theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Alan Mak:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish a list of government bodies qualifying as regulators by sponsoring department. \p Justin Madders: Yes. While there is no standard definition of a regulator, we will publish a list of all regulators that can be considered as meeting various possible definitions, and will keep it updated in response to feedback. This will be published by September on the Regulation for Growth GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/regulation-for-growth.
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Gregor Poynton:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Industrial Strategy on Scotland. \p Sarah Jones: Our modern Industrial Strategy will drive growth in Scotland's globally competitive sectors – from advanced manufacturing in Glasgow and the UK’s second-largest financial services sector in Edinburgh, to life sciences in Dundee and Aberdeen’s status as a global energy capital. Investments including up to £750 million in a new supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh and our support for the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage project will have a major positive impact on Scottish growth.
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Dr Rupa Huq:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce waste in the construction industry. \p Sarah Jones: I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 39563: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to help develop the first ever Circular Economy Strategy for England, which we plan to publish for consultation in the coming autumn. We will consider the evidence for sector-specific interventions from right across the economy, including in reducing waste in the construction industry, as we develop our strategy.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the British Blockchain Association on the potential of blockchain technology to (a) reduce fraud, (b) enhance transparency, (c) improve costs and (d) provide efficiency in cross-border trade and commerce. \p Gareth Thomas: As the Chancellor set out her Mansion House Speech on Tuesday, we recognise the transformative potential for digital assets and blockchain technologies to drive economic growth in the UK and increase efficiencies across financial markets. We are proceeding with proposals to create a new financial services regulatory regime for fiat-backed stablecoins.

This will support growth in the UK by giving cryptoasset firms the regulatory certainty needed to invest here, and to help drive innovation in our financial services sector whilst at the same time including rules on regulation, safeguarding and market integrity.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent changes (a) HMRC and (b) Companies House has made to the filing requirements for small and medium-sized businesses. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade is currently engaging with stakeholders on proposed changes in filing requirements at Companies House to ensure they strike the right balance between tackling economic crime and avoiding undue burden on business.

HMRC has required companies to file electronic company tax returns since 2011 and announced earlier this year that, from 31 March 2026, it would be withdrawing the joint online filing service it runs with Companies House.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the hospitality sector on the impact of the current rate of VAT on small businesses. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business and Trade regularly engages with representatives from the hospitality sector, including through the hospitality sector council to understand the challenges they face, including the impact of VAT on small businesses.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Whilst there are no current plans to reduce VAT, HM Treasury keep all taxes under review.

To support businesses, we are reforming the business rates system and plan to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using mandatory mediation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. \p Justin Madders: This government is committed to access to justice, and I share the interest of the Rt. Hon. member’s in reducing the burdens of litigation through Alternative Dispute Resolution. The CAT Rules afford the Tribunal significant powers to encourage and facilitate Alternative Dispute Resolution.
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John Grady:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's SME strategy on the economy. \p Gareth Thomas: Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and crucial for the delivery of our Growth Mission. We will publish a new SME strategy later this year that will complement our Industrial and Trade Strategies as part of our approach to driving economic growth. The strategy will set out how the Government is looking to support SMEs to start and grow. We will provide a further update, including relevant economic evidence and analysis, later this year.
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Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of the UK-US trade deal on businesses in the North East. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Prime Minister, Business Secretary and other Ministers across government have been engaging widely on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) with business organisations and companies from across the economy, including in the North East.

This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK and almost 26,000 people in the North East in particular. The EPD provides much needed certainty and confidence, which is crucial for supporting a robust UK supply chain in these industries
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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by his Department. \p Hilary Benn: The Northern Ireland Office usually collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

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

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will extend the closing date for applications to the Connect Fund beyond 10 August 2025. \p Hilary Benn: The Connect Fund will support communities in Northern Ireland, funding projects between £300 and £50,000 with a clear East-West lens that deliver on building connections, sharing information, and collaborative community work. Funding is available in two rounds, with the first round running from now until 30 April 2026, and the second round running from 1 May 2026 to 31 March 2027. The Connect Fund is rolling and applications can therefore be submitted throughout these two periods, with the 10th of the month being the deadline for each month. If one were to miss the 10th of the month deadline, an application will be considered the following month.

