theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_88

Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of school rebuilding projects have (a) been completed, (b) been completed within their intended time frame and (c) have passed their original deadline. \p Stephen Morgan: As of 31 December 2024, buildings have been handed over at 23 schools. Of these, demolition and ground works are complete at nine schools, with a further six forecast to reach practical completion this financial year.

The programme started in 2020, with the first projects announced in 2021. In line with initial expectations for the programme, just under half of School Rebuilding Programme projects have commenced various stages of delivery activity, despite some market challenges caused by significant global events. The remaining projects have been given indicative start dates for delivery over the next few years based on a prioritisation of need, with building projects taking up to five years from commencement to complete.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_89

Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding has been allocated in total for the school rebuilding programme. \p Stephen Morgan: School buildings are integral to high and rising standards and need to be fit for the future.

We have committed to rebuilding or refurbishing 518 schools and sixth form colleges through the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP).

The Autumn Budget 2024 included £1.4 billion for the 2025/26 financial year to drive the ongoing delivery of the current programme. Future capital funding for schools beyond 2025/26 will be confirmed following the next multi-year phase of the Spending Review.

Annual capital budgets to date for the SRP are published within the Supplementary and Main Estimates on parliament.uk. These budgets are combined with the legacy Priority School Building Programme.

The department also publishes information on all contracts awarded over £10,000, including rebuilding projects, normally within 30 days of the contract being signed. These are published on GOV.UK at: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_90

Bobby Dean:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to extend the Targeted Retention Incentive to specialist SEND teachers. \p Catherine McKinnell: High-quality teaching is the in-school factor that makes the biggest difference to a child’s outcomes and is therefore essential to delivering the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners, including learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life and supports them to achieve positive outcomes. We recognise the critical work SEND teachers do in achieving this.

A successful teacher recruitment strategy starts with a strong retention strategy. The targeted retention incentive is worth up to £6,000 after tax per year for early career teachers in key science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and technical subjects in disadvantaged schools and all further education (FE) colleges. It is targeted at key STEM and technical subject teachers because specialists in these subjects have high earning potential outside teaching and are often the most difficult to recruit and retain.

The targeted retention incentive is available to school teachers in both mainstream and special schools if they teach mathematics, physics, chemistry or computing and have completed either a degree or Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course in one of these subjects. The incentive is also available to eligible FE college teachers of those same subjects and also construction, digital, early years and engineering and manufacturing. This includes any eligible specialist SEND teachers in FE colleges teaching those subjects.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_91

Ian Sollom:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many temporary classrooms are currently in use in schools across England, broken down by number in use in (a) primary schools (b) secondary schools and (c) special schools. \p Stephen Morgan: It is the responsibility of those who run schools, academy trusts, local authorities and voluntary aided school bodies, to manage the maintenance of their schools and alert the department if there is a concern with a building. Local authorities and academy trusts do not need to report the use of temporary classrooms to the department, therefore, the department does not hold this data. The department does provide support on a case-by-case basis, working with the sector, if it is alerted to a serious safety issue. The department always puts the safety and wellbeing of children and staff in schools and colleges at the heart of its policy decisions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_92

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the number of school children that are in absolute poverty. \p Catherine McKinnell: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

This government is committed to tackling child poverty as part of our mission to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child. Child poverty has increased by 700,000 since 2010, with over four million children now growing up in low-income families. This not only harms children’s lives now, but it also damages their future prospects and holds back our society and economy.

The Ministerial taskforce on child poverty, which met for the first time on 14 August, will drive forward action across government to reduce child poverty by developing and publishing a long-term strategy later this year. Further details on the taskforce can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-poverty-developing-our-strategy.

The Child Poverty Taskforce recognises families' ability to afford essentials as a fundamental aspect of child poverty. Addressing absolute poverty is a core focus of the work being developed through the child poverty strategy.

Additionally, we are taking steps to reduce the cost of living, including extending the Household Support Fund, taking action on the high cost of branded school uniforms, and our commitment to rolling out free school breakfast clubs for primary school age children from April this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_93

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish the methodology for engaging with children and families living in poverty under the Child Poverty Strategy. \p Catherine McKinnell: The Child Poverty Taskforce has prioritised hearing directly from children and families in the development of the child poverty strategy.

