theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_109

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many hereditaments used for (a) retail, (b) hospitality and (c) leisure in England have a rateable value of (i) £51,000 or below, (ii) between £51,001 and £499,999 and (iii) £500,000 or above. \p James Murray: The Valuation Office Agency’s official statistics publication Non Domestic Rating Stock of Properties provides details of hereditaments by special category code and rateable value.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_110

Abtisam Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the feasibility of Palestinians in Gaza seeking to make a UK visa application enrolling their biometrics in a Visa Application Centre in (a) Ramallah and (b) Jerusalem. \p Seema Malhotra: Biometrics underpin the UK immigration system to support identity assurance and suitability checks on foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control.

In most circumstances, foreign nationals who are required to apply for entry clearance to come to the UK are required to enrol their biometrics in the form of a facial image and fingerprints as part of the application process at a visa application centre.

We will accept applications from those in Gaza, at any of the UK’s Visa Application Centres. Customers can visit Welcome to VFS Global | vfsglobal for an up to date list of Visa Application Centres in the region.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_112

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's plan to include a named, contactable police officer in each neighbourhood, how her Department defines neighbourhood. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission, the Home Secretary has made a clear commitment to strengthen neighbourhood policing through the introduction of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This will set out what communities can expect from neighbourhood policing teams in every local area including intelligence-led and visible patrols.

The Home Office is working closely with policing and other key stakeholders to implement the Guarantee, and is clear that everyone, wherever they are in the country, will benefit from it and will have a named officer to contact when things go wrong.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_113

Helen Grant:o ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many crimes were committed against (a) women and (b) girls in each of the last five years by crime type. \p Jess Phillips: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) regularly publishes estimates, from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), on the proportion of women and girls who have been victims of crime. Information from the 2023/24 survey, for 16+ year olds and 10-15 year olds, and for previous years can be accessed in the annual demographic tables here:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesannualtrendanddemographictables

Experiences of several crimes which are disproportionately experienced by women and girls are also covered by the CSEW in a separate self-completion section of the survey and presented separately by ONS. The latest prevalence estimates for domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking and harassment, for people aged 16 and over broken down by sex, are presented in the ONS Annual supplementary tables, which can be accessed here:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesannualsupplementarytables
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_114

Ms Stella Creasy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2024 to Question 66 on Sexual Harassment, what progress she has made on implementation of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023. \p Jess Phillips: The Government is committed to halving levels of violence against women and girls in a decade. An important part of this ambition is tackling public sexual harassment which often leaves people, disproportionately women, feeling very unsafe. The Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 will make this type of harassment a specific offence and could see perpetrators face a custodial sentence of up to 2 years. We will confirm next steps on implementation of the Act at the earliest opportunity.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_115

Chris Philp:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 18968 on Asylum: Sri Lanka, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of relocating to St Helena asylum seekers who have travelled to the UK by small boat across the English Channel. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The specific purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding with St Helena was to deal with the risk of further migrants attempting to travel to the British Indian Ocean Territory, prior to the sovereignty agreement with Mauritius being formally completed. There are no plans to extend that agreement beyond its current remit.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_116

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the extra 13,000 neighbourhood police will serve in Lincolnshire. \p Dame Diana Johnson: As part of our Safer Streets Mission we will restore neighbourhood policing by putting police back on the beat, with 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood policing roles across England and Wales.

Every part of the country will benefit from this pledge, including Lincolnshire. Further details will be announced in the normal way in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_117

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will have discussions with the devolved administrations on potential changes to the (a) criteria for and (b) duration of short term deployment of police officers to deal with unexpected civil disorder. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Operational matters – including requests for and provision of Mutual Aid in response to public disorder – are primarily a matter for police forces who are operationally independent of government.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_118

Helen Grant:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the definition of violence against women and girls. \p Jess Phillips: The Government’s definition of violence against women and girls (VAWG) covers violence and abuse which disproportionately, but not exclusively, affect women and girls. Crimes and behaviours include sexual offences, domestic abuse, stalking and harassment and can occur online, as well as offline. This is evidenced by prevalence data that shows women and girls are far more likely to experience these crimes.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_119

Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to his counterparts in the People’s Republic of China on the expulsion of the British press corps from the room in which Xi Jinping and the Prime Minister were meeting in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 2024. \p Catherine West: Members of the press were present at the start of the meeting between the Prime Minister and President Xi Jingping on November 18. It is standard practice in diplomatic meetings for the press to remain in the room for opening remarks only, as was the case when the PM met President Biden in September. The subsequent, private, conversation allows space for honest and frank discussion.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_120

