theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff GB Energy (a) has recruited or (b) plans to recruit in equality, diversity and inclusion roles. \p Michael Shanks: There are no staff working in equality, diversity and inclusion roles at Great British Energy. There are currently no plans to recruit for such roles.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25446 on Wylfa Power Station, whether the Wylfa nuclear power station development will be classified as public sector. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Nuclear (GBN) purchased the Wylfa site in June 2024, and it is recorded as an asset on the Government’s balance sheet. As a site with a history of hosting a nuclear power station, the government is working closely with GBN to assess options for new nuclear at Wylfa. No decisions have been taken yet on any specific projects or technologies to be deployed.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many days a week staff of GB Energy will be required to be in the office. \p Michael Shanks: Staff working on the set-up of GBE within DESNZ offices are expected to be in the office for 40%-60% of their working hours.
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 43723 on Carbon Emissions: Trees, if he will ask Drax Group plc to share the interim KPMG report of December 2022 with Members of Parliament. \p Michael Shanks: The KPMG reports were commissioned by Drax as a confidential internal fact-finding exercise and are the property of Drax. The government does not hold them. It is for Drax to decide whether they wish to release them to Parliament or the public. Ofgem has already published significant details as to how these reports were considered as part of their investigation.
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 43723 on Carbon Emissions: Trees, whether it is standard practice for officials in his Department to receive time-limited access to documents when negotiating subsidy arrangements. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ officials were granted access by Drax to review the KPMG reports in January 2025. These reports were internal fact-finding documents, commissioned by Drax under legal privilege to review their biomass supply chain against the sustainability requirements of existing arrangements.

Drax granted DESNZ access to these internal documents which enabled Government to better understand their contents and the conclusions of Ofgem’s investigation, which we support.
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the price per megawatt hour of the subsidies received by the Drax Power Station by 13% on his plans to reduce household energy bills by up to £300. \p Michael Shanks: The strike price for the proposed low carbon dispatchable CfD with Drax is £113 MWh (2012 prices) compared to £100 MWh (2012 prices) currently. This modest increase reflects that Drax’s fixed operating costs will be spread over far fewer units of generation. However, the proposed CfD arrangement caps the volume of supported generation to an annual load factor of 27%. Our analysis shows this would halve overall subsidy payments relative to current arrangements, resulting in a decrease of around £6 on the average household bill. Further, this arrangement incentivises dispatchable biomass generation only when the system needs it, ensuring consumers can benefit from cheaper wind and solar power at other times.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to p.20 of the Plan for Change, CP 1210, published on 5 December 2024, what steps he is taking to support the diffusion of technologies. \p Feryal Clark: The Chancellor, Business Secretary and I asked the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and National Technology Adviser to carry out a Review of the barriers to the adoption of transformative digital technologies. The Review has almost concluded, and the findings and recommendations are feeding into the Government’s Industrial Strategy White Paper and sector plans. The Industrial Strategy will take a holistic view across innovation, skills, regulation, finance and other policy enablers and barriers to improving the diffusion of technology and hence business productivity.
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Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken to support the addition of an ocean energy pilot farms call to the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme. \p Feryal Clark: As an Associated Country to Horizon Europe, the UK actively contributes to the programme’s governance and development, including through participation in programme committees. This enables the UK to shape the direction of international research and maximise collaboration on areas of mutual interest in Horizon Europe, including within Cluster 5 of the programme which focuses on Climate, Energy and Mobility.

The Government cannot comment on the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme, as it is still in development by the European Commission.
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Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 50701 on National Space Council, if he will make it his policy to reconvene the National Space Council. \p Chris Bryant: The Ministry of Defence has received similar PQs in recent months, including a similarly worded questions from Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst in June 2025, December 2024 and a further question in April 2025 on cross-government discussions on sovereign defence space capability.

The wording above reflects the most recent lines provided by MoD in response to the same question, as well as lines agreed with the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry on all above occasions.

The National Space Council (NSpC) was an inter-ministerial group which ran from Jul 2023 until the dissolution of the last government, co-chaired by the Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Secretaries of State. It was originally formed as a Cabinet Committee in June 2020, dissolved in September 2022.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what research his Department is supporting into the potential impact of Arctic warming on (a) the UK climate system, (b) shifts in the jet stream and (c) weather patterns. \p Feryal Clark: UK Research and Innovation’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has a range of vessels, aircraft, and autonomous underwater and aerial vehicles which capture data to help better understand the potential climate impact of Arctic warming. There are a number of research initiatives across the region contributing information into datasets and models to improve predictions. This includes CANARI, a £12 million collaborative research programme to improve knowledge about how climate variability and change in the Arctic-North Atlantic region will impact the UK, with a focus on extreme weather and rapid, disruptive change.

