theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much funding her Department has provided to the Belong Network to develop national cohesion guidance; and whether there is a grant agreement. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: MHCLG provided £410,000 in the financial year 2024-25 to the Local Government Association (LGA) to boost Local Authorities’ capacity and capability to develop effective local cohesion strategies, to bring people together. This will fund the creation of guidance, training, and targeted support. The LGA has contracted Belong to support the delivery of this work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support Surrey County Council in delivering sustainable growth. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Our number one mission is economic growth, and every area across the country has a vital contribution to make to this mission. In Surrey we are supporting this through inviting councils, including Surrey County Council, to come together and consider proposals for reorganisation and devolution which aim to improve service delivery, governance, and long-term economic resilience to support sustainable growth.

Surrey will also benefit from the cross-cutting policies and solutions being delivered by the Industrial Strategy, to help ensure a pro-business environment across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banning upward-only rent reviews for commercial leases on the valuations of commercial property owned by local authorities. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government has carefully assessed the evidence for banning upwards only rent reviews and published full details in the Impact Assessment for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Based on the data and evidence-base we have available, we have assessed that any costs incurred by landlords will be outweighed by the benefits to tenants and the wider economy of a fairer, more dynamic property market.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle fraud in car parks. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government is aware of concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 requires the Secretary of State to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

My department is currently consulting on standards within the new Code and its compliance framework. The Private Parking Code of Practice Consultation is available on gov.uk here. The consultation closing date has recently been extended to 26 September 2025.

Fraud investigations, however, are matter for the police.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will hold discussions with the Mayor of London on making an assessment of the reasons for trends in the level of housing starts in London. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government recognises the significant challenges affecting housing delivery challenge in London.

We are committed to working in partnership with the Mayor of London, boroughs, and others to significantly increase rates of housebuilding in the capital.

My Department, both at a Ministerial level and official level, meet regularly with the Greater London Authority to discuss issues relating to housing delivery in London.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of conditional selling by estate agents. \p Matthew Pennycook: Figures relating to conditional selling by estate agents are not held by the department.

It is unacceptable for estate agents to withhold offers from sellers because the potential buyer declines to use their additional services. Where there is evidence of such practices, agents can face sanctions including a ban.

The government is committed to protecting people from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous property agents and to improving estate agent standards more generally.

The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT) is the lead estate agent enforcement authority. Alongside local authority Trading Standards teams, they are responsible for ensuring estate agents comply with the Estate Agents Act 1979 and other relevant legislation. NTSEAT have powers to issue warnings and banning orders against rogue agents. In cases of conditional selling, it is essential that any misconduct or manipulation in the offer process is reported to help build a clearer picture of the problem and support potential investigations.

My Department engages regularly with NTSEAT to discuss how best to address specific issues, including conditional selling, and continue to look at options to improve standards across the estate agent sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support is available for leaseholders that are unable to obtain a landlord certificate from freeholders due to the freehold owners becoming insolvent. \p Matthew Pennycook: When a landlord has gone into administration, it is normally the case that an Insolvency Practitioner/Administrator is appointed to handle their affairs and may provide leaseholders with a landlord's certificate when it is requested.

If the appointed insolvency practitioner does not provide a valid landlord’s certificate which complies with the requirements outlined in the guidance, they will be unable to pass on the costs of remediating a relevant defect to the leaseholder who has requested the certificate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Affordable Homes Programme will support the (a) renovation and (b) putting back into use of long-term empty homes. \p Matthew Pennycook: The primary focus of the new 2026-27 to 2035-36 Social and Affordable Homes Programme will be the supply of new homes. However, it will also be accessible for regeneration schemes that provide a net increase in homes on a site and will allow for some acquisitions of existing housing stock to support wider delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how many new planning officers will be recruited in (a) Cambridgeshire and (b) Huntingdonshire. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has committed to recruiting at least 300 additional planners as part of our Planning Capacity and Capability Programme.

