theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions in Official development assistance on low-lying countries such as (a) the Maldives and (b) Bangladesh. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38925 on Chelsea Football Club: Sales, whether he has a timetable for when the proceeds from the sale will reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine. While it would not be appropriate to provide a running commentary on discussions, we are doing everything we can to make progress on this matter as quickly as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Dr Rupa Huq:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of the funding for the Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics programme is allocated to supporting individuals facing violations of freedom of religion or belief. \p Catherine West: The UK-funded Bangladesh Collaborative, Accountable and Peaceful Politics (BCAPP) programme is a £27 million initiative designed to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief in Bangladesh. Through this programme, the Hunger project has organised a range of initiatives to foster inter-ethnic and religious peace, including peace events, consultation meetings with local authorities, and quarterly meeting focused on local conflict mediation. Whilst a specific breakdown of funding allocated to freedom of religion or belief is currently unavailable, the BCAPP programme helps ensure the rights of minorities are respected, and protected from discrimination.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate the Office for National Statistics has made of the change in headcount of the public sector since June 2024. \p Georgia Gould: Employment in the public sector was estimated at 6.14 million in December 2024. This is an increase of 50,000 (0.8%) since June 2024.

This trend is due in part to the conversion of some local authority schools (classified in local government) becoming academies (classified in central government), with an estimated 17,000 (2.4%) people in employment converting during this period. Without these conversions, there would be an estimated employment increase of 8,000 (0.4%) in local government between June and December 2024.

Within central government, the NHS is the single biggest contributor to the increase, with employment up 24,000 (1.2%) between June and December 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the (a) Cabinet Office Commercial team and (b) any other public body holds information on which Ministers and officials have used the Commercial Air Transport Contract to have helicopter travel provided; and which body holds information on the (i) individual flights cost and (ii) total cost to the public purse. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Cabinet Office Commercial team is responsible for managing and operating the Central Cabinet Office Corporate Travel Agency Contract, which includes provisions for the booking of aviation assets. This contract has not been used for helicopter travel by this Government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many transactions under review under the National Security and Investment Act remain under review beyond the 30-working-day statutory deadline. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government publishes information on the operation of the National Security and Investment Act in the NSIA Annual Report. The most recent report, covering the 2023/24 reporting period, can be found on GOV.UK. Of the 847 notifications reviewed by the Government in this period, 810 (96%) were told within 30 days that no further action would be taken. The other 37 (4%) were called in for further assessment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 29005 on Risk Assessment, whether the National Security Risk Assessment on industrial action has changed in light of the expected (a) repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 and (b) the passage of the Employment Rights Bill. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: All risks in the internal, classified National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) are kept under review to ensure that they are the most appropriate scenarios to inform emergency preparedness and resilience activity and to reflect the risk landscape. The National Risk Register, which reflects the NSRA, was last updated in January 2025 and will be updated regularly to reflect changes to the risk landscape.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Richard Foord:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent streaming platforms from monopolising digital sports content. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is keen to ensure that key sporting events remain available to watch for free in years to come.

The Media Act 2024 includes several important reforms to the listed events regime. In particular, it closes the potential ‘streamer loophole’ that would have allowed non-PSB services to bypass the regime and which could have seen live coverage intended for UK audiences disappearing behind a paywall.

The Government is working closely with Ofcom to progress implementation of the Media Act. Further information can be found on Ofcom’s website: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/Media-Act-Implementation/.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the Crown Dependencies to tackle illegally-operated online gambling in the (a) Isle of Man and (b) Channel Islands. \p Stephanie Peacock: As set out by the Gambling Act 2005, the Gambling Commission regulates gambling in Great Britain only.

Both DCMS and the Commission stand ready to support the Crown Dependencies on matters relating to gambling if requested. The Gambling Commission has a Memorandum of Understanding on Gambling with the Isle of Man regulator, the Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is restructuring loans issued under the (a) Culture Recovery Fund, (b) Sport Survival Package and (c) Rugby Football League Loan Scheme. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) assesses any loan reprofiling requests on a case by case basis, working alongside our Loan Agents, who continuously monitor the financial performance of borrowers. Requests will be considered where borrowers demonstrate evidence of need and have exhausted other funding routes. The Department has reprofiled individual loans of fewer than five borrowers (<5%) under the Culture Recovery Fund, Sport Survival Package and Rugby Football League Loan Scheme.

