theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_119

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what criteria he used to appoint members of the Industrial Strategy Council. \p Sarah Jones: Appointments to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were made through direct ministerial appointment by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Council’s membership includes a diverse group of the UK’s top business leaders, policy experts and trade union leaders. Members have been appointed in a personal capacity and the Council will help to ensure our Industrial Strategy is informed by a broad and high-quality evidence base, and a diverse range of perspectives.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_120

Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance his Department has issued on ensuring that consumers receive compensation when (a) a business enters liquidation and (b) there is evidence to suggest that business has knowingly defrauded customers prior to liquidation. \p Justin Madders: If a business enters formal insolvency, consumers can refer to the guidance on the UK government's website (Gov.UK) for information on recovering their money for undelivered goods or services. The guidance advises consumers to contact their card provider to request a refund or, alternatively, submit a claim to the insolvency office holder. If there is evidence of misconduct by the insolvent business, it should be reported to the insolvency office holder, who will investigate and if necessary take appropriate action.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_121

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Deputy Prime Minister has a role in the development of his Department’s employment law reforms. \p Justin Madders: Making work pay is a priority for delivering the Government's Plan for Change.

As Chair of the Future of Work Cabinet Committee, the Deputy Prime Minister oversees the Committee which considers and takes decisions on matters related to the Make Work Pay package of reforms to the employment law framework. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets work very closely with the Deputy Prime Minister and have responsibility for all policy development which falls within the responsibility of the Department for Business and Trade.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_122

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for male victims of (a) rape and (b) sexual assault. \p Alex Davies-Jones: This Government was elected on its landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. VAWG crimes disproportionately affect women and girls, but we know that men and boys are also often victims, and this Government is absolutely committed to stopping sexual violence against all victims. I recently chaired a roundtable, which brought together key voices from the victim’s sector to ensure men’s voices are heard, and I am working closely with my ministerial counterparts in the Home Office and across government to make sure that the Safer Streets mission, and our upcoming strategy, addresses the needs of all victims.

Support services such as the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support line, and services funded through Department’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund, are available to all victims regardless of their gender. Similarly, new policies, such as Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, and the incoming Independent Legal Advice service, apply to all victims.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_123

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average cost is for processing (a) a fixed term and (b) an emergency recall to prison. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The process of recalling an offender to custody, whether for a fixed-term or in an emergency, involves activity and administration on the part of the Probation Service (which requests recall); officials in HM Prison and Probation Service (who revoke the offender’s licence), local police forces (which are responsible for returning the offender to prison custody) and then prisons’ reception and screening services. The costs to the bodies involved are not collated centrally. Consequently, there is no reliable basis on which to work out the average costs for either type of recall.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_124

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many volunteer support workers working in (a) prisons and (b) probation had criminal convictions in each of the last five years for which figures are available. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: All support workers and volunteers in HM Prison & Probation Service are subject to vetting checks on entry, to protect the security and integrity of the organisation. This includes anyone recruited via our Lived Experience routes, such as Going Forward into Employment or Standard Plus. The vetting process includes review of any convictions that may lawfully be taken into account, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

To obtain the information requested, it would be necessary to undertake a manual search of individual records, and to make local checks. This could not be done without incurring disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_125

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of food supplied to the prison estate is sourced from British farms. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The information is not held centrally.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_126

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential merits of ringfencing funding for Buvidal for people released from prison. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) funds local authorities to deliver drug and alcohol treatment services. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need, which includes the provision of Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine (LAIB), known under the brand name Buvidal. LAIB is available in all regions in England, including in County Durham and Easington, and for those who have been released from prison. It is a clinical decision whether to offer this treatment, based on an individual assessment and personal choice.

The Government has no current plans to ring-fence funding specifically for the provision of LAIB, and the Secretary of State for Justice has not held discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the provision of LAIB for people released from prison. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is committed to working with health partners to support access to clinical interventions appropriate to individual needs, and MoJ and DHSC work closely to ensure that people leaving prison receive continuity of care. We have a range of interventions to prepare prison leavers to continue their recovery journey in the community, including Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators nationwide, who strengthen links between prisons, probation and treatment providers.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_127

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many defendants were (a) prosecuted and (b) found guilty of offences under each relevant section of (i) the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, (ii) the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, (iii) the Deer Act 1991, (iv) the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and (v) the Hunting Act 2004 in each year since 2019. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice publishes data on prosecutions and convictions offences under i) the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, (ii) the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, (iii) the Deer Act 1991, (iv) the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and (v) the Hunting Act 2004 at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.