Through the Met Office, DSIT supported the Polar Amplification Model Intercomparison Project, within the Hadley Centre Climate Programme, which investigated factors driving polar amplification and how the global climate system responds to changes in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice.
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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has held with stakeholders in the life sciences and technology sectors on the potential for artificial intelligence to support the uptake of non-animal New Approach Methodologies. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.

Minister Vallance hosted a roundtable on 05.09.24 with industry representatives, including discussing the application of AI and officials have kept in regular contact with industry since then. The Government is also co-funding seven Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI), two of which focus on AI which will support developing alternative methods.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to improve broadband connectivity in rural parts of South Northamptonshire constituency. \p Chris Bryant: According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 99% of homes and businesses in the South Northamptonshire constituency can access superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and over 93% have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps).

To improve this coverage further, CityFibre is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, targeted at bringing gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas that are unlikely to be otherwise reached by suppliers’ commercial rollout. Approximately 1,700 premises in the South Northamptonshire constituency are currently expected to benefit from this contract. The vast majority of these premises are in rural parts of the constituency.
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Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will introduce legislation to improve online safety laws. \p Feryal Clark: The government is committed to working with Ofcom to ensure the Online Safety Act is implemented quickly and effectively.

This year we expect users, in particular children, to see notable change in their online experience as the duties come into force. Ofcom is now enforcing the illegal safety duties, and protections for children will follow next month.

The government has high expectations for platforms, and nothing is off the table when it comes to keeping children and the public safe. The government has already built on the Act and will continue to do so where required.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to establish (a) a timetable and (b) interim targets for the replacement of dogs in regulatory scientific procedures; and if he will make it his policy to publish that timetable before the end of the 2025-26 session. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal.

The government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year, which will set out clear objectives and measurable milestones. Any work to phase out animal testing, including the use of dogs in regulatory scientific procedures, must be science-led and in lock step with partners including regulators, so we will not be setting interim targets or arbitrary timelines for reducing their use.
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Kevin Bonavia:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of mandating internet service providers to charge existing customers the same as new ones. \p Chris Bryant: The Government continues to work closely with Ofcom, the independent regulator of telecommunications, to ensure customers are empowered to navigate the telecoms market and find the best deals for their needs.

A range of measures have been implemented, for example since 2020 Ofcom has required providers to issue end-of–contract notifications. These alert customers when their contract/discounts are ending, encouraging them to secure better deals.

The Government has no plans to mandate providers to charge new and existing customers the same price, however we will continue to work with Ofcom to monitor the market to ensure that consumers are receiving fair deals.
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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a Ministerial position dedicated to non-animal New-Approach Methodologies. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing” and the Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.

As the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Lord Vallance leads on this issue. He recognises this touches on a number of Departmental responsibilities and actively collaborates with fellow Ministers in relevant Departments to work together to support the delivery of important scientific research, including the development and implementation of alternative methods to animal testing.
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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what his planned timeline is for phasing out the use of animal testing for regulatory and research purposes. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal.

The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year, which will set out clear objectives and measurable milestones. Any work to phase out animal testing, including the use of dogs in regulatory scientific procedures, must be science-led and in lock step with partners including regulators, so we will not be setting interim targets or arbitrary timelines for reducing their use.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to allocate additional funding through UK Research and Innovation for the validation of non‑animal new approach methodologies to help replace the use of dogs in safety testing; and if he will make it his policy to ring‑fence funding for human‑relevant, animal‑free technologies. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is committed to the development of non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a diverse portfolio of investments that supports research which can lead to alternatives, such as organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. UKRI also invests £10 million annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and is conducting a five-year funding review to guide future investment in this area.
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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what meetings his Department has had with animal rights organisations on guidance on animal testing since 1 January 2025. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year. To support this Minister Vallance hosted a roundtable on 14.05.25 with representatives from animal welfare organisations. He also met with the Chair of All-Party Parliamentary Group on phasing out animal experiments in medical research and representatives from Animal Free Research on 01.04.25, and with representatives from Lush UK on 15.05.25. There have been additional meetings before 01.01.25.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his counterparts from the (a) Southern African Development Community, (b) Caribbean Community and (c) Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries on digital transformation. \p Feryal Clark: International engagement is vital to the UK’s science and technology priorities. The Secretary of State and Ministers regularly engage with partners around the world, including a variety of nations in the regions represented by the organisations outlined. For example, the UK and Singapore recently signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on digital transformation and the Secretary of State recently met Minister Teo on 6 November.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) resources and (b) personnel required by Ofcom to protect users of online platforms from content promoting gang violence. \p Feryal Clark: The Online Safety Act gives user-to-user platforms and search services duties to take steps to protect all users from illegal content and children from harmful or age-inappropriate content. This includes duties to take down illegal content which provokes violence, and to protect children from content which encourages or promotes violence.