Further information is available on the grant page at:

https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/grants/connect-fund-1#objectives
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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to improve employer compliance with statutory sick pay obligations. \p Alison McGovern: The Government believes that enforcement of Statutory Sick Pay is vital in ensuring that employees receive the correct amount of Statutory Sick Pay they are due. Guidance to both employers and employees is provided on Gov.uk. HMRC also operates a dispute resolution process through its Statutory Payments Dispute Team for individuals who believe they have been wrongly denied Statutory Sick Pay.

However, the Government wants to go further in supporting employers and improving compliance with Statutory Sick Pay obligations. That is why it will be included in the Fair Work Agency which will bring together existing state enforcement functions into one place, so employment rights, including Statutory Sick Pay, are enforced more effectively and efficiently. The Fair Work Agency will provide better support to businesses to comply with the law and will also work closely with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) which already provides guidance for employers and workers.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what lessons she has learnt from international trials on Universal Basic Income on (a) employment rates and (b) poverty levels. \p Alison McGovern: I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 2 July to PQ 62240.
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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to improve employment opportunities for young people in rural areas. \p Alison McGovern: The Get Britain Working White Paper set out our cross-Government plan to get people into and progress at work. A key focus is on supporting young people into employment, education or training. This is why the Government is implementing a Youth Guarantee – ensuring all 18-21-year-olds have access to training, an apprenticeship or help to find work, to prevent them becoming excluded from the world of work at a young age.

DWP already provides 16-24-year-olds with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by Work Coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners.

For example, we are running a pilot of hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programmes in partnership with UKHospitality, which is being rolled out to 26 new areas in need of jobs and opportunities, half of which are in rural and/ or coastal areas.

Following a successful trial in the north-east of England, we have issued guidance to Jobcentres on how best to support people to overcome transport barriers that hinder them from securing and remaining in work.

Youth Hubs and Jobcentres across the country are also promoting the Flexible Support Fund, which can cover transport costs for job interviews, training and Jobcentre visits.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help tackle child poverty in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency. \p Alison McGovern: Tackling child poverty is at the heart of the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances of every child. It is unacceptable that there are almost 2500 children in relative poverty (before housing costs) in North East Somerset and Hanham. Children in low-income families' local area statistics (CiLIF) are published on Stat-Xplore. The Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in autumn that will deliver fully funded measures to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty.

The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.

As a significant downpayment ahead of Strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament. Our data shows that 3,500 children in the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency will be eligible for FSM from September 2026. This data can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/free-school-meals-expansion-impact-on-poverty-levels. We are also establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1 billion a year (including Barnett impact), investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. We also announced the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation and £13.2 billion including Barnett impact across the Parliament for the Warm Homes Plan.

Our commitments at the 2025 Spending Review come on top of the existing action we have taken which includes expanding free breakfast clubs, capping the number of branded school uniform items children are expected to wear, increasing the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions.
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Dr Rupa Huq:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support employment opportunities for people aged over 25. \p Alison McGovern: This Government is committed to supporting everyone to get into and on in work. In addition to delivering a Youth Guarantee, the Get Britain Working White Paper and Pathways to Work Green Paper set out ambitious reforms to employment support that will benefit people aged over 25: a new Jobs and Careers Service, with an enhanced focus on skills and careers; and targeted support to reduce health related economic inactivity. Specific DWP programmes and initiatives that support employment opportunities for people aged over 25 also include:

These measures form part of the Department’s broader strategy to reduce economic inactivity and boost workforce participation, ensuring that adults over 25 receive targeted and practical support to enter and progress in work.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of changing the Access to Work system from applicants applying for each job role to a centralised system containing relevant pre-filled information. \p Sir Stephen Timms: As part of the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of the Access to Work scheme. Following the conclusion of the consultation, we are now considering our responses and will set out our plans in due course.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of four-weekly employer pay cycles on the (a) calculation and (b) consistency of Universal Credit payments. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Those who are paid their earnings four-weekly will normally get one payment in each monthly assessment period and will have one assessment period a year where they will receive two four-weekly payments. This is because there are 12 assessment periods a year and those who are paid four-weekly will receive 13 payments a year. This means for 11 assessment periods entitlement to Universal Credit should be the same and in the other assessment period entitlement will be reduced or end because of the higher amount earnings received in that assessment period. The proportion of Universal Credit claimants in work who are paid their wages 4-weekly by their employer are 10% (excluding self-employed people).