Ministers, special advisors and government officials have taken part in several sessions with children and families to inform the strategy. This has been supported by a number of partners, including the Changing Realities project and Save the Children, and has included discussion of a wide range of issues, including the effects of poverty on single parents, and the experience of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The details of the Taskforce’s engagement and supporting research with children and families will be published in the strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_94

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to encourage schools to adopt the recommendations on (a) preventing and (b) treating concussion in the UK-wide Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport, updated in November 2024. \p Catherine McKinnell: Engaging in sports and physical activities, both within and outside the school environment, is crucial for a child’s wellbeing and personal development. There are various resources already available to assist schools and sports clubs in assessing and mitigating any risks associated with these activities.

The department’s guidance, ‘Health and safety: responsibilities and duties for schools’, supports schools in evaluating the risks associated with their activities. The guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-and-safety-advice-for-schools/responsibilities-and-duties-for-schools. It signposts to the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on promoting a balanced approach to children’s play and leisure.

Additionally, health and safety advice is available from the Association of Physical Education and the National Governing Bodies of individual sports, who are responsible for the regulation of their sports, and for ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants from harm. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) continues to encourage National Governing Bodies to adapt the concussion guidance to their own sport where appropriate.

Furthermore, on 24 November 2024, DCMS updated the 'Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport’. These UK-wide guidelines aim to help players, coaches, parents, teachers, school staff, National Governing Bodies, and sports administrators effectively identify and manage brain injuries.

The department and DCMS have been collaboratively disseminating the guidance to schools through various channels such a sector email and a school stakeholder bulletin.

This guidance can be accessed here: uk-concussion-guidelines-for-grassroots-non-elite-sport---november-2024-update-xx-xxxx-xxxx.pdf.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average processing time was for applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme by people resident in Warrington in each of the last five years. \p Sarah Sackman: The table below shows the average time for decisions to be made on applications* for criminal injuries compensation by people resident in Warrington**.

Calendar Year

Average time (days)

2020

279

2021

423

2022

340

2023

352

2024

317

*The table does not include archived bereavement applications because the address of the applicant is not retained. In most cases, applications are archived three years after the case has been closed.

**The above table includes all awards where the applicant named Warrington as the town in their home address in their application.

Over the last three years, we have seen continued growth in people coming forward to claim compensation. To help meet this rising demand and to boost our capacity to assess claims, we continue to uplift staff numbers in line with funding. We are working to identify efficiencies in the way we work led by an in-house continuous improvement team.

We have sponsored work to explore and implement helpful case management system changes and the potential for Artificial Intelligence applications to deliver further efficiencies by assisting our claims officers as they identify key information relevant to the assessment process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_96

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what purposes (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have used AI in the last 12 months. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country.

To seize this opportunity, the Ministry of Justice has established a new Justice AI Unit, led by the Department’s first Chief AI Officer, to develop a comprehensive AI strategy for the Department and its agencies.

Officials are trialing the use of Microsoft 365 Copilot across 1,300 staff in the Department, specifically on its ability to reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks. In addition, we are exploring various pilots to support key functions, including frontline and operational staff.

We adhere to a safety-first policy and have co-developed an AI ethical framework and toolkit with the Alan Turing Institute. This resource is designed to assist stakeholders, developers, policymakers, and decision-makers in understanding the requirements for fostering responsible innovation in the use of AI within the criminal justice system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_97

Josh MacAlister:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether (a) her Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies offers employees who are foster carers (i) flexible working, (ii) paid time off for (A) training and (B) settling a new child into their home and (iii) other support. \p Sarah Sackman: The table below shows the average time for decisions to be made on applications* for criminal injuries compensation by people resident in Warrington**.

Calendar Year

Average time (days)

2020

279

2021

423

2022

340

2023

352

2024

317

*The table does not include archived bereavement applications because the address of the applicant is not retained. In most cases, applications are archived three years after the case has been closed.

**The above table includes all awards where the applicant named Warrington as the town in their home address in their application.

Over the last three years, we have seen continued growth in people coming forward to claim compensation. To help meet this rising demand and to boost our capacity to assess claims, we continue to uplift staff numbers in line with funding. We are working to identify efficiencies in the way we work led by an in-house continuous improvement team.

