theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Lillian Jones:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of affordable credit provision by banks and building societies. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government recognises that credit, when provided responsibly, can be crucial for people facing unexpected expenses or managing their cash flow. That is why it is committed to expanding access to affordable credit, so that everyone has the opportunity to access products and services which support their financial wellbeing and goals.

HM Treasury regularly engages with the banking and mutuals sector — which includes building societies — to discuss a range of policy matters, including provision of affordable credit. It has sought to understand the current barriers faced by the mutuals sector and to identify further opportunities for growth, acknowledging the sector’s valuable role in providing affordable credit.

In addition to continuing to engage with the banking and mutuals sector, HM Treasury will assess the provision of affordable credit more broadly as part of the financial inclusion strategy work announced last year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the children of US military families based in the UK are exempt from paying VAT on independent school fees. \p James Murray: Since 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by private schools in the UK for a charge have been subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent.

Entitled individuals in US Forces have always been able to benefit from the VAT free purchase scheme, providing relief on goods and services in the UK. Private school fees fall into the category of services for these purposes.

The Government greatly values the contribution of our serving military personnel. The Ministry of Defence has increased the funding allocated to the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to account for the impact of any private school fee increases on the proportion of fees covered by the CEA in line with how the allowance normally operates.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of EU parcel regulations on the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises to trade with the EU. \p James Murray: The Government is aware of the EU Commission’s proposed reforms to the Union Customs Code (UCC), which include proposals aimed at addressing significant increases in volumes of parcels imported directly to consumers.

The Government will continue to monitor the progress of the proposed reforms through the EU institutions and will monitor potential impacts on UK businesses. Various forums exist for UK-EU dialogue on issues such as this, including the UK/EU Trade Specialised Committee on Customs and Rules of Origin.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the children of EU nationals serving in the armed forces in the UK are exempt from VAT on school fees. \p James Murray: Since 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by private schools in the UK for a charge have been subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. There is not an exemption for the children of EU nationals serving in the armed forces in the UK.

The Government greatly values the contribution of our serving military personnel. The Ministry of Defence has increased the funding allocated to the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to account for the impact of any private school fee increases on the proportion of fees covered by the CEA in line with how the allowance normally operates.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January to Question 23520 on Ambulance Services: Vehicles, for what reason HMRC issues guidance that ambulance services must sign up to a maintenance package in order to reclaim VAT in relation to the leasing of vehicles. \p James Murray: The government departments’ refund scheme applies to certain specified services that qualifying bodies choose to contract out rather than supply in-house. Where there is a single contract for the hire of a vehicle which includes repair and maintenance, recovery of VAT is allowed where the contract is for more than 30 days. VAT charged on the contracting out of repair and maintenance as a stand-alone service is also recoverable. The hire of vehicles is not a service provided in-house and VAT on the hire alone is not recoverable under the government departments’ refund scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Blair McDougall:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she had discussions with her Chinese counterpart on the recent arrest of AstraZeneca's China executives as part of the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue. \p Emma Reynolds: This government will continue to support the certainty and stability businesses need to invest in the high growth sectors that will drive our growth mission. At the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was clear on the importance of open and candid conversation and secured China's agreement on the importance of a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Samantha Niblett:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will hold discussions with mortgage lenders on the adequacy of their lending criteria for homes within 200 metres of a pylon. \p Emma Reynolds: The pricing and availability of mortgages is a commercial decision for mortgage lenders in which the Government does not intervene.

However, the Government is regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their business, including the provision of finance to different cohorts of borrowers.

The UK also benefits from a competitive mortgage market, with a wide variety of products available. Any prospective borrower should speak to a mortgage broker, who will be able to assist them in finding the best possible product for their circumstances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of personal remittances from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years, broken down by region. \p James Murray: Remittances from the United Kingdom to other countries are not taxable, as such HMRC does not hold this data.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of current council tax guidance for the valuation of farm properties with outbuildings. \p James Murray: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) publishes its guidance manual here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-manual/council-tax-practice-notes. Practice Note 2, Appendix 2 refers. Technical experts are also available internally to provide support to VOA staff as required.