DCMS is not able to comment on specific cases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to support veterans who served in Northern Ireland in Fylde constituency. \p Al Carns: This Government recognises the important contribution and sacrifice of those who served in Northern Ireland to keep us safe, and that of the families who enabled them to do so.

Veterans who served in Northern Ireland are eligible for a range of support, wherever they reside in the United Kingdom. Veterans can additionally access tailored employment support via the Career Transition Partnership, which supports those leaving military service in search of new job opportunities, and Op ASCEND, a new employment pathway for veterans operating across the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, specialist care for physical and mental health conditions is available to veterans in Fylde via Op RESTORE and Op COURAGE respectively. For those who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness, housing guidance and support is available across the country via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway to connect veterans with help and support.

In Fylde specifically, UK Government funding enables Burnley FC In The Community to provide mentoring and capacity building to AFC Fylde, helping to develop their Armed Forces community engagement programmes. The funding is delivered through the Thrive Together programme, which is administered by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust on behalf of the Government. Additionally, Armed Forces Community HQ CIC in Wigan delivers Wigan Council’s Homes at Ease programme, which is funded through the Government’s Reducing Veteran Homelessness Fund. This ‘housing first’ solution for homeless veterans across the North West is making a tangible difference, to date housing 21 veterans across Lancashire and four within Fylde.

Where historic investigations impact on veterans who served during Op BANNER, I have committed that the Ministry of Defence will continue to provide welfare and legal support to those affected. The Department is working with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery to support its important work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of childcare for serving personnel. \p Al Carns: We recognise that appropriate childcare provision can be challenging for parents who serve in the Armed Forces and continue to explore options for improving support to our personnel in affording and accessing it.

Although the responsibility for childcare provision lies elsewhere within Government and is not a core Defence output, many Defence sites within the UK provide opportunities for local childcare providers to make use of facilities on, or close to, the Defence estate. These settings can also benefit the local civilian community. Overseas, we have extended Wraparound Childcare to families serving overseas which will potentially save up to £3,400 annually for Service families.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department is taking steps to provide childcare to parents who serve in the armed forces. \p Al Carns: We recognise that appropriate childcare provision can be challenging for parents who serve in the Armed Forces and continue to explore options for improving support to our personnel in affording and accessing it.

Although the responsibility for childcare provision lies elsewhere within Government and is not a core Defence output, many Defence sites within the UK provide opportunities for local childcare providers to make use of facilities on, or close to, the Defence estate. These settings can also benefit the local civilian community. Overseas, we have extended Wraparound Childcare to families serving overseas which will potentially save up to £3,400 annually for Service families.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will publish minutes of his meeting with military chiefs and the Prime Minister at Permanent Joint Headquarters on 20 March 2025. \p Luke Pollard: I recognise the importance of this Government's commitment to being open and transparent. However, as a former Defence Minister I hope that the hon. Gentleman will recognise that on this occasion the importance of national security outweighs this interest to ensure the safety of the UK and its citizens remains upheld.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held discussions with his US counterpart on deploying air capabilities in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The Defence Secretary regularly speaks with his US and international counterparts, including on our collective support to Ukraine’s armed forces in response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.

The UK along with Allies and partners, recently held discussions on future security arrangements for Ukraine across the air, maritime and land domains. The specifics of these plans are subject to further discussions. The UK is set to host further joint planning meetings at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood this week, where discussions will continue over several days.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average rent paid per month is on the defence estate for (a) detached houses, (b) semi-detached houses, (c) terraced houses, (d) bungalows, (e) flats without lifts and (f) flats with lifts. \p Al Carns: This information is not held.

The Combined Accommodation Assessment System (CAAS) determines the accommodation charge for individual Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties based on condition, scale, and location.

SFA entitlement depends on various factors, such as family size and rank of Serving person.

Charging rates for SFA for Service personnel are set by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB).
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many properties on the defence estate are categorised as (a) detached houses, (b) semi-detached houses, (c) terraced houses, (d) bungalows, (e) flats without lifts and (f) flats with lifts. \p Al Carns: The information is not held in the format requested.