Chris Philp:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 18968 on Asylum: Sri Lanka, what accommodation is available on St Helena to house migrants; what the maximum capacity is of this accommodation; how much funding will be provided for this accommodation; whether people with granted applications will remain on the island; whether his Department made an assessment of the views of local people; and if he will publish an Impact Assessment. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government of St Helena is responsible for determining what accommodation should be provided to any migrants transferred, and is currently exploring options. We understand that initially they plan to use an existing facility as temporary accommodation while more suitable longer-term housing is matched to the make-up of any migrant cohort. Funding requirements have not yet been determined.

Immigration is the responsibility of the St Helena Government, which will be responsible for processing any applications for protection or settlement. The Government of St Helena is also responsible for any local consultation and impact assessments. The UK Government continues to work in partnership with the Government of St Helena and as agreed in the MOU between both parties the UK will continue to provide the additional training, expertise and funding required to ensure the Government of St Helena is able to respond if any migrants do arrive on BIOT.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_121

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Indian government on (a) British Sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, (b) the operation of Indian bases on Mauritian territory and (c) the use of Diego Garcia or the rest of the archipelago by (i) the Indian Navy and (ii) other Indian forces. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary last spoke to Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on 25 November 2024 about a range of issues, including BIOT. UK officials also regularly engage with the Indian government about the agreement. Our primary goal in negotiations has been to protect the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The agreement reached contains robust security arrangements, ensuring the base can continue to operate securely and effectively as it has done, well into the next century. It has been strongly supported by our closest allies and partners, including the US and India . We would not have signed off any agreement that compromised any of our security interests or those of our allies.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_122

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Government expects to conclude revised negotiations with the Mauritian Government on the future of the Chagos Islands. \p Stephen Doughty: The negotiations with Mauritius have been ongoing for over two years.

On 20 December the UK and Mauritius issued a joint public statement which made clear that Mauritius and the UK have held a series of productive, ongoing conversations and exchanges on finalising a historic Treaty on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

Both countries reiterated their commitment to finalising a treaty as quickly as possible, whose terms will agree to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia and that Mauritius is sovereign over the Archipelago.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_123

David Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help protect the safety and wellbeing of all Syrians including (a) religious minorities, (b) women and (c) ethnic minorities following the fall of the Assad regime. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The FCDO has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities, publicly and in our engagement with regional and international partners. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We also underlined the importance of respect for human rights, including for women and minorities. Senior FCDO officials recently travelled to Damascus, where they discussed the importance of an inclusive transitional political process, protecting the rights of all Syrians.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_124

Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take in response to (a) the case of Sayed Hassan Jawad, (b) reports that political detainees in Jaw Prison had to be transferred to hospital and (c) other allegations of ill-treatment of political prisoners in Bahrain. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK maintains a dialogue with Bahrain on issues including detention and prison conditions at Jau. We encourage individuals alleging concerns about treatment in detention to report them to Bahrain's oversight bodies, which are established to deal with such matters. The FCDO has not raised the case of Sayed Hassan Jawad.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_125

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question HL3055, Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance, whether the public sector will be allowed to bid for new contracts for the provision of maintenance services for prisons. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice will not be inviting public sector bids for the provision of maintenance services for prisons. A 2023 assessment undertaken in partnership with the Cabinet Office determined that a privatised solution was the preferred option for meeting prison maintenance service needs. This conclusion was approved by the previous administration.

In the interests of expediting the desired improvements in prison maintenance services, the Government is currently running a competitive tender process for these new contracts in line with the recommendations made.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_126

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of people serving an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence have been recalled to prison due to criminal allegations made against them which did not result in further police action, in each of the past eight quarters. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Data on the number of offenders recalled to custody after becoming homeless are not held centrally and could only be supplied at disproportionate cost.

