theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects the Circular Economy Strategy for England to be published. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy. The government has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, which we plan to publish for consultation in the coming autumn.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage the recycling of re-usable vapes once they have reached end-of-use. \p Mary Creagh: Since April 2024, businesses selling vapes have been legally required to offer in-store takeback, making recycling vapes accessible for consumers and preventing vapes being littered or incorrectly disposed of.

In addition, the Government is introducing legislation to create a new category of Electrical and Electronic Equipment for vapes, to ensure that the costs of collection and treatment fall fairly on those who produce them. As part of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations, producers can pay into a Producer Compliance Fee, funding consumer awareness campaigns including on the correct disposal of vapes. You can find your nearest recycling location online by searching "Recycle Your Electricals."
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Iqbal Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of waste crime and illegal waste exports on the economy in each of the last five years. \p Mary Creagh: The Environmental Services Association (ESA) estimated in 2021 that waste crime costs the economy in England about £1 billion per year. The ESA estimate that of that cost illegal waste exports amount to at least £42 million per year. (see here: ESA_Cost_of_Waste_Crime.pdf.)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to strengthen the regulatory framework for waste (a) carriers, (b) brokers, and (c) dealers to reduce criminal activity in the sector. \p Mary Creagh: The Government recently announced plans to tighten up the regulation of those who transport and manage waste services, moving them from a light-touch registration system into environmental permitting. This will give the Environment Agency a greater range of powers and more resources to be able to take action against those operating illegally. It will also introduce the possibility of up to 5 years imprisonment for those who breach these new laws.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Iqbal Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to amend the regulatory framework for waste (a) carriers, (b) brokers and (c) dealers to help reduce criminal activity in the sector. \p Mary Creagh: The Government recently announced plans to tighten up the regulation of those who transport and manage waste services, moving them from a light-touch registration system into environmental permitting. This will give the Environment Agency a greater range of powers and more resources to be able to take action against those operating illegally. It will also introduce the possibility of up to 5 years imprisonment for those who breach these new laws.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent estimate his Department has made of the annual cost to the public purse of (a) waste crime and (b) illegal waste exports. \p Mary Creagh: The Environmental Services Association (ESA) estimated in 2021 that waste crime costs the economy in England about £1 billion per year of which at least £42 million per year could be attributed to illegal waste exports. (see here: ESA_Cost_of_Waste_Crime.pdf.) The same report estimates that £499 million or 54% is borne by the public sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many incidents of the use of catapults causing harm to wild mammals have been recorded in each of the last five years. \p Mary Creagh: The Government takes wildlife crime seriously. Defra supports the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations. Defra is providing £424,000 for NWCU in the financial year 2025-2026.

However, crimes against wildlife using catapults are not ‘notifiable’. This means police forces are not required to record and report figures on this type of crime to the Home Office for statistical and monitoring purposes. Defra therefore holds no official statistics on the number of incidents of the use of catapults causing harm to wild mammals from the last five years. Any decision to make such wildlife offences notifiable sits with the Home Office rather than Defra. Regardless of notifiable status, when it comes to responding to the most prevalent wildlife crimes, police force Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56079 on Agriculture: Land Use, whether his Department plans to introduce (a) guidance and (b) thresholds to balance solar farm development with (i) the protection of landscape character and (ii) food production capacity in rural areas. \p Mary Creagh: There are already robust measures in place to protect landscape, biodiversity and agricultural land, including comprehensive environmental assessments where relevant.

The Government agrees that prime agricultural land should be safeguarded, and where a proposal involves agricultural land, the National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the best and most versatile agricultural land should be reflected in planning policies and decisions, making clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. This will, where relevant, be a material consideration in planning decisions, including those made by the Secretary of State.

Solar and farming can be complementary, supporting each other financially, environmentally and through the shared use of land – whilst maintaining UK food production.