The specific offences requested are listed below:

10822 - Offences under Protection of Badgers Act 1992

09948 - Areas of special scientific interest (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)

10823 - Offences under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - e.g. certain wild animals (schedule 5) may not be killed, injured or taken by any method

10824 - Offences under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - e.g. wild certain animals (schedule 6) may not be killed or taken by certain methods

19001 - Summary offences in relation to birds under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

19002 - Summary offences in relation to nests and eggs of birds under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

19004 - Summary offences in relation to nests and eggs of birds under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

19006 - Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking wild birds (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)

19007 - Offences under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

19009 - Offences under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

12111 - Summary offences under the Deer Act 1991 - e.g. taking, injuring or killing deer

10825 - Offences under Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996

12113 - Hunting a wild mammal with dogs - Hunting Act 2004

12114 - Knowingly permit land to be entered / used for hunting a wild mammal with dogs - Hunting Act 2004

12115 - Knowingly permit dog to be used for hunting a wild mammal - Hunting Act 2004

12116 - Participate in a hare coursing event

12117 - Attend a hare coursing event - Hunting Act 2004

12118 - Knowingly facilitate a hare coursing event - Hunting Act 2004

12119 - Permit land to be used for the purposes of a hare coursing event - Hunting Act 2004

12120 - Enter dog in a hare coursing event - Hunting Act 2004

12120 - Permit dog to be entered in hare coursing event - Hunting Act 2004

12120 - Control / handle dog in the course of / for the purposes of a hare coursing event - Hunting Act 2004
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_128

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information her Department holds on the number of sharia courts in the UK. \p Sarah Sackman: I refer the Honourable Member for Thirsk and Malton to my answer given on 18 December to Question 18879: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-12-10/18879.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_129

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what date the minutes of her meeting with Katharine Birbalsingh were (a) written and (b) edited. \p Catherine McKinnell: All Ministerial meetings related to government business have a private secretary present to take a readout of the conversation.

In line with the Cabinet Office guidance on taking minutes, published under the previous administration, a readout is drafted during the meeting and edited in the following days, before a final note is shared for the record. The meeting with Katharine Birbalsingh followed this approach.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_130

Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of families unable to access the Support for Families with Disabilities grant scheme due to oversubscription in 2024-25. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government’s ambition is that all families with children and young people with disabilities receive the right support, regardless of socio-economic background. The Supporting Families with Disabled Children programme provides individual grants to around 60,000 low-income families raising a disabled or seriously ill child to support with the additional costs that families can face.

Where families experience challenges, the department signposts available support from the family’s local Information, Advice and Support Service. This is independent of the local authority and can provide impartial advice about local special educational needs and disabilities arrangements and support for children’s needs.

In addition, the department also signposts families to Contact, a national charity for families with disabled children, which provides information, advice and support, and brings families together to support each other.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_131

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered replacing Ofsted with a new HM Inspector of Schools with a (a) revised inspection framework and (b) assessments of (i) staff and (ii) pupil wellbeing. \p Catherine McKinnell: In 2024, Ofsted conducted its Big Listen, which was the largest consultation in its history, receiving more than 20,000 responses. It listened to the views of a wide range of parents, teachers, school leaders and others about the impact of inspection and where change was needed. Ofsted published its ‘Big Listen action monitoring report’ in December 2024 to show what progress it has made in responding to feedback from parents, pupils and education staff and an updated report was published earlier this month. It can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/big-listen-action-monitoring-reports.

In February 2025, the department and Ofsted launched public consultations on proposals for a better accountability system. Ofsted’s consultation includes proposals for a revised school inspection framework, with the outcomes of inspection presented in a report card. The report card will cover key areas, including the school’s curriculum and pupils’ personal development and wellbeing. Ofsted has proposed a new role of ‘Nominee’, a member of staff who works closely with the inspection team, with the intention of making the inspection event more of a professional dialogue.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_132

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of including (a) pupil wellbeing and (b) staff retention data in school performance tables. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department currently publishes school and college performance data on its compare school and college performance service. This service can be accessed at: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/.

The department continues to keep the performance measures published on compare school and college performance under review. We draw on a range of data, including school censuses and Individualised Learner Records, and data submitted directly by Awarding Organisations. We carry out extensive validation and quality assurance checks on the data as well as the resulting performance measures.