The VOA’s guidance is kept under review and updated when needed.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes made to employer's National Insurance contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024 on agency workers under IR35. \p James Murray: The Government publishes Tax Information and Impact Notes (TIINs) for tax policy changes. TIINs give a clear explanation of the policy objective and an assessment of the impacts including on the Exchequer, individuals and families, businesses including civil society organisations and others. The TIIN for the employer NICs changes was published on 13 November 2024.
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Tonia Antoniazzi:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking with the devolved Administrations to support independent distilleries across the UK. \p James Murray: Alcohol duty is a reserved matter.

The reformed alcohol duty system was introduced in August 2023 and taxes alcohol in a progressive manner, ensuring higher strength products pay proportionately more duty. This approach is supported by public health exports including clinical advisors to the Department of Health & Social Care and the Chief Medical Officer.

Small Producer Relief (SPR) was introduced alongside the reforms and allows small producers to pay a reduced duty rate on products below 8.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV). Retaining a strength limit for SPR is important as it aligns the relief with the Government's public health objectives and the new simplified band structure. Small spirits producers are able to claim the relief on any goods they make below this level, such as pre-mixed spirits.

At the recent Budget, the Chancellor announced that she would uprate alcohol duty in line with RPI inflation on 1 February 2025, except on qualifying draught products. This decision weighed the impacts on businesses, cost-of-living pressures on people who drink moderately and responsibly, and the public health case for higher duties to tackle increasing alcohol-related deaths, as well as economic inactivity.

However, to support UK spirits producers, the government will invest up to £5 million to support the delivery of the Spirits Drinks Verification Scheme administered by HMRC. This scheme helps spirits producers, such as UK whisky distilleries, verify their products against protected geographical indicators. Further, alcohol duty stamps scheme will end from 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Marsha De Cordova:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions of the potential impact of increasing cost-of-living support for disabled people on the wider economy. \p James Murray: The Government understands that increased costs of essentials such as energy and food are causing worries and hardship for many people, including disabled people. We are deeply committed to addressing these concerns.

Certain benefits available to support disabled people, such as the Personal Independence Payment, which is designed to help people with the extra costs of their disability or health condition, will increase fully by inflation in 2025-26 – an increase of 1.7% (September CPI) from April 2025. This will help many people with disabilities to manage cost-of-living pressures.

The Government recognises that not everyone can work and is committed to supporting those who are unable to work through the benefit system. However, where people can work, the Government has introduced a range of policies which help disabled people interact with, and return to, the labour market. Supporting people into good quality work will not only improve living standards but is vital in managing fiscal pressures and boosting the wider economy.

The Government updated the remit of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) so that, for the first time, the LPC were asked to consider the cost of living when recommending a National Living Wage (NLW) rate. From 1 April 2025, the NLW will increase by 6.7% to £12.21 per hour. This represents an increase of £1,400 to the gross annual earnings of a full-time worker on the NLW and is expected to benefit over 3 million low-paid workers. Those with a disability are among those more likely to benefit from these increases.

In November the Government also published the ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper, which set out the Government’s strategy to reduce economic inactivity and help people with long-term health conditions start or stay in work. This includes a new Connect to Work programme providing £115 million in funding next year to local areas in England and Wales to deliver new back-to-work support for people who are economically inactive. Over 4 years, the OBR judge it will expand the labour market by 25,000 people.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) her Department and (b) HMRC have produced a Tax Information and Impact Note for the changes to the Treatment of double cab pick up vehicles outlined in paragraph 5.91 of the Autumn Budget 2024 Red Book. \p James Murray: Following recent case law from 2020, double cab pick up vehicles (DCPU) with a payload of one tonne or more must be treated as cars, based on primary use.

In the light of this judgement, the government would have to legislate to treat DCPUs as goods vehicles. The government has made clear it does not intend to do so as this would depart from the principles underpinning the Court of Appeal’s judgement and would incur significant fiscal cost, which is not affordable, given the state of the public finances inherited by this Government.

In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note is only published when legislative changes are made.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will ban the China Daily publication from delivery to the offices of hon. Members. \p Nick Smith: China Daily has been delivered to our mail screening centre in bulk, addressed to all Members since 2016. There is an unsubscribing email address that is passed to Members who no longer wish to receive it.

