theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_34

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support (a) children experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance and (b) their families. \p Olivia Bailey: Tackling absence is at the heart of the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity. However, we recognise that some pupils face barriers to attendance, such as those who have mental health conditions, or who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

To tackle these issues our statutory guidance, ‘Working together to improve school attendance’, sets out a ‘support first’ approach. Specific guidance for schools on mental health and attendance has also been published, and the department is committed to providing access to specialist mental health professionals in every school. This guidance is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-issues-affecting-a-pupils-attendance-guidance-for-schools.

Six in ten pupils will have access to a mental health support team by March 2026 and, under government plans, all pupils will have access to mental health support in school by 2029/30.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_35

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of children with SEND moving from the independent to state school sector; and what proportion this represents of the overall amount of people moving from the independent to state sectors. \p Olivia Bailey: The latest school census data from January 2025 shows private school pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns seen for over 20 years. The data is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_36

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025. \p Josh MacAlister: Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns, is published annually, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence.

The next update will be for the year ending 31 March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_37

Justin Madders:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many of the school-based nursery pilots originally scheduled to open in September 2025 had opened by 9 September 2025. \p Olivia Bailey: High quality early years is central to our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity and give every child the best possible start in life and is essential to our Plan for Change. This government is boosting availability and access through the school-based nurseries programme, supporting school led provision and private, voluntary and independent providers and childminders operating from school sites.

Phase 1 is already delivering results. We awarded £37 million to 300 schools, creating up to 6,000 new childcare places with the majority available in the 2025/26 academic year. Schools have reported that 160 of these nurseries have opened on or before 9 September and we remain on track to have more than 4,000 additional childcare available places by the end of September.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_38

Maya Ellis:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many early years recruits received the sign-on bonus launched in 2024. \p Olivia Bailey: The department is supporting the sector to attract talented new staff to join the workforce, as well as encourage skilled and qualified staff to return to early years roles by creating conditions for improved recruitment.

The department has been running a pilot that tests whether offering an incentive payment would increase recruitment levels in 20 local authorities. New starters in early years settings, and those returning to the sector, were required to have started in an eligible provider and meet certain eligibility criteria in one of these local authorities in order to receive a £1,000 payment.

Delivery on the scheme ended in March 2025. Data on the number of recruits receiving financial incentives will be included in the evaluation report, which will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_39

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of families expected to benefit from the 30 hours of free childcare by council area in the East of England. \p Olivia Bailey: It is our ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change. We are delivering more support to working families than ever before with the rollout of 30 hours government-funded childcare.

The department does not hold data on estimates of the numbers of families expected to benefit by area.

However, we do collect data on eligibility codes, which show the number of children, down to local authority level, who have benefitted. This information can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/expansion-to-early-childcare-entitlements-eligibility-codes-issued-and-validated/2025-may.

This data is being updated periodically in response to the hours rollout.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_40

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of changes to the VAT status of independent schools on the number of children enrolled in state schools in September 2025. \p Olivia Bailey: HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note on applying VAT to independent school fees, which includes the government’s estimates of the number of pupils expected to enter the state sector as a result of this policy. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/applying-vat-to-private-school-fees#who-is-likely-to-be-affected.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_41

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extreme weather events on West Dorset. \p Emma Hardy: The preparation for, response to and recovery from extreme weather sits across a number of organisations, including the Cabinet Office, UK Health and Security Agency, and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. As the Lead Government Department for flooding, Defra works with partners across local and national Government to strengthen preparedness for flooding.

In 2024, Defra established the Floods Resilience Taskforce, a collaborative initiative uniting all levels of Government, emergency services, businesses, and environmental groups to improve flood preparedness. Over the past 12 months, the taskforce has helped drive improvements to national flood modelling and forecasting, the communication of flood warnings, and has raised awareness of schemes to support those affected by flooding. The fourth meeting in September discussed preparedness for the 2025 autumn/winter period.

Following the wettest winter on record, the Environment Agency is investing £5 million to protect 444 properties in West Dorset, maintaining key assets, supporting coastal projects, improving property flood resilience, and working with partners on natural flood management and coastal risk response.

Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) in England are tasked with coordinating local emergency preparedness, including extreme weather events. West Dorset is represented on the Dorset LRF as part of the Dorset Councils Partnership. The Dorset LRF Community Risk Register, which includes local risk assessments for extreme weather events in Dorset, can be found here.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_42

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department receives a share of funds from every F-35 sold to (a) foreign military sales customers and (b) Israel. \p Luke Pollard: A key part of the overall funding approach for the F-35 is that all F-35 partners who contributed to development costs for the platform are able to recoup elements of the that original expenditure from foreign military sales, relative to their level of investment in programme development.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_43

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42299 on Defence Growth Board, whether the Defence Growth Board has met since 3 April 2025. \p Luke Pollard: The purpose of the Defence Growth Board is to maximise Defence’s contribution to the government’s Growth Mission.

The Chancellor and Secretary of State for Defence meet regularly, including with representatives of the defence industry and financial sector, to ensure that this government is delivering for defence. The Board has met to build on this work.
wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-02 conversation_44

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2025 to Question 66652 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, whether the RAF Command Support Air Transport fleets include (a) Airbus A321 G-GBNI, (b) Airbus A330 ZZ336, (c) Dassault Falcon 900LX Envoy IV G-ZAHS and G-ZABH. \p Luke Pollard: No, the RAF Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) fleet comprises of two Envoy IV Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft, G-ZAHS and G-ZABH.

The Voyager aircraft, ZZ336, is operated alongside the main fleet of RAF Voyagers, on behalf of the RAF by AirTanker. It has a secondary role and can be tasked under Op VESPINA for the use of Head of State or Head of Government on State business only.

The Airbus A321 (G-GBNI) is not a military aircraft. It is tasked by the Cabinet Travel Office under Government contract.

CSAT is a military function, delivered to aid operational effectiveness including senior military leader partner engagements, crisis early entry, and the movement of operational information. It is separate to wider Government and Royal VIP passenger movement, delivered through the Ministerial Air Transport Contract and Royal Transport Office respectively.

Military tasking of CSAT remains the priority throughout.

This Government is committed to securing value for money for taxpayers. We cancelled the VIP helicopter contract which wasted millions under the previous Government. The money saved from cancelling this contract will be returned to Defence’s core budget- an estimated £40 million.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_1

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on public expenditure. \p Kanishka Narayan: The primary focus of the government’s analysis has been to assess the potential for AI to enhance public sector productivity and efficiency, which are key determinants of future spending levels. Analysis by DSIT for the State of Digital Government Review found an estimated £45 billion per year in unrealised savings and productivity benefits in the public sector, 4-7% of public sector spend, which could be achieved through full digitisation of public sector services. Opportunities are based predominantly on process simplification, AI-driven automation of manual tasks, greater availability, adoption of low-cost digital channels and reduced fraud through compliance automation.

Of this, £36 billion in potential annual savings are from using AI to simplify and automate delivery across the public sector. This was estimated through a detailed analysis of 350,000 public sector roles using Civil Service data, scaling productivity savings from automating or augmenting routine tasks to the wider public sector workforce.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_2

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what proportion of funding for UK BioBank will be allocated to (a) developing non-animal methods of testing and (b) phasing out animal testing. \p Kanishka Narayan: Genomics England, Our Future Health and UK Biobank contribute important human data to the UK’s diverse research portfolio that supports alternative method development, including organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. The Health Data Research Service will also contribute in future, However, this research is not categorised by application, so calculating funding for alternative methods specifically is not possible. UKRI also invests £10 million annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs), with future investment under review.

The Government will publish a strategy to support alternative methods later this year.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_3

Tristan Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the risks (a) associated with third-party providers' involvement in (i) age verification and (ii) content moderation systems and (b) of (A) data breaches and (B) misuse of personal information by those providers; and what (1) regulations, (2) oversight procedures and (3) safeguards have been put in place to guarantee the safe (a) handling and (b) storage of the sensitive data of (i) children, (ii) vulnerable users and (iii) other users. \p Kanishka Narayan: UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act impose obligations on data controllers – including third-party providers - to process data fairly, lawfully, and transparently.