Recruitment is being delivered through national schemes such as the Local Government Association’s Pathways to Planning graduate programme and Public Practice, which place experienced built environment professionals into councils across England.

It is up to individual local planning authorities to determine if they wish to take part in these schemes based on their own circumstances and need. We do not set specific targets for individual counties or districts, including Cambridgeshire or Huntingdonshire.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 67508 on 21 July 2025, which sets out our wider plans for supporting local planning authorities to attract, retain and develop the skills they need.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued on whether the conversion of a residential dwelling into a House in Multiple Occupation for asylum seekers requires (a) planning permission and (b) licensing. \p Matthew Pennycook: My department has issued no such guidance. Further detail on HMO licensing is available on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June 2025 to Question 58020 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission and further to the correspondence from the MHCLG Planning Casework Unit to DP9 of 6 August 2025, for what reason the unredacted drawings were not requested from the applicant until 6 August 2025. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Planning Inspector's Report was received by the Department on 10 June. Following careful analysis of the report, the Secretary of State referred back to parties on a number of matters, including the redacted drawings, on 6 August.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 July 2025 to Question 63017 on Housing Estates: Unadopted Roads, whether the public will be able to contribute to the consultation into new consumer protection provisions for residential freeholders. \p Matthew Pennycook: As per the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), we will consult this year on implementing the LFRA consumer protection measures, and bring these into force as quickly as possible thereafter.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 41927 on Housing: Construction, what proportion of the 1.3 million homes forecast related to England alone. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41927 on 1 April 2025 .
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applications were submitted for household extensions in (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Department publishes a quarterly statistical release entitled ‘Planning applications in England’, which includes figures on ‘larger household extensions’ permitted development right decisions, as well as on ‘householder development’ decisions. Data for the periods 2023-24 to 2024-25 are available in the PS2 open data, here.

The Department does not collect applications data for either of these, and the category ‘householder developments’ includes household extensions and other types of householder development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Mike Reader:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to accept the recommendations of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce Report, published on 26 November 2024. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy, which will be published later this year.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including in relation to specialist accommodation for older people.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing the requirement for leaseholders to require a landlord certificate from freeholders when (a) remortgaging and (b) selling a property. \p Matthew Pennycook: A landlord certificate demonstrates, among other things, whether a leaseholder is exempt from paying for all costs associated with non-cladding defects. As such, the majority of leaseholders (defined as qualifying under the Building Safety Act) and potential purchasers will benefit from the provision of a landlord certificate.

If a mortgage lender requests a copy of the landlord certificate for a mortgage or remortgage, whether they do so is their commercial decision and subject to their individual lending criteria. A certificate should be produced within four weeks of a leaseholder request, and this should not hold up a mortgage transaction.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what meetings his Department has had with representatives of the Labour Infrastructure Forum. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department received a representation from the Labour Infrastructure Forum on 26 June regarding their recently published report on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

To date, there has been no engagement between the Department and the Labour Infrastructure Forum on this report.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations her Department has received from the Labour Infrastructure Forum. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department received a representation from the Labour Infrastructure Forum on 26 June regarding their recently published report on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

To date, there has been no engagement between the Department and the Labour Infrastructure Forum on this report.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what role the precautionary principle plays in the planning system. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework sets clear expectations that a precautionary approach should be taken across a range of issues including where development could occur in locations affected by flood risk, coastal change or various other natural or man-made hazards, or where it could affect areas or assets that are protected for their natural or historic value. The Environmental Principles Duty, established by the Environment Act, requires Ministers to consider the precautionary principle whilst developing policy on planning.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to enable freeholding residents to seek binding changes to deeds when management falls below reasonable standards. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 61397 on 24 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to amend national planning policy guidance to explicitly exclude sandwich shops from the fast food outlet ban in paragraph 97 of the National Planning Policy Framework, published in December 2024. \p Matthew Pennycook: It is for local planning authorities, when receiving a planning application, to consider whether, given the type of food and service to be provided at the location proposed, they consider the outlet to be either a hot food takeaway or a fast-food outlet.