The bulk delivery has never been requested by the Administration. However, the Speaker has now asked the Administration Committee to review the process of bulk mail deliveries including the related costs.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her planned timeline is for the regulation of short-term lets. \p Chris Bryant: Following public consultation in 2023, Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The Government is committed to delivering this scheme as soon as possible to support our thriving visitor economy while protecting local communities through improved oversight of the short-term lets sector. The Government has now concluded the initial development state of the registration scheme and expects to begin publicly testing the scheme in 12 months time.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with (a) Arts Council England and (b) Arts Council of Wales on a sustainable funding solution for the Welsh National Opera. \p Chris Bryant: I have already held a series of productive meetings with the Wales Office, Welsh Government, Arts Council England, and Welsh National Opera to understand the issue in more detail and to see how, within the parameters of the arm’s length principle, DCMS can best help ensure a strong and secure future for the WNO.

The core point of agreement across all these meetings and across all partners was a recognition of the value of the Welsh National Opera and its work - both for the people of Wales, but also for people elsewhere in the UK. It was clear that all partners are keen to achieve a positive long-term future for the organisation, and are working towards that goal.

I am pleased to see additional funding of £755,000 has been allocated by the Arts Council to WNO.

I was also pleased that this series of meetings was able to reassure everyone that all partners wanted to see a positive future for Welsh National Opera, that the funding bodies across the border will work more collaboratively in future and that the new leadership at the WNO have a clear idea of how to progress. Everyone wants to sustain the WNO so that as many people as possible in Wales and England have a chance to enjoy world class opera close to home. Funding decisions are for the Welsh Arts Council and Arts Council England, but I am confident that the WNO is in a strong place to succeed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support hotel owners in South Cotswolds constituency. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is supporting hotel owners in the South Cotswolds and across the UK through measures such as business rates relief, and funding opportunities like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. These initiatives aim to alleviate operational costs, promote regional tourism, and drive economic growth. The Government also works closely with VisitBritain and Cotswold Plus (the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the wider Cotswolds region) to boost marketing efforts, attract visitors, and support the hospitality sector's recovery and growth.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the owners of Scheduled Monuments on their potential role in British tourism. \p Chris Bryant: Scheduled Monuments are extremely diverse and range from the 17th century Houghton House, which is managed by English Heritage, to Metchley Roman fort in Birmingham, much of which lies on private land. The Secretary of State regularly engages with heritage organisations to discuss their role in British tourism. These discussions highlight the contribution of a wide range of heritage assets, including scheduled monuments, to the Visitor Economy, focusing on sustainable use, preservation, access, and promotion. The Government recognises the importance of heritage in showcasing the UK’s culture and works closely with stakeholders to support sustainable tourism initiatives that enhance visitor experiences while protecting these culturally significant sites for future generations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Secretary of State for the Home department on the potential impact of increasing the cost of electronic travel authorisations on her Department’s ambition to grow inbound tourism to 50 million visitors per year. \p Chris Bryant: DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.

DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.
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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure growth in the British film industry. \p Chris Bryant: The Government’s Industrial Strategy will prioritise the creative industries.

We will ensure that the sector can continue to drive growth, boost opportunities and help people to fulfil their creative potential across the UK, including in Hertsmere. Our support includes:

Providing £1 million in funding for 2025/26 for the British Film Commission, which has previously provided support for both Elstree Studios and Sky Studios Elstree in Hertsmere;

Expanding the global reach of independent content through with a further £7 million for the UK Global Screen Fund in 2025/26;

Building on the success of the screen sector tax reliefs, by introducing the enhanced Independent Film Tax Credit, and a new 5% uplift on the rate of relief for visual effects.

Opportunities to drive growth in our screen sectors exist across the whole of the UK, with seven established film production hubs and many more areas brimming with potential and ambition. The film industry also benefits from two major UK Research and Innovation programmes run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council: the £75.6 million CoSTAR programme and the £56 million Creative Industries Clusters programme

In addition, the British Film Institute has committed £34.2 million National Lottery funding over 2023-2026 for education and skills programmes. This includes £9 million to develop skills clusters, one of which has been set up to cover the Metro London area, which includes Hertfordshire, led by Film London.
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Tessa Munt:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which of the 106 Listed Places of Worship in Wells and Mendip Hills constituency have received Grants under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme since its inception. \p Chris Bryant: Since 2022, the Department has given 4 grants, totalling £5,264.67, to Listed Places of Worship in the constituency of Wells and Mendip Hills. The recipients of these were St Mary’s Church Wedmore, St Mary Magdalene, All Saints Church, and Holy Trinity.
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Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that all communities have access to local radio stations. \p Stephanie Peacock: There are a wide range of local commercial and community radio services across the UK operating on analogue (FM/AM) and on digital radio. In addition, there are increasing numbers of commercial and community radio stations which are digital-only and have been able to take advantage of DAB and small-scale DAB, allowing more local radio stations to reach their audiences.