The OSA also requires all providers to give particular regard to the importance of protecting users’ privacy rights when implementing measures to comply with their new safety duties, including age assurance and any content moderation measures.

The ICO has responsibility for monitoring and enforcing the application of data protection legislation in the UK. It has a range of tough criminal and civil enforcement tools at its disposal, including powers of prosecution and powers to issue substantial monetary penalties for serious breaches of the data protection legislation.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_4

Tristan Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to raise public awareness of the (a) legal and (b) safety implications of using VPNs to bypass online safety measures. \p Kanishka Narayan: While there are legitimate reasons for using VPNs, services that deliberately target UK children and promote VPN use to circumvent online safety measures could face enforcement action under the Online Safety Act. Some VPNs may present security or privacy risks, so users are advised to exercise caution when using VPNs.

Government and Ofcom will monitor the impact of potential circumvention techniques on the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and will consider further options if necessary.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_5

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54390 on Data Statistics Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, if he will make a statement to Parliament with a formal government response to that report. \p Kanishka Narayan: As outlined in previous Answers of 3 June to Question 54390 and 2 May 2025 to Question 47834, relevant departments and policy teams will consider the findings in light of their ongoing policy work.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_6

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what funding (a) the Government Digital Service and (b) his Department has provided to DigiGov Expo 2025. \p Kanishka Narayan: No funding has been provided to DigiGov Expo 2025 by either the Government Digital Service or the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_7

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a target to replace animal experiments in medical research by 2035. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam to the answer of 9th June 2025 to Question 55940.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_8

Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what research she is funding into the development of (a) organ-on-a-chip and (b) computer modelling to phase out animal testing. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government is committed to the development of non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a diverse portfolio of investments that supports research which can lead to alternatives, such as organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. UKRI also invests £10 million annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). The Government also co-funds seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI), two focusing on AI which will support alternative method development.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_9

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the implementation of the Online Safety Act on the level of risk that private bodies could harvest sensitive data on UK citizens who seek out VPN services. \p Kanishka Narayan: Organisations that process personal data, which could include VPN providers, are subject to requirements of the data protection legislation. This includes obligations to process people’s data fairly and lawfully and to ensure that any data collected is held securely. Organisations that fail to comply may face enforcement action by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_10

Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what proportion of staff in his Department did not meet the minimum office attendance target in the latest period for which data is available; and what sanctions his Department issues to staff who do not meet this target. \p Kanishka Narayan: Employees are expected to spend a minimum of 40% of their working hours in the office. Office attendance requirements are managed locally to ensure employees are meeting the requirements, and no central data is held on this.

Line Managers are responsible for ensuring the requirements are met and taking steps to address any non-compliance, including consideration of disciplinary action should that be necessary.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_11

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to reduce animal testing in the UK. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer the hon. Member for Ashfield to the answer of 12th May 2025 to Question 49421.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_12

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what safeguards are in place to ensure that facial recognition technology used in supermarkets does not contribute to discriminatory outcomes based on race, gender, age, or disability. \p Ian Murray: FRT systems should not undermine people’s rights or discriminate unfairly. Under data protection law, organisations need to evaluate the risks to people and their rights deriving from the specific contexts. Supermarkets should be able to demonstrate that they have a lawful basis for the processing of personal data, and that its collection is limited to what is necessary. They must carry out Data Protection Impact Assessments, where there is a high risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms, including risks of bias or discrimination. Supermarkets must comply with the data protection principles of fairness, transparency and accountability when deploying FRT. The Information Commissioner’s Office has clarified that FRT involves the processing of biometric data which is likely to constitute special category data. The processing of such data is subject to additional safeguards under the law. If any significant decision has been made about an individual based solely on automated processing, they have a right to challenge such decision, obtain human intervention and make representations to the controller about them.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_13

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will respond to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People's report, entitled: Laying Firm Foundations: Financial education in schools and colleges across the UK and the opportunities of devolution. \p Georgia Gould: Education is a devolved matter, and this response outlines the information for England only.

The government welcomes the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People to highlight the importance of financial education.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review seeks to deliver an excellent foundation in core subjects, including mathematics, and a rich and broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.