We intend to consult on a set of national policies for decision making later this year, which will cover policy on hot food takeaways.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to allow all licensed pubs and restaurants to provide (a) off-sales and (b) take-away pints. \p Sarah Jones: The Government recognises the important role that pubs and restaurants play in local communities and the wider economy. The temporary easement introduced during the pandemic, which allowed on-trade premises to provide off-sales without a variation, expired on 31 March 2025.

Businesses wishing to offer off-sales or takeaway pints can apply to vary their existing premises licence through existing processes under the Licensing Act 2003 for £89. New licence applicants already have the ability to request a license for both ‘on’ and ‘off’ sales at no additional cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Statement on Strengthening border security and reforms to the asylum system of 1 September 2025, whether applicants to the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme who applied in Spring 2022 will have these finished in Autumn 2028. \p Mike Tapp: On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.

We continue to keep the Ukraine Schemes and the evolving situation in Ukraine under active review.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to review cases of people born in the UK before 1 July 2006 to a British father and a non-British mother where the parents were not married, who sought registration under section 4G of the British Nationality Act 1981, particularly where they had (a) disabilities and (b) faced financial hardship. \p Mike Tapp: All applications made under section 4G of the British Nationality Act 1981 are considered against the statutory criteria. Customers are only required to pay the citizenship ceremony fee; no registration fee is payable.

In the White paper – restoring control over the immigration system, we committed to consider removing all financial barriers to acquiring British citizenship for young adults who have lived their entire lives in the UK.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to publish further information on the extension of the Ukrainian visa scheme. \p Mike Tapp: On 1 September, the Home Secretary announced in parliament that the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme (UPE) would be extended for an additional 24 months to enable those eligible to obtain a further period of permission following their initial permission under UPE. More detail will follow in due course.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken to issue visas on the ability of Commonwealth citizens to participate effectively in proceedings before UK courts. \p Mike Tapp: UKVI will always seek to ensure those who need to attend court are able to do so in line with the Immigration Rules and wider court instructions.

All short term visit visas are governed by our published service standards. These can be found here: Visitors and transit: customer service standards - GOV.UK

Customers are advised to allow enough time to receive their visa before applying. Customers in certain locations have the option to apply for a premium paid service to allow them to receive a decision quicker than the advertised times. Information on premium paid services can be found here: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision - GOV.UK

Visa processing times are constantly monitored to ensure that visas are being delivered within our published service standards. Where an application will not be processed within service standards due to the complex nature of the application, the applicant is informed their application will take longer.
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Lizzi Collinge:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the guidance entitled Skilled Worker visa: minimum salary if you’re under 26, studying, training or in a postdoctoral role, last updated on 22 July 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increasing the salary threshold for the skilled worker visa for people under the age of 26 on (a) young professionals, (b) regional employers and (c) graduate visa holders seeking to transition to skilled worker status. \p Mike Tapp: As set out in the Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’, published on 12 May, this Government’s approach is to link migration policy and visa controls to skills and labour market policies, so that immigration is not used as an alternative to training or tackling workforce problems in the UK.

It is our intention to publish an Impact Assessment at the earliest opportunity. A technical annex (www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex) was published alongside the Immigration White Paper setting out the impact of some of the key policy changes.

The Graduate route is designed to allow UK graduates time to work, or look for work, for a set period after completing their studies. It does not guarantee progression to the Skilled Worker route, for which an individual would need to find higher skilled, higher salaried employment after graduation and meet the requirements in place at the time they make their Skilled Worker application.

On 2 July we asked the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on future salary requirements for Skilled Worker visas. We expect the MAC to respond around the end of the year.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued guidance on expediting visa applications for (a) witnesses, (b) litigants and (c) legal representatives required to attend court hearings in the UK. \p Mike Tapp: UKVI will always seek to ensure those who need to attend court are able to do so in line with the Immigration Rules and wider court instructions.