The Government has also committed to empower Protected Landscapes to become greener, wilder and more accessible. As set out in the NPPF, great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads and National Landscapes which have the highest status of protection in relation to these issues.
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Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what mental health support the Government provides to farmers. \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 organisations 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 is available to anyone and 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. Subject to budget prioritisation, we aim to continue and expand support for mental health in the agricultural sector and increase the number of areas receiving grant funding.

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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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56079 on Agriculture: Land Use, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that planning decisions on solar farms are informed by up-to-date assessments of local agricultural productivity and landscape sensitivity. \p Mary Creagh: This Government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production and has committed to empower Protected Landscapes to become greener, wilder and more accessible.

There are established routes in the planning system to consider the impacts of renewable and low carbon energy projects, as well as processes to enable communities to engage in the consultation of applications.

Where a proposal involves agricultural land, the National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the best and most versatile agricultural land should be reflected in planning policies and decisions, making clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. This will, where relevant, be a material consideration in planning decisions, including those made by the Secretary of State. Guidance on assessing development proposals on agricultural land is available from Natural England to ensure decisions are informed by up-to-date assessments of agricultural land.
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Sir Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures in place to tackle fly-tipping in the West Midlands. \p Mary Creagh: No specific assessment of the effectiveness of measures to tackle fly-tipping in the West Midlands has been made. However, local authorities are required to report the number of fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, this data is published annually at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england. This excludes the majority of private-land incidents.

Local authorities have a range of enforcement powers to tackle fly-tipping. These include fixed penalty notices of up to £1000, vehicle seizure and prosecution action which can lead to a significant fine or even imprisonment. We encourage councils to make good use of these powers, and we are taking steps to develop statutory fly-tipping enforcement guidance to support councils to consistently and effectively exercise their powers.  This government has also announced a review of their powers to seize and crush vehicles of suspected fly-tippers to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool. Defra will continue to work with stakeholders through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group, such as the National Farmers Union, local authorities and police, to promote and disseminate good practice on tackling fly-tipping.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56079 on Agriculture: Land Use, whether he plans to collect date on the potential impact of large-scale solar farms on (a) agricultural land use and (b) landscape character to inform future land use policy. \p Mary Creagh: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 June 2025 to Question 56079.

Defra does not collect information on the potential impacts of constructing green energy infrastructure on agricultural land use or landscape character.

However, Defra does produce statistical estimates of agricultural land areas each year from the annual June Survey of Agriculture:
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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to address the use of catapults in causing suffering to (a) pets and (b) wild mammals. \p Mary Creagh: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and some wild animals in England and Wales. While it does not specifically include catapults in the list of weapons that must not be used to kill wildlife, it is still illegal to deliberately attempt to kill, injure, or harm protected species, whether by using a catapult or any other harm-causing device. There are a range of other offences found in further legislation to protect wildlife from cruelty such as the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. Where pets and livestock are concerned, it is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause an animal any unnecessary suffering. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 increased the sentences available for the most serious cases of animal cruelty by increasing the maximum penalty for this offence to 5 years’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The Government takes crimes against animals seriously. While Defra is keeping the law in this area under review, existing powers are already available for the police to tackle the misuse of catapults and there are therefore no current plans for further assessment of the legal (a) sale and (b) possession of catapults.
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by her Department. \p Stephanie Peacock: Public bodies usually collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The current harmonised standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group.

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year.

We await the outcome of this review.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 55644 on Arts and Cultural Heritage: South Northamptonshire, what discussions she has had with (a) Arts Council England and (b) National Lottery Heritage Fund on evaluating the potential long-term impact of arts grants on levels of local (i) cultural participation and (iI) economic development in South Northamptonshire constituency. \p Chris Bryant: The Secretary of State has not carried out an assessment of the funding allocated for arts and heritage in the South Northamptonshire constituency specifically, however, the Department has carried out an initial review of publicly funded arts, culture and heritage sectors, including looking at national and local government funding. This work ensures any future policy development is evidence driven.