The Department has committed to reviewing Universal Credit, to make sure it is doing the job we want it to, to make work pay and tackle poverty. We know that UC’s monthly assessment period doesn’t suit household circumstances in all cases. We are meeting with expert stakeholders to explore this as part of the review
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether people in the Employment and Support Allowance Support Group will be classed as being a new claimant when they migrate onto Universal Credit for the purposes of the Universal Credit Bill. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We are rebalancing Universal Credit to fix a system which encourages people to claim health benefits and shuts the out of employment support. It’s a targeted reform that protects those with the most serious, long-term conditions and existing claimants, while providing work, health and skills support to everyone who is affected by changes to LCWRA.

I can confirm that customers who move to Universal Credit from Employment & Support Allowance (Income-Related), with no gap between those awards, will not be treated as a new customer and will retain the higher rate of the LCWRA addition.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on the completion rate for the Universal Credit optional equality questions on the (a) ethnic sub-group, (b) whether the respondent meets the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 and (c) whether the respondent has (i) health conditions and (ii) illnesses which affect them in specified ways, in the latest period for which data is available. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Since March 2025, the weekly completion rate for the Universal Credit (UC) equality questionnaire was between 75% and 80%. This is the proportion of people who complete the questionnaire when prompted to do so. To complete the questionnaire, claimants must respond to all questions, however, they may select "prefer not to say" as a valid response. Claimants are prompted to complete the questionnaire when they make an initial claim or a reclaim. They have 40 days to complete it before it is removed from their UC To-Do List.

The coverage rate, i.e. the proportion of the UC caseload for whom we have a valid response, for the ethnicity questions, including for ethnic sub-groups, has reached over 70% and the Universal Credit statistics have been published with those breakdowns, with the latest statistics to June 2025 published on 15 July 2025.

The health and disability questions were only introduced in December 2023, and it will take time for a sufficient proportion of the total UC caseload to respond, before any meaningful analysis is possible. Consequently, the department is currently unable to provide reliable figures on responses to the health and disability questions gathered through the equality questionnaire.
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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish Universal Credit sanction statistics broken down by (a) ethnic sub-group, (b) whether a respondent meets the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010, (c) whether the respondent has (i) health conditions or (ii) illnesses which affect them in specified ways and (d) family type. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department currently publishes the Universal Credit sanction statistics by ethnicity, with the latest statistics to February 2025 published on 24 June 2025.
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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 63294 on Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit, what (a) driving factors and (b) assumptions she uses to model projections for the number of claims for (i) PIP and (ii) health components of Universal Credit. \p Sir Stephen Timms: DWP produces forecasts of benefit payments based on DWP assumptions agreed by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), alongside economic determinants, judgments and assumptions provided by the OBR.

The number of PIP claimants is forecast by considering new claims for the benefit, the rate of successful awards, and the likelihood that claimants leave the benefit, split by age (working age or pension age) and claim type (new claim or reassessment from Disability Living Allowance).

The new claims assumption is informed by recent trends with adjustments made for seasonality and changes in external drivers such as trends in numbers of people with health conditions, the cost of living, and responses to public awareness. Similarly, award rates and exit rates are also based on recent trends.

The Universal Credit caseload forecast combines evidence from the recent past with assumptions and OBR judgements on future trends. The driving factors within the UC Health forecast include observed benefit onflows and changes in circumstances that affect UC eligibility for benefits units, covering not only health but also family make-up, housing status, and earnings, derived from DWP admin data. The key assumptions affecting the UC Health Forecast include the plan to move all legacy claimants to UC by the end of March 2026 and an OBR judgement that onflows will fall from their recent high as real household disposable incomes recover, as described in the November 2023 EFO (see 4.57 CP 944 – Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2023). The drivers and assumptions of the UC Health forecasts were discussed in the OBR’s Welfare Trends Report of October 2024. Additionally, the UC forecast reflects further OBR forecasts and judgements on economic and demographic change (see answer to PQ 63294).
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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of successful claims under the non-consensual conception exception to the two-child limit for (a) Universal Credit, (b) working-age Housing Benefit and (c) Child Benefit were supported by evidence by (a) a criminal conviction, (b) a Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme award and (c) third-party professional support; and if she will provide a breakdown of that data by the jurisdictions of (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) paid flexible breastfeeding breaks and (b) suitable facilities to (i) breastfeed, (ii) express and (iii) store milk in (A) workplaces and (B) places of education. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Government provides advice to employers on requirements and best practice arrangements on breastfeeding. Under health and safety law an employer must provide a suitable area where pregnant workers and breastfeeding mothers can rest, with additional advice that this should:

Employers must complete an individual risk assessment for workers who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have given birth in the last 6 months. This risk assessment must be regularly reviewed and provides an opportunity for employers to review arrangements for workers who are breastfeeding and discuss any concerns they may have.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide guidance on rest breaks and breastfeeding at work: Protecting pregnant workers and new mothers: employers - Rest and breastfeeding at work

Acas also provide guidance on: Returning to work - Maternity leave and pay - Acas

While Schools and Colleges are not legally required to provide dedicated breastfeeding or lactation facilities for students, they are expected to comply with broader obligations under the Equality Act 2010, which protects students from discrimination related to pregnancy and maternity. Many institutions choose to support student parents by offering private, hygienic spaces for breastfeeding or expressing milk, often as part of their commitment to inclusivity and wellbeing. However, it's important to note that colleges are autonomous bodies, meaning the availability and nature of such facilities can vary significantly between institutions. Students are encouraged to contact their college’s student services or equality office to inquire about available support and request reasonable accommodations where needed.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has produced an impact assessment on the potential impact of changing the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment on trends in levels of excess deaths. \p Torsten Bell: In line with the obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, the Department has conducted an equality analysis on expanding eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales and have considered the impacts of this policy. The Government will publish the equality analysis alongside the Winter Fuel Payment regulations.

With respect to trends on levels of excess deaths, a very wide range of factors impact changes in mortality. Details of excess winter deaths in England and Wales can be found at: Excess mortality in England - GOV.UK
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Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of legally-binding poverty reduction targets as a mechanism to deliver change in Liverpool Riverside constituency. \p Alison McGovern: This Government is committed to tackling Child Poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious child poverty strategy which we will publish in the autumn. The Taskforce will continue to explore all available levers to drive forward short and long-term action across government to reduce child poverty.

The Taskforce will be guided by the leading, internationally-recognised measure of poverty - Relative Poverty After Housing Costs (the proportion of families with below 60% of the median income, after deducting housing costs).

We will also measure the experience of children in the most severe and acute forms of poverty, which we are considering how best to measure as we develop the strategy.

These headline metrics will be supported by a range of other metrics as part of a monitoring framework to ensure the Strategy is on track to meet its aims.

The strategy is focused on metrics related to child poverty, but we are working closely with colleagues on complementary metrics across government. An example is the Plan for Change measure on the percentage of five-year-olds reaching a good level of development in the early years foundation stage assessment.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of creating a legal duty on councils to (a) meet climate targets and (b) tackle the loss of wildlife. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government recognises the importance of local places in driving net zero action. Local government has autonomy and flexibility in how they deliver net zero, according to each local area’s varying needs and opportunities. DESNZ regularly engages with local government on key net zero issues, including through the Local Net Zero Delivery Group.

The Government’s strengthened biodiversity duty was introduced through the Environment Act 2021. This duty requires all public authorities to consider actions to conserve and enhance biodiversity. The strengthened duty will ensure public authorities make the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity a core part of the delivery of their functions.
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Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support the future delivery of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage projects in the South Wales Industrial Cluster. \p Sarah Jones: The Government is working to create a CCUS industry and provide increased support to UK CCUS by allocating £9.4 billion in capital budgets over the Spending Review period.

South Wales Industrial Cluster was awarded approximately £20 million in grant funding between 2019 and 2024 as part of the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge, helping projects develop comprehensive plans to achieve net-zero emissions and deploy low carbon technologies.

Government is actively engaging industry on non-pipeline transport costs, risk allocation and economic licensing, aiming to publish a consultation later this year. A Call for Evidence is also planned for Q3 2025 on network strategy.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help reduce petrol prices in rural areas. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government will implement the Competition & Markets Authority's recommendation to help drive down pump prices by introducing a statutory open data scheme, Fuel Finder, at the end of 2025. This scheme will increase fuel price transparency, enabling drivers to compare prices easily and make more informed decisions on where to buy petrol and diesel. By introducing this statutory open data scheme, petrol filling stations will face increased competition, leading to a reduction in fuel prices across the UK, including in rural areas.
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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues about the development of a nuclear facility to produce radionuclides for use in healthcare. \p Michael Shanks: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets regularly with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues.
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Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to p. 82 of the document entitled The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025, what his Department's planned timetable is for launching a call for evidence on the expansion of permitted development rights for electricity distribution network infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: On 8 July 2025, DESNZ launched a public consultation on consents, land access, and rights for electricity network infrastructure. This consultation includes proposals related to the expansion of permitted development rights for electricity infrastructure, as referenced on page 82 of ‘The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.’

This consultation also addresses a range of related matters such as land access rights, tree lopping, permitted development for substations, Section 37 consents, and thresholds for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. These broader reforms are intended to streamline the system, reduce burdens, and accelerate network deployment while ensuring appropriate protections for landowners, communities, and the environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which Minister is responsible for non-power generating nuclear facilities used for (a) research and (b) the production of healthcare-related materials. \p Michael Shanks: As interim Minister for nuclear, I am responsible for the regulation of non-power generating nuclear facilities for civil nuclear fission research and development within DESNZ. Other Departments may hold responsibility for non-power generating nuclear facilities depending on the use case. The responsibility for the production of healthcare-related materials sits with the Department of Health and Social Care.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_278

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the press release by EDF entitled EDF announces the principle of investment in Sizewell C project with a view to the final investment decision, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) additional investment from EDF in the UK nuclear sector and (b) the agreements on civil nuclear co-operation on (i) industrial policy relating to the nuclear sector, (ii) domestic supply chains and (iii) export opportunities. \p Michael Shanks: EDF has announced it will in principle invest into Sizewell C such that its stake in the project would be 12.5% following a final investment decision (FID).

Details of the commercial structure of Sizewell C are commercially sensitive as we conclude the capital raise process – further details will be published at the point of FID.

Sizewell C is expected to support around 10,000 jobs at peak construction and thousands more in the wider supply chain, as well as creating 1,500 apprenticeships. Sizewell C has 3500 UK suppliers and plans to award 70% of construction value to UK businesses.

This Government is committed to attracting the investment required to deliver future nuclear projects. The UK has long established relationships with international partners considering civil nuclear deployment.
wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_279
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_279

Henry Tufnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) existing jobs are protected and (b) investor confidence is maintained in the South Wales Industrial Cluster. \p Sarah Jones: The South Wales Industrial cluster is home to many longstanding and globally recognised businesses. Our modern Industrial Strategy has already set out further support for key growth sectors including foundational sectors such as chemicals.

This government sees the transition to net zero as the economic opportunity of the century. This is a chance to create good jobs, to drive investment to all parts of the UK and protect our energy security, while also ensuring fairness for workers across the country including in South Wales. We will set out further details of our plans to decarbonise industry and help them seize the opportunities of the transition in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_280

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the estimate in the report by the OBR entitled Fiscal risks and sustainability, published in July 2025 of the fiscal cost of climate change mitigation. \p Kerry McCarthy: In its most recent ‘Fiscal risks and sustainability report’ (2025), the OBR is clear that the costs of climate damage are getting higher, while the cost of the net zero transition is getting lower. Only by investing in the transition now can we reduce costs in future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_281

Neil O'Brien:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to the Answer of 6 July 2025 to Question 63010 on Church of England: Slavery, how much has been spent on this project so far. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners have indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_282

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to tackle the gender pay gap for young women. \p Seema Malhotra: The landmark Employment Rights Bill is set to have a transformative impact, ensuring workplace rights are fit for a modern economy and empowering working people, including young women.

As part of the Bill we are increasing the time limit within which employees are able to make an Employment Tribunal claim from 3 months to 6 months.

We are also strengthening protections against harassment; requiring employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees; and introducing an obligation on employers not to permit the harassment of their employees by third parties. Furthermore, we have announced that we will ban non-disclosure agreements used by employers to silence employees subjected to harassment and abuse. These changes will give workers confidence that inappropriate behaviour in the workplace will be dealt with, not hidden.

Finally, the Bill will establish the Fair work agency, to enforce labour rights and promote fairness in the workplace. This will be a single place where workers and employers can turn for help.

With regard specifically to the gender pay gap, we know that ensuring every employer harnesses the talent, creativity and brilliance of women in their workforce is a crucial part of achieving economic growth. That is why, as part of the Employment Rights Bill, we are additionally taking the first steps towards requiring employers to publish action plans detailing the evidence based steps they are taking to narrow their gender gap. In requiring employers to produce a plan, this will prompt them to better understand the drivers of their gap, and the experiences of women in their workforce, including young women.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_1

John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make £20 million available each year to fund research into alternatives for animal testing. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal. The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year. Any future funding allocations are subject to the outcome of the Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_2

Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of the UK copyright framework for creatives in the context of AI-generated content. \p Feryal Clark: Copying protected material in the UK infringes copyright unless it is licensed, or an exception to copyright applies.

The Government recently consulted on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI).

This consultation closed on 25th February. The Government is reviewing the responses to the consultation, it will continue to engage extensively on this issue and its proposals will be set out in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_3

Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will meet with organisations representing older people to discuss the potential impact of the transition to digital telecommunications infrastructure on (a) older and (b) vulnerable people. \p Chris Bryant: We are always happy to meet - as the Government has met several times - with organisations representing older people several times to discuss the impact of the industry-led analogue to digital migration on older and vulnerable people.

Following engagement with multiple organisations representing older people across the UK, the Government in November 2024 published a definition of vulnerable customers who may require additional support during the migration. This definition includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landlines. Any customer, including the elderly, can also self-identify as requiring additional support.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_4

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to provide funding to develop small-batch GMP phage manufacturing in the UK. \p Feryal Clark: The Government supports the vibrant life sciences sector, which contributes £108 billion to the economy and 300,000 jobs nationwide. A new Life Sciences Sector Plan, part of the upcoming Industrial Strategy, is due to be published in late Spring. This will set out a comprehensive plan of how the Government intends to drive growth in the sector. Domestic manufacturing is of critical importance and to support this part of the sector, the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund will allocate up to £520 million to deliver economic growth and build health resilience. Funding is available UK-wide, with GMP batch phage manufacturing projects being eligible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_5

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish a response to the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025; and whether he plans to issue guidance to Departments on implementing the recommendations in the report. \p Feryal Clark: The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.

Individual departments are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_6

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32047 on Space Debris, what the nature is of the regulatory reform that will help mitigate the risks from space debris. \p Chris Bryant: Following the May 2024 Space Regulatory Review, the new government is implementing a package of space regulatory reforms to achieve seven outcomes, including ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable space environment. Government is undertaking research into the impacts of several technical options to help mitigate the risks from space debris, such as reducing post-mission disposal timelines. Government is also supporting the development of independent British standards for space sustainability and has conducted an innovative regulatory sandbox for rendezvous and proximity operations to provide greater clarity and certainty in enabling regulation for future missions which could de-orbit debris.