The department is currently consulting on school accountability reform. This includes a proposal to introduce school profiles, an accessible one-stop shop for information on schools, incorporating new Ofsted report cards but also presenting a range of up-to-date performance data and other information that matters to parents, all in one place. We are inviting views on which information we should include on school profiles, which could include, for example, school workforce information or information about pupil wellbeing. The consultation on school accountability reform is inviting responses until 28 April 2025 and can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/school-accountability-reform.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_133

Yuan Yang:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) pay and (b) other conditions of teaching assistants in schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: Teaching assistants play a vital role in children’s education.

Most school support staff, including teaching assistants, are currently employed on National Joint Council (NJC) for local government services pay and conditions. The NJC is a negotiating body made up of representatives from trade unions and local government employers. Local government employees covered by the NJC for local government services pay and conditions were offered a flat cash uplift of £1,290 from 1 April 2024. In October 2024 an agreement was reached on the 2024/25 pay award for these employees, which covers the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

This government values and recognises the professionalism of the entire school workforce, which is why the department is reinstating the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) through the Employment Rights Bill, introduced in Parliament on 10 October 2024.

The SSSNB will mean that employers and employee representatives come together to negotiate terms and conditions, and pay for school support staff, to ensure that support staff are properly recognised and rewarded for the work they do. The SSSNB will also be tasked with establishing a national terms and conditions handbook and advising on suitable training and career progression routes that recognise the varied and vital roles support staff undertake.

The SSSNB will give a voice to support staff, who make up roughly half of the school workforce, but are currently employed on terms and conditions negotiated by a wider framework for local government employees rather than a school specific body.

It will help address the recruitment and retention challenges state-funded schools are facing for support staff. This in turn will support work to drive high and rising standards in schools and ensure we give children the best possible life chances.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_134

Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of increasing musical and wider cultural education alongside the child poverty reduction strategy. \p Catherine McKinnell: Participation in the arts can bring a range of benefits for children and young people, over and above its intrinsic value, including a positive impact on academic outcomes in other curriculum areas, as well as benefits to children’s wellbeing and attitude to learning.

That is why this government is committed to ensuring the arts are no longer the preserve of the privileged few.

The department has announced a new National Centre for Arts and Music Education, which will support excellent teacher training in the arts. We have also invested in the Music Opportunities Pilot, with a £2 million contribution from the department, offering free instrument and vocal lessons to disadvantaged pupils. In addition, we are providing £79 million revenue funding per year for the Music Hubs programme, supporting children to access music opportunities in and beyond school, with an additional £25 million capital for musical instruments, equipment and adaptations for pupils with special education needs and disabilities.

The government has also established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which seeks to deliver a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum, so that children and young people do not miss out on subjects such as music and drama.

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances for every child. Evidence suggests that children growing up in low-income families miss childhood experiences central to their wellbeing, including being less likely to participate in extra-curricular activities and having less access to wider social and cultural activities.

This government’s commitment to a deep understanding of the drivers and experience of poverty in households across the UK underpins every aspect of our approach to the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience and better local support especially in the early years.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_135

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what research her Department has conducted on the effectiveness of lighter-touch testing compared to mandatory SATs in assessing pupil progress. \p Catherine McKinnell: Key stage 2 assessments are essential to check all pupils’ progress in mastering the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. They are also essential to identify any children who may need extra support and prepare them to achieve and thrive at secondary school. The assessments help teachers identify where pupils need more support in comparison to national expectations. They also allow the department to hold schools to account to ensure they support all pupils, regardless of background or prior attainment, to achieve sufficient progress and attainment, helping secure high and rising standards.

It is important that schools encourage their pupils to do their best in the tests, however, the department does not recommend that pupils in primary school devote excessive preparation time for the assessment and not at the expense of their mental health and wellbeing.

Our independent Curriculum and Assessment Review panel have been clear that SATs assessments are an important part of assessing children’s progress throughout primary school, and that the system of primary assessment is currently working well. As the Review moves into its second phase, it will consider how to build on effective systems to support the attainment of all children.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_136

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to allow childminders to provide funded places to related children who do not live with them. \p Stephen Morgan: Childminders are an important part of the early education sector. They provide flexible and affordable care which can be tailored to the specific needs of parents and children.

Primary legislation does not permit funding care that is provided by a relative under the early years entitlements. Successive governments have taken this same approach to avoid creating an incentive for adults to register to become childminders and being paid to look after related children that they are already looking after on an informal basis. For this reason, the department currently has no plans to change this long-standing position. A local authority can choose to fund a childminder providing childcare for a related child. However, this would have to be from local authority funds that are independent of the dedicated schools grant.