Ministers have also launched a review of Arts Council England, our arms-length body who are responsible for the distribution of arts funding across England. The review will examine everything from funding mechanisms to community engagement. Baroness Hodge of Barking is leading the review and will provide government with her report and recommendations in the autumn of 2025. The government will then publish the conclusions of the review along with the government’s response in 2026.

Details of Arts Council England funding since 2021 can be found on the Arts Council England website here https://culture.localinsight.org/#/map

The Secretary of State has a range of discussions with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund across the whole of her portfolio, and DCMS officials regularly discuss support for arts, culture and heritage with their counterparts at our arms-length bodies.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support amateur theatre in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \p Chris Bryant: The government supports the arts predominantly through Arts Council England (ACE). Through their main funding programme, the 2023-2027 National Portfolio Investment Programme, ACE is providing over £100 million in grants per year to around 195 theatres across the country. Across all their funding programmes, including lottery schemes, for the financial year 2024-25, ACE awarded around £300 million to theatres/theatre based organisations.

While the Arts Council does not have a funding classification for ‘amateur’ theatre specifically, in 2024 they supported the Spot On Festival in Poulton-le-Fylde with over £50k of funding. Spot On works to bring professional performing arts to village halls, libraries, pubs and open spaces across Lancashire. As a combined arts festival, they worked with 30 professional performing arts shows and 8 local groups and provided a number of outreach activities as part of the festival, including drama workshops. Details of all Arts Council Funding in Fylde and Lancashire can be found on their website here: https://culture.localinsight.org/#/map

Amateur Theatre groups across Lancashire and Fylde are able to apply to Arts Council England’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, which provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support libraries in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \p Chris Bryant: Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 requires the Secretary of State to “superintend and promote the improvement of the public library service provided by local authorities in England”. To assist this function the department regularly monitors and reviews changes to local authority library service provision, and engages with local authorities to discuss issues related to their respective library service.

I understand that as at 31 December 2023, Lancashire County Council’s statutory library provision consisted of 64 static libraries (63 run by the local authority and one community run) and a mobile library service consisting of five vehicles. Six of the static libraries are located in the Fylde constituency.

The Secretary of State announced in February 2025 a further £5.5 million of the Libraries Improvement Fund for 2025-26 to enable library services across England to invest in a range of projects to upgrade buildings and technology. Lancashire County Council has previously received around £165,000 from this fund to support a project at Burnley library.

The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils' Core Spending Power on 2024-25.
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Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that the TV licence payment structures are (a) transparent, (b) proportionate and (c) accessible to people who cannot afford to pay the licence fee in one lump sum. \p Stephanie Peacock: Television licences are issued on an annual basis and households can choose a variety of payment plans to spread the cost of the licence, including monthly and quarterly payment plans.

New joiners to TV Licensing’s monthly direct debit scheme pay for their first licence over 6 months. This front-loading of payments is a requirement set out in legislation. After the initial 6 months of joining the scheme, households pay towards their next licence through payments spread over 12 months. This is intended to reduce the BBC’s exposure to unexpected changes in its income that could result from households stopping their fee payments part-way through the year, and which could impact the BBC’s ability to deliver its services for the public.

The Government recognises the financial difficulties faced by some households. This is why we announced a significant extension to the Simple Payment Plan to support more households by enabling them to split up the annual licence fee payment into more manageable fortnightly and monthly instalments. This payment plan does not require front-loading. The changes, which came into effect in February 2025, make a greater number of households eligible for the Plan.

The Secretary of State is a strong supporter of the BBC and has been clear that the BBC must be funded by a model that is sustainable and fair to all those that are paying it. The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and the forthcoming Charter Review will provide an opportunity for the Government to consider the best possible funding model to set the BBC up for success long into the future.
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Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the compliance of the BBC’s closure of Asian Network News with its (a) service agreement and (b) Charter duties to reflect diverse communities. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) meets regularly with representatives of the BBC on a range of matters, including how it engages and reflects listeners in the UK. However, the BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the Government, and it is solely responsible for all editorial, budgetary and scheduling decisions.