Ofcom’s progress report on small-scale DAB published on 22 October 2024 announced that Ofcom was planning to run two additional rounds of SS-DAB licensing in the near future, enabling more communities and prospective businesses to develop new stations and get on air.

Local stations continue to make a significant contribution to local media plurality and choice, providing communities with access to news and local information. We are also considering the role that local commercial and community radio can make in helping to strengthen local media more generally as part of our comprehensive review of local media.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure access to high-quality local journalism. \p Stephanie Peacock: Sustainability of high-quality local journalism is a priority for this Government.

We are developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. Our vision is a thriving local media that can continue to play an invaluable role as a key channel of trustworthy information at local level. This means reporting on the issues that matter to communities, reflecting their contributions and perspectives, and helping to foster a self-confident nation in which everyone feels that their contribution is part of an inclusive national story.

We are working across Government and with other stakeholders as the Strategy develops and will announce further details in due course.
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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of revoking the gambling licenses of Greentube Alderney Limited. \p Stephanie Peacock: As the independent regulator, it is the Gambling Commission’s duty to ensure that operators comply with the requirements set out in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice and to take appropriate regulatory action against those operators which fail to comply. The Gambling Commission has published its decision on regulatory action against Greentube Alderney Limited, and any decision on revoking Greentube Alderney Limited’s licence lies with them.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department had made of the adequacy of existing legislation to ensure copyright protections across the creative industries. \p Chris Bryant: The government recognises the importance of the UKs copyright regime to the economic success of the creative industries, one of eight growth-driving sectors as identified in our Industrial Strategy. We are committed to supporting rights holders by ensuring they retain control over and receive fair payment for their work, especially as technology advances to include AI. We are actively working with stakeholders to ensure copyright protections remain robust and fit for purpose.

Although existing legislation gives creative rights holders control over the use of their protected works, we are aware that this can be very difficult to implement in practice in the context of AI, especially for individual firms and creators. The application of existing copyright legislation in the context of AI training is disputed, both in the UK and internationally, with many high-profile court cases underway. Right holders are finding it difficult to control use of their works to train AI models, and want greater ability to manage that activity and be paid for it.

Responses to our Copyright and AI consultation, published 17 December and closing 25 February, will inform our approach to the design and delivery of a solution to the current dispute over copyright legislation. Our aim is to clarify the copyright framework for AI – delivering legal certainty through a copyright regime that provides creators with real control, transparency, and helps them licence their content, while supporting AI developers' access to high-quality material, so that they can train leading AI models in the UK.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average time taken is for Pension Credit appeals to be reviewed. \p Torsten Bell: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025 to Question 21895 on Benefits for people with disabilities, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the benefits available for people with disabilities. \p Sir Stephen Timms: There are a wide range of studies and estimates for the extra cost of disability. As such, there is no objective way of deciding what an adequate level of the extra costs disability benefits should be, and everyone has different requirements reflecting their own circumstances and priorities.

DWP pays close attention to the evidence base on the extra costs faced by disabled people; including academic research, analysis by Scope, and DWP’s own commissioned research.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help improve access to employment opportunities for disabled people in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire. \p Alison McGovern: Appropriate work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live.

Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.