The interim report highlighted that the Review has heard, from children, young people and their parents, that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education.

The Review’s final report will be published in autumn, following which we will consider how to ensure the financial education pupils receive is relevant and taught by confident and committed teachers.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_14

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential reasons for the attainment gap between boys and girls at the end of Key Stage 2. \p Georgia Gould: All children and young people should have every opportunity to succeed. However, the department knows that, on average, attainment for boys is lower than girls and we continue to monitor this at all key stages.

Although the gap has narrowed slightly from 2024, provisional 2025 key stage 2 data shows girls continue to outperform boys at the expected standard in all subjects, except for mathematics.

High and rising standards are key to strengthening outcomes and closing gaps for every child and young person. The department is driving improvements through new regional improvement in standards and excellence teams, the Curriculum and Assessment Review and support to boost primary literacy, including the publication of the Writing Framework and with additional phonics to fluency reading support.

Building on this, our upcoming Schools White Paper will set out our vision for a system that drives educational excellence for every child no matter who they are.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_15

Damien Egan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of taking (a) one and (b) two week holidays with family during school term time on the long-term educational performance of primary school children. \p Georgia Gould: Research by the Children’s Commissioner in 2023 found that any amount of term-time holiday is associated with lower GCSE results. This research is accessible here: https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2023/11/CC-REPORT-_-Attendance-and-Attainment-_-Oct-23.pdf.

Recent research conducted by the department in 2025 found that at both key stage 2 and key stage 4, attending an extra two weeks of school is associated with a 30% higher chance of achieving the expected outcome at key stage 2 and a 10% higher chance at key stage 4. This research is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c96d7dd0fba2f1334cf2ed/The_link_between_attendance_and_attainment_in_an_assessment_year_-_March_2025.pdf.

Absence does not just affect the child missing school, it also increases teacher workload. Research published by the National Foundation for Educational Research in 2019 shows that school absence disrupts learning for the whole class. The research is accessible here: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED594391.pdf.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_16

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will launch a public awareness campaign to support the integration of children’s social care services into local communities. \p Josh MacAlister: Through the Families First Partnership (FFP) Programme, the department is giving children and families access to better local support services to break the cycle of late intervention and help more children and families stay safely together. We recognise the crucial role that universal services and community-based early help play in identifying emerging problems and providing early and ongoing support at an early stage.

The department’s reforms to Family Help will embed targeted support in the heart of communities, providing a non-stigmatising access point to a range of services to address the needs of the whole family. The FFP programme guide is clear that local areas should build on the strengths of their universal and community-based early help models when implementing Family Help, and we continue to share learning from the Families First for Children Pathfinder areas to support this.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_17

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of student visa holders attending universities are in the (a) top and (b) bottom quartile of education standards. \p Josh MacAlister: The department does not hold data on the proportion of student visa holders attending English universities who are in the top and bottom quartile of education standards. This data is not reported to the department by universities.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_18

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the value for money of the services provided by Social Work England. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is the sponsor department for Social Work England, and as such we monitor their performance on an ongoing basis. In addition, Social Work England is regulated by the Professional Standards Authority and is meeting 17 out of the 18 standards of good regulation. The government has a statutory obligation to appoint an independent person to review the operation of Part 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, which includes powers related to Social Work England. The review will collect evidence of Social Work England’s overall effectiveness as a regulator. Further details will be announced in due course, and on completion the report will be laid before Parliament. On 31 July 2025, Social Work England employed 278 staff (full-time equivalent 263).
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_19

Munira Wilson:To ask the Solicitor General, how many estates are listed on the Bona Vacantia list. \p Ellie Reeves: The Bona Vacantia unclaimed estates list was temporarily removed from GOV.UK on 7 July 2025. At this time, the number of estates published on the list was 5,770.

The future publication of the list is currently under review.

Estates administered as bona vacantia continue to be published in The Gazette.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_20

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with police forces on the adequacy of police resources allocated to tackling fraud. \p Sarah Jones: Tackling fraud is a clear priority for this Government, and I am committed to working with police forces to ensure resources are in place to effectively combat this crime and support victims.