Ofcom as independent regulator, is required to set the regulatory conditions it considers appropriate for requiring the BBC to fulfil its Mission and promote the Public Purposes. It does this through setting an Operating Licence. The BBC is responsible for complying with its Operating Licence requirements, and Ofcom monitors and reports annually on the BBC’s performance and its compliance with its licence conditions.

In October 2024, BBC News announced plans to make changes to some of its services, including closing the Asian Network’s bespoke news service. The BBC did not require Ofcom’s approval to close it because all budgetary and editorial decisions remain the responsibility of the BBC Board. However, in April 2025 the BBC submitted a request to change its news and current affairs quota on BBC Asian Network from 1,224 hours to 675 hours per financial year in the Operating Licence.

On 29 May 2025 Ofcom consulted on this request, and in that consultation Ofcom set out its provisional view that it is minded to approve the change, recognising changing audience habits. Ofcom will announce its final decision in due course.

The Government does not hold information about whether the BBC conducted a race equality impact assessment ahead of closing the Asian Network News Service.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department has spent on equipment for civil servants to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Stephanie Peacock: DCMS has spent the below on the provision of equipment for use at home relating to a workplace adjustment in the last 3 years:

22/23: £0

23/24: £2,490.46

24/25: £882.37
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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support capital funding for Broomfield's leisure centre in Warrington South constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level with funding levels set by MHCLG as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.

On 20 June 2025, the Culture Secretary announced that following the Spending Review, at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will now work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many staff in her Department have permission to work remotely outside the UK; and in which countries those staff are based. \p Stephanie Peacock: DCMS does not allow any staff to work remotely outside of the UK on a permanent basis.

Staff may be given time-limited permission to work overseas. Short term overseas approval granted from 1st January - 4th July 2025 are as follows:

Travelling for business reasons: 103 instances

Accompanying a spouse on an overseas military posting: 0 instances

On-call during annual leave: 12 instances

Temporary short term remote working overseas: 9 instances
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much the Charity Commission has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Charity Commission for England and Wales promotes hybrid working arrangements. Equipment provided to staff (such as laptops) are used for both office working and home working.

The Charity Commission publishes an Annual Report that lists a summary of spending for that year on the Commission’s property and equipment assets.

All the Charity Commission’s equipment purchases are made through Government frameworks.
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Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help tackle loneliness in rural areas. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural communities.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport supports the Tackling Loneliness Hub, an online platform which assists professionals who are working to reduce loneliness to connect and share learning, including those in rural areas. In April, the government extended the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, making up to £4.5 million available to tackle loneliness and increase volunteering. This will help improve social connections in 27 disadvantaged areas in England, 9 of which are rural and small urban areas.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is supporting rural communities to address loneliness through its funding support for the modernisation and improvement of village halls. A further £750k in grant funding has been made available in 2025/26. Village halls host the delivery of a wide range of essential services and wider social and recreational activities, which help to address social isolation.
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Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to support local and combined authorities in producing up to date Playing Pitch Strategies. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government is committed to expanding access to community and grassroots sport. Sport has the power to bring people together, to boost physical and mental health and act as social hubs in our communities.

We believe that in order to deliver fundamental change on inactivity levels, sport and physical activity needs to be fully embedded into local systems, including health plans, so communities feel empowered to own outcomes. We are therefore committed to moving to a place-based approach to physical activity across Government Departments.

The Government is acting to support more people in getting onto the pitch wherever they live. In March, we announced that we would invest £98 million into grassroots sport facilities across the UK through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme this year. We will build on this with at least £400 million invested into community sport facilities in the four years from 2026/27.

In England, our delivery partner the Football Foundation plans their investment pipeline based on Local Football Facility Plans (LFFPs), which have been developed in partnership with local authorities, community Football Associations and other sport stakeholders. They are currently being refreshed to reflect the current landscape, with updated plans due to be completed in this year.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help tackle the impact of artificial intelligence on the (a) sustainability and (b) accuracy of news media. \p Stephanie Peacock: Journalism plays an invaluable role in the fabric of our society and we are committed to supporting a free, sustainable and plural news media landscape. In this context, we recognise concerns from the press sector that recent developments in generative AI pose risks, as well as opportunities, to journalism.

We are engaging with the press sector on these concerns. Both I and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology have each held roundtables earlier this year with publishers and broadcasters to discuss AI and journalism. DCMS has also provided funding to the Bridging Responsible AI Divides research programme at The University of Edinburgh, which produced the report ‘Generative AI and Journalism: Mapping the Risk Landscape’.

We recognise that particular concerns have been raised with regard to the use of copyrighted news content in the training of AI models and how this interacts with UK copyright law. We want to support rightsholders in licensing their work in the digital age while allowing AI developers to benefit from access to creative material in the UK, including that from independent media. The government is analysing responses to the consultation and looking at all options. We will set out a detailed economic impact assessment on all options and a report on the use of copyright material for AI training, transparency and technical standards. This analysis will inform our position, alongside a series of expert working groups launching this week, bringing together people from both the AI and creative sectors.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of access to youth work provision in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other rural areas. \p Stephanie Peacock: Local Authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people in their area. Local Authorities fund youth services from their Local Government Finance Settlement in line with local need.

DCMS has also published statutory guidance to support local authorities’ understanding of the existing duty and how to deliver it.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support youth organisations serving (a) isolated and (b) rural communities in West Dorset constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential.

We also, however, acknowledge the challenges facing the sector and the changing needs of the young people it supports — especially those in rural areas, who often face additional barriers such as limited access to services, transport, and opportunities.

That is why we are co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. The Strategy will support better coordination of youth services across different regions — including remote and underserved areas and move away from one-size-fits-all approaches from central government. By doing so, we will bring power back to young people and their communities, rebuild a thriving and sustainable sector, and ensure that rural youth are not left behind.

We will be publishing an interim report shortly, and the Strategy will be published in Autumn.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps she has taken to support youth work that promotes volunteering opportunities among young people. \p Stephanie Peacock: We know that being part of supportive communities, accessing youth work, youth provision and volunteering opportunities can transform young people’s lives. The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) supports the youth work sector in a number of ways, including through funding the National Youth Agency (NYA) to maintain youth work qualifications, curriculum and national standards for England. The NYA youth work curriculum outlines why and how to involve young people in volunteering and social action in their communities.

We also fund and support the #iwill Movement, the only national movement which champions and supports young people engaged in social action, including volunteering. The National Lottery Community Fund and DCMS have jointly run the #iwill Fund since 2016, funding the creation of youth social action opportunities for an estimated 900,000 young people across the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with youth sector representatives on the role of youth work in helping young people (a) prepare for and (b) access employment. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. That is why this government launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which has been developed together with the youth sector.

The new National Youth Strategy is being co-produced with cross-sector input from stakeholders working with and for young people, particularly drawing on the connections and expertise of the youth sector. We have run engagement sessions in partnership with a range of services, to ensure the strategy can advise and support the youth sector effectively, including to support young people to prepare for and access employment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_76

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking through youth services to help increase (a) school attendance and (b) the number of young people staying in education. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to live safe and healthy lives, and the positive impact youth services can have on young people, including in educational settings.

That is why we are co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. The Strategy will better coordinate youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level, moving away from siloed working - ensuring we are better coordinated and more than the sum of our parts.

We know that youth services will help deliver the government’s missions, and the National Youth Strategy will work alongside developing Young Future hubs, the Curriculum and Assessment Review and further work across government to fulfill our commitment to improve young people’s lives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_77

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of youth workers on improving young people’s (a) physical and (b) mental health outcomes. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. We know that youth workers are vital to youth services, building trusted relationships and creating safe spaces for young people.