The Government has ensured Ofcom has the funding it needs to deliver online safety regulation effectively, with £72.6 million allocated for online safety spend in 2025/26. This is an increase from last year and means that Ofcom is increasing its personnel year on year.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent progress he has made on phasing out animal testing. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal.

While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements, we support the development and application of approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research (the 3Rs). The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year, which will set out clear objectives and measurable milestones.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has plans to expand the use of satellite technology to improve rural mobile phone (a) connectivity and (b) coverage. \p Chris Bryant: Satellite connectivity can complement the coverage provided by terrestrial mobile networks. Mobile network operators have already for example, used satellite services to provide backhaul to some Shared Rural Network sites where it is challenging to provide traditional fibre or microwave backhaul, and to increase network resilience. Many modern handsets already have text-based emergency satellite connectivity.

Ofcom recently consulted on proposals to authorise Direct to Device satellite services in certain mobile spectrum bands in the UK. These proposals could enable people to make satellite calls from their mobile phones, which may extend coverage to the most remote areas. This consultation is an important step towards enabling these services.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve mobile phone coverage in North Gloucestershire. \p Chris Bryant: Ofcom reports that 4G is available across 95% of the Tewkesbury constituency from all four mobile operators, while 5G (standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 99% of premises in his constituency from at least one operator.

I have raised my concerns about the accuracy of their coverage reporting with Ofcom and I welcome the improvements to their online mobile coverage checker which will go live in the second half of June.

Our ambition is for all populated areas, including North Gloucestershire, to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We continue to work closely with the mobile operators and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps he has taken to improve digital connectivity for older people living in rural communities. \p Chris Bryant: The Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, which identified five target groups to benefit most from digital inclusion initiatives, including older people. The initiatives will be targeted locally for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and getting support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology.

Through Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver broadband and mobile connectivity to hard-to-reach areas with limited or no coverage. Over 87% of UK premises now have access to a gigabit capable broadband connection, while more than 95% of the UK now has 4G geographic coverage from at least one mobile operator.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve broadband speeds in rural parts of Maidenhead constituency. \p Chris Bryant: According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 99% of homes and businesses in the Maidenhead constituency can access superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and over 87% have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps).

To improve this coverage further, CityFibre is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire, targeted at bringing gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas that are unlikely to be otherwise reached by suppliers’ commercial rollout. Approximately 2,000 premises in the Maidenhead constituency are currently expected to benefit from this contract. The vast majority of these premises are in rural parts of the constituency.
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Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Medical Officer on the potential merits of raising the digital age of consent. \p Chris Bryant: Ministers and officials engage regularly with a range of experts and stakeholders on issues relating to children’s online safety and wellbeing. While there have been no recent formal discussions with the Chief Medical Officer specifically on the digital age of consent, we will continue to draw on expert advice as we review the evidence in this area.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to consult on draft regulations to commence Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022. \p Chris Bryant: Draft regulations to commence sections 61 – 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 are currently subject to a technical consultation. The consultation, which launched on 7 May and is open until 23.59 on 2 July 2025, can be found on the gov.uk website.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding had been (a) allocated in total, (b) spent on and (c) forecast for the Project Gigabit contract in Lancashire on 30 May 2025. \p Chris Bryant: Openreach is delivering a £149.7 million contract to bring gigabit-capable broadband to 54,300 premises in Lancashire, North Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire, West and Mid Surrey, Staffordshire, West Berkshire and Hertfordshire. This funding is allocated to all areas listed in this contract and is not explicitly allocated at a regional or constituency level.

Openreach has only recently started its build in Lancashire under this contract, so no funding has yet been paid to the supplier for its work there.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what digital (a) inclusion and (b) skills training initiatives his Department is supporting in (i) Lancashire and (ii) areas in Lancashire which have recently acquired gigabit-capable broadband. \p Chris Bryant: The Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including Lancashire.

These will be targeted at local initiatives for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and getting support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology. This includes supporting digital upskilling, and enhancing support for the Essential Digital Skills framework, which supports businesses and individuals to get the digital skills they need.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51546 on Broadband: Lancashire, what steps he is taking to ensure that the remaining (a) homes and (b) businesses in (i) Fylde and (ii) the rest of Lancashire will be connected by the end of the rollout. \p Chris Bryant: As part of Project Gigabit, Openreach is currently delivering a contract to bring gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses in Lancashire that are not expected to be reached via the commercial market, including in Fylde. This contract is due to run until 2030.

For any premises that cannot be connected via this contract, and remain outside of commercial plans, the government is exploring options for where support might be required to accelerate the deployment of appropriate technologies, including fixed wireless access.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51546 on Broadband: Lancashire, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of broadband access in (a) rural and (b) urban parts of Fylde constituency. \p Chris Bryant: According to Ofcom’s most recent Connected Nations report, in the Fylde constituency, 93% of rural premises and 100% of urban premises can access superfast broadband speeds (>= 30 Mbps). This is above the UK average of 89% of rural premises and 99% of urban premises.

In the Hon. Member’s constituency, 79% of rural premises and 94% of urban premises have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps). This is also above the UK average of 57% of rural premises and 89% of urban premises.

These figures are as of January 2025.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to (a) maintain and (b) future-proof broadband infrastructure in (a) Lancashire and (b) Fylde constituency. \p Chris Bryant: The Electronic Communications Code gives Code Operators the right to maintain, repair and upgrade apparatus. While the legislative framework facilitates upgrades to existing apparatus, it is ultimately the responsibility of operators to maintain their broadband infrastructure.

Openreach is currently delivering a Project Gigabit contract to bring gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses in Lancashire that are not expected to be reached via the commercial market, including in Fylde. Our Project Gigabit contracts are future-proofing connectivity by providing the cutting-edge broadband infrastructure needed to meet people’s needs not just today, but for decades to come.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of the 1.5 million homes the Government aims to deliver during this Parliament expected to be built by (a) private sector developers, (b) social housing providers and (c) local authorities. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on implementing Investment Zones in the North West. \p Alex Norris: Investment Zones in England reflect the unique strengths and opportunities in each place and day-to-day delivery is led by accountable Mayoral Combine Authorities (MCAs). There are two Investment Zones in the North West, both of which entered delivery in April 2024. Good progress has been made by the accountable MCAs to mobilise the programmes, with a range of projects approved and launched over 2024/25.

In Greater Manchester, growth of the region’s advanced materials manufacturing clusters is being accelerated through the use of grant funding support for research and innovation, to grow the knowledge economy and to unlock laboratory and manufacturing space.

In the Liverpool City Region, growth of the region’s life sciences clusters is being accelerated through the use of both tax reliefs and grant funding to lever private investment and develop new world-class research, innovation and manufacturing facilities and capabilities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_773

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50515 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Offices, if she will place in the Library workplace office attendance figures for each office outside of London in the most recent period for which data is available. \p Alex Norris: MHCLG publishes quarterly HQ Occupancy Statistics for its headquarters at 2 Marsham Street, London (not proportional attendance). We do not intend to publish regional information or numeric staff attendances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_774

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to establish national standards for fire and rescue services. \p Alex Norris: The Government funds the independent Fire Standards Board (FSB) to develop and maintain a comprehensive set of professional standards for fire and rescue services in England. The FSB has published 19 national standards for fire and rescue services: these cover a range of topics relating to operational management, leadership and ethics.

The Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry’s phase two report recommended the establishment of a college of fire and rescue and suggested that it should have a role in the development and maintenance of national standards. The Government has accepted in principle the recommendation to establish a college, and we plan to hold a public consultation on the college and its proposed functions later in the year. Any future college function relating to national standards would build on the work already undertaken by the FSB.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_775
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_775

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 May 2025 to Question 50511 on MHCLG: Industrial Disputes, if she will publish the correspondence with the PCS trade union on ending location neutral recruitment. \p Alex Norris: This issue is part of a live trade dispute which PCS have formally notified the department of. As such it would not be appropriate to release correspondence related to that dispute. I can confirm again however that the department has notified PCS that there are no plans to change our current approach to recruitment, as such we believe there is no reason for a dispute to exist on this issue.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_776
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_776

Rachel Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to Fire and Rescue Authorities of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations. \p Alex Norris: The Secretary of State has not made a specific estimate of the cost to fire and rescue authorities (FRAs) of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s revised Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations.