The table below details the number of Service Family Accommodation broken down by the type of property, which is categorised by the Department as follows:

Type of Property

Garage

Total (circa)

House

No

22,613

House

Yes

22,591

Maisonette

No

80

Maisonette

Yes

89

Bungalow

No

154

Bungalow

Yes

83

Flat

No

1,357

Flat

Yes

33

Total

47,000

Please note that these figures are as at 1 March 2025
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost to the public purse was of personal injury compensation payments in each year from 2014-15 to 2023-24 broken down by (a) type of injury, (b) arm/service, (c) gender, (d) number of claimants, (e) total cost and (f) minimum/maximum payout. \p Al Carns: The tables below show the total amounts paid out under the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) by financial year.

Providing the further breakdowns would require information from three different data systems to be combined and individual files to be manually reviewed meaning it could only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Table 1 below provides the total compensation expenditure under the AFCS from 1 April 2014 to the 31 March 2024 by financial year.

Allowance Type

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

Total Compensation Payable (£'000,000)

72.9

80.7

80.6

87.8

89.8

90.0

84.3

104.0

127.9

147.8

Lump Sum Payments

46.7

50.6

44.2

46.0

43.3

38.7

30.1

38.6

49.3

54.7

Guaranteed Income Payments

19.4

23.2

27.9

33.5

36.9

41.2

44.6

55.2

67.2

76.6

Survivors' Guaranteed Income Payments

6.8

7.0

8.5

8.3

9.6

10.1

9.6

10.2

11.4

16.5

Table 2 below provides the total compensation expenditure under the WPS from 1 April 2014 to the 31 March 2024 by financial year.

Allowance Type

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

Total Compensation Payable (£'000,000)

837.6

794.8

764.8

723.2

697.3

680.3

652.4

622.5

606.5

633.4

Disablement Pensioners

569.4

548.7

541.2

517

506.8

501.2

482.1

462.1

462

505.6

War Widow(er)s

268.3

246

223.6

206.2

190.5

179.2

170.3

160.5

144.6

127.8

Figures presented in these tables include accrued expenditure where a claim was awarded in the last few days but was processed and paid after year end. Therefore, expenditure figures may differ to the amount of actual monies paid out in the financial year.

Figures have been rounded to the nearest £100,000. Therefore, totals and sub-totals may not equal the sum of their parts.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many homes on the defence estate were constructed in the years (a) since 2000, (b) 1980-1999, (c) 1960-1979, (d) 1940-1959, (e) 1900-1939 and (f) before 1900. \p Al Carns: The table below provides the number of Service Family Accommodation homes, broken down into the decades they were constructed.

Year/Decade

Total

2000 – to date

6,033

1980 – 1999

7,135

1960 – 1979

16,640

1940 – 1959

14,192

1900 – 1939

2,640

Pre 1900

11

Unknown (no data held)

349
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of constructing a UK-based space launch facility. \p Maria Eagle: The European demand for satellite launches up to 2033 is forecast to be worth $50 billion. Capturing even 2% of this would bring around $1 billion in revenues for the UK economy. Positioning the UK with growing launch capabilities is a key part of our ambitions to be a global space player, and foster strategic independence. There would be value for the UK’s strategic independence in the long-term if this sector is able to flourish, in addition to the economic growth it will being. That is why we are supporting the development of a sustainable UK launch industry, collaborating with both industry and international partners. Additionally, the UK is involved in NATO's STARLIFT programme to enhance space launch capabilities within the alliance, ensuring preparedness for future launch requirements.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase awareness that military compensation should not be treated as income in means tests for statutory support. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) collaborate closely to ensure the current practice of how their respective schemes and benefits work together, and any proposed changes, are communicated and considered. Advice is available on gov.uk for those seeking further guidance - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/veterans-uk-contact-us

The DWP already applies different treatment for Armed Forces compensation payments across the benefit system in comparison to other groups. This reflects the nature of the payments to compensate those who have made significant sacrifices for our country.

For example, Universal Credit fully disregards War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation payments. This means that payments under these Schemes do not impact the eligibility or amount of benefit to which individuals might be entitled. Other social security benefits may partially or fully disregard Armed Forces-related compensation payments. This will be dependent on the type of benefit being considered, as different benefits have different criteria.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department provides to (a) service personnel and their families and (b) people leaving the services to improve financial resilience. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works in close partnership with several financial institutions including three not-for-profit Credit Unions which make up the MOD’s Joining Forces Credit Union initiative. Joining Forces Credit Union provides Service personnel, their partners, families, and dependants, with access face-to-face and online financial awareness briefings to help improve financial resilience with an emphasis on encouraging a savings culture and deterring the use of ‘pay day loan companies’.

