theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_15

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to support people suffering with Endometriosis in Greater Manchester across regional healthcare settings. \p Karin Smyth: The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health and improving the care that those suffering from gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis, receive. We have taken urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan. In gynaecology, the plan supports innovative models offering patients care closer to home, and piloting gynaecology pathways in community diagnostic centres.

Work is ongoing across Greater Manchester to improve women’s healthcare. NHS Greater Manchester’s Gynaecology Transformation programme aims to reduce health inequalities by bringing care closer to home, improving access, and reducing fragmentation in women’s health care. This is focused on developing a general practice-led community service for some elements of gynaecology services to improve access and reduce long waits. Medical and surgical treatment of non-severe endometriosis is undertaken by gynaecologists with a special interest in locally commissioned services. Specialised gynaecological surgery for severe endometriosis is based at the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the Northern Care Alliance.

In addition to this, NHS Greater Manchester is contributing to the North East and West of England endometriosis transformation programme. This programme is addressing long waits for patients with severe endometriosis and improving patient pathways, from presentation in general practice through to management in secondary care.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_16

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to improve access to the NHS for transgender adults. \p Karin Smyth: The Government wants all patients, including transgender adults, to feel safe and confident in accessing National Health Service health services. This is part of our mission to ensure that the NHS is there for everyone when they need it, providing equal access to health care which promotes choice and inclusivity.

Transgender adults may seek access to NHS gender services specifically and these should be available when needed. NHS England has increased the number of adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics in England from seven to 12. The rollout of these new clinics is helping to tackle long waiting times, which had increased due to a shortage of specialist clinical staff to meet the rapidly rising demand.

NHS England is currently undertaking a review of adult gender services, chaired by Dr David Levy. The review will examine the model of care and operating procedures of each service, and will carefully consider experiences, feedback, and outcomes from clinicians and patients, with the aim of producing an updated service specification.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_17

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 27757 on Department of Health and Social Care: Public Relations, what the purpose of the contract with Mullen Lowe was; which programmes were funded; whether there were key performance indicators; and if he will place a redacted copy of the contract in the House of Commons Library. \p Karin Smyth: Mullen Lowe holds a contract with the Department for a range of marketing services to support the delivery of campaigns. This includes advertising, creative and production, digital partnerships, and public relations services, among others. In the current financial year, this has included delivery of smoking cessation, adult social care recruitment, vaccinations, and early years campaigns.

Service level agreements and performance monitoring arrangements are detailed in the contract in pages 82 to 87. Regular performance review meetings are held with Mullen Lowe. A redacted version of the contract is stored on the publicly available contract finder and is available at the following link:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/3a9662e5-85bd-40b9-83fb-e5a6615d7a05?origin=SearchResults&p=1
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_18

Claire Hughes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with counterparts in the Welsh Government on making baby loss certificates available in Wales. \p Karin Smyth: Healthcare in Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Government. The Department is in discussions with our Welsh counterparts regarding the possibility of extending the Baby Loss Certificate service to Wales.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_19

Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the proposals of the East Midlands fertility policy review on the number of IVF cycles set out in that review. \p Karin Smyth: No assessment has been made of the East Midlands fertility policy review, at a national level. It is for local integrated care boards to decide on local health policies for their population, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence fertility guidelines.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_20

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to reduce instances of infant deaths in (a) Romford constituency and (b) England. \p Karin Smyth: The Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), within the Department, has looked in detail at the drivers of infant mortality. Most infant deaths occur in the first four weeks of life. The leading causes of death are prematurity and congenital abnormalities, and a large proportion of these deaths are preventable. This work has been used to drive work through regional teams working with integrated care systems and local authorities to target specific interventions.

In London, the OHID regional team has developed, with partners, an infant mortality reduction action plan, setting out 10 recommendations, based on the best available data and evidence. The OHID London is working with all London local authorities and the National Health Service to implement the action plan, including working with Havering and Romford. Learning from infant deaths is being shared across London to identify opportunities to avoid future infant deaths and address potentially modifiable causes wherever possible.

The local authority, the acute hospital trust, primary care, and the integrated commissioning board are coordinating efforts in Romford and Havering to reduce infant mortality, working in partnership with the OHID London, NHS England, and the Greater London Authority.

The Department continues to work across directorates, and with NHS England and other Government departments to maximise opportunities to improve pre-conception health and the wider building blocks of health that contribute to infant deaths.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_21

Steve Barclay:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many individual cases of overseas visitors' debt have been written off by NHS Trusts in respect of maternity care in the last 12 months; and if he will make an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of this. \p Karin Smyth: This information is not held in the format requested. The consolidated National Health Service provider accounts for 2023/24 were published by NHS England, and recorded £44 million as written-off from overseas visitors.