As well as these initiatives, in Spalding, we support learning disabled and neurodiverse customers alongside partner organisations that we work closely with and have led and co-created the learning pathway for all sites in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland to have Neuro Diversity champions. We liaise with Local Supported Employment (Showcase), a DWP funded programme led by Lincolnshire County Council. The Jobcentre also works closely with an employment agency working specifically with those who are Autistic and looking for work, mainly within project-based roles that can be done from home. There is also excellent links with over 20 Disability Confident Employers, and other partners including: Adult ADHD Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire Autistic Society.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day. \p Andrew Western: The Department for Work and Pensions applies the statutory eligibility criteria for shared parental leave, which includes the parent or parents we employ working for at least 26 weeks up to a relevant date. DWP does not offer its staff shared parental leave from their first working day, with the possible exception of existing civil servants who join DWP with continuous/linked service in another government department.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
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John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of the legal fees incurred in the judicial review of the work capability assessment consultation. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Judgment was handed down in the Work Capability Assessment (WCA): Activities and Descriptors consultation Judicial Review on 16 January 2025.

DWP’s litigation costs between 1 November 2023 and 21 January 2025 were £211,345.42.

DWP has been ordered to pay the Claimant’s reasonable costs of the claim. The DWP will endeavour to agree those reasonable costs with the Claimant following the standard legal process where necessary. The DWP has been ordered to pay £254,458.63 as a payment on account of the Claimant’s costs representing 60% of an estimate of the costs she has incurred in bringing this claim.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to provide financial support for families during the three-month waiting period before applying for Disability Living Allowance; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a short-term financial grant for parents in this situation. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The three month qualifying period is not a waiting period. Its purpose is to help establish that the disability or health condition, and the resulting care, supervision or mobility needs are of a long-standing nature. This ensures that disability benefits are targeted to support those with long term health conditions or disabilities.

Children applying for DLA do not always have to wait for the full three months from the date of their claim before they become entitled to the benefit. The case manager will always look at whether, and for how long, the person has required the necessary level of help for care/daily living and/or mobility purposes before the date of claim and consider whether some or all of the qualifying period has already been completed.

Children claiming DLA under the special rules for end of life do not have to satisfy the three--month qualifying period. Their claim is fast tracked, and they are eligible for the higher-rate care component from the date of claim.

Financial and practical support may be available during the qualifying period, for example through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme or support provided by Local Authority.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_42

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Pension Credit decisions have been appealed since 29 July 2024; and what the success rate was of those appeals. \p Sarah Sackman: Information about appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support) (SSCS) is published at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics.

From 29 July to 30 September 2024 (the latest period for which statistics have been published), the Tribunal received 40 Pension Credit appeals. As of 30 September 2024, (the latest publication) none of those cases had been disposed of, as appeals need time to work their way through the Tribunals system. These disposals will be counted in future quarterly publications.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_43

Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to give courts powers to order offenders' attendance at sentencing hearings. \p Sarah Sackman: Offenders who refuse to attend their sentencing hearings deny victims and their families the opportunity to explain how their crimes have impacted their lives. This Government wants victims to have faith that justice will be delivered and to see criminals face the consequences of their actions.

The Government is committed to legislating to enhance court powers to require offenders to attend their sentencing hearings. This measure will be included in the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill which is due to be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_44

Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to help raise awareness of her Department's pilot scheme to provide victims of rape and serious sexual offences with the opportunity to request a free copy of Judges’ sentencing remarks in Crown Court cases. \p Sarah Sackman: Sentencing is an important part of the criminal justice system for victims. However, we know the experience of attending court in person, including sentencing hearings, can be distressing. In May 2024, the Ministry of Justice launched a one-year pilot for victims of rape and sexual offences, whose cases were heard at the Crown Court, to request a copy of the judge’s sentencing remarks free of charge.

We are actively working to promote the pilot to eligible victims. We have, for example, published a dedicated webpage on Gov.uk, shared information on the scheme with over 70 national and local stakeholders who work with or represent victims, and created social media posts on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn. We are also working with the Witness Service to ensure that they can provide information on the pilot to victims at court.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_45

Blair McDougall:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Crown immunity for HM Prison Service on the adequacy of the mitigation of systemic issues identified following deaths in prisons. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Every death in custody is a tragedy and we continue to do all we can to improve the safety of prisoners. Deaths in custody are subject to a police investigation on behalf of the Coroner in all cases and, where necessary, a criminal investigation, an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman; and a Coroner’s inquest (before a jury in non-natural deaths).

After each death that is apparently self-inflicted and any other unexpected death that is not obviously from natural causes, an internal Early Learning Review is conducted to identify lessons that can immediately be learned in order to improve local practice and prevent further death.