We have sponsored work to explore and implement helpful case management system changes and the potential for Artificial Intelligence applications to deliver further efficiencies by assisting our claims officers as they identify key information relevant to the assessment process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_98

Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people received awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in Warrington in each of the last five years or which figures are available; and what the value of those awards was. \p Sarah Sackman: The table below provides the number of compensation awards paid in each of the last five calendar years to applicants living in Warrington.

Number of compensation awards paid to applicants living in Warrington* **

Calendar Year

Number of awards paid

Total value of those awards

2020

79

£955,381

2021

65

£685,608

2022

61

£684,051

2023

92

£701,724

2024

52

£702,440

*The above table includes all awards where the applicant named Warrington as the town in their home address in their application.

**The table does not include archived bereavement applications because the address of the applicant is not retained. In most cases, applications are archived three years after the case has been closed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential (a) implications for his policies and (b) impact on bilateral trade relations of the International Monetary Fund's loan deal with the Republic of El Salvador. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK Government is aware of the agreement reached between the International Monetary Fund and the Government of El Salvador for a new arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility, which aims to support economic reforms in the country. The UK will continue to use the UK-Central America Association Agreement to strengthen our trade relationship with El Salvador, which was worth £66m in the 12 months to June 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his policy is on the export of police crowd control equipment to the US. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: HM Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and we operate one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. This is an important lever for promoting both UK prosperity and national and global security.

A range of crowd control equipment is subject to UK export controls and exporters are required to apply for an export licence to export such equipment from the UK. We rigorously assess every export licence application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, as outlined in the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, and this assessment will consider the ultimate destination of the equipment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_101

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the transition from SPIRE to LITE in relation to licence applications made to the Export Control Joint Unit. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The ‘apply for a SIEL’ service (Single Individual Export Licence) was launched on gov.uk on 17 September 2024, the first licence type introduced on our new export control platform, LITE.

To ease the transition for exporters, a suite of training videos, webinars, and frequently asked questions are available online. Live demonstrations are provided, supported by regular engagement with trade associations.

A dedicated helpline offers practical support, and users can flag technical issues.

Approximately 70% of SIEL applications are submitted via LITE, up from 33% in June, 2024. Reducing processing times for all applications remains a priority of ECJU.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_102

Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he is having with employers on ensuring that frontline workers receive adequate (a) debriefing, (b) peer support spaces, (c) training for team leaders and (d) other appropriate workplace emotional support. \p Justin Madders: Despite the challenging fiscal environment, the government has committed to the importance of protecting funding on mental health. The Department of Health and Social Care have chosen to prioritise funding to deliver expansions of NHS Talking Therapies and Individual Placement & Support, demonstrating our commitment to addressing the root cause of mental health issues and providing support for people to contribute to the economy by remaining in or returning to work.

Furthermore, the digital service for Employers, Support with employee health and disability – GOV.UK, offers advice on managing health and disability-related needs at work. There is also the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers practical, independent, and impartial help to employers, employees and their representatives about a wide range of employment relations matters (www.acas.org.uk).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of anti-dumping measures on (a) electric and (b) pedal bikes from China on bicycle manufacturers in the UK. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK currently applies an anti-dumping measure on imports of Chinese bicycles and certain bicycle parts, and an anti-dumping and a countervailing measure on imports of Chinese e-bikes. All three measures are currently subject to review by the UK’s independent Trade Remedies Authority who will assess the impact of amending the measure on UK producers, importers and consumers. The Secretary of State will have the final decision on the measures, and he will weigh up all the evidence provided. Whilst these reviews remain an ongoing process I cannot comment further.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_104

Paul Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to tackle barriers to implementing suicide prevention training in the workplace. \p Justin Madders: I refer the Hon Members to the answer given by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 January 2025, Official Report, PQ 24604.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_105

Anna Sabine:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of second class post in Frome and East Somerset constituency is delivered on time. \p Justin Madders: Ofcom are the independent regulator of postal services, and the Government do not collect or hold this type of information. Ofcom has a duty to ensure the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service. It monitors Royal Mail’s provision of the universal service and has powers to investigate and take enforcement action if Royal Mail fails to achieve its performance targets as appropriate, taking account of all relevant factors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_106

Josh MacAlister:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) his Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies offers employees who are foster carers (i) flexible working, (ii) paid time off for (A) training and (B) settling a new child into their home and (iii) other support. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade allows foster carers to take paid special leave for both training and to settle a new foster child into their home. Employees also have the statutory right to request flexible working which applies from the first day of employment.