That is why we are publishing a new, expanded Fraud Strategy to strengthen our national response to this crime.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_21

Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help prevent protests from disrupting the activities of defence firms. \p Sarah Jones: The management of protest activity is an operational matter for the police, who are independent of government.

While the Government is committed to protecting the public and businesses from serious disruption, ministers cannot intervene in individual cases or direct police decisions, including those relating to protests near defence firms. This operational independence is a fundamental principle of policing in the UK.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_22

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71962 on Cambridgeshire Constabulary: Stun Guns, what is her planned timetable for taking a decision on whether to approve the Taser 10 for police use. \p Sarah Jones: We are considering the results of independent testing and assessments of the Taser 10, as you would expect, before taking a decision on whether to approve it for police use.

The government is committed to giving police the necessary tools to protect the public, prevent harm and save lives.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_23

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much cryptocurrency her Department has seized from criminal activity in each of the last three years. \p Sarah Jones: The Government does not currently publish the amount of cryptocurrency restrained / recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The Home office is reviewing plans to publish new statistics on Crypto assets as part of future annual stats bulletins on asset recovery in response to the new powers that came into effect in April 2024.

Official statistics published by the Home Office are kept under review in line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, taking into account a number of factors including user needs, the resources required to compile the statistics, as well as quality and availability of data. These reviews allow us to balance the production of our regular statistics whilst developing new statistics for future release.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_24

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to consult businesses on firearm licencing. \p Sarah Jones: The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February this year, included a commitment to having a consultation specifically on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns.

When launched we will welcome and carefully consider all the views put forward, including those from businesses.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_25

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that end-to-end encryption continues to protect personal privacy while enabling law enforcement to detect serious criminal activity. \p Sarah Jones: This Government supports strong encryption, which protects our citizens online. However, this must not and need not be at the expense of public safety, which is this Government’s first priority.

Targeted investigatory powers allow the authorities to investigate terrorists, paedophiles and the most serious criminals and are subject to robust safeguards, including judicial authorisations and oversight to protect people’s privacy.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_26

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of people who have used Snapchat to purchase vape products spiked with the synthetic drug spice. \p Sarah Jones: The National Crime Agency routinely assess the threats to the UK from serious and organised crime, including drugs supply. The Government is determined to tackle the sale of illegal drugs online, including those sold as vapes. We are taking a co-ordinated approach that includes law enforcement activity, stronger engagement with tech companies, better education for users so they understand the risks and harms; as well as requiring internet companies to take responsibility for their content.

The Online Safety Act 2023 requires internet companies to implement measures to protect their users and to remove illegal content from their platforms, including that related to the sale of illegal drugs. Ofcom, as the independent regulator, is monitoring compliance with the regime. And working with law enforcement, they are seeking to suppress the sale of drugs on the clear web and online platforms through strengthening platform accountability and disrupting online dealer tactics.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_27

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department issues to police forces on the impact of battery degradation on their electric vehicle fleets. \p Sarah Jones: Decisions around the procurement and deployment of electric vehicles, as well as infrastructure to support them, is a matter for operationally independent Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, or Mayoral equivalents.

We would expect decisions to be made with consideration to the needs of the force, their local community, and within their existing budget allocation.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_28

Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many lower-layer super output areas are within Telford constituency; how those areas are ranked by top (a) 1%, (b) 5% and (c) 10% in the index of multiple deprivation; and what impact that data has on the allocation of funding by her Department. \p Sarah Jones: The Office for National Statistics Open Geography Portal provides information on Lower Layer Super Output areas in England and Wales. This is available online at: https://geoportal.statistics.gov.uk/search?q=NAC_LSOA&sort=Date%20Created%7Ccreated%7Cdesc.

In relation to deprivation, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the most recent iteration of the English Indices of Deprivation in September 2019. All data tables and resources are available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2019. The Open Data Communities platform provides deprivation data at postcode level or at local authority level. This is available online at: https://imd-by-postcode.opendatacommunities.org/imd/2019.