HMPPS also provides additional support to prisons where there has been a cluster of self-inflicted deaths, and fund Samaritans to provide support to prisoners and staff.

We are looking into the issue of Crown Immunity, although it is an incredibly complex matter.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_46

Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the case of Gaie Delap. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Offenders released on home detention curfew (HDC) are still serving the custodial element of their sentence and it is a statutory requirement that the curfew is electronically monitored for at least 9 hours a day. In cases where it is not possible to electronically monitor offenders in the community, like Gaie Delap, they will be recalled until it is possible for them to be monitored in the community.

Where there are limitations in the technology and devices available, Ministry of Justice staff continue to work with suppliers to develop innovations and solutions in both technology and processes to expand the use of Electronic Monitoring, and this includes developing a wider range of strap sizes.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_47

Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people resident in Wales prior to entering custody were (a) serving an IPP sentence, (b) sentenced to life imprisonment, (c) on recall, (d) serving a non-criminal sentence and (e) serving an unknown sentence in (i) March 2024, (ii) June 2024, (iii) September 2024 and (iv) December 2024. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The requested information has been provided as an Excel file alongside this response. The dataset for December 2024 is a subset of data scheduled to be published as part of the Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK release and cannot be provided in advance of that publication. In addition, the numbers 1 and 2 have been replaced with the symbol ‘≤2’ to avoid any risk of individual identification.

Around 99% of prisoners have an origin location - i.e. addresses that are recorded in our central IT system. If no address is given, an offender’s committal court address is used as a proxy for the area in which they are resident. This information is included in the data provided in the tables attached. No address has been recorded and no court information is available for around 1% of all offenders; these figures are excluded from the tables attached.

It is also important to stress that ithe data shown are not necessarily representative of those who identify as English or Welsh. The results are sorted by origin address (home address on reception into custody) and not nationality.

Table (xlsx, 75.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_48

Alison Griffiths:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice has comprehensive people policies in place to protect staff from unfair dismissal. These policies set out a clear, fair and legally compliant process for dealing with conduct, attendance, performance and failed probation related dismissals. These policies are applicable to Ministry of Justice staff from day one of employment.

All dismissals are handled in line with current legislation and appropriate Codes of Practice. Where an employee feels they may have been unfairly dismissed, appropriate internal appeal routes may be instigated. Where an employee is unable to solve a problem internally, they may be able to go to an employment tribunal to claim unfair dismissal, as set out in legislation.

This position will be reviewed when unfair dismissal rights are updated in line with proposals in the Employment Rights Bill.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_49

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice does not offer employees paternity leave from their first day of employment. The Department’s policy on paternity leave aligns with statutory entitlements. To qualify for paternity leave, employees must have worked continuously for the Civil Service for at least 26 weeks up to the 'qualifying week'. The qualifying week is set out in the Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002 and is different depending on whether an employee is adopting, is the partner of a birth parent, or is having a child through surrogacy.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_50

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice does not offer employees shared parental leave from their first day of employment.

The Department’s shared parental leave policy aligns with the statutory provisions. To be eligible for leave, employees must meet the continuity of employment test, and the employment and earnings test set out in the Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014.

For the continuity of employment test, an employee must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before their baby is due or their adoption match date.

For the employment and earnings test, an employee and their partner must have worked for at least 26 of 66 weeks before the expected birth date or adoption match date.

There are other criteria an employee must meet relating to sharing the caring responsibilities for a child.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_51

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New Permanent Under-Secretary Appointed at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, published on 8 January 2025, whether the new Permanent Under-Secretary was appointed through open and fair competition. \p Georgia Gould: The appointment of the new Permanent Under-Secretary was made by the Foreign Secretary with the approval of the Prime Minister.

This was with the agreement, and in accordance with the rules, of the Civil Service Commission.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_52

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many stocktakes the Prime Minister has attended; and with which Ministers. \p Ellie Reeves: Missions are a personal priority for the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister chairs regular stocktakes on missions.
wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-28 conversation_53

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 22996 on Ministers: Questionnaires, what assessment he has made of the (a) efficiency and (b) effectiveness of his Department's Propriety and Ethics team. \p Georgia Gould: All teams within the Cabinet Office are subject to the department's performance management processes.