All Service leavers are entitled to support from the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). Service leavers are encouraged to attend The Financial Aspects of Resettlement (FAR) brief which is a single day course designed to help them access financial awareness and long-term planning information, tax, pensions, and benefits advice. There are 11 resettlement hubs around the UK, located in areas where the majority of Service personnel choose to settle.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with (a) the RAF and (b) defence industry suppliers on the replacement of the Hawk training jet. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2024 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Ben Obese-Jecty) to Question 15292.

Global Combat Air Programme (docx, 28.7KB)
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking tackle skills gaps within the defence industry. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that attracting and retaining the right mix of skills is critical to sustaining a vibrant, innovative and competitive UK defence sector. This is an important area of focus in the development of the Defence Industrial Strategy and will be a topic given close attention by the Defence Industrial Joint Council. The MOD continues to work closely with the Department for Education, the Department for Business and Trade and defence sector companies to ensure the sector has access to the skilled workforce it requires.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate his Department has made of the number of vacancies for welders within the defence industry. \p Maria Eagle: The demand for craft skills, including welders, is recognised across the defence sector and is a particular area of interest for the joint Government and industry Shipbuilding Skills Delivery Group. Meeting this demand is also recognised as a challenge across the economy and not solely as an issue for defence. As part of the ongoing Defence Industrial Strategy work, the Ministry of Defence is closely engaged with the Department for Education to identify additional opportunities and approaches to meet the future demand.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he is taking steps to reduce the duration of submarine patrols. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Navy has successfully maintained Operation RELENTLESS – the Continuous At Sea Deterrent – without interruption for over 56 years. We do not disclose details of the operation, including the duration of time spent at sea, as such information could be used to undermine the security and capability of the mission and our personnel.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the National Armaments Director Candidate brief, published by his Department, what the restrictions on political activities are. \p Maria Eagle: The Secretary of State will meet with the National Armaments Director as often as necessary to deliver the required Defence outputs.

The parameters and performance targets will be agreed in line with the salary approval from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

The successful candidate for the National Armaments Director role, like any Civil Service appointment, will be subject to the Civil Service Code, including its standards on political impartiality. They will be required to declare any outside interests as part of the recruitment process in accordance with the policy on declaration and management of outside interests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March to Question 36712 on Ministry of Defence: Public Appointments, whether his Department had (a) agreed and (b) finalised the remuneration package for the new National Armaments Director (i) before or (ii) on 13 March 2025. \p Maria Eagle: The remuneration package for the new National Armaments Director was agreed and finalised before 13 March 2025.

The recruitment advert (which includes salary details) was published on 18 March 2025 in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles to ensure open and fair competition.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to expand (a) apprenticeship schemes and (b) skills training to meet demand for welders within the defence industry. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with Skills England and the Department for Education to ensure the boost in defence spending supports the training and development of new generations of defence sector workers required to support critical capabilities. The demand for craft skills, including welders, is a recognised challenge across the economy and is not solely an issue for defence.

The MOD is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the UK with over 25,000 apprenticeships across the Armed Forces and Civil Service in 2024. Within industry, the defence trade association ADS estimated that there were around 8,100 apprentices in the UK defence sector in 2024. The future skills requirement for defence is being assessed as part of the ongoing development of the Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38727 on MOD Ashchurch: Vehicles, if he will list all vehicles held at MOD Ashchurch including their readiness state by (a) type of vehicle and (b) timescale to be made operational. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence does not routinely disclose a breakdown of the location of equipment capabilities, and the operational readiness of our fleets, in the interests of safeguarding security and operational effectiveness.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to approve the Merlin Out of Service Date Extension Programme. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopter Out-of-Service Date Extension Programme, to retain the capability in service from 2029-30 until 2040, is currently underway through standard Ministry of Defence processes. The Outline Business Case was approved in October 2023. A Review Note was approved in December 2024. Departmental Spend Control Approvals are currently considering whether to commit expenditure for this Programme in 2025-26. The forecast for a Full Business Case submission is in early 2027.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role the Merlin Out of Service Date Extension Programme has in support of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent. \p Maria Eagle: The Merlin Out of Service Date Extension Programme supports the Continuous At Sea Deterrent by extending the operational life of the Merlin helicopter fleet until 2040.   These helicopters provide essential anti-submarine warfare capabilities, ensuring the security and readiness of the Royal Navy's deterrent patrols.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Jeremy Corbyn:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 35627 on Strategic Defence Review, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the risks identified by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 29127 from the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead on 14 February 2025.

Nuclear Submarines: Shipbuilding (docx, 14.8KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release on the award of a £1.6 billion contract to Thales in Belfast for the manufacture of lightweight-multirole missiles, published on 2 March 2025, whether the contract was awarded under a single-source procurement route. \p Maria Eagle: The Ukraine Government has selected the Lightweight Multi-role Missile because it has demonstrated itself to be a highly effective short-range air defence capability. This procurement was not subject to competition, noting that it is excluded from applicable procurement legislation as we are acting on behalf of the Ukraine Government pursuant to an international agreement between the UK and Ukraine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_258

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will introduce a ban on pavement parking in town centres outside of London. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport has been considering all the views expressed in response to the consultation in 2020 and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. As soon as the Government has decided its preferred way forward, we will announce the next steps and publish our formal response. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_259

Chris Hinchliff:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending regulations on blue badges to include a provision for people who run (a) taxis and (b) other transport vehicles that are designed to provide facilities for people with disabilities. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Blue Badge scheme provides a range of parking concessions for people with a long-term disability, who travel either as passengers or drivers, that affects their capacity to access the goods and services they need to use.

The regulations governing the Blue Badge scheme define a disabled person's badge as: “a badge issued by a local authority for display on any motor vehicle driven by a disabled person or used for the carriage of a disabled person or of several disabled persons.”

The concessions can be used by taxis and any other vehicles with the badge on display, to drop off and collect a Blue Badge holder. The Department has no plans to amend the current eligibility criteria.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_260

Tristan Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Blue Badge scheme to include statutory requirement to expand the offer on a shorter fixed-term basis to people with temporary mobility problems or conditions. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Blue Badge scheme is primarily about helping people with a long-term disability, that affects their capacity to access the goods and services they need to use. Anyone may be entitled to a badge if they meet the eligibility criteria. The Department has no plans to amend the current eligibility criteria.

The Department has previously issued local authorities with advice on how they could use existing powers to provide locally determined parking concessions within their areas. For example, some local authorities grant parking concessions to assist their elderly residents. The same powers could be used to help those with temporary mobility problems or conditions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_261

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to introduce a ban on pavement parking in non-metropolitan areas. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the consultation in 2020 and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. As soon as the Government has decided its preferred way forward, we will announce the next steps and publish our formal response. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to manage pavement parking.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_262

Jade Botterill:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the transport system supports economic growth in Ossett and Denby Dale constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: Kickstarting economic growth across every corner of the UK is the top priority of this Government.

We’re getting on with delivering the Government’s Plan for Change by delivering the basics of a better transport system, including in places across West Yorkshire, where we are providing £830million of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement funding to help transform their local transport network. This is funding a range of transport improvements that will benefit West Yorkshire’s economy, including development of the first phase of West Yorkshire Mass Transit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_263

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department will review the results of funding given to local authorities for road repairs under the Plan for Change. \p Lilian Greenwood: For the 2025/26 financial year, the Government is providing nearly £1.6 billion for highway maintenance, an increase of £500 million compared to 2024/25. It is the responsibility of individual highway authorities to maintain and improve their networks, based upon their local knowledge, circumstances, and priorities. Funding is not ringfenced, and it is a matter for local authorities to determine how the money is best spent.