Although childminders cannot receive entitlements funding for related children, flexibilities within staff to child ratios can be used to allow childminders who are caring for related children to avoid limiting the income they can earn. This clarification, which aims to provide more flexibility and remove burdens for childminders while maintaining quality and safety standards, is part of our wider changes to the early years foundation stage.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_137

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered broadening the range of foster care representative bodies it engages with on policy development. \p Janet Daby: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is keen to ensure that the department meets with stakeholders from across the fostering sector, so that a variety of voices are heard. Departmental officials meet with foster carers and young people who have experienced the fostering system, as well as fostering charities, unions and those who represent and oversee fostering services.

The department also runs a fostering advisory board, which brings together strategic leaders and people with lived experience of fostering to advise on government policy. This is just one of the ways that the department interacts with fostering stakeholders when considering policy. Departmental officials also meet bilaterally with several fostering organisations and have recently hosted a roundtable meeting which had representation from a wide range of stakeholders.

Finally, the department also ensures that the voices of children and young people are heard when formalising policy. This includes our Children and Young People Advisory Board, which aims to give children and young people a say in the services that directly affect them. This provides an opportunity for them to feed into policy development and create a feedback loop to show them where their views are being incorporated. The Board is run by the National Children’s Bureau on behalf of the department, with membership for those aged 11 to 25.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_138

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of school uniform costs on families in Lincolnshire. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer the hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings to the answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 38113.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_139

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not continuing the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund beyond March 2025 on eligible adoptive families and special guardianship order families. \p Janet Daby: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Camborne and Redruth, to the answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 35389.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_140

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of (a) weekly minimum payments and (b) other financial support provided to foster carers. \p Janet Daby: The ‘Fostering Services: National Minimum Standards’ set out the expectations that are placed on foster carers and their agencies at standard 28. The department is clear that no one should be financially disadvantaged because of their fostering role, and we expect all foster carers to receive at least the national minimum allowance (NMA) plus any agreed expenses to cover the cost of caring for each child placed with them. The standards are available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/192705/NMS_Fostering_Services.pdf.

The NMA was introduced by the Labour government in 2007 and has kept pace with inflation over time. The current levels of the NMA are available at: https://www.gov.uk/support-for-foster-parents/help-with-the-cost-of-fostering. The NMA is being uplifted by 3.55% in the 2025/26 financial year. Combined with increases to qualifying care relief, which provides tax relief and is uplifted with inflation every year, this provides additional support for foster carers and the children in their care. There are currently no plans to review the way the NMA is calculated.

The NMA was developed by calculating the cost of caring for a birth child and accounting for the additional cost of caring for a foster child. The criteria for calculating fees and allowances should be applied equally to all foster carers, whether the foster carer is related or unrelated to the child, or the placement is short or long term.

The department knows that many fostering service providers offer incentive schemes as rewards for their foster carers and we encourage the use of these. Discount schemes, free or discounted leisure centre passes, IT grant schemes and council tax exemptions are common examples.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_141

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with (a) employers and (b) further education providers to help ensure the post-16 curriculum is aligned with the future needs of the UK workforce. \p Janet Daby: The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review is looking at ensuring all 16 to 19-year-olds have access to rigorous and high-value qualifications and training, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the changing workplace.

The Review has consulted employers and further education (FE) providers through events and meetings and has received call for evidence submissions from a variety of employers, colleges and representatives.

The Review Group has now published its interim findings and confirms the key areas for further work. The interim report can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-interim-report.

The government will consider any changes it wishes to make to the curriculum, assessment and qualifications whilst the Review is conducted, and will respond to the final recommendations in autumn 2025.

The government has engaged extensively with stakeholders, including employers, FE providers, and their representative bodies, through its Review of Qualifications Reform and the establishment of Skills England. Employers and education providers have strongly supported aligning technical qualifications with occupational standards. They also welcome Skills England’s role in uniting businesses, training providers, unions, and both national and local government to assess the UK’s evolving workforce needs. This collaborative approach will help ensure that post-16 education and training remain aligned with current and future labour market demands.

Our recent apprenticeship reforms, which give businesses more flexibility to adapt to real training needs, have shown that we are committed to listening to what businesses and providers need to grow the workforce in support of our Plan for Change. The government is committed to continuing to listen as we work to drive further improvements to how qualifications and the wider skills system can supply the UK workforce with the skills it needs. This will include ongoing engagement work with FE providers, employers, and other skills system stakeholders on the development of the Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy, Technical Excellence Colleges, and the role of Skills England and the Growth and Skills Offer.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_142

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support care leavers after the age of 21 to help ensure that they have stable living arrangements. \p Janet Daby: Supporting care leavers to make a successful transition from care to independence is a priority for this government.

