deemed necessary.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 53292 on Farms: Domestic Visits, if he will list (a) the 14 farms he has visited, (b) the size of each farm in acres, (c) the type of farming, (d) the constituency each farm is in and (e) the date each visit took place. \p Daniel Zeichner: We respect the privacy of those hosting visits to farms and so are unable to share this information.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to the letter of 18 March 2025 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs. \p Daniel Zeichner: A reply to the hon. Member was sent on 24 June 2025.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to seek closer environmental cooperation and collaboration with the European Union and its agencies as part of the UK-EU reset. \p Mary Creagh: At the UK-EU Summit on May 19th, the Government announced the intention to agree a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers. The agreement will cover SPS standards and controls and also wider agrifood rules related to food labelling, organics, and marketing standards - as well as pesticides.
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's consultation outcome entitled, Reforms to Bathing Water Regulations 2013, published on 12 March 2025, when (a) core reforms and (b) wider reforms will be implemented. \p Emma Hardy: In November and December 2024, the Government, jointly with Welsh Government, consulted on Reforms to The Bathing Water Regulations 2013, in the first shake-up to the Bathing Water Regulations since they were introduced.

Reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 has been a priority for this Government since taking office in July 2024. The reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations will modernise the system so that it reflects how and where people use bathing waters. In their current form, the Regulations take a generally ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, so we are working to facilitate the enjoyment for water users.

Subject to parliamentary approval, we intend to proceed with planned regulatory reform for the 3 Core Reforms and 9 Technical Amendments outlined in the consultation ahead of the next bathing season. For the wider reforms, we have begun policy development and research, including epidemiological studies, to determine how best to implement these reforms in future and take into account any potential environmental, societal and access impacts.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Syngenta’s decision to cease UK-based wheat breeding on (a) domestic food security and (b) the competitiveness of British agriculture. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra is aware of Syngenta’s recent decision to consolidate its hybrid wheat breeding operations in mainland Europe. While this represents a shift in the location of certain research and development activities, it is notable that Syngenta has reaffirmed its commitment to testing and commercialising hybrid wheat varieties tailored to UK agronomic conditions. This continued engagement can help ensure that UK farmers retain access to competitive seed technologies.

Defra recognises the importance of resilient domestic crop breeding programmes in supporting long-term food security. While Syngenta’s decision may reduce the UK’s direct role in early-stage wheat breeding, the continued availability of high-performing varieties through UK trials and commercialisation mitigates immediate risks to food supply. Furthermore, the Government is actively supporting innovation in crop development through the implementation of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 and its associated regulations, which are designed to accelerate the development and deployment of climate-resilient and high-yielding crops.
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Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the food strategy promotes access to (a) unprocessed and (b) minimally processed foods for (i) children and (ii) low-income families. \p Daniel Zeichner: The food strategy will identify root causes of key problems such as food poverty and unhealthy diets and articulate the outcomes we want from the food system, enabling the Government, civil society, and the food industry work to shared goals and priorities. Health is one of our four priority areas. A key outcome will be more easily accessible and affordable, safe, nutritious, healthy food to tackle diet-related ill health, helping to give children the best start in life and help adults live longer healthier lives, including people on low and middle incomes. Delivering the food strategy means changing the way the food system works for the better and replacing the junk food cycle’ identified by Henry Dimbleby with a ‘good food cycle’.

The food strategy is aligned with and supports the Government programme, Plan for Change and Missions. The food sector has a crucial role to play in supporting our health Mission by tackling diet-related ill health and addressing poor diets. The Government respects individual autonomy in making dietary choices and also wants to encourage food manufacturers to provide nutritious, sustainable food options and empower consumers to make informed decisions about their diets, to deliver better health outcomes for consumers.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support unemployed people not in receipt of benefits to find employment. \p Alison McGovern: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of expanding Jobcentre access to people not in receipt of benefits. \p Alison McGovern: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Will Stone:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate her Department has made of the proportion of disability benefit claimants who are on a waiting list for NHS treatment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in Huntingdon constituency will no longer qualify for the PIP daily living component under proposed changes to the qualifying criteria. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_19

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of neurological disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_20

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of malignant disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_21

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of cardiovascular disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_22

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup with (a) musculoskeletal disease (general) and (b) musculoskeletal disease (regional) recorded as the main disabling condition were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category and were awarded a score of at least two in (i) six, (ii) seven, (iii) eight, (iv) nine and (v) ten of the daily living categories in 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_23