As of Monday 24 March, the Department has written to all local highway authorities advising them that 25% of their uplift in maintenance funding is contingent on them demonstrating to Government that they are complying with certain criteria aimed at driving best practice and continual improvement in highways maintenance practice. All authorities will have to publish information online by the end of June, and share further information with the Department by the end of October. This will allow local people to hold their councils to account for their performance in maintaining their highway networks. The Department will also review the information provided by local highway authorities when it is submitted and will say more on this in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of restoring Birmingham’s Cross City service to four trains per hour on the economy. \p Simon Lightwood: West Midlands Trains (WMT) are working on the feasibility of increasing CrossCity line services where the infrastructure allows, and the business case for such an increase will be expected to include the impact on passengers, taxpayers and the economy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_265

Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has plans to extend its consultation entitled A railway fit for Britain's future, published on 18 February 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: We are not intending to extend the consultation ‘A railway fit for Britain’s future’. We understand that the eight-week timeline will be unwelcome for some, but we are also keenly aware that passengers and freight customers have waited far too long to see the improvements to the railway that they rightly expect and deserve. We need to move quickly to legislate in this Parliamentary session and start delivering these improvements. We believe the current timeframe strikes that balance effectively.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_266

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles of road Highways England manages in each county of England. \p Lilian Greenwood: National Highways is responsible for managing England’s strategic road network, which is made up of over 4,500 miles of centrally managed motorway and main A-roads. The latest available data on road length of centrally managed motorways and A-roads broken down by local authority can be found on GOV.UK (Table RDL0102): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/road-length-statistics-rdl.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will consider extending funding for disabled bus passes to include journeys made before 9:30am. \p Simon Lightwood: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the travel time criteria, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. The government recently conducted a review of the ENCTS, which included considering travel times for disabled passholders and is currently considering next steps.

Currently, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as extending the travel time criteria for the ENCTS.

The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been allocated £12.7 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_268

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of remote enforcement letters on coach operators. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) developed its desk-based assessment (DBA) policy and processes, in collaboration with Traffic Commissioners and industry stakeholders before its introduction, over ten years ago.

DVSA introduced DBAs to reduce time constraints on heavy goods vehicle and coach operators. DBAs give DVSA a more efficient, and less intrusive, method of evaluating an operator's compliance level, rather than conducting physical frontline visits.

DVSA’s remote assessment approach allows operators to submit data or respond to DBAs and intervention letters at a time that best suit their business and minimise any disruption.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_269

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of toll charges at the Tamar crossings on the (a) profitability and )b) sustainability of local businesses in South East Cornwall constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The Transport Charges &c. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1954 sets out that when considering applications for changes to tolls, the Minister must “have regard to the financial position and future prospects of the undertaking and shall not make any revision of charges which in his opinion would be likely to result in the undertaking receiving an annual revenue either substantially less or substantially more than adequate to meet such expenditure on the working, management and maintenance of the undertaking and such other costs, charges and expenses of the undertaking as are properly chargeable to revenue, including reasonable contributions to any reserve, contingency or other fund.”

In respect of the current application for changes to the tolls at the Tamar crossings, local businesses will have been able to make their views known during the consultation process and during the public inquiry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_270

Andy MacNae:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Transport on the potential impact of safe walking and cycling routes on rates of economic inactivity. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has carried out an evidence review of the economic impacts of transport interventions that includes evidence on economic inactivity. The research shows a positive relationship between investing in transport and employment in the surrounding areas, but further research is required to measure the effect on economic inactivity. Active Travel England is delivering a national active travel evaluation that will seek to include a proportionate assessment of the impact of active travel investment on employment.

On 12 February, Active Travel England announced £291 million of funding to boost walking, wheeling and cycling across England. It is estimated that the infrastructure funded will lead to 43,000 fewer sick days a year and contribute £9 million every year to the economy by supporting local businesses and making it easier to walk and cycle to work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on establishing a crime and policing working group to help tackle disability hate crime on public transport. \p Simon Lightwood: Ministers and officials regularly seek advice from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on the issues which most affect disabled people when travelling, including disability hate crime. The Department is committed to ensuring everyone, including disabled people, are and feel safe when using the transport network. We have an ambitious, evidence-based programme of work to improve personal safety on transport, working across government and with partners including the British Transport Police. We have just launched a new survey to determine the prevalence of crime and anti-social behaviour on the network which will help us to better understand the scale of the problem, who is affected and when and where these incidents take place. This will enable us to better target policy and activities to tackle these issues and make the transport network safer for everyone.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-27)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-27 conversation_272

Sarah Coombes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with taxi licensing authorities on enforcement on illegal stealth number plates. \p Simon Lightwood: We are aware of the issue of ghost plates being used on vehicles, including taxis and private hire vehicles. We would expect licensing authorities to work with the police to address this.