Information about the number of IPP recalls is published in quarterly offender management statistics - Offender management statistics quarterly - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_127

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) days and (b) hours per week (i) county, (ii) family, (iii) magistrates and (iv) youth courts were open for in 2024. \p Sarah Sackman: Court opening times/hours are distinct from court sitting days/hours and are the hours in which the public can access HMCTS buildings. In practice in most ordinary working weeks, courts are open to the public for five days a week for a minimum of eight hours a day (40 hours a week), but each court building operates opening hours that suit the local operating environment. This differs for certain Magistrates Courts which hear remand cases on Saturday mornings (and some bank holidays) and are therefore open longer. We do not collect data on the specific days and hours that courts are open for. Opening hours usually start at some time between 08:30am and 09:30am and run to approximately 5:00pm. Court sitting hours, are normally 10.30am - 4.30pm but the timings of court sittings are a matter for the independent judiciary.

The Lord Chancellor has a statutory duty to ensure there is an effective and efficient system to support the carrying out of the businesses of the courts, and that appropriate services are provided for those courts. Opening hours in all courts are at the discretion of the Lord Chancellor under the Courts Act 2003.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_128

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she is taking steps to improve the (a) quality and (b) performance of court language service providers: and whether she has had discussions with relevant stakeholders on the future insourcing of those services. \p Sarah Sackman: The Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring the justice system is supported by a suite of high-quality language services that meet the needs of all those that require them.

Ministry of Justice language service contracts, which began on 31 October 2016, are subject to robust governance arrangements.

These include monthly meetings with suppliers and stakeholders to review the quality of the services being provided and performance against contractual performance indicators. The contracts also provide for the Ministry of Justice to audit the suppliers to verify the accuracy of contractual payments, management information, and compliance with contractual obligations.

In 2016, the Ministry of Justice also awarded a contract to an independent quality assurance provider. They review the Ministry of Justice’s register of interpreters, conduct an annual audit of supplier processes for introducing new linguists, and conduct 'spot checks' of interpreters undertaking assignments.

The Ministry of Justice has regular conversations with stakeholders about the Department’s approach to language service provision. The decision to continue with outsourcing beyond the current contracts was given careful consideration, based on service requirements and value for money for the taxpayer.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_129

Helen Grant:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cases involved violence against (a) women and (b) girls in (i) criminal and (ii) family courts in each of the last five years. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for this Government, which is why we have committed to halving the prevalence of VAWG within the decade. We will go further than before to deliver a cross-government transformative approach to halve violence against women and girls, underpinned by a new VAWG strategy to be published this year.

VAWG is defined as offences which predominantly, but not exclusively, affect women and girls. This includes sexual offences, stalking, harassment and domestic abuse.

Published data on the number of cases of stalking, harassment and sexual offences at criminal courts can be found in the Outcomes by Offence data tool published here: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: June 2024.

Data held centrally by the Ministry of Justice does not include detailed information about victims of offences and the nature of the offence. Therefore, information on some violence against women and girls and domestic abuse cases can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_130

Dr Kieran Mullan:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) recall and (b) reoffending rates are for offenders who have been released under the SDS40 scheme since September 2024. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The number of people who have been recalled or have reoffended following release under the early release measure (SDS40) forms a subset of prison releases data which is scheduled for future publication. In accordance with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, we may not give any early indication of the contents of this statistical report.

General reoffending rates are published regularly on an annual and quarterly basis. The most recent rates are available at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/collections/proven-reoffending-statistics.

General recall statistics are published regularly on a quarterly basis. The most recent statistics are available at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-management-statistics-quarterly.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_131

Alex Mayer:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what her planned timetable is for updating her Department's guidance entitled Public Sector Equality Duty: guidance for public authorities, last updated on 18 December 2023. \p Anneliese Dodds: The government will uphold the Public Sector Equality Duty and ensure that all parties exercising public functions comply with its provisions. This includes ensuring effective guidance for these parties and updating it as the need arises.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_132

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make care experience a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Government recognises that care leavers have some of the worst long-term life outcomes in society. We are therefore committed to ensuring children leaving care have stable homes, access to health services, support to build lifelong loving relationships and are engaged in education, employment and training. Through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill we will be driving forward our commitments on children’s social care, including improved support for care leavers. We have also established a care leaver Ministerial Board, which brings together Ministers from key Departments, to improve support for care leavers across Government.

We are determined to tackle stigma and discrimination faced by care-experienced young people. We want to create a culture where all those who play a role in the lives of children in care and care leavers are ambitious for them to reach their full potential. While we do not have plans to make care-experience a protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to extending corporate parenting responsibilities to government departments and relevant public bodies to ensure that services and support to children in care and care leavers better take account of the challenges they face.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_133

Claire Coutinho:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Response to call for input on single-sex spaces guidance, published on 17 December 2024, if she will publish (a) a list of reasons for submissions being rejected for not meeting the submission criteria and (b) how many submissions were rejected for each reason. \p Anneliese Dodds: The call for input on single-sex spaces guidance asked specifically for examples of policy or guidance ‘which states that people have a legal right to access single-sex spaces and services according to their self-identified gender’.

A total of 3,272 responses (excluding spam or ‘bot’ submissions) were received. Manual review of these responses found that many did not meet the criteria outlined on the call for input gov.uk page under ‘How to respond’. Some responses contained text which was irrelevant to the request (2,160). Some responses did not contain an attachment or a link to a policy or guidance (255). Some responses provided examples that were outside the criteria (196). Some responses met the criteria but provided examples of policies or guidance duplicated by other responses (257). The final sample comprised 404 responses which met the criteria.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_134

Mims Davies:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she has conducted an impact assessment for enacting the socioeconomic duty in the Equality Act 2010. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010. We will give careful consideration to the impact of commencement on the public sector, business and charities or voluntary bodies, as well as undertaking an equality impact assessment.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_135

Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of pensioners that will receive the full increase to the State Pension. \p Emma Reynolds: From April 2025, around 12.5 million people receiving either the basic or new State Pension will see it increased by 4.1%, in line with our commitment to the Triple Lock. Some people will receive an increase of 1.7% (in line with price inflation) on other elements of their State Pension, including Protected Payments and additional State Pension.

Under both the basic and new State Pensions, the amount people are entitled to, and the annual increases, vary according to the individual’s National Insurance record, but both reflect the National Insurance contributions they have made.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_136

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) introducing a protected minimum floor for Universal Credit and (b) limiting the benefit cap so it cannot reduce the Standard Allowance by more than 15%. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No such assessment has been made. As part of the Universal Credit (UC) review, at the Autumn Budget the Chancellor announced the Fair Repayment Rate will be introduced from April 2025, reducing the UC deductions overall cap from 25% to 15%. This measure will help approximately 1.2 million of the poorest households benefit by an average of £420 a year.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_137

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) the scope and (b) her planned timeline is for the upcoming review into Universal Credit; whether this review will make an assessment of whether Universal Credit enables claimants to afford essential goods and services; and what steps she is taking to reduce dependence on emergency food aid. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Government is committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to, to make work pay and tackle poverty. We have already begun this work with the announcement of the Fair Repayment Rate in the Budget, giving 1.2 million of the poorest households an average of £420 per year.  I will lead the review work, engaging with people over the coming year and inviting views on how to improve UC. We will regularly update Parliament on findings and progress.

We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. This will be the foundation of our approach to tackling poverty, including reducing dependence on emergency food parcels. The Get Britain Working White Paper has set out how the Government will seek to grow the economy, using work as a route out of poverty and to improve living standards.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_138

Abtisam Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking consult stakeholders during her Department's review of universal credit; and what plans she has for the format of such consultation. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We are committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to, to make work pay and tackle poverty.  We have already begun this work with the announcement of the Fair Repayment Rate in the Budget, giving 1.2m of the poorest households an average of £420 per year.

I will lead this work and, over the next year, engage with people and invite views on how we can improve UC and take advantage of missed opportunities which it presents.  We will continue to work closely with stakeholders as we undertake this review and will set out further details in due course.  We will update Parliament regularly on progress and findings.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_139

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent process to set benefit levels according to the cost of essential goods and services. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No such assessment has been made.

The Social Security Administration Act 1992 requires the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to review benefit and State Pension rates each year to see if they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices or earnings. Where the relevant benefit or State Pension rates have not retained their value, legislation provides that the Secretary of State is required to, or in some instances may, up-rate their value.

Following this review, benefit and State Pension rates are increased in line with statutory minimum amounts and others are increased subject to Secretary of State’s discretion.

Following the Secretary of States’ up-rating decisions for 2025/26, DWP expenditure on state pensions and benefits will increase by £6.9 billion.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_140

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to assess levels of poverty among unpaid carers; and what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of unpaid carers who live in poverty. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting elderly or disabled relatives or friends. Sometimes unpaid carers will need to turn to the benefit system for financial support, so it is right that we keep Carer’s Allowance under review, to see if it is meeting its objectives, and giving unpaid carers the help and support they need and deserve.

Unpaid carers may be able to receive financial and/or employment support from the department depending on their circumstances. Carer’s Allowance provides a measure of financial support and recognition for people who are not able to work full time due to their caring responsibilities. The rate of Carer’s Allowance is £81.90 a week in 2024/25, and from April 2025 this will increase by 1.7% to £83.30 a week.

In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers on low incomes can claim income-related benefits, such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the carer element and the additional amount for carers respectively. Currently, the Universal Credit carer element is £198.31 per monthly assessment period. The additional amount for a carer in Pension Credit is £45.60 a week. These additional amounts are worth around £2400 a year.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_141

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of benefits for disabled people. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The extra costs disability benefits, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), provide a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition.

The extra costs benefits are non-contributory, non-means-tested and can be worth over £9,500 a year, tax free. Individuals can choose how to use their benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences. The benefit can also be paid in addition to any other financial or practical support someone may be entitled to such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, NHS services, free prescriptions, help with travel costs to appointments or the Blue Badge scheme. The benefits have been consistently uprated in line with inflation since they were introduced and were, like other benefits, increased by 6.7% from 8 April 2024.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_142

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to monitor the success of the Household Support Fund in reaching (a) unpaid carers and (b) other financially vulnerable households. \p Alison McGovern: Local Authorities have the discretion to design their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out for the fund. This is because they have the ties and the knowledge to best determine how support should be provided in their local communities. We encourage Local Authorities to consider how they may support a wide range of low-income households in need, including unpaid carers and other financially vulnerable households.

Management information, including details of how the fund has been spent on households with children, pensioners, disabled people, and other vulnerable households, including but not limited to only financially vulnerable households, is available here: Household Support Fund management information - GOV.UK.

The Department for Work and Pensions is currently conducting an evaluation of the Household Support Fund that ran from April 2023 to March 2024, to understand the benefits of the awards made across England during this period. This will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_143

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of officials in her Department were hired via positive action schemes in the last financial year. \p Andrew Western: All Civil Service departments work within the Recruitment Principles, as regulated by the Civil Service Commission, to recruit using a fair and open process and appoint on merit.

● Departments will only limit a campaign to a specific group as a form of positive action as a proportionate response to achieve a legitimate aim as defined in section 159 of the Equality Act 2010.

● The Civil Service is committed to a diverse workforce and culture of openness and inclusivity - not as ends in themselves but as means of delivering better outcomes to the citizens we serve.

● The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022-25 Promoting Fairness and Performance, published in February 2022, is positioned as an essential lever to deliver a Modern Civil Service, where our values are to serve with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality; driving our vision to be a skilled, innovative and ambitious Civil Service equipped for the future. This strategy sets out a broader definition of diversity, to include geographical, social and career backgrounds alongside the protected groups.

● As set out in the Civil Service People Plan 2024 - 2027, we are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_144

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the longest waiting time was for a PIP application in each month of the last five years. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We are committed to ensuring that people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner and reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the department. We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all available evidence.

The longest waiting time for a PIP application is potentially disclosive, and the longest waiting times recorded may not be accurate. Therefore, the 99th percentile is provided.

Table 1 – 99th Percentile of End to end wait time, for the last five years up to October 2024.

Year of Clearance

99th Percentile End to end wait time (Weeks)

2020

45

2021

47

2022

53

2023

44

2024 (to October)

44

Table 1 – 99th Percentile of End to end wait time, by month for the last five years up to October 2024.

Month of Clearance

99th Percentile End to end wait time (Weeks)

Jan-20

40

Feb-20

37

Mar-20

37

Apr-20

43

May-20

41

Jun-20

46

Jul-20

47

Aug-20

51

Sep-20

49

Oct-20

52

Nov-20

51

Dec-20

47

Jan-21

46

Feb-21

46

Mar-21

42

Apr-21

42

May-21

42

Jun-21

44

Jul-21

45

Aug-21

47

Sep-21

49

Oct-21

50

Nov-21

49

Dec-21

49

Jan-22

51

Feb-22

53

Mar-22

54

Apr-22

55

May-22

56

Jun-22

56

Jul-22

54

Aug-22

54

Sep-22

53

Oct-22

50

Nov-22

52

Dec-22

52

Jan-23

48

Feb-23

49

Mar-23

49

Apr-23

46

May-23

45

Jun-23

43

Jul-23

42

Aug-23

42

Sep-23

43

Oct-23

41

Nov-23

40

Dec-23

41

Jan-24

42

Feb-24

43

Mar-24

42

Apr-24

42

May-24

43

Jun-24

42

Jul-24

43

Aug-24

43

Sep-24

47

Oct-24

46

Median PIP application clearance times are also available on a monthly basis as part of the PIP Official Statistics quarterly release. The latest release, with data to October 2024, is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/675bf09bb915d092055a01d8/tables-pip-statistics-to-october-2024-eng-wales.ods

Table 1A in this release shows the median average clearance times for normal rules new claims.

Notes:
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_145

Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to resolve the industrial dispute in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. \p Maria Eagle: Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel are highly valued specialists. We are dedicated to hearing their concerns and maintaining an ongoing dialogue to address the issues raised during the current pay dispute. As negotiations are still in progress, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the specifics of our discussions with the Maritime Trade Unions.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_146

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the sustainability of supply chains in the defence industry. \p Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a long-standing commitment to improve its engagement with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to broaden and strengthen its supply-base. The recently published Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent recognises our intention to foster a more diverse community of suppliers, and will prompt a refresh of our SME Action Plan. Alongside this, the department is undertaking other initiatives to strengthen its supply-chain resilience, including securing access to critical materials, components and technologies, and a first-of-its-kind wargame to explore how industry and the MOD could sustain personnel on the frontline when faced with constant supply chain disruption.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_147

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16769 on Veterans, whether his Department is taking steps to gather the data required to estimate the number of veterans who are (a) eligible for Pension Credit and (b) have an income of less than £12,500 a year. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence is already working across Government to improve data collection on veterans. At this time, we do not have data to enable us to make an estimate on the number of veterans who are eligible for pension credit and have an income of less than £12,500 but we will continue to keep this under review.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_148

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure the financial sustainability of rugby union in England. \p Stephanie Peacock: Rugby Union has a vital role to play in our national identity. I recently met with the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby to discuss the future of the sport. The RFU is independent of the Government and is responsible for the regulation of rugby union, and for protecting and promoting the financial sustainability of the sport.

DCMS continues to work with the RFU, representatives of Premiership clubs and Championship clubs, and the wider sport sector to support the ongoing sustainability of elite and community level rugby union.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_149

Colum Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the reasons for a decrease in the number of jobs filled in the (a) film, (b) television, (c) video, (d) radio and (e) music digital subsector in 2022-23. \p Chris Bryant: There are a multitude of factors affecting the number of filled jobs across the creative industries in any given year. Recently this has included the recession in the TV advertising market; streaming services reducing content budgets as they prioritise profitability; and the impact of the US writers strike. Major companies in the digital music industry have also cut staff or relocated employees outside the UK, partly due to the maturation of streaming services and a need to streamline their global operations.

Despite these challenges, the creative industries remain one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy. They have been identified as a priority sector in the Government’s Industrial Strategy based on their significant potential for supporting opportunity and growth in the country.

To address skills shortages and support long-term development, Skills England, a new arm’s-length body, will form a coherent national picture of where skills gaps exist and collaborate with key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_150

Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Government's consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, published 17 December 2024, what assessment has she made of the potential impact on the UK's creative industries of the proposals included in that consultation. \p Chris Bryant: The government’s consultation on Copyright and AI, launched 17 December and closing 25 February, was published alongside an accompanying options assessment. One of the main reasons for the consultation is to gather further evidence on the potential impact on the creative industries of any change to the copyright regime in the context of AI training.

Following the consultation, if legislative changes are needed to bring clarity to the UK copyright regime, a full economic impact assessment will be undertaken.
wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-07 conversation_151

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with people recovering from gambling addiction on reform of the gambling industry. \p Stephanie Peacock: Ministers and officials have undertaken significant engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including those with lived experience of gambling-related harm, to inform the government’s work to reduce gambling harm in line with its manifesto commitment.

As set out in the Government’s response to the consultation on the statutory levy, it is a priority that in this crucial transition period, the valuable experience and services in the current system, particularly treatment and support services which help people in need across Great Britain, are protected. We are clear that operators must continue to provide financial contributions at their current levels until the levy is in force, and have received reassurances from the industry that this will be delivered. The Government is also clear that the third sector, which has delivered important work to tackle gambling harm, will continue to play a key role in the future system and contribute to the research, prevention and treatment supported by levy funding.