The information requested regarding written-off debt for maternity care is not held centrally, and there are no current plans to make an estimate. The consolidated NHS provider accounts for 2023/24 are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consolidated-nhs-provider-accounts-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_22

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many referrals for masculinising chest surgery there were from the NHS Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service in each year for which data is available since 1997. \p Karin Smyth: Referrals for masculinising chest surgery are made by the specialist clinical teams in the NHS Gender Dysphoria Clinics, not by the NHS Gender Dysphoria National Referral Support Service (GDNRSS). The non-clinical role of the GDNRSS is to process the referrals on behalf of the providers.

The GDNRSS was established in 2020. Between 1 April 2020 and 31 December 2024, the GDNRSS received 5,463 requests for masculinising chest surgery.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_23

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a table of the number of (a) doctors, (b) registered nurses and (c) medical scientists were employed as locums in each (i) month and (ii) year since 2021 and what the total cost was for each group in each of those (A) months and (B) years. \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold the information requested. NHS England publishes quarterly information on total agency and bank expenditure by National Health Service providers as part of financial reporting, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/financial-performance-reports

The 2025/26 NHS Planning Guidance states that trusts should reduce their agency spend by a minimum of 30% and bank spend by a minimum of 10%. The accompanying Revenue Finance and Contracting Guidance sets the ambition that agency spend should be eliminated in the coming years.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_24

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of cases of (a) avoidable skin infections, (b) pressure ulcers and (c) urinary tract infections that were (i) caused or (ii) aggravated by using continence products that are not clinically appropriate in the last 12 months; and how much the annual cost was to (A) NHS England and (B) social care as a result of (1) additional treatments being required, (2) laundry and other associated costs, including energy and (3) associated staff time. \p Karin Smyth: Neither the Department nor NHS England hold this information, although this type of data may be recorded and monitored at an individual trust level. Whilst trusts will report the incidence of associated adverse outcomes, such as pressure ulcers, it is unlikely that the cause will be correlated to the product used.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_25

Dr Lauren Sullivan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on regulating sports therapists. \p Karin Smyth: The Government has no current plans to extend statutory regulation to sports therapists. The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) operates a voluntary registers programme, which provides a proportionate means of assurance for unregulated professions, that sits between employer controls and statutory regulation by setting standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for unregulated health and social care occupations. There are currently two voluntary registers for organisations relating to sports therapy accredited by the PSA.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_26

Edward Argar:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) improve access to and (b) reduce waiting lists for the UK's 9 independent NHS pelvic mesh centres. \p Karin Smyth: There are nine specialist mesh centres across England, ensuring that women in every region with complications of mesh inserted for urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse get the right support. Each mesh centre is led by a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients get access to the specialist care and treatment that they need, including pain management and psychological support. NHS England publishes data on referral to treatment waiting times. This is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/rtt-waiting-times/

The Department does not have information on the average waiting times specifically for mesh centres.

Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission, and we are taking steps to return to the 18-week standard. The Elective Reform Plan sets out how the National Health Service will reform elective care services and meet the 18-week referral to treatment standard by March 2029.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_27

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of NHS staff pay increases on the (a) availability and (b) quality of patient services. \p Karin Smyth: The Government values the expertise of the independent Pay Review Bodies (PRBs) who, as part of their Terms of Reference, make pay recommendations based on a range of factors, including recruitment, retention, motivation, morale, and the Government's affordability figure. National Health Service pay is a decision for the Government, and ministers consider the PRB’s recommendations carefully. In 2024/25, the Government accepted the recommendations in full.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_28

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much was spent on (a) translation and (b) interpretation on the 111 NHS contact number in 2024. \p Karin Smyth: The NHS 111 service is nationally specified and locally commissioned. Each NHS 111 provider is responsible for procuring language interpretation services. The only centrally procured interpreting service is British Sign Language, as this is a seperate video relay channel not linked to the NHS 111 voice number

NHS England does not hold information relating to the cost of locally procured language interpretation services.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_29

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2025 to Question 26430 on NHS England: Staff, how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by NHS East of England Headquarters in (a) 2021, (b) 2022, (c) 2023 and (d) 2024; and what was the total salary for those employees in each of those years. \p Karin Smyth: The following table shows the number of budgeted full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, specifically the number of budgeted posts rather than the number of staff currently employed, and the pay budget for NHS England East of England, each year from 2021/22 to 2024/25:

Year

Budgeted FTE staff

Pay budget

2024/25

637

£58,855,000

2023/24

578.24

£45,045,000

2022/23

731.31

£47,412,000

2021/22

599.99

£39,366,000

Note: data for 2024/25 is as of the tenth month.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_30

Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the total amount of research funding spent on lobular breast cancer research was in 2022- 2023. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care 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.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_31

Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many bilateral mastectomies for gender dysphoria funded by the NHS were performed on patients (a) over 18 years old, (b) under 18 years old and (c) in total in each of the last five years. \p Karin Smyth: The Department of Health and Social Care 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.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_32

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase day care outpatient provision for the treatment of (a) children, (b) young people and (c) adults with eating disorders. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care 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.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_33

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for (a) GP referral for assessment, (b) assessment and (c) treatment for patients with eating disorders. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care 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.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_34

Alison Griffiths:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to provide an Answer to Question 26782 tabled by the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton on 27 January 2025. \p Sarah Jones: I refer the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton to the answer I gave on the 24th of February, UIN 26782.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_35

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has commissioned a cost-benefit analysis on providing additional support to prevent the closure of key strategic steel plants. \p Sarah Jones: Our commitment to the steel industry remains unwavering. On Sunday 16 February we published a consultation on our Plan for Steel. Along with work already ongoing across Government, this will provide a clear evidence base on the needs of the steel sector and its customers. This work will ensure the best use of our funding commitment of up to £2.5bn to deliver change and unlock private investment, ensuring a bright and sustainable future for UK steelmaking.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_36

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with Stellantis on the closure of their Luton plant. \p Sarah Jones: Ministers have engaged closely with Stellantis on the future of its operations in the UK, with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade most recently meeting the Chair of the Stellantis board on 1 February to discuss how the Luton plant could be kept open as well as ensuring appropriate support for affected workers should a closure proceed.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_37

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Royal Mail on recent service disruptions in the SW17 postcode. \p Justin Madders: Ofcom is the independent regulator of postal services, and the Government does not collect or hold information concerning service issues in specific areas.

However, Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. In November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe, and stressed the importance of a reliable postal service.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_38

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the bedroom tax on the number of incidences of exploitation by criminals taking over the homes of vulnerable people. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No such assessment is planned.

Taking over of a person’s home for use by criminals, also known as ‘cuckooing’, is an appalling practice which can drive violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour in our communities. The Government’s Safer Streets Mission aims to tackle this issue.

The Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS) policy, sometimes known as the bedroom tax, was introduced in 2013 for working age Housing Benefit or Universal Credit claimants where the claimant is living in the social rented sector in a property that is considered to have more bedrooms than their bedroom entitlement.

Those unable to meet a rental shortfall arising from this policy, can seek a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from their local authority. DHPs can be paid to those in receipt of qualifying housing support who face a shortfall in meeting their rental housing costs.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_39

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 5385 on Pension Credit, what recent steps she has taken to ensure that funding for additional staffing is reducing pension credit application processing times. \p Torsten Bell: As referenced in previous responses HL4289 and Question 5385, DWP works to a planned timescale of 50 working days to clear Pension Credit claims.

The funding was the first stage followed by securing staffing resource, training those people and enabling learning consolidation to process Pension Credit claims. As a result the Department has deployed over 500 additional people to ensure it has the capacity to assess all claims in reasonable timescales.

Since this action, the latest Average Actual Clearance Time is now down to 56 working days in week commencing 3 February 2025 after a peak of 87 working days week commencing 9 December 2024. However, Pension Credit is a complex benefit, and some claims require additional investigation or information from the customer, which can result in longer processing times.

Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, up to 17 November 2024.Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK The latest publication is due on 27th February 2025 and will cover data up to week commencing 17th February 2025.

Please note, the Average Actual Clearance Time figures shown is unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal departmental use and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. It is rounded to the nearest working day and based on the week the claim was cleared, rather than the week the claim was made.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_40

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23517, on Crime: Westminster Bridge, what steps her Department is taking to tackle unlawful street vendors on Westminster Bridge; and if she will initiate discussions with the relevant responsible authority. \p Alex Norris: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 9942 on 22 November 2024.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_41

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of giving people who have missed a single council tax payment more than seven days to pay before the remaining annual sum is made due in full. \p Jim McMahon: Local councils are responsible for the collection and enforcement of council tax and have powers to agree alternative payment plans at any point in the collection process. The government’s guidance on council tax collection makes clear that councils are expected to be sympathetic to those in financial hardship and willing to negotiate payments at any point in the process. The government keeps all council tax policies under review.

The government will publish a consultation in 2025 to consider options to improve council tax billing and wider council tax administration changes to support taxpayers.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_42

Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the level of reasonable costs that local authorities can recover when issuing a liability order for council tax arrears. \p Jim McMahon: Councils are responsible for the collection and enforcement of council tax, and it is for them to assess the reasonable costs incurred in issuing a liability order. This is an important matter which the government continues to keep under review. The government will publish a consultation in 2025 to consider options to improve council tax billing and wider council tax administration changes to support taxpayers.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_43

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of the construction of housing developments on infrastructure in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 26106 on 5 February 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_44

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 24422 on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if she will publish the correspondence between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and her Department on the notification of the Chinese Embassy planning application. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 23149 on 27 January 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_45
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_45

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether it is her Department's target to build 1.5 million houses by July 2029. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government’s Plan for Change includes an ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament. Progress will be measured through the number of net additional dwellings, and we will continue to update Parliament in the usual manner.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_46

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the use of Special Development Orders. \p Matthew Pennycook: Special Development Orders are a long-established part of the planning system. Each case is considered on its individual merits. The government has no plans to change this arrangement.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_47
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_47

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average Band D council tax is for England (a) excluding and (b) including parish precepts in 2025-26. \p Jim McMahon: Council tax levels are decided by local authorities, taking account of their local circumstances. The Government will publish data on the council tax levels set by all authorities and the average Band D bill for 2025-26, in England, in March. The Government maintains a referendum threshold so that voters can have the final say over excessive increases.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_48
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_48

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the empty homes council tax premium on the number of dwellings categorised by local authorities as being empty. \p Jim McMahon: Councils have the discretionary power to charge a council tax premium of up to 100% on homes left empty for one or more years, a change from the prior two years. It is for councils to decide whether to introduce the empty homes premium, and at what level, based on local circumstances. I have included a table showing the change in the number of dwellings classed as empty homes in the last five years (excluding those which are exempt). This is taken from the 2024 council taxbase data.

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Total number of dwellings classed as empty

479,336

468,070

478,928

480,845

502,263

Number of dwellings classed as empty charged a premium

69,201

71,630

72,341

75,803

119,606
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_49

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23355 on Housing: Windows, what the (a) local exceptions and (b) other consents are that require a planning application to replace single glazed windows. \p Matthew Pennycook: Replacement windows usually benefit from permitted development rights and a planning application is therefore not required.

However, local planning authorities have planning powers to make an ‘Article 4 direction’ to remove a permitted development right where they consider doing so to be appropriate.

Replacement windows in listed buildings may require listed building consent if they affect the special historic or architectural interest of the building.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_50
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_50

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 23867 on Local Government Finance, what core spending power excluding council tax was in each local authority in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26. \p Jim McMahon: Core Spending Power measures the core revenue funding available for local authority services through the local government finance settlement. Core Spending Power has been the government’s chosen measure of resources because it gives a consistent measure of resources available to any local authority across revenue grant funding made available through the settlement, locally retained business rates and council tax. The new government has continued this approach.

Further information about each local authority’s core spending power can be accessed using the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/key-information-table-for-local-authorities-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026 and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/core-spending-power-table-final-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_51
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_51

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has she made of the debt-sharing arrangements for the proposed unitary authorities in Surrey. \p Jim McMahon: On 5 February I wrote to leaders of all councils in Surrey to formally invite proposals for reorganisation. It is for the councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area. I have asked councils in Surrey to submit any proposal to Government by 9 May 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_52
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_52

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason she increased council tax referendum thresholds. \p Jim McMahon: The government has confirmed it will maintain the previous government’s policy of a 3% core council tax principle and the 2% principle for the adult social care precept, in line with OBR forecast.

In a limited number of cases the government has set bespoke referendum principles following requests for councils. These requests have been considered on a case-by-case basis. We have not agreed to all requests and no request has been agreed to in its entirety to reduce the impact on taxpayers.

The ability to request additional increases already existed, but this government is being stricter to protect taxpayers from excessive rises. At its highest, the previous government allowed a council tax rise of 15% – this year no council will see an increase of higher than 10%, with five of the six councils seeing a lower increase.

The government has agreed to provide these flexibilities, but it remains the responsibility of individual authorities to decide the level at which they set their council tax. We have been clear to all councils that they should take whatever steps locally they consider will help to protect the most vulnerable residents from the impact of any additional increase.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_53

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England published on 18 December 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her proposals on standards in local government on free speech. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 30628 on 19 February 2025, which noted that the results of the ongoing consultation on a range of proposals to strengthen the local government standards regime will help to inform any policy or legislative change.