Housing and concerns about accommodation rank as one of the highest worries for care leavers, and for professionals trying to support them.

The department is introducing, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a new duty for local authorities to consider whether former relevant children, up to age 25, require support to find and keep suitable accommodation, and support to access services relating to health and wellbeing, relationships, education and training, employment and participating in society. If support is required, the local authority should then provide this in the form of a ‘staying close’ arrangement.

The Bill also introduces an additional requirement on local authorities to publish the arrangements they have in place for the purpose of supporting and assisting care leavers in their transition to adulthood. This information in the local authority’s local offer will aid care leavers to look at all the options open to them and help them make informed decisions when deciding upon accommodation and other support they might wish to access.

The Bill also includes a measure to ensure that where a council is their corporate parent, no care leaver can be found to have become homeless intentionally.

All care leavers are entitled to support from a Personal Adviser (PA) until they are 25. PAs help care leavers to access services like housing, health and benefits, as well as providing practical and emotional support for independent living. PAs also work with care leavers to create a mandatory pathway plan outlining the support provided by the local authority.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_143

Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Ministers next plan to meet their Australian counterparts. \p Luke Pollard: Given the strength, breadth and depth of the bilateral defence relationship, The Defence Secretary and Defence Ministers regularly engage with Australian counterparts. Australia will hold federal elections no later than 17 May so I hope the hon. Member will understand, as is normal in any election period, all engagements are under review until Australia has held its election.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_144

Bobby Dean:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the strategic role of Taiwan on the UK’s defence. \p Luke Pollard: The UK’s longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_145

Steve Yemm:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to increase procurement from UK businesses. \p Maria Eagle: Through the Defence Industrial Strategy, this Government will be prioritising spend with UK businesses.

Over recent months I have chaired 12 roundtables with 112 UK SMEs and mid-tiers, across all nations and regions of the UK, hearing about how the Government can make it simpler for UK businesses to access more Ministry of Defence work. We are committed to reforming the Ministry of Defence procurement system to reduce waste, speed up decision making and opening access to a wider range of British businesses.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_146

Andrew Pakes:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to encourage more organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. \p Al Carns: Since taking up post, I have had the opportunity to engage with hundreds of organisations, including Local Authorities, who are signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant; doing fantastic work for our people, and their families.

The Covenant pledge and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme provide the opportunity to pledge, demonstrate and advocate support for the Armed Forces community. The provision of guiding principles for employers and organisations across the UK ensures an understanding of the Covenant and the impacts of Service life.

Over 12,800 organisations have signed the Covenant, a number that continues to grow weekly. This Government has committed to fully extend the Covenant into Law, which will increase education and awareness of the unique nature of Service
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_147

Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) 2024: joint statement, published on 17 December 2024, what progress he has made on exploring enhanced collaboration on Land Mobility Platforms. \p Maria Eagle: As outlined in our December 2024 AUKMIN Joint Statement, the UK and Australia agreed to explore enhanced collaboration on Land Mobility Platforms. We are doing just this with our Land Mobility Programme which includes a recognition of Australian land mobility capabilities and how cooperation could mutually benefit our defence industries. This programme is currently underway and is informing investment considerations and decisions, subject to cross-Government approval.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_148
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_148

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the consultation entitled UK Green Taxonomy, published on 13 November 2024, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of a green taxonomy on trends in the level of divestment in the defence sector. \p Maria Eagle: The proposed green taxonomy aims to promote market integrity and transparency, and mobilise further investment to help the UK achieve its sustainability goals. This Government has been clear that we see no conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector, of which we are rightly proud.

The Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent, published in December 2024, identified the ‘crowding-in’ of private sector investment as critical to the Government’s agenda to grow our economy and strengthen our nation’s defences.

The Trade Association ADS recently released their first defence Environment, Social and Governance Charter Report, highlighting the positive contribution that the defence industry is making to supporting our environment and our communities.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_149

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what equipment his Department has procured from the United States for the armed forces since 1 January 2024. \p Maria Eagle: The Department does hold information relating to contract duration, spend to date, and total contract value, which could allow for basic modelling. However, information to identify projected spending over the next five years with US suppliers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_150

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 35009 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases and with reference to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs' Oral Statement of 7 October 2024 on British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations, Official Report, column 46, what steps he is taking to ensure that operations at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia remain under UK control into the next century. \p Luke Pollard: The Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a United States defence facility. The 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes, including the 1976 amendment, sets out that the right to operate and maintain the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is held by the Government of the United States. This includes functions as are necessary for the development, use, maintenance, operation and security of the facility.