The cost of implementation is a matter for each individual fire and rescue authority or fire and rescue service to determine, as it would be for any other public sector employer. Each authority is responsible for assessing its own operational needs, resource allocation, and compliance strategies in line with its statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_777
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_777

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on taxes. \p Alex Norris: The Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor work closely together to deliver the government's plan for change. Decisions on tax policy are for the Chancellor.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_778
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_778

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of trends in the level of land banking by developers. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department does not routinely collect data from private developers on their land holdings or contracts over land.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_779
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_779

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50171 on Tony Blair, whether she has had discussions with Tony Blair on the deliverability of the  1.5 million housebuilding target. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Deputy Prime Minister joined Tony Blair for a Q&A event in December 2024 at the Tony Blair Institute. This was an informal Q&A event which did not touch on details of government policy.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_780
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_780

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's policies on location neutral recruitment on Civil Service policies in relation to levels of workplace attendance. \p Alex Norris: MHCLG will continue to actively support the Government’s Places for Growth programme and, through its recruitment policy, plans to further increase the proportion of the workforce located outside London to 50% by 2030. The Department will maintain at least one office in every English region and in each UK Nation. At the same time, the Department will maintain an office attendance policy which supports effective working and the delivery of its priorities. Recruitment and office attendance policies and approaches across the Civil Service are delegated matters for individual departments. Our recruitment approach adheres to the Civil Service recruitment principles.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_781
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_781

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps with the Fire Service college to implement a (a) national strategy and (b) protocols for local fire authorities when responding to battery storage fires. \p Alex Norris: It is the responsibility of fire and rescue authorities to ensure that firefighters receive the equipment and training they need to safely respond to incidents, and to do so considering their individual areas’ risk profiles and Community Risk Management Plans. Government works closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council to ensure that the fire and rescue sector has sufficient resource to keep the public safe.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_782
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_782

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support social landlords to gain equitable access to building safety remediation funding in (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency, (b) Hertfordshire and (c) England. \p Alex Norris: Across England, social landlords can apply to government remediation funds (Building Safety Fund and Cladding Safety Scheme). They can apply for funding equivalent to (1) the amount which the social landlord would otherwise be entitled to pass on to leaseholders; or (2) the full cost of remedial works where paying those costs would render the social landlord financially unviable.

As of 30 April 2025, government has committed £606m to support remediation of social housing through government schemes.

Social landlords face barriers to accelerating remediation, including access to upfront capital. From April 2025, we have increased funding for social landlords applying for government remediation funding so that remedial works can start sooner and we will this year announce a long-term strategy for accelerating social housing remediation.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_783
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_783

Andrew Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to consult (a) community groups and (b) local authorities on the design and implementation of the strengthened Community Right to Buy. \p Alex Norris: The Government is committed to giving communities real power to secure assets that are important to them and will introduce Community Right to Buy as part of the English Devolution Bill. We are currently finalising the policy and have consulted a range of groups including community organisations and local authorities on its design. We will continue this engagement as the powers are implemented.

The Government appreciates that securing funding to purchase community assets can be challenging and we want to ensure that community groups have the right support to do this under Community Right to Buy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_784

Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the change in the level of employers National Insurance contributions on the revenue budget of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service. \p Alex Norris: On 3 February 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement which sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue.

These allocations, which include the National Insurance Contribution Grant, will see standalone fire and rescue authorities including Shropshire receiving an increase in core spending power of £69 million in 2025/26. This is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

In 2025/26, Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority will have core spending power of £29.4 million; an increase of 2.1 per cent on 2024/25.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_785
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_785

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question HL7317 on Fire and Rescue Service and Police: Employers’ Contribution, what methodology her Department used to calculate the National Insurance mitigation funding for (a) fire and rescue authorities and (b) fire and rescue services that are part of a county council. \p Alex Norris: On 3 February 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) which sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue.

At the Settlement, MHCLG announced an additional £515 million of support for local government to manage the impact of changes to employer National Insurance Contributions announced at the Autumn Budget. This addition is now included within the final LGFS.

Of this amount, £502 million has been allocated between local authorities in England based on their shares of relevant net current expenditure on the general fund. This includes standalone fire and rescue authorities as well as fire and rescue authorities that are part of a county council.

The remaining £13 million has been allocated to mayoral combined authorities, based on an assessment of their share of overall relevant net current expenditure. This includes York and North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, where the mayor holds responsibility for fire and rescue authority functions.

Payments to local authorities will be un-ringfenced to allow for discretion over the use of funds in their area. This funding can be used to mitigate the additional costs of employer National Insurance Contributions within direct, commissioned, and externally provided local services, for example.
wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_786
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-09 conversation_786

Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many of the (a) rejected and (b) withdrawn applications to the Building Safety Regulator  under the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 were in Woking constituency since October 2023. \p Alex Norris: Building Safety Regulator officials have confirmed that there have been no building control applications for approval (regardless of application status or outcome) in any of the postcodes that make up the Woking constituency (GU18-24 and KT14-18).