theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_35

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has set a maximum proportion of devolved transport funds that may be used for (a) programme management and (b) administration costs in the 2025-26 financial year. \p Lilian Greenwood: For the financial year 2025/26, the Department secured and allocated a City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) revenue resource funding (RDEL) uplift of £93 million for the nine recipient Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs), which was confirmed by the Department in January this year. This devolved funding is for MSAs to build capacity and capability within their organisations, in order to support the delivery of their CRSTS programmes, as well as manage the transition between CRSTS and the next five-year Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlement period from April 2027 to March 2032.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria her Department uses to assess the value for money of devolved transport funding allocations to mayoral combined authorities. \p Lilian Greenwood: Mayoral Combined Authorities (MSAs) in receipt of devolved City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) and Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlements are required to assess the value for money of schemes against Green Book guidance as part of their business case development. In addition, certain schemes that reach defined thresholds are retained with additional scrutiny provided by the Department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any mayoral combined authorities have requested flexibility in the use of devolved transport funds allocated through the 2025 Spending Review. \p Lilian Greenwood: As City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) and Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlements funding is devolved, the programme already affords Mayoral Combined Authorities (MSAs) flexibility in the use of funds to support local needs and strategic aims. From April 2026, six MSAs will receive CRSTS and TCR as part of an Integrated Settlement providing greater flexibility. The Department will continue to engage with MSAs as they develop their programmes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanisms her Department uses to ensure consistency in (a) data reporting and (b) financial control between Great British Railways and devolved transport bodies. \p Simon Lightwood: The creation of Great British Railways (GBR) will bring about changes in the way that rail services are managed, and in the way rail operates as a whole. In its role as the ‘directing mind’, GBR will integrate track and train at a local level to better deliver for passengers, taxpayers, and freight customers and to unlock growth.

Given GBR is not yet established, detailed work on its design, implementation, and interactions with other bodies remains underway.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 on Transfer of Greater Anglia’s Services into Public Ownership, HCWS949, whether her Department plans to (a) define and (b) publish guidance on best practice across publicly-owned train operating companies; and who will be responsible for monitoring compliance with those standards. \p Simon Lightwood: Ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways, public sector operators are managed by Department for Transport Operator Limited (DFTO), the Government’s public sector owning group. As more services move into public ownership, DFTO will be able to identify and share examples of what works well among public sector operators, in turn driving improvement across the railways.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 September 2025 to Question 76656 on Railways: Industrial Disputes, whether her Department has (a) had discussions with (i) TransPennine Express and (ii) CrossCountry on industrial action concerning new technology payments; and (b) made an assessment of trends in the level of remuneration arrangements for electronic ticket scanning across contracted train operating companies. \p Simon Lightwood: It is for a train operator, as employer, to negotiate terms and conditions that are fair to staff and affordable for taxpayers. Both CrossCountry and Transpennine Trains have kept officials informed on the progress of negotiations with the RMT.

I understand that CrossCountry and RMT have recently made progress on a number of issues in dispute including this one, leading to the suspension of industrial action on 18 October.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many senior executive roles at Great British Railways have been appointed at salaries exceeding £150,000 per annum. \p Simon Lightwood: No senior executive appointments have been made to Great British Railways, as it does not exist yet.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to prepare the rail network for adverse weather in winter 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: Department officials hold regular discussions with Network Rail and the industry to ensure severe weather preparedness plans are in place with clear mitigations to reduce the impacts of weather on the rail network. The industry’s winter preparedness regime begins in September each year.

Special trains and equipment are fully checked and any repairs carried out, while contingency plans are reviewed and agreed with train operators to keep passengers moving during adverse weather. Network Rail use detailed forecasts from weather experts, MetDesk, to formulate local action plans during adverse weather to minimise disruption to journeys. These forecasts cover not just the weather but how the conditions will impact on specific railway infrastructure such as the tracks, conductor rails, and overhead power lines.

A network of hundreds of monitoring stations also provides real-time weather data, enabling Network Rail to respond to conditions as they develop in real time. In extreme weather conditions, Network Rail and train operators prioritise getting passengers home safely over running the normal timetable. It also prioritises vital rail freight to ensure the supply of essential goods across the country and fuel to power stations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an estimate of projected administrative savings from consolidating train operating companies under Great British Railways. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government expects to make efficiencies and savings through public ownership of rail services and from rail reform with the creation of Great British Railways. This means that the rail passenger services subsidy will reduce over the period covered by the Spending Review 2025. Moreover, Great British Railways will deliver the integration and cost-saving benefits that come with overseeing both infrastructure and service delivery together in a single organisation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department will use the same performance metrics as were applied under private operation under public ownership of Greater Anglia; and if she will publish those metrics on (a) punctuality, (b) cancellations, (c) passenger satisfaction and (d) financial efficiency. \p Simon Lightwood: While train operating companies will be measured on a similar basis, there will be a greater whole-industry focus for the growing group of public sector operators as we move towards GBR. GA Trains Limited will be required to meet targets for punctuality, reliability, service quality and customer satisfaction under the Services Agreement, and will be required to publish its performance against these targets on a regular basis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has set targets for growth in rail freight volumes between 2025 and 2030. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government is committed to supporting rail freight growth, recognising its significant economic and environmental benefits, as well as the role it plays in the UK’s resilience.

We have confirmed that there will be an overall target of a 75% increase in rail freight moved by 2050. More granular growth targets for GBR will follow in due course.

For the current Control Period 7 (2024 to 2029) Network Rail have a regulated growth target of 7.5% increase in freight moved. In the first year, statistics from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) reported a 5% increase.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will establish a national luggage return scheme for passengers who lose luggage on board a Great British Railways service. \p Simon Lightwood: Great British Railways will bring the track, train and rail estate together under one organisation. This will enable it to adapt and create a system to better suit passenger needs more effectively. We are working closely with industry on opportunities to optimise the approach to standards across the rail sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to introduce free bus travel for people under the age of 22; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of transport costs on young people’s access to education, training, and employment. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.

At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 25/26 and make fares more affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been allocated £20.8 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures her Department has in place to run critical services in the event of a major internet outage. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has a range of alternative means of communication, including telephony, and manual processes to facilitate business critical work and maintain operational continuity in the event of loss of internet connection over cellular and/or fixed line networks. The citizen and business facing services provided by our executive agencies are available via telephone, mail or via the Post Office.
wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to allocate funding to support transport (a) infrastructure and (b) services in West Dorset constituency in the Autumn Budget 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: This government recognises the challenges people face when it comes to transport provision in regions which are predominantly rural, like West Dorset.

That is why we are providing £2.2 billion of Local Transport Grant capital funding over 4 years to local authorities for spending on local transport enhancements and maintenance. Dorset Council will receive over £15 million up to 2029/30 inclusive, including over £2.1 million in 2026/27.

This will enable local leaders to support transport schemes in line with their key local priorities, including improvements to public transport for both urban and rural areas and making local streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

We will also be providing in the region of £900m per year to maintain and improve vital bus services. We will announce allocations for each local authority shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Gareth Snell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of (a) tableware and (b) crockery used in her Department is made by a British manufacturer. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department has management responsibility for on-site canteens / restaurants at the London headquarters building and at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices in Swansea.

Crockery and tableware at the DfT London headquarters buildings has been sourced over a number of years from various suppliers within the UK, however, full information about the country of manufacture is not available.

The crockery used at the DVLA office is manufactured at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. The tableware at this site has been in use over several years and it is not possible to get an accurate figure on what was made by a British manufacturer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) increasing the level of funding available for demand responsive transport and (b) introducing bus concessions for people up to the age of 22. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to access education, work and vital services, and we are committed to delivering better bus services, including in rural areas right across the country.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26 and keep fares affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities that can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Devon County Council and Somerset Council have been allocated £11.6 million and £6.8 million of this funding respectively. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including introducing or expanding demand responsive transport provision in the area, or measures to reduce fares for young people.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review, confirming additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Sarah Pochin:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken assess (a) novel and (b) potentially inexpensive solutions for improving (i) pothole repair and (ii) other road maintenance. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to enabling local highway authorities to maintain and renew their local highway networks effectively.

For this financial year, the Department has already announced a funding uplift of £500 million compared to the last financial year for local authorities to spend on highway maintenance. 25% of this funding uplift is subject to local highway authorities demonstrating how they are complying with best practice, for example in relation to the adoption of innovative technologies to repair potholes and undertaking preventative maintenance to prevent potholes from forming in the first place.

The Department also encourages and supports innovation through its update to the Code of Practice for Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure, which will include guidance on matters such as innovative surface treatments.

The is also supporting the £30 million Live Labs 2 innovation programme which is supporting the local highway sector to demonstrate innovative low-carbon ways of maintaining local highways. It includes projects that are testing and evaluating novel surfacing materials for the benefit of the whole highways sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of available bus routes for people accessing hospital appointments in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to access vital services, such as local hospitals, and we are committed to delivering better bus services right across the country, including in South Holland and the Deepings constituency and Lincolnshire.

The Government’s Bus Services (No.2) Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including ensuring access to vital local services such as hospitals. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26 and keep fares affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities that can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Lincolnshire County Council has been allocated £11.9 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including improving access to hospitals in South Holland and the Deepings constituency, and across Lincolnshire.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review, confirming additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to increase bus provision for rural communities in Cumbria. \p Simon Lightwood: The Government knows how important, reliable bus services are enabling people to access education, work and vital services, and we are committed to delivering better bus services, including in Cumbria and rural areas right across the country.

The Government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, including in rural areas. The Bill includes a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 2025/26 and keep fares affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities that can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Westmoreland and Furness Council has been allocated £4.2 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability.

The Government recognises the importance of providing local authorities with the certainty they need to plan and provide effective bus services, which is why we have committed to delivering longer-term funding settlements. The Government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review, confirming additional funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027. We are currently reviewing the formula used to allocate the Local Authority Bus Grant for 2025/26 to ensure bus funding is allocated as fairly as possible in future years. Individual multi-year allocations for local authorities will be announced later this year.

Cumbria has been allocated additional funding as one of the areas taking part in the bus franchising pilots. The pilots will test approximately 5 different franchising models to investigate how they can be implemented and deliver improved bus services for passengers, including in more rural locations. The pilots will provide funding, guidance, and practical resources to local transport authorities to identify the most suitable approach to bus franchising and wider bus reform measures.
wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding from the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Fund was contractually committed to specific projects as of 1 October 2025. \p Keir Mather: The total amount of funding contractually committed to improvement projects for the HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme, as of 1st October, is £13,849,303.45.

The scheme held three windows (each open approximately 8 weeks) for which the financial breakdown is recorded per window rather than financial years.

Application window opened

Total awarded

Total - spend to date

Window 1 - Nov 2022

£5,427,497.05

£4,654,503.89

Window 2 - Sept 2023

£4,778,778.09

£4,156,025.66

Window 3 - May 2024

£3,643,028.31

£1,361,536.83

Overall MFGS

£13,849,303.45.

£10,172,066.38
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the electric vehicle grant on employment in the automotive manufacturing sector. \p Keir Mather: The Electric Car Grant supports sustainably manufactured electric vehicles, which the UK automotive sector is well placed to benefit from. The Government is supporting domestic manufacturers, which directly employ 132,000 people, to transition to zero emission technology with the £2.5 billion DRIVE35 programme, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last five years. \p Simon Lightwood: Over the past 5 years (between 1st October 2020 and 30th September 2025) there have been 38 occasions when Department for Transport central department’s employees have been investigated for alleged disciplinary offences. Please see the attached table.

Table of disciplinaries - Department (docx, 43.1KB)
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 71272 Lower Thames Crossing, for what reason no evaluation of the Lower Thames Crossing was completed prior to approval of the Full Business Case; and whether any interim assessments have been undertaken by (a) her Department and (b) the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority. \p Simon Lightwood: The Full Business Case (FBC) for the scheme has not yet been developed. Decisions on the scheme remain subject to the Department’s established governance and assurance processes. These include rigorous internal scrutiny and oversight mechanisms, as well as engagement with external assurance bodies, including the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the review of powered mobility devices will consider (a) restricting and (b) prohibiting the use of mobility scooters on pavements. \p Simon Lightwood: Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are already legally restricted to 4 miles per hour on pavements. As part of the powered mobility device review, we intend to consult publicly to ensure everyone has the opportunity to give their views and make sure the regulations are designed with, and not for, disabled people. The safety of all users who rely on a powered mobility device, pedestrians and other road users will be a key consideration in the review.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department undertook a value-for-money assessment under HM Treasury Green Book guidance before announcing its support for the expansion of Heathrow Airport. \p Keir Mather: A Treasury Green Book Value for Money assessment is a process and judgement about the optimal use of public resources to achieve the stated objectives of a project. We have been clear throughout that any expansion of Heathrow Airport should be funded entirely by the private sector.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) the police and (b) highways authorities about the (i) trends in the level of and (ii) reasons for equestrian related accidents and fatalities on roads. \p Lilian Greenwood: Statistics on reported road collisions, including involving horses, are collated by the Department based on data supplied by police forces. While there is ongoing engagement with police and local authority data providers related to the data, no recent discussions have taken place specifically in relation to equestrian related incidents.
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of legal powers held by councils to tackle pavement-parked cars. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible.
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Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of amending the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to include measures to prevent pavement parking. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department held a consultation in 2020 and is working through the policy options to tackle pavement parking and the appropriate means of delivering them. As soon as the Government is satisfied that an optimal solution to this complex issue has been identified, we will announce the next steps and publish our formal response.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will respond to her Department's consultation entitled Managing Pavement Parking, which closed on 22 November 2020, by 31 December 2025. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response as soon as possible.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Biggest ever investment in city region local transport as Chancellor vows the 'Renewal of Britain', published on 4 June 2025, how much and what proportion of the funding announced for local transport projects has been allocated to each mayoral combined authority. \p Lilian Greenwood: Allocations for each Mayoral Strategic Authority were confirmed in June and published on gov.uk. online.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals mandating that second hand electric vehicles are sold with (a) conformity and (b) battery health check certificates. \p Keir Mather: The Government currently has no plans to mandate that second hand vehicles are sold with certificates of conformity or battery health certificates. Manufacturers are currently required to issue a certificate of conformity with each new vehicle. A vehicle owner may request a duplicate of the certificate from the manufacturer for up to 10 years after the date of manufacture. The Government will introduce a new digital system to give members of the public direct access to information about their vehicle. Most vehicles manufactured on or after 5 July 2026 will be enrolled in the new system, and paper certificates of conformity will be phased out.

The UK Government has worked with international partners at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on EV batteries (GTR No.22). This regulation requires electric vehicles have easily accessible, accurate, and comparable information on the battery’s state of health. The Government is currently analysing options for the implementation of GTR No.22 regulations in the UK.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the resilience of Britain’s rail network to prolonged periods of dry weather, in the context of ongoing speed restrictions and service reductions on routes including the West of England line; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) embankments and (b) track infrastructure are properly maintained to avoid repeated disruption to passengers. \p Keir Mather: The resilience of Britain’s rail network to severe weather is managed through Network Rail’s Control Period 7 regional weather resilience and climate change adaptation plans. Through the period we will invest £2.8 billion in improving the resilience of their assets to extreme weather (including dry weather) and in development of long-term climate change adaptation pathways.

Extended periods of dry weather made some clay embankments unstable on some rail routes including in Westen England. In this region the driest spring since 1836, followed by the driest summer in 200 years, resulted in a severe soil moisture deficit. To manage these conditions safely Network Rail worked with train operators, including South Western Railway, to implement speed restrictions and make some service alterations as a result. Network Rail and South Western Railway continue to monitor soil moisture levels, track conditions, and train performance, and provide regular updates to the Department. Services will be reinstated as soon as it is safe to do so.

Most railway embankments in western/southern England are built on clay soil, which normally contains moisture. However, heat radiation and moisture absorption by lineside vegetation and trees have removed much of this moisture. Temporary speed restrictions, which cause extended journey times, are one of the ways in which services can continue to run safely.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_69

Helen Maguire:To ask the Solicitor General, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of prosecutions for domestic abuse related offences. \p Ellie Reeves: Domestic Abuse (DA) causes severe and lasting harm to victims. Bringing perpetrators of these crimes to justice is a top priority for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

In partnership with the National Police Chiefs Council, the CPS launched the Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan (DA JJP) in November 2024 to improve their collective response to the investigation and prosecution of DA cases.

The DA JJP sets out how the police and CPS will strengthen joint working – from building stronger cases from the outset to improving victim safeguarding to deliver more timely justice for victims. This coordinated approach is key to breaking cycles of abuse, securing prosecutions, and ensuring that victims are heard, protected, and supported throughout the justice process.

The focused work within the DA JJP has already had a positive impact on most CPS performance metrics. For example, referral volumes from police to CPS have increased by 14% since the DA JJP was launched. Charging pilots have also been launched to improve timeliness, with national rollout set for the end of 2025.

The forthcoming CPS VAWG Strategy, due for publication later this year, recognises the link between DA and VAWG related offending. Through the strategy, the CPS will further strengthen its response to DA through updated prosecution guidance, enhanced training modules and an improved services to victims of DA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_70

James Asser:To ask the Solicitor General, what steps she is taking to help ensure effective prosecution for shoplifting. \p Ellie Reeves: This Government’s Safer Streets Mission will drive forward the change we need to crack down on shoplifting – a crime that is blighting our communities.

This Government is putting a stop to the effective immunity for shoplifting of goods below £200 and bringing in a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect those who face unacceptable abuse in their roles serving the public.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes shoplifting cases robustly where the Code of Crown Prosecutors is met. In the financial year 2024/25, the CPS prosecuted 121,216 offences relating to theft from a shop. This was a 39.4% increase from the year before (86,918 in 2023/2024). In the same year, the CPS prosecuted 2,145 attempted shoplifting offences, an increase of 35.6% from the previous year (2023-2024).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_71

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Solicitor General, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the effective prosecution of the perpetrators of winter fuel payment scams targeting pensioners. \p Ellie Reeves: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recognises the serious harm caused by such scams targeting vulnerable and older people, including those exploiting winter fuel payments. The CPS will prosecute any such cases referred that meet their legal test.

The CPS’ approach to tackling fraud and protecting vulnerable victims is set out in the CPS Economic Crime Strategy 2025 Final Progress Report which was published in May 2025. The CPS continues to engage with Age UK and other civil society partners on a broad range of economic crime issues to understand victims’ concerns and improve support.

Although the CPS cannot disaggregate its Fraud and Forgery Principal Offence Category Data to identify the number of prosecutions specifically related to winter fuel payment scams, since 2021, the CPS has maintained strong performance in fraud prosecutions, securing conviction rates of over 85%.

Over the last five years, more than £458 million has been recovered through CPS-obtained confiscation orders, with £95 million returned to victims by way of compensation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_72

Helen Grant:To ask the Solicitor General, what estimate she has made of the number of additional Crown prosecutors that will be required to help reduce violence against women and girls. \p Ellie Reeves: The Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) National Operating Model (NOM) for adult rape prosecutions and the CPS-Police Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan (DA JJP) are central to improving outcomes in cases involving violence against women and girls (VAWG). These initiatives rely on dedicated, specially trained prosecutors working across a range of CPS Units, including Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Units, Magistrates Units, and Crown Court Units.

The latest Spending Review settlement for the CPS reflects the Government’s commitment to protecting the public through independent and fair prosecutions. It will provide record investment into the CPS, with total funding reaching £1 billion in 2028-29 to help bring more offenders to justice.

The additional £95.8m over the Spending Review period will allow CPS to increase the number of prosecutors and people on the frontline delivering justice, including in CPS’s specialist Rape and Serious Sexual Offence units, and to improve their services to victims and witnesses. The CPS continues to monitor demand and resource requirements closely to ensure effective delivery of its commitments.

The forthcoming CPS VAWG Strategy, due for publication later this year, sets out to improve prosecution effectiveness and build victim trust, including updated legal guidance, enhanced specialist training, and targeted action plans for specific offence types such as stalking and honour-based abuse. The strategy reflects the CPS’ commitment to supporting the Government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_73

Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, ⁠what steps she is taking to rebuild the school estate. \p Josh MacAlister: Ensuring schools and colleges have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every young person the best start in life.

This government has given a long-term commitment to improve the condition of our schools and colleges. We are investing almost £20 billion in the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034/35, delivering rebuilding projects at over 500 schools across England within the existing programme, including two schools in the constituency of Southport, with a further 250 schools to be selected within the next two years.

We are also investing almost £3 billion per year by 2034/35 in capital maintenance for schools and colleges, rising from £2.4 billion this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_74

Jessica Toale:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to decarbonise schools. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is committed to supporting the UK net-zero carbon targets. Since 2021, the department’s own building standards require that all new school buildings delivered by the department are net-zero carbon in operation and are adapted to climate change.

We are providing support for all schools and colleges to start on their journey towards net-zero via our new online sustainability support for education platform and our climate ambassador programme. Where schools are considering options to become more sustainable, including considering decarbonisation of their energy supply, our ‘Get help for buying’ service provides support to ensure that schemes procured are of high quality and value to the sector. More information can be found here: https://gethelpbuyingforschools.campaign.gov.uk/.

Details of other government funding available to public bodies for sustainability can be found at this website, prepared by the Crown Commercial Service: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/social-value/carbon-net-zero/funding-and-grants.

Capital funding allocated to the school sector each year can also be used for projects that improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of school buildings, as well as improving the condition of the estate to keep schools safe and operational. The department has allocated £2.1 billion in condition funding for the 2025/26 financial year, which is almost £300 million more than the previous year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_75

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help support academies with multimillion-pound deficits. \p Georgia Gould: The department supports all academy trusts to have the capability to manage their resources effectively by providing high quality advice, tools, support and development to help schools protect against financial difficulty and enable excellent school resource management. Tools and guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/schools-financial-health-and-efficiency.

Where academy trusts are experiencing financial difficulty, the department’s focus will be on prioritising support for the most serious cases, considering the financial, educational and governance aspects of the trust. The department may also commission a School Resource Management Adviser (SRMA) to support the trust. SRMAs are practising sector experts, such as school business professionals that work collaboratively with schools and trusts to provide independent, expert and tailored advice to schools and trusts on how to make best use of their resources to deliver the best possible educational outcomes for their pupils.

Where an academy trust is reporting a cumulative deficit, it may require additional financial support as part of their recovery plan. If approved, financial support will be repayable to the department within an agreed timeframe. Non-repayable funding will only be considered where there is no other reasonable means to protect pupils’ interests.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-24 conversation_76

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools that have had to (a) reduce subjects, (b) rely on non-specialist teaching staff and (c) remove extracurricular opportunities due to funding shortfalls. \p Georgia Gould: School funding is increasing by £3.7 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, and a further £4.2 billion by 2028/29, reaching £69.5 billion. This will provide an above real terms per pupil increase on the core schools budget and help transform the special educational needs and disabilities system.

The department is seeing positive signs for recruitment and retention. The secondary and special school workforce has grown by 2,346 full-time equivalent between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years, where workforce growth is most needed. We are offering bursaries worth up to £29,000 and scholarships worth up to £31,000, tax-free, to encourage more talented people into key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.

The department knows reprioritising schools’ budgets and ensuring best value can be challenging, but it is in line with asks to the rest of the public sector. We also know it is a joint responsibility of the government and the entire school system. We will tackle systemic issues that drive costs, establishing a new programme later this year to help schools and groups free up resources to invest in what matters most, teaching, learning, and support for pupils.