All short term visit visas are governed by our published service standards. These can be found here: Visitors and transit: customer service standards - GOV.UK

Customers are advised to allow enough time to receive their visa before applying. Customers in certain locations have the option to apply for a premium paid service to allow them to receive a decision quicker than the advertised times. Information on premium paid services can be found here: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application: Applying for a faster decision - GOV.UK

Visa processing times are constantly monitored to ensure that visas are being delivered within our published service standards. Where an application will not be processed within service standards due to the complex nature of the application, the applicant is informed their application will take longer.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is her Department's policy on targets for net migration. \p Mike Tapp: This Government recognises and values the contribution that legal migration makes to the UK.

But under the previous Government, between 2019 and 2024, net migration almost quadrupled, heavily driven by a big increase in overseas recruitment.

The Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper, published on 12 May, sets out reforms to legal migration, so that we can restore order, control and fairness to the system, bring down net migration and promote economic growth.

Previous governments have set targets and then not met them, which has undermined the credibility of the system. Instead, we want to restore public confidence with a series of steps to replace our failing system with one that reduces net migration substantially.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Prime Minister's has considered establishing a framework enabling asylum-seeking students to access (a) internships, (b) placements and (c) other forms of work experience that support their university courses. \p Mike Tapp: Asylum seekers are eligible to apply for permission to work in the UK if their claim has been outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own. Those permitted to work are restricted by the Home Office to apply for jobs on the Immigration Salary List (ISL).

When considering permission to work applications that forms part of a further education course such as certain apprenticeships, the individual must meet the requirements under Paragraph 360 or 360C or that the role in question meets the volunteering requirements set out in the policy guidance published on gov.uk.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of foreign nationals who have abscond after being served with a deportation order. \p Alex Norris: Obtaining the specific information requested would involve collating and verifying information from multiple systems and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Home Office does not hold any central record of the requested information.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many properties have been procured by (a) her Department and (b) contracted companies to serve as dispersal housing for asylum seekers in (i) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (ii) Lincolnshire. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release.

The data can be broken down by local authority rather than by constituency. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49534 on Asylum: Finance, how many instances of Aspen card usage for purposes not within the parameters of the cards’ use have been recorded since 5 July 2025. \p Alex Norris: Aspen cards are issued only to the main applicants on claims for Asylum Support. Those on Section 95 support are able to withdraw cash and utilise chip and pin for transactions. Aspen cards for those on Section 4 can only be used for chip and pin payments. Asylum seekers are able to report any difficulties, including loss or theft of their Aspen card, by calling Migrant Help, available 24/7 by telephone, webchat or email.

The Home Office publishes regular information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts, but the specific cost data requested is considered commercially sensitive, and its disclosure could undermine the ability of the Home Office to secure maximum value for money in future contract negotiations.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 55303 on Asylum: Housing, if she will publish the template accommodation contract for housing asylum seekers between (a) her Department, (b) its contractors and (c) private rented sector landlords. \p Alex Norris: The document is available at https://atamis-8888.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#58000000L5A4/a/4I000001QuuT/sGjvxn0.zVTmJRxP5zk64Vp4prQLfMGIuGWdVxlBIsA as Schedule 22 in Home Office AASC contracts.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the NISTA Annual Report 2024–25 dashboard, for what reason no evaluation has been completed for the project Asylum Support Accommodation Programme in the Home Office. \p Alex Norris: The Asylum Support Accommodation Programme (ASAP) is still in the early implementation phase. As such, a formal evaluation has not yet been undertaken. However, evaluation planning is underway, and the programme is being designed with a robust evaluation framework in mind. The evaluation will follow a mixed methods approach including: process evaluation – to assess delivery and implementation; Impact evaluation – to measure outcomes for service users and stakeholders and economic evaluation – to assess value for money. This approach is aligned with NISTA recommendations and Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) expectations that all major programmes are evaluated.
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Amanda Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were employed by her Department at the rank of Chief Immigration Officer at the end of the 2015-16 financial year. \p Alex Norris: Border Force had 760 BFOs at grade CIO as of FY 2015/16.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many detainees have absconded from immigration detention in each year since 2020. \p Alex Norris: Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) are used flexibly to detain foreign nationals liable for removal from the UK. This includes time-served foreign national offenders, immigration offenders and those who have arrived in the UK illegally. As of 1 September, the Home Office has the capacity to detain around 2,400 people in IRCs, including time-served foreign national offenders awaiting deportation.