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants in each subgroup of respiratory disease recorded as the main disabling condition who were awarded more than 12 points in the living component but fewer than four points in a single daily living category were awarded a score of at least two in (a) six, (b) seven, (c) eight, (d) nine and (e) ten of the daily living categories in 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_24

Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2025 to Question 60172 on Motability: Telford, if she will publish the number of Motability Scheme claims in Telford constituency by medical condition. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_25

Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of (a) households that entered fuel poverty and (b) excess winter deaths in 2024/25 following changes to the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment. \p Torsten Bell: In the latest annual fuel poverty statistics published in March 2025, it is estimated that changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility did not affect the rate of fuel poverty in England in 2024, as measured by the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) metric- Annual fuel poverty statistics report: 2025 - GOV.UK. The next annual fuel poverty stats will be published in Spring 2026.

A very wide range of factors impact changes in mortality. Details of excess winter deaths in England and Wales can be found at: Excess mortality in England - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_26

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to address the barriers faced by pension holders in Yeovil constituency seeking to access their financial data from private pension providers. \p Torsten Bell: The Government is developing pensions dashboards which will allow people to view their pensions picture, including State Pension, securely and in one place online.

Relevant occupational, personal and stakeholder pension schemes are legally required to connect to pensions dashboards and provide pensions information upon request. This will help people to reconnect with their pension pots and better plan for retirement.
wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_27

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the weekly State Pension rate for people in (a) rural communities and (b) Yeovil constituency. \p Torsten Bell: The Government is committed to ensuring that the State Pension provides a foundation for income in retirement. From the end of this Parliament, spending on the State Pension is forecast to be around £31 billion more a year, compared with 2024/25 as a result of our commitment to protect the Triple Lock. This will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £1,900.

Several benefits provide supplementary support for those on low incomes. This includes direct financial help to low-income pensioners through Pension Credit, the Warm Home Discount and (in England & Wales) Cold Weather Payments. The Household Support Fund in England also provides discretionary support towards the cost of essentials.

All pensioners also continue to benefit from free eye tests, free NHS prescriptions and free bus passes.

The Department continues to monitor pensioner outcomes and benefit take-up to ensure support reaches those who need it most.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_28

Maya Ellis:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have (a) applied for and (b) been awarded Pension Credit in Ribble Valley constituency since 10 July 2024. \p Torsten Bell: The Department is not currently able to provide constituency data on Pension Credit applications and awards.

Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes, for Great Britain only, were published on 29th May 2025. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, and outstanding, from week commencing 3rd April 2023 up to week commencing 19th May 2025: Pension Credit applications and awards: May 2025. The next quarterly release of Pension Credit applications and awards statistics for Great Britian has been announced for late-August 2025: Pension Credit Applications and Awards Statistics: August 2025 - Official statistics announcement - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_29

Kanishka Narayan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times at the Pensions Ombudsman for (a) older pensioners and (b) other people. \p Torsten Bell: The Pension Ombudsman (TPO) has experienced a significant increase in complaints over several years, and this trend is continuing. This has impacted on waiting times for cases to be allocated to specialists. TPO does not differentiate or collect data on age when considering complaints.

DWP has allocated additional funding to TPO to reduce waiting times. TPO has also implemented an Operating Model Review (OMR) programme to improve the efficiency of its operations. This is beginning to have a positive impact on waiting times.
wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_30

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, where an application for a Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment is refused because another family member of the person who died is not in receipt of a qualifying benefit, what assessment her Department makes of that person’s (a) ability and (b) willingness to take responsibility for the funeral costs. \p Torsten Bell: The eligibility criteria for Funeral Expenses Payments are designed to ensure the scheme is fair for taxpayers while supporting the most vulnerable with these costs.

The Funeral Expenses Payment regulations provide for those cases where there is more than one person who could be responsible for a funeral. Where one of these individuals is not in receipt of a qualifying benefit, the Department does not provide a Funeral Expenses Payment.

We do not assess the ability or willingness of this individual to take responsibility for the funeral.

If there is no one able or willing to pay for the funeral, Local Authorities can arrange a public health funeral.
wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-01 conversation_31

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing early state pension access for people with a terminal illness. \p Torsten Bell: There has been no recent assessment. The principle of having a State Pension age that is the same for everybody has the merit of simplicity and clarity through providing an important trigger moment for planning purposes. It has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension before they reach their State Pension age.

For those nearing the end of their life, the Government’s priority is to provide people with financial support quickly and compassionately. The main way the Department does this is through the Special Rules for End of Life. These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to certain benefits, without needing to attend a medical assessment, serve waiting periods and in most cases, receive the highest rate of benefit.

These rules apply to five benefits that support people with health conditions or disabilities: Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance