theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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James McMurdock:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of business confidence levels on levels of (a) investment and (b) job creation in the economy. \p Lucy Rigby: The Government monitors a wide range of indicators to assess the UK’s economic performance, including measures of business confidence. Many of these confidence measures are volatile and can move materially from month to month. Official economic forecasts and assessments of policy impacts are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook documents, the most recent of which was published in March 2025.

Kickstarting economic growth is the Government’s primary mission and businesses are central to this. The Government is committed to going further and faster to drive growth and raise living standards, working in close partnership with business design and delivery policy. For example, at the recent Spending Review, the government increased funding for employment support to over £3.5 billion by 2028-29, tackling inactivity and ensuring more people are in better jobs by helping people to access the skills they need to progress.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that new affordable housing built under the plan for 1.5 million homes will be accessible to first-time buyers whose deposit is less than 10 per cent. \p Matthew Pennycook: The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership.

In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme and the Lifetime ISA.

The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers.

Additionally, the Bank of England is easing the loan-to-income limit, enabling up to 36,000 additional first-time buyers in the first year.

The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) ongoing review of the mortgage market means many buyers can now borrow 10% more towards a property purchase. The government looks forward to ambitious proposals from the FCA’s paper.

First-time buyers may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of Approved Document M on Access to and Use of Buildings under the Building Regulations 2010, last updated on 1 October 2024, in meeting the needs of (a) disabled and (b) older residents. \p Samantha Dixon: The Building Safety Act 2022 requires the Building Safety Regulator to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review; Building Regulations or Approved Documents, including Approved Document M can then be updated as needed. Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities; everyone deserves to live in a decent home that is suitable for them and meets their needs. The revised National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024, requires local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those of older and disabled people, and to reflect this in planning policies. Where an identified need exists, plans are expected to help bring forward an adequate supply of accessible housing. The government will shortly set out its policies on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) trends in the number of firefighters and (b) levels of funding for fire and rescue services on public safety. \p Samantha Dixon: On 3 February, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) which sets out funding allocations for all local authorities, including Fire and Rescue Authorities.

These allocations, which include the National Insurance Contribution Grant, will see standalone fire and rescue authorities receiving an increase in core spending power of £69.1 million in 2025/26. This is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

In addition to settlement funding, the Government has provided Fire and Rescue Authorities with several grants intended for specific purposes, such as the Fire Pensions Grant and Protection Uplift Grant

Decisions on how their resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each Fire and Rescue Authority.

FRSs employed 30,769 full-time equivalent (FTE) firefighters on 31 March 2024. This is virtually unchanged compared with the previous year (30,723).
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate levels of infrastructure are provided alongside new housing developments. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 65505 on 14 July 2025.
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Dr Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing the Scottish system of house purchase whereby there is a binding contract between buyer and seller after exchanging missives. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government recognises that the current home buying and selling process in England and Wales is slow, costly and stressful for both consumers and professionals.

On 9 February 2025, the government announced action to improve the availability of property information through digitalisation. This will help transactions run more smoothly by ensuring all parties are able to access the information they need at the right time.

We continue to review evidence from other jurisdictions, including in respect of protections such as reservation agreements, as we consider further measures to improve the home buying and selling process.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review the processes for adoption of (a) roads and (b) common areas on estates where the developer has become insolvent. \p Matthew Pennycook: Decisions on whether or not to adopt roads is a matter for the relevant local highway authority.

Land may become ‘ownerless’ where a developer has become insolvent. The Law Commission announced on 4 September 2025 that they will undertake a project on ownerless land as part of their 14th Programme of Law Reform, which will aim to clarify the law in this area. As part of their 14th Programme, the Law Commission are also undertaking a project on the management of freehold housing estates. Details of both projects can be found on the Law Commission website here.

The government is determined to end the injustice of 'fleecehold' entirely and we will consult this year on options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS2440).
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has received representations from the (a) Mayor of London and (b) combined authority mayors on rent controls since July 2024. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has been clear it does not support the introduction of rent controls, including rent stabilisation measures.

We believe they could make life more difficult for private renters, both in terms of incentivising landlords to increase rents routinely up to a cap where they might otherwise not have done, and in pushing many landlords out of the market, thereby making it even harder for renters to find a home they can afford.

The government has not received direct representations from the Mayor of London or Mayors of other Strategic Authorities in respect of rent controls, and we have not discussed their introduction at a local level.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is his planned timetable is for commencing the remaining provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244) and to the answer given to Questions UIN 68213 on 23 July 2025.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has a definition of a second home. \p Matthew Pennycook: There is not a single statutory definition of a second home.

For data collection purposes, the English Housing Survey defines a second home as a property that is primarily used as a holiday home (either by the owner or let to others) or a property occupied by the owner while working away from home.

For the purposes of council tax, a second home is considered a dwelling which is no one’s sole or main residence but is substantially furnished and occupied periodically.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has received representations on inconsistencies in legal requirements for indemnity insurance on similar properties within the same estate; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of those practices on sellers’ (a) costs and (b) conveyancing outcomes. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Department has not received representations on the specific issue in question.

On 9 February 2025, the government announced action to improve the availability of property information through digitalisation. This will help transactions run more smoothly by ensuring all parties are able to access the information they need at the right time. We continue to work with stakeholders across industry as we consider next steps.
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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that local authorities are implementing the changes introduced in November 2024 to exempt all veterans from local connection requirements when applying for social housing; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of compliance by councils in the West Midlands. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Allocation of Housing (Qualification Criteria for Armed Forces) (England) (Amendment) Regulations, which came into force in December 2024, mean that local authorities are no longer allowed to apply local connection tests to veterans of the Regular Armed Forces, regardless of when they last served.

Statutory guidance was updated on 18 December 2024 to reflect this change. The Department also notified local authorities when the regulations had been laid and came into force.

My Department will be monitoring the impact at local authority level through the Local Authority Housing Statistics, which will be published later in the year.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of nurseries falling within Class E of the Town and Country Planning Order 1987 on neighbouring residents; and if he will review the classification to ensure that (a) traffic generation, (b) parking pressure and (c) road safety can be properly considered by local planning authorities before such uses are introduced. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has made no such an assessment.

We continue to keep planning regulations under review.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the cost to local authorities of developers successfully contesting (a) section 106 agreements and (b) a Community Infrastructure Levy. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Planning Inspectorate publish quarterly data on planning appeals, including data on appeals received, decided, and allowed. This can be found on gov.uk here at table 2.8.

The government has not undertaken a centralised assessment of costs to local planning authorities.

It is right and fair that developers are able to access appropriate appeals processes. A person who considers a Community Infrastructure Levy charge to have been incorrectly calculated can seek a formal review of the calculation by the levy charging authority and may also seek an independent assessment of the calculation through an appeal to the Valuation Office Agency if deemed necessary following review by the authority.

Applicants do not have to agree to a proposed planning obligation (section 106 agreement). However, this may lead to a refusal of planning permission or non-determination of the application. An appeal may be made against the non-determination or refusal of planning permission. In certain circumstances, an appeal may also be made to the Planning Inspectorate against a refusal to change a planning obligation.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.
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Darren Paffey:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of unsafe cladding on the ability of leaseholders to sell their flats; and what steps his Department plans to take to support those leaseholders. \p Samantha Dixon: Ten major mortgage lenders have pledged to consider lending on properties in buildings which are 11 metres or above even if there are unresolved building safety issues. The building must be in a remediation scheme, and/or the leaseholder must qualify for the protections in the Building Safety Act and have completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’ to evidence it. We engage with lenders to make sure they are upholding the pledge and gather supporting data.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support local authorities with the availability of larger family homes and (b) ensure that future developments reflect local demand for such housing through neighbourhood planning. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that it is for local planning authorities to assess the size, types and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including (but not limited to) families with children, and to reflect this in their planning policies.

We have already strengthened national policy to encourage the delivery of mixed tenure development and will consider what further steps we can take as part of our intent to produce a set of national policies for decision making later this year.

The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests. Neighbourhood planning works best where it builds upon the foundation of the local plan to meet the priorities, preferences, and housing needs of the community.

Government planning policy for traveller sites should be read in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework.
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Sir James Cleverly: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 Deputy Prime Minister: Departmental Responsibilities, what the total number of staff who are employed within his Department’s Policy and Strategy Unit is; what the headcount figures are for (a) Directors, (b) Deputy Directors, (c) senior policy advisers at Grade 6/7, (d) policy advisers at HEO/SEO and (e) any other staff; and whether he has plans to change the number. \p Samantha Dixon: The Department’s Policy and Strategy unit sits within a wider Director-led Strategy Directorate. It is comprised of two Deputy Directors, supported by 19 senior policy advisors (at grade 6/7) and 4 policy advisors (at grade HEO/SEO). The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the approach taken to date for these central functions.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 69674 on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group, if he will amend the terms of reference of the working group such that representations submitted by organisations which (a) are subject to the Government’s policy of non-engagement and (b) condone criminal activity should not be considered by the working group. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As per their Terms of Reference, the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group should work within HMG’s published engagement standards and will inform the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in writing of all external engagement prior to it taking place. The Working Group has engaged extensively to inform their independent advice to Ministers on a definition and have not met with any organisations subject to the Government’s policy of non-engagement. The Working Group launched a Call for Evidence to build on the extensive engagement they’ve already undertaken. The Call for Evidence closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was able to submit evidence.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will require New Towns Development Corporations to produce a design code for new towns. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has been clear that the next generation of new towns must be well-connected, well-designed, sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure, amenities, and services necessary to sustain thriving communities.

Building on lessons learned from past initiatives, the New Towns Taskforce developed draft placemaking principles. These were set out in the Taskforce’s interim update on the new towns programme which can be found on gov.uk here. They highlighted the importance of long-term vision and stewardship, as well as the central role of local communities in shaping the place they live in. Importantly, the principles also include a 40% affordable housing target, with an emphasis on homes for social rent.

The Taskforce has now submitted its final report to the government. This includes its final recommendations on design and placemaking. The government will now take a short period to consider carefully the Taskforce's recommendations and we will then publish both the report and a formal response.
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Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support affordable housing developers with (a) making grid connections, (b) installing drainage infrastructure, (c) achieving biodiversity net gain and (d) other development challenges. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

Local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure and identify what infrastructure is required and how it can be funded and brought forward. When preparing a Local Plan, Planning Practice Guidance recommends that local planning authorities use available evidence of infrastructure requirements to prepare an Infrastructure Funding Statement. Such Statements can be used to demonstrate the delivery of infrastructure throughout the plan-period.

The government provides financial support for essential infrastructure in areas of greatest housing demand through Land and Infrastructure funding programmes, such as the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 will also support the increased provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure. It makes clear that local authorities should have policies that set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places; that they should make sufficient provision for infrastructure including energy; and that applications which could affect drainage on or around the site should incorporate sustainable drainage systems.

The government is also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

On 28 May 2025, the government published a consultation on improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development. It can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation closed on 24 July 2025 and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is considering the responses received.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61248 on Green Belt: Maps, whether local authorities will be required to publish a map of grey belt areas within their areas during the local plan process. \p Matthew Pennycook: It is for individual local planning authorities to undertake the necessary assessments to identify if land is grey belt, either through plan making or through considering specific applications that come forward.

Similarly, it is for authorities to determine whether and how to evidence, justify, amend, and set out Green Belt boundaries through the preparation or updating of statutory plans.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 43889 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, what the total aggregate monetary amount spent by her Department on electronic purchasing card solution was including transactions which were below the reporting threshold in each month since July 2024. \p Samantha Dixon: Cabinet Office guidance on Transparency Reporting advises Departments publish £500 and above. In compliance with this MHCLG currently publishes details of all spending over £500 using an electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS) on a monthly basis. This gives a good balance between transparency to the taxpayer and reducing the administrative burden on departments
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022, what steps her Department has taken to introduce (a) clearer and (b) fairer leasehold practices. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 puts an end to ground rents for most new long residential leasehold properties in England and Wales.

Ground rents have already been banned for most new residential long leases. This prevents landlords requiring a leaseholder to pay a financial ground rent. From 30 June 2022, if any ground rent is demanded as part of a new residential long lease it is regulated by that Act and cannot be for more than one peppercorn per year.  This limit for ground rent also applies to retirement homes for which the provisions came into force on 1 April 2023.

The government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how many (a) gigafactories, (b) laboratories and (c) data centres have opted in to being designated as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. \p Matthew Pennycook: No gigafactories, data centres or laboratories have yet opted into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) consenting process.

Regulations which will enable large-scale data centres to ‘opt in’ to the NSIP consenting process are intended to be laid in Parliament for approval later this year and we anticipate a number of applicants will make use of the process once they are able to do so.

Gigafactories and laboratories can already request to ‘opt in’ to the NSIP consenting regime under existing prescriptions of types of business or commercial projects in the Infrastructure Planning (Business or Commercial Projects) Regulations 2013.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 81 of her Department's annual report and accounts 2024-25, published in July 2025, HC 1062, for what reason core departmental contingent labour spending increased from 2023-24 to 2024-25. \p Samantha Dixon: The increase in contingent labour spend between 2023–24 and 2024–25 (£6.808m to £7.674m) reflects targeted use of specialist contractors to support priority programmes, particularly in digital, technical, and transformation services.

The department remains committed to reducing reliance on external suppliers and consultants, having already achieved a 50% reduction in consultancy use since 2023/24. As part of our ongoing invest-to-save initiative, we are actively replacing contractors and professional services with permanent civil servants. This approach has already delivered substantial savings and is expected to generate further annual efficiencies. By building in-house capability, the department is not only reducing costs but also enhancing the skills and sustainability of the civil service workforce, which in turn supports more effective and efficient delivery of our objectives.
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Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities in effectively managing (a) waste disposal, (b) water pollution and (c) other environmental and public safety issues arising from traveller sites. \p Matthew Pennycook: Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, which can be found on gov.uk here, makes clear that local authorities should ensure that traveller sites are sustainable economically, socially and environmentally. In doing so, authorities should ensure their policies provide for proper consideration of the effect of local environmental quality on the health and well-being of any travellers that may locate there.
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John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to increase the role of health commissioners in the planning system. \p Matthew Pennycook: Health commissioners already have opportunities to engage in the planning system through consultations on Local Plans and planning applications. They are expected to advise on how developments may impact health services and to support the planning and delivery of appropriate infrastructure.

While their role is not statutory, many local authorities have adopted protocols to formalise engagement with health commissioners, reflecting a broader shift toward place-based planning and integrated service delivery.

We have no current plans to change these arrangements or to increase their formal role in the planning system.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what items from the Government Art Collection have been (a) installed and (b) deinstalled in (i) her office in Marsham Street, (ii) her office in Whitehall and (iii) Admiralty House by (A) title, (B) artist and (C) reference number since 4 July 2024. \p Samantha Dixon: This information is not held by MHCLG. The Government Art Collection is administered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what data his Department holds on retention rates for prison officers. \p Jake Richards: The Department does not publish a ‘retention rate’ for prison officers. The quarterly HMPPS workforce statistics includes resignation rates for prison officers, which refers to the percentage of staff with a permanent contract of employment who resigned from HMPPS, and leaving rates, which refers to the percentage of staff with a permanent contract of employment who left HMPPS, including individuals who have retired early, but excluding staff who left due to voluntary early departure schemes and redundancy.

The latest data in the quarterly HMPPS workforce statistics covers the period up to the end of June 2025 and are available here: HM Prison and Probation Service workforce quarterly: June 2025 - GOV.UK.

We remain committed to ensuring prisons are sufficiently resourced and that we retain levels of experience, both of which are fundamental to delivering quality outcomes in prisons. To help increase retention, HMPPS has created a retention strategy which is linked to wider activities around employee experience, employee lifecycle and staff engagement at work. Alongside the strategy, a retention toolkit has been introduced which identifies local, regional and national interventions against the drivers of attrition, which are utilised by establishments to ensure that they are embedding individual Retention Plans.
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Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to (a) train and (b) recruit staff in the prison workforce. \p Jake Richards: We know that sufficient and skilled frontline staffing is fundamental to delivering safe, secure, and rehabilitative prisons. We remain committed to ensuring prisons are sufficiently resourced and that we retain and build levels of experience.

HMPPS believes that having a high-quality training offer for prison officers ensures that they feel competent in their roles, and that they can do their vital job of reducing reoffending and protecting the public. All new entrants are expected to undergo 10 weeks of initial training, comprised of an induction process that aims to familiarise them with the prison environment by meeting their line manager and colleagues and learning about security procedures. This is followed by face-to-face training at a central or local learning venue of 7 weeks for staff going into the adult male estate, 8 weeks for staff going into the female estate or 9 weeks for those going into the Youth Custody Service. They then return to their establishment for a final week of consolidation and shadowing.

HMPPS is committed to improving prison officer training. Through the ‘Enable Programme’, a dedicated workforce transformation programme, HMPPS is leading a full redesign of prison officer training, aiming to strengthen the training offer through more robust, evidence-based approach. This will include a new 12-month modular package of learning which will support the development of the knowledge, skills, behaviours and confidence needed for the modern prison officer role.

Substantive recruitment efforts will continue at all prisons where vacancies exist or are projected, with targeted interventions applied to those prisons with the most need. We closely monitor staffing levels across the estate and look to provide short-term support where needed. All prison expansion projects, whether new prisons or smaller builds, are factored into our staffing forecasts to ensure we recruit on time and build up the experience needed to continue to deliver safe and secure regimes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many vacancies for prison officers there were in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the East Midlands in the latest period for which figures are available. \p Jake Richards: We publish prison establishment level indicative vacancies in the HMPPS Workforce stats, table 4 of the Prison and Probation Officer Recruitment annex: HM Prison and Probation Service workforce quarterly: June 2025 - GOV.UK.

East Midlands and Lincolnshire data as below (further information and Notes explanation can be found at the above link).

Table 4: Difference between Target Staffing (Full Time Equivalent) and Staff in Post(2) (Hours Adjusted FTE) for Band 3 to 5 Prison Officers(3), by HMPPS Public Sector Prison Establishment(12)

Jun-25

Group

Prison Establishment

Staff in Post(1)(2)(3)(14)(16) (FTE)

Target Staffing(4)(10)(16) (FTE)

Difference(5)(11)(13)(15)(16) (FTE)

East Midlands

Leicester

135

139

-4

East Midlands

Morton Hall

118

125

-6

East Midlands

Nottingham

289

300

-11

East Midlands

Onley

182

195

-13

East Midlands

Ranby

264

271

-7

East Midlands

Stocken

269

283

-13

East Midlands

Whatton

196

192

4

Lincolnshire

Lincoln

196

201

-4

Lincolnshire

North Sea Camp

57

61

-3
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_161
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_161

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of security officers at magistrate's courts. \p Sarah Sackman: Security in our courts and judicial security is paramount. Over £20 million in additional funding in 2025/26 has been allocated to a programme of works to further strengthen the existing arrangements. Local court security risk assessments are carried out to determine the appropriate number of Court Security Officers deployed at Magistrates Courts. These are reviewed when there are any significant changes to work activities or threats. There are ongoing risk monitoring arrangements in place to ensure the adequacy of these arrangements.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_162
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_162

Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Metropolitan Police's decision to withdraw police liaison officers from magistrates' courts in London. \p Sarah Sackman: Police Liaison Officers have for many years played an important role in the daily operations of our London courts. Conversations are ongoing between HMCTS and the Police to understand the implications of the decision to withdraw them.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_163
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_163

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to respond to the Law Commission’s report entitled Modernising Wills Law, published on 15 May 2025. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Government is giving careful consideration to the Law Commission’s comprehensive report on the law of wills and will be announcing next steps in the near future.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_164
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_164

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he is taking steps to (a) speed up the marriage application process, (b) expand the scope of legal marriage venues and (c) review the 28-day notice period prior to the marriage ceremony. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The 28-day notice period implemented by the Immigration Act 2014 remains in place not only for administrative reasons but also to support safeguards against sham marriages. The Government has no plans to review this.