With regards to how deprivation relates to funding decisions by the Home Office, the Department is responsible for funding a broad range of functions, services and programmes across its policing, national security and immigration remit. Decisions on how funding is deployed may consider factors such as deprivation if that is relevant based on the specific purpose and objectives of the funding stream.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_29

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 51809 on Enforcement Conduct Board, when he plans to set out his Department's approach to ensuring appropriate oversight of (a) enforcement firms and (b) agents operating under the Taking Control of Goods procedure. \p Sarah Sackman: The Government will strengthen the oversight of enforcement firms and agents that use the Taking Control of Goods procedure in England and Wales. On 9 June 2025, we launched a consultation on how to introduce an independent statutory regulator for enforcement firms. The consultation also asked whether a regulator should play any role in accrediting enforcement agents. The consultation closed on 21 July 2025. We will publish the Government’s response in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_30

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to ensure there is adequate payroll and human resources capacity within the Department to manage the employees of the newly nationalised South Western Railway operating company; and whether it entered into any external contract to assist delivery in state control of South Western Railway. \p Simon Lightwood: South Western Railway (SWR) has been responsible for the provision of its own payroll and human resources services both before and after being taken into public ownership. The public ownership programme sees train operating companies transition into the Department for Transport Operator, not the Department itself. The Department did not enter into any external contracts with the specific purpose of transferring South Western Railway into public ownership.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_31

Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to provide step-free access at Shortlands rail station. \p Simon Lightwood: Shortlands rail station already has step free access into the station and to and between each platform via lifts.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_32

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of removing the 50km restriction for 18- to 20-year-old bus and coach drivers on the (a) number of available drivers and (b) quality of (i) rural and (ii) long-distance bus services. \p Simon Lightwood: The previous government launched a consultation on amending licensing restrictions to allow 18 to 20-year-olds to drive a bus and coach for distances exceeding 50km when driving a regular service. The previous government did not publish a response to its consultation before it left office.

This government is now working closely with operators to obtain further evidence and will then consider next steps.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_33

Dr Rupa Huq:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) Community and Environment Fund and (b) Business and Local Economy Fund in supporting communities affected by HS2 works in the London Borough of Ealing; if she will review the potential impact of restrictions that limit local authorities to submitting a maximum of two bids to those Funds at a time on the London Borough of Ealing, in the context of the remaining level of funding available for London as a whole; and what steps she is taking to ensure that people in the London Borough of Ealing are able to access a level of funding that is proportionate to the level of HS2 disruption in that Borough. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government remains committed to ensuring that all ‘line of route’ communities affected by HS2 construction, including those in the London Borough of Ealing, receive a fair share of funding through the Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF). Whilst there is no specific allocation for London as a whole, the funds are managed in a way that ensures a proportionate balance across the whole HS2 route. Awards are recorded online at:

https://hs2funds.org.uk/home/projects-funded-by-hs2-funds/

The London Borough of Ealing is a priority area for funding. HS2 Ltd and the fund administrators, Groundwork UK, have carried out community engagement in the borough to promote availability of funding and to date 18 projects have been approved, totalling over £753,000 of investment.

In the interests of ensuring that there is a fair and inclusive spread of projects there are limits on the number of applications any one organisation can make to the funds. However, local authorities play an important role in delivering outcomes supported by CEF and BLEF and greater flexibility is provided to these organisations. Currently Ealing Council has five live awards and has been granted permission to submit two further applications.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_34

Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she expects the first phase of East-West Rail to open this year; and what her Department's planned timetable is for the opening of the (a) Bletchley to Bedford and (b) Bedford to Cambridge sections. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department is working closely with Chiltern and other partners to confirm a start date for the service. We are looking forward to commencing services as soon as all necessary approvals and infrastructure are in place. Passenger services will commence once train testing and driver training have been completed. As for the second and third connections phases; the Government has committed to accelerating work to deliver EWR services between Oxford-Bedford. The full Oxford-Cambridge service is subject to an application for a Development Consent Order and is planned to commence from the mid-2030s.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_35

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the rules for recognising overseas driving tests as equivalent to those in Great Britain. \p Simon Lightwood: My department does not have any current plans to review the rules for recognising overseas driving tests.
wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-18)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-18 conversation_36

Richard Foord:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support families in rural areas with the cost of transport to schools. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, particularly in rural areas.

On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.

At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Devon County Council has been allocated £11.6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.