DBT has an Employee Assistance Programme which provides impartial and confidential advice, counselling and online resources for all employees. The department also has dedicated parents’ network who provide advice and support to working parents.

Arms length bodies have their own individual policies and procedures relating to foster carers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_107

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department has spent on measures to achieve net zero targets in the last five years. \p Justin Madders: The department does not maintain records of expenditure on measures to achieve net zero.

The department’s estate is managed and maintained by the Government Property Agency (GPA). The GPA is responsible for investment in energy efficiency measures that relate to the department’s office estate.

Details of the department’s sustainability performance can be found in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_108

Alice Macdonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of women being able to access paid leave for fertility treatment on the economy. \p Justin Madders: Data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) states that around 52,500 patients had in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and 3,000 had donor insemination (DI) treatment, at HFEA licensed fertility centres in the UK in 2022. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) does not hold any additional data on how many of those individuals were working, either nationally or by region.

DBT has not specifically assessed the potential impacts on women in the workplace of seeking fertility treatment, however, the Government recognises how important that treatment is to individuals and couples undertaking it. We have set out our immediate priorities for reforming employment law in the Plan to Make Work Pay, and while the Plan does not include any specific measures on fertility treatment, our plan aims to deliver change so that people are more able to balance working life with their personal circumstances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Darren Paffey:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is having discussions with Royal Mail on (a) instances of repeat error charges and (b) the effectiveness of its complaints processes, in the context of the universal service obligation. \p Justin Madders: Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. However operational issues such as error charges and complaints procedures are a matter for Royal Mail as an independent business, with the delivery of the universal service obligation overseen by Ofcom as the independent regulator.

Following its 2022 review of the regulatory framework for post, Ofcom issued new guidance which took effect from 1 April 2023 on improving complaints handling processes to ensure postal operators’ compliance with their existing regulatory obligations. Ofcom has committed to ongoing monitoring of the new provisions. Further information on Ofcom’s findings in its review are available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/postal-regulation-review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what purposes (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have used AI in the last 12 months. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade is committed to improving its productivity, including through AI and effective use of data. A range of AI tools are available for use by Ministers and officials across various roles the department, including: Microsoft Copilot, Open AI models and other models for specific uses. There are teams focussed on enabling use of AI by building necessary infrastructure and developing specific AI use cases.

Ministers and officials also have access to a range of data services which allow them to deploy AI and data tools.

We report against the Algorithmic Transparency Reporting Standard on GOV.UK.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published. \p Justin Madders: This Government has outlined its ambitions through the Plan for Change, which sets out an ambitious set of milestones - across the missions - for this Parliament. As the House would expect, Government continually reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer. Public reviews and consultations will be available on GOV.UK as they are published.
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Darren Paffey:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has for the future of community involvement schemes following the closure of the Community Ownership Fund. \p Alex Norris: This Government remains committed to the communities’ sector and to community empowerment.

The Devolution White Paper, which was published on 16 December 2024, set out plans which demonstrate our commitment and there will be further announcements relating to communities this year, including on the community ownership of assets.
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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of banning low level letter boxes on levels of injuries in postal workers. \p Alex Norris: I refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 19554 on 18 December 2024.

My hon Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich has also agreed to meet with my hon Friend to discuss this matter.
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Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the draft Local Government Finance Settlement published on 18 December 2024, HCWS342, what her Department's estimated increase in council tax receipts is in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25; and what proportion of the increase in core spending power will be funded through higher council tax receipts. \p Jim McMahon: The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available £69 billion for local government, which is a 3.5% real terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25. An estimated 55% of the increase to CSP is a result of increased council tax income.

Further information on Core Spending Power, including council tax, is available at Core Spending Power table: provisional local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
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Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to promote the English language other than through (a) schemes for people from Ukraine and Hong Kong and (b) English for Speakers of Other Languages training. \p Alex Norris: Local authorities signpost new arrivals to English language provision as needed. Government also signposts to English language provision and resources for new arrivals in published guidance.

For Afghan arrivals, the Home Office provides local authorities with £850 for English language provision for adults requiring this support.

In addition to specific English language schemes, Government also provides tariff funding to local authorities to support Ukrainian and Afghan arrivals to integrate into their local communities, which includes supporting them to access English language training where needed. This includes integration tariff funding of up to £20,520 per person, over three years, for each Afghan household they move into settled accommodation in their area. For Ukrainian arrivals, local authorities continue to receive a tariff of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival in their area to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Mr Paul Kohler:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of putting the agent of change principle on a statutory footing. \p Matthew Pennycook: National planning policy is clear about the importance of ensuring that new development can be integrated effectively with existing businesses and community facilities.

The ‘agent of change’ principle in the National Planning Policy Framework applies to all forms of existing businesses and community facilities that could be adversely affected by new development in their vicinity and requires the applicant to mitigate any adverse impacts if development is to be allowed.

A statutory obligation would be difficult to both create and enforce given the very wide range of circumstances in which the agent of change principle applies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

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Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 64 of the Devolution White Paper (CP 1218), published on 16 December 2024, whether Spatial Development Strategies will (a) include targets and (b) propose sites for authorised traveller pitches by local planning authority. \p Matthew Pennycook: The English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, sets out that Spatial Development Strategies will guide development for the local planning authorities in any given area, and that local plans will need to be in general conformity with them. Spatial Development Strategies will identify the infrastructure that is needed and strategic locations for development. Further detail will be set out in legislation in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_118

Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question xx-xxxx-xxxx on Planning Permission, what previous guidance has been provided by (a) her Department and (b) the Planning Inspectorate on whether representations made advocating a planning call-in or planning recovery must be publicly disclosed. \p Matthew Pennycook: No guidance exists which requires that representations advocating a planning call-in or planning recovery be published.
wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_119

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Questions 19351 and 19356 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if she will place in the House of Commons Library each written representation that will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate’s inquiry. \p Matthew Pennycook: Written representations submitted to the Planning Inspectorate’s inquiry will not be placed in the House of Commons Library. However, inquiry documentation, including written representations submitted to the inquiry, is available to view in the inquiry library here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_120

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance on when planning permission is required to rent out a dwelling as a short-term let. \p Matthew Pennycook: The guidance sought can be found on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_121

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require housing associations to carry out Section 11 repairs within a specific timeframe. \p Matthew Pennycook: Social housing tenants deserve to live in decent homes, to be treated with fairness and respect, and to have their problems quickly resolved.

Under the Regulator of Social Housing ‘s Safety and Quality Standard, housing associations must provide an effective, efficient, and timely repairs service for their homes, including setting timescales for completion, and clearly communicate this to tenants.

The government have committed to bringing forward the regulations necessary to introduce Awaab’s Law in the Social Rented Sector. This will set new time limits for social landlords to fix dangerous hazards, including damp and mould.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_122

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 20226 on Environment Impact Assessment, what her planned timetable is for replacing the system of environmental assessment. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to question UIN 20226 on 24 December 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_123

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of Homes England’s investment programmes was spent in rural settlements with a population of 3,000 or fewer in each of the last three years. \p Matthew Pennycook: Homes England do not publish a breakdown of rural housing spend or delivery for the Affordable Homes Programme. The Local Authority Housing Statistics [footnote 8] collects the number of new build and acquisitions in populations of less than 3,000. In 2023-24, there were 5,248 new affordable homes in these areas, which accounted for 8% of all new affordable housing. This is an increase of 7% compared to the previous year but lower than a peak of 5,702 in 2018-19. As a percentage, delivery in populations of less than 3,000 has been 8% since 2020-21, lower than a peak of 12% in 2015-16.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_124

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timescale is for the proposed changes to the rules on ground rent. \p Matthew Pennycook: As outlined in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents. We will deliver this in legislation and will set out next steps in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_125

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of Homes England's Affordable Homes Programme was invested in new affordable homes in rural settlements with a population of 3,000 or fewer in each of the last three years. \p Matthew Pennycook: Homes England publish allocations data for the 2021-2026 Affordable Homes Programme. This can be found on gov.uk here.

With regard to their Continuous Market Engagement (CME) activity to the end of March 2023, Homes England made allocations for 1,862 homes in areas with a population of less than 3,000 (10% of all CME allocations).

Further updates on allocations, including those with Strategic Partners, which make up a large proportion of programme delivery, will be released in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_126

Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to take steps to require developers to complete flood defences committed to at planning stage in areas at risk of flooding within a mandated time period. \p Matthew Pennycook: National planning policy is clear that where development is necessary in areas at risk of flooding, the development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere.

Local planning authorities should consider the use of conditions or planning obligations to make development acceptable, which may include flood mitigation works, and have powers to take enforcement action against any breach of planning requirements.

Enforcement is at the discretion of local planning authorities. It is for them to decide when and how they use their powers depending on the particular circumstances of each case.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_127

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help foster collaboration between (a) housing associations and (b) local authorities to align their energy efficiency targets in the construction of new residential properties. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government intends to introduce future standards later this year through Building Regulations. These will raise the minimum energy efficiency of all new homes, including social housing. Homes built to the new standards will have very good building fabric and be fitted with low carbon heating technology.

It is for local authorities and housing associations to determine whether energy efficiency targets beyond Building Regulations are appropriate for their areas and then to work together to achieve them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_128

Julia Buckley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average waiting time was between completion of a development in areas at risk of flooding and installation of flood defences pledged at planning stage since 2019; and how many developments built since in areas at risk of flooding do not have flood defences. \p Matthew Pennycook: The department does not hold the requested information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_129

Paul Holmes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department’s policy paper entitled Planning Reform Working Paper: Development and Nature Recovery, published on 15 December 2024, whether Biodiversity Net Gain expenditure can be scored against mitigation measures. \p Matthew Pennycook: The proposals set out in the Development and Nature Recovery Planning Reform Working Paper would not be expected to have a direct impact on the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). They would, however, complement the implementation of BNG in securing better outcomes for nature. BNG incentivises nature positive choices on development sites, with a developing private marketplace for off-site biodiversity units which the government continues to support. Our proposals for a Nature Recovery Fund would apply specifically to protected habitats and species. As we continue to develop this new model, we will consider any opportunities which it may offer to support the ongoing implementation of BNG.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_130

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, from what source the £2.5 million released for Eden Project North in July 2024 came; and whether the decision to release the funding was taken by the previous administration. \p Alex Norris: I can confirm that in November 2024 the department approved the Full Business Case for the £50 million of HM Government funding.

We are all keen to see the delivery impact of this investment as soon as possible. Funding will be released in line with delivery milestones.

The £2.5 million relates to the development phase funding to assist in detailed design and other activities that enable Lancaster City Council to progress delivery. This development funding decision was made in February 2024 and forms part of the approved grant for the project.

Lancaster City Council are currently progressing with the detailed design and cost assessment of the project. Key resources such as design teams and projects managers have been procured, and the project is progressing in line with key milestones. My officials continue to work closely with Lancaster City Council to support delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_131

Josh MacAlister:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister's Office offers employees who are foster carers (a) flexible working, (b) paid time off for (i) training and (ii) settling a new child into their home and (c) other support. \p Georgia Gould: Foster carers provide an incredibly important role and the Government is keen to support any employees providing foster care. Employees have a statutory right to request flexible working which applies from the first day of employment. Employees can make two statutory requests for flexible working in any 12-month period. This will include requests to support employees who undertake foster caring outside of their employment. In addition, foster carers may apply for flexible working when settling a new child into their home.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_132

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the policy of the Government Property Agency is on (a) retaining or (b) removing gender neutral toilets from the Government Estate, in the context of building regulations on toilets for new and refurbished buildings which came into effect in October 2024. \p Georgia Gould: This policy is currently being reviewed following the launch of ‘Approved Document T: Toilet Accommodation’, including close consultation with MCLHG, the Health and Safety Executive and the Building Safety Regulator.
wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-23 conversation_133

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when affected family members of people with blood infected by hepatitis B will be able to apply for compensation. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Those affected by their relationship to an eligible individual infected with Hepatitis B will be able to claim via the compensation scheme. This may include partners, parents, children, and siblings of an eligible infected person, as well as some people who acted as a carer for an infected person. The delivery of compensation payments is a matter for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority. The Government expects payments to eligible affected people to begin this year, following a second set of regulations that I will be laying in Parliament in the coming weeks.