The Law Commission’s 2022 report on weddings law made 57 recommendations for the reform of weddings law, including in relation to preliminaries, and where weddings can take place. The Government appreciates the importance of these issues and will provide an update in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_165
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_165

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing English language requirements for non-UK staff within the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: Where legally required, healthcare professionals must be registered with the appropriate United Kingdom healthcare regulator to be able to practise. Professionals who qualified outside the UK must demonstrate they have the necessary knowledge of English as part of the regulator’s assessment of their healthcare qualifications, knowledge, and skills. The process and accepted evidence for demonstrating English language proficiency varies according to regulator, the healthcare role and the circumstances of applicants.

The healthcare regulators are independent of Government, and it is for regulators to determine the required processes and thresholds in relation to English language competence for registrants.

General practitioners, dentists and opticians delivering National Health Service primary care must also be on the relevant NHS performers list. Applicants’ ability to communicate effectively and safely with patients and colleagues is assessed as part of the performers list application process.

For the performers lists in England, it is NHS England policy that the required level of English language competence for admission to the list is the same as that required by the relevant healthcare regulator. If there are concerns about an applicant’s English language competence, they will be required to demonstrate competence by further assessment. This may be an oral exam with an assessor from NHS England or satisfactory completion of the International English Language Test System or the Occupational English Test.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_166
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_166

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether trade union diversity networks in (a) his department and (b) NHS England are eligible for trade union facility time; and whether people can claim both diversity network time and facility time. \p Karin Smyth: Neither the Department nor NHS England have specific trade union diversity networks.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_167
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_167

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46764 on Industrial Disputes: Trade Unions, if he will make it his policy to suspend (a) facility time and (b) check-off for NHS-recognised trade unions whilst they are on strike. \p Karin Smyth: We have no plans to suspend facility time or check-off for National Health Service recognised trade unions whilst they are on strike.

It is for the local NHS employers and trade unions to agree on the approach to facility time during any period of industrial action. NHS trade union representatives would normally hold contracts with their individual NHS employer.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_168
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_168

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many appointments to ministerial private offices since July 2024 have been made by civil service recruitment principles exceptions including the transfer of civil servants from other departments who were appointed by exceptions without open and fair competition. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has made one appointment to ministerial private offices since July 2024 to 4 September 2025 by exception to the Civil Service recruitment principles.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_169
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_169

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on patient safety. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The changes that the Government is making, alongside the wider commitments set out in the 10 Year Health Plan, will positively impact on patient care and safety by driving quality of care, productivity and innovation in the National Health Service.

NHS England will continue to undertake its statutory functions while working with the new executive during the transition, until parliamentary time allows for changes to be made in primary legislation.

Patient safety will remain paramount over this transformation period. We will put plans in place to ensure continuity of care and that there are no risks to patient safety.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_170
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_170

Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish guidance for (a) local authorities and (b) health services on working together to deliver local neighbourhood hubs. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise delivering high quality NHS healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.

That is why over the course of our 10 Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a neighbourhood health centre in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities and addressing wider determinants of health.

Nationwide coverage will take time, but we will start in the areas of greatest need where healthy life expectancy is lowest, using public capital to update and refurbish existing, under-used buildings, targeting places where healthy life expectancy is lowest and delivering healthcare closer to home for those that need it the most. More details will be confirmed in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_171
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-19 conversation_171

Dan Aldridge:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review approaches to improve the integration of (a) nutritional science and (b) dietetic services into standard patient care pathways for (i) recovery, (ii) managing chronic ailments and (iii) in general. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department currently has no plans to review approaches for integrating nutritional and dietetic services into standard patient care pathways. However, NHS England’s Nursing Directorate is reviewing and refreshing the National Nutrition and Hydration guidance.

Clinical approaches are under the remit of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Dietitians are the primary qualified and regulated healthcare professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat dietary and nutritional problems within the National Health Service. They play a vital role across a wide range of care pathways and are integral members of multidisciplinary teams.

Dietitians contribute significantly to patient recovery, including in critical care, cancer, neurological, and mental health services. They also support the management of long-term conditions such as diabetes, renal disease, and cystic fibrosis, and provide general nutritional care to promote health and wellbeing.

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning services that meet the needs of their local populations. This includes ensuring that dietetic and nutritional support is embedded across care pathways to improve outcomes and deliver best value from the health budget.