The 1966 Exchange of Notes has been subject to routine amendments and supplementation since signature. The key objective of the negotiations has always been to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the base on Diego Garcia and any routine future amendments to the Exchange of Notes resulting from the proposed agreement with Mauritius will be undertaken in accordance with the existing process.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_151

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) governance structure and (b) ethical oversight mechanisms have been established for the Digital Veterans ID card. \p Al Carns: The Digital Veteran Card will be launched this year as the first digital credential in the GOV.UK Wallet. The Ministry of Defence (MOD), in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, has robust governance arrangements in place overseeing its effective design and delivery, including ethical and security considerations.

The Digital Veteran Card continues this Government’s commitment to veterans, giving them swifter access to help and support available to them - from help with health, housing and employment to access to retail offers. It is in addition to the existing physical Veteran Card already held by over 250,000 former Service personnel across the country. The digital card will be entirely optional for our veterans.

It may also be helpful to further explain that the Digital Veteran Card is being developed jointly by the MOD and the Government Digital Service (GDS). It will use GOV.UK One Login which already allows users to securely prove their identity online to access Government services. The Digital Veteran Card will be saved securely in the GOV.UK Wallet, allowing veterans to show it to organisations on their smartphones and prove their eligibility to access services.

The GOV.UK Wallet follows industry standards for security, and further technical standards will be adhered to in order to ensure interoperability. The Veteran Card credential will enable a veteran to prove they are a veteran to an organisation without disclosing unnecessary information. This can reduce the sensitive information organisations might otherwise collect and therefore avoid unnecessary data sharing.

The security of our veterans, including those who served in sensitive operations, remains paramount. In designing the Veteran Card, The MOD has engaged across the sector, including veteran charities, associations and with veterans themselves. This shaped how the service is designed and what information is held on the Veteran Card; it will not include sensitive service history.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_152

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many full-time regular personnel were serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps on 14 March 2025; and if he will make an estimate of the number of full-time regular personnel who will be serving in the (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27 and (c) 20270-28 financial years. \p Al Carns: The Royal Army Medical Corps have been amalgamated with Royal Army Dental Corps and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps to form the Royal Army Medical Service. As at 1 January 2025 there were 3,954 Trade Trained Regular personnel in the Royal Army Medical Service.

The Army does not routinely release detailed future workforce forecasts.

Notes/Caveats:
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_153

Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Ministry of Defence's Sex Offending Strategy, published in July 2022, whether he plans to review the current rules on the reporting of sexual offences within the Armed Forces; and whether he plans to change policy to allow certain categories of sexual offences to be reported to civilian police forces. \p Al Carns: Since 2009, the Civilian and Service police have shared jurisdiction for dealing with allegations of criminal offending by Service personnel in the UK. A Service person therefore has the choice to report any crime, including sexual offences, to the Civilian or Service Police.

The establishment of the Defence Serious Crime Command in 2022 created a an independent tri-Service investigative capability, and placed victims at the centre of a more streamlined and effective service.  Where a report of sexual offending, or any serious crime, is made to the Service Police, the Defence Serious Crime Unit carries out an independent investigation and the Victim and Witness Care Unit provides support and advice from the point a crime is reported.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_154

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 21390 on Armed Forces: Equality, whether the previous Government commissioned a review into equality, diversity and inclusion (a) policies and (b) spending in the armed forces that was separate to the review into the civil service. \p Al Carns: In February 2024 the previous Government commissioned a review into equality, diversity and inclusion policies in the Armed Forces. This review did not extend to equality, diversity and inclusion spending in the Armed Forces, and was separate to the review into the Civil Service. Following the change in Government, staffing of this work to Ministers was paused, and the review was not published.
wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_155
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-24 conversation_155

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 36716 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many of the 9,000 Service personnel and their families benefitted from the delivery of damp and mould packages (a) between July 2023 and 4 July 2024 and (b) since 5 July 2024. \p Al Carns: Over 9,000 damp and mould packages have been delivered since the Damp and Mould Taskforce was established in 2023, of which:

a) 5,253 packages were delivered between July 2023 and 4 July 2024.

b) 3,714 packages were delivered since 5 July 2024 to date.