The Government takes the protection of the public and escapes from immigration detention extremely seriously. There are robust security measures in all IRCs to prevent residents from escaping.

The Home Office releases data on escapes from immigration detention on an annual basis. The latest published statistics are for 2024. These are available at: Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2025 - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_105

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) local authorities and (b) police forces to manage tensions around asylum seeker housing. \p Alex Norris: The Home Office works closely with police, security teams, local authorities and other partners to ensure all accommodation sites are managed safely and securely. These key stakeholders regularly attend Multi-Agency Forums to provide updates and address any concerns raised within local communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_106

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the use of military sites to house asylum seekers. \p Alex Norris: We are actively exploring all viable options so we can reduce reliance on hotels, including using modular buildings on industrial sites and ex-military sites, that deliver value for money and meet operational needs.

We continue to work closely cross-government, with local authorities, and property partners to assess feasibility of options and accelerate delivery where possible, ensuring any development is safe, appropriate and compliant.

Decisions on the use of alternative asylum accommodation sites will be made on a site-by-site basis, and we will continue to work closely with local authorities and in compliance with published policy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_107

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of life jackets recovered from small boat crossings since 4 July 2024; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of their disposal. \p Alex Norris: The information requested is not centrally held, and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

The majority of life jackets seized arrive in very poor condition and may be damaged during the recovery process, and are disposed of by Border Force’s approved contractors and, where appropriate, any suitable materials are recycled.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_108

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what consideration his Department has given to investment strategies for (a) Wiltshire and (b) other rural areas which do not fall within the catchment areas of (i) large cities and (ii) mayoral combined authorities. \p Chris Bryant: The Office for Investment is aligned with the UK's Industrial Strategy, focusing on growth-driving and foundational sectors. The OfI will actively pursue and manage investment projects that support national growth missions and infrastructure strategies, across the UK and will support rural areas such as Wiltshire. I am delighted that Siemens Mobility is moving ahead with its £100 million investment in a rail infrastructure, digital engineering, and R&D facility after receiving Wiltshire County Council planning permission. Furthermore, German defence technology company, STARK, is opening a 40,000sq ft factory in Swindon, Wiltshire, producing military drones for NATO, creating over 100 skilled jobs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_109

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to raise the potential impact of Chinese companies providing military support to Russia during his upcoming trade talks with China. \p Chris Bryant: As the Foreign Secretary has previously said, we are concerned about China’s military backing for Russia, including the provision by Chinese companies of dual-use goods and support to Russia’s military. We continue to call on China to take action and prevent companies within its jurisdiction from providing military support to Russia. We will continue to engage with them at all levels to this end.
wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_110

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many of the investible sites due to be delivered via the Strategic Sites Accelerator are in the Huntingdon constituency. \p Chris Bryant: The Strategic Sites Accelerator is a new programme, announced as part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, backed by over £600 million in public funding. The programme is at an early stage of design so the number and we have not yet determined the location of any sites.
wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_111

Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the oral contribution, Volume 768, column 142 of 2 June 2025, what is the programme relating to the £120 million worth of military licenses for Israel issued in 2024 for components to support exports of military items from Israeli companies to a single programme for a NATO ally. \p Chris Bryant: We have released extensive information on export licences involving Israel, including those that cover components for products for onward export from Israel. This can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/export-control-licensing-management-information-for-israel/israel-export-control-licensing-data-31-july-2025. The government does not provide further detailed commentary as individual licences contain commercial and other sensitive information.

Values included on export licence applications represent the maximum value of exports permitted rather than the actual exports under these licences, which may be lower.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_112

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies on Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanisms of the request for the institution of arbitration proceedings between Woodhouse Investment Pte Ltd and West Cumbria Mining (Holdings) Limited v. United Kingdom (ICSID Case No. ARB/25/37); and if he will make it his policy to initiate a review of UK treaties containing Investor-State Dispute Settlements. \p Chris Bryant: Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for companies to resolve disputes with states where investors believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The UK will work with partners multilaterally, such as the OECD and UN, to pursue opportunities to improve ISDS practice.

With regard to the case in question, the Government has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations, but in view of the ongoing proceedings, we have no further comment to make at this stage.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_113

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help protect the aluminium industry through free trade agreements. \p Chris Bryant: We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.

Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_114

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, how many investable sites have been brought forward through the Government’s £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator. \p Chris Bryant: The Strategic Sites Accelerator is a new programme, announced as part of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, backed by over £600 million in public funding. The programme is currently at an early stage of design, as such, investment sites have not yet been brought forward. We will engage the market and all levels on government on our approach to guide investment decisions, to ensure the programme achieves its aims, is market-led and delivers value-for-money for the tax payer. We expect any site development and capital deployment to occur in the next financial year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_115

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support the local hospitality sector to regenerate high streets in (a) Yeovil, (b) Chard and (c) other towns. \p Blair McDougall: This Government is reforming business rates to protect the high street, including permanently lower taxes for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000 from 2026.

We are also slashing red tape to breathe new life into high streets making it quicker and easier to convert disused shops into cafes, bars, and music venues. A new National Licensing Policy Framework and 'hospitality zones' will simplify planning, fast-track alfresco dining and protect long-standing venues.

We continue to work with the Retail and Hospitality Sector Councils to improve the resilience of high street businesses by addressing skills gaps and improving productivity through innovation. Locally, businesses in Yeovil can get access to free expert advice, support and signposting to all kinds of Government programmes from the Heart of the South West Growth Hub.

This support, alongside other policies set out in our Plan for Small Business published in July, aim to boost local economies and help communities, like those in Yeovil and Chard, to thrive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_116

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) introducing targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises exhibiting at sector-relevant international trade shows and (b) establishing a successor to the Tradeshow Access Programme. \p Blair McDougall: Though our Trade Strategy, Industrial Strategy, and Small Business Plan, we are putting in place the policies, support, and services needed to drive export-led growth. For the first time, DBT has integrated its support for SMEs across all sectors in a single, accessible platform - the Business Growth Service - designed to help businesses across the UK start, scale, and succeed globally.

From tailored market advice and free Export Academy training to UK Export Finance and our on-the-ground network around the world that facilitate trade missions, we are making it easier for businesses to navigate global markets. We continue to review how we can improve our support, including how we connect firms to new opportunities, and build the capability to seize them.
wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_117

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) export opportunities and (b) support needs for (i) manufacturers and (ii) suppliers of (A) machinery and (B) technology used by the (1) agricultural and (2) outdoor power equipment sectors. \p Blair McDougall: The agri-tech sector, covering agricultural machinery and technology, was identified in the Industrial Strategy as a high-growth area with strong export potential. The sector is expected to grow with global demand increasing for technologies to support economical resilience. To support manufacturers and suppliers, a bespoke Agri-Tech Export Accelerator Programme is under development, which will match high-growth potential businesses with the most promising markets and upskill companies to build resilient supply chains.

Additionally, the Government will invest £200 million in the Farming Innovation Programme by 2030 to drive agricultural innovation. These initiatives, shaped by the Industrial Strategy, aim to boost global competitiveness for this highly innovative sector.