That is why this government launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which has been developed together with the youth sector. The new National Youth Strategy is being co-produced with cross-sector input from stakeholders working with and for young people, particularly drawing on the connections and expertise of the youth sector.

DCMS has also commissioned research analysis of the Millennium Cohort Study and the UK Households Longitudinal Survey (longitudinal surveys) which found that at the time of participation, regular attendees of youth activities were more likely to be in good health and not drink/take illegal drugs compared to young people who do not attend youth activities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_78

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of youth work on (a) helping young people stay safe and (b) building relationships in communities. \p Stephanie Peacock: This Government recognises the important role that youth work plays in young people’s lives. We know that youth workers are vital to youth services, building trusted relationships and creating safe spaces for young people. We also acknowledge the challenges facing the sector and the changing needs of the young people it supports.

That is why this government launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which has been developed together with the youth sector. As part of the National Youth Strategy, we are exploring what young people’s current needs are, looking at access to safe spaces, role models, communities and much more. We will be publishing an interim report shortly, and the Strategy will be published in the autumn.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) operations and (b) outpatients appointments that will be cancelled if resident doctors strike on 25 July 2025. \p Karin Smyth: No formal assessment has been made of the possible industrial action by resident doctors on 25 July 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what forecast he has made of the cost to the public purse of the planned strike of resident doctors on 25 July 2025. \p Karin Smyth: Resident doctors have announced strike action between 25 and 30 July 2025. The direct impact on the public purse will depend on the level of participation and service disruption within the National Health Service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-18 conversation_81

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to launch targeted outreach programmes in areas with low HPV vaccination rates. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England works with the UK Health Security Agency and local health partners and communities to understand the needs of their populations and tailor immunisation programmes to meet the needs of under-vaccinated communities.

Boys and girls in cohorts eligible for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination through the adolescent programme remain eligible until their 25th birthday. Many young people who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but work is ongoing to ensure that all those who are eligible are vaccinated, and School-Aged Immunisation Service providers are continuing to focus on HPV programme recovery post-pandemic.

In March 2025, NHS England published the Cervical cancer elimination plan by 2040 – plan for England, which outlines how the National Health Service will improve uptake and coverage across HPV vaccination and cervical screening. The plan sets how NHS England will improve HPV vaccination rates through increasing access, raising awareness, reducing inequalities, improving digital capabilities, and strengthening workforce capacity. Further information on the plan is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cervical-cancer-elimination-by-2040-plan-for-england/

The 10-Year Health Plan for England, published 3 July 2025, has committed to increasing the uptake of HPV vaccinations among young people, including those who have left school, to support our aim to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

NHS England, in conjunction with regional colleagues, has also produced a HPV vaccination improvement and uptake plan for internal operational NHS use, as part of their commitment to improving vaccine coverage.

For Cervical Screening Awareness week, which takes place between 19 and 24 June 2025, NHS England launched its first ever cervical cancer elimination creative campaign and communications toolkit. The campaign includes digital resources that create a strong sense of shared responsibility and aim to increase awareness of the elimination goal, educate the public about HPV, and build confidence in the HPV vaccine and cervical screening.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-18)

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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of support for cancer Multidisciplinary Team Coordinators in improving the (a) accuracy and (b) completeness of blood cancer data collection. \p Ashley Dalton: It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancer, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes for all patients across England.

NHS England understands that data collection helps to improve the experiences of people with cancer, including blood cancer, and has committed to ensuring that every person diagnosed with cancer has access to personalised care. This includes needs assessments, a care plan, and health and wellbeing information and support.

My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced that a National Cancer Plan for England will be published this year, supporting the Prime Minister’s mission to build an NHS fit for the future and to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer. As part of the National Cancer Plan, we are committed to working closely with partners and patient groups to shape the long-term vision for cancer, including for blood cancer. The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care, including the design of services and the experiences and outcomes for people with cancer.