The Government will take into account the full range of views and considerations raised by consultation respondents, including local authorities, council members and officers, sector representative bodies, and members of the public, when developing and finalising its proposals for local government standards reform.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_54

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2024 to Question 25392 on Local Government: Devolution, whether her Department plans to undertake a Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to its proposals on local government reorganisation. \p Jim McMahon: The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens; proposals should show how new structures will improve local government and service delivery and should avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services.

Following submission, I will consider any and all proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_55

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether (a) combined authorities and (b) combined county authorities will have different (i) funding and (ii) powers. \p Jim McMahon: We will create in law the concept of a Strategic Authority, with three levels. Foundation Strategic Authorities, Mayoral Strategic Authorities and Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities. A Strategic Authority will typically be a combined authority, combined county authority or, in London, the Greater London Authority. The powers and funding areas receive will depend on which level of Strategic Authority it is, not whether it is a combined authority or a combined county authority.

Local authorities, including combined authorities, are responsible for their own borrowing and investment decisions but must do so within the framework of legislation and guidance designed to support borrowing that is prudent, affordable and sustainable. The government has responsibility for the framework and uses information and data from a range of sources to monitor sector behaviour, including levels of borrowing and debt, to determine if changes to the framework are needed to better constrain risk. Where excessive risk from borrowing practices is identified in an individual authority, the government will take direct action if necessary.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_56

Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of starting a national roll out of Housing First. \p Rushanara Ali: The Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant is a consolidated rough sleeping fund aimed at tackling rough sleeping and is providing a total of £185.6 million to local authorities across England in 2025-26. Local authorities have the flexibility to choose to continue provision of their Housing First or Housing Led services through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant allocations.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to develop a strategy to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This work includes taking into account what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_57

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) Russian and (b) Chinese citizens on the Scottish electoral register but not on the UK Parliamentary register are able to donate to UK (a) politicians and (b) political parties. \p Rushanara Ali: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the Question UIN 25690 on 30 January 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_58

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) prevent and (b) protect victims of title fraud. \p Matthew Pennycook: HM Land Registry (HMLR) takes the issue of fraud extremely seriously and is always looking for ways to minimise the risk of property title fraud and to maintain the integrity of the land register. HMLR has a range of controls and processes in place that can highlight fraudulent activity.

HMLR’s specialist counter fraud teams focus on detection and prevention of fraud, working with the Cabinet Office, the Public Sector Fraud Authority and other government departments to stay ahead of new and emerging threats, sharing and implementing best practice. HMLR collaborates with law enforcement and regulators to assist with any investigations into property related fraud, safeguarding public trust and the integrity of the land register. HMLR is working with conveyancers to encourage them to use digital cryptographic ID checking as part of their professional responsibilities.

The Land Registration Act 2002 places a legal liability on HMLR to indemnify for losses resulting from errors or omissions in the register of title. This includes errors resulting from frauds perpetrated by third parties.

HMLR encourages all homeowners to sign up to alerts via their free, award-winning Property Alert service. Information about this can be found on gov.uk here.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_59

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 23792 on Social Rented Housing: Construction, and with reference to page 45, note 4, of the National Audit Office report entitled The Affordable Homes Programme since 2015, what the average grant funding was per social rent home by region, under the Affordable Homes Programme 2021–2026 strategic bidding round, which occurred in 2021. \p Matthew Pennycook: Allocations data for 2016-2023 and 2021-2026 published by Homes England can be found on gov.uk here.

The Greater London Authority (GLA) publish all approvals for grant under the affordable housing programmes in their delegated approvals log on the GLA website. The latest quarterly published figures are available on gov.uk here.

In awarding contracts under the programme Homes England and the GLA assess the need for grant on a site-by-site basis. In agreeing how much grant a project requires they will take into account the costs for building out the site with how much grant is needed to make that project viable, and the overall value for money for the programme. The most recent publication, with data reflecting grant allocations by tenure and region, to the end of March 2023, can be found on gov.uk here.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_60

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 January 2024 to Question 24506, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, what guidance (a) her Department and (b) the Planning Inspectorate has issued to planning inspectors on deciding how much weight to give to representations that are believed have been submitted as a result of foreign interference. \p Matthew Pennycook: Section 1.8 of the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Called-in planning applications: procedural guide’ explains the role of the Inspector at the inquiry and what they will take into account.

The weight to be given to any representation received is a matter for Inspectors based on the specific circumstances of the case, and the information and evidence before them, which includes written representations and those representations given verbally at an event.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_61

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on (a) homelessness charities and (b) homelessness service provision contracted from councils. \p Rushanara Ali: Due to the difficult economic inheritance from the previous government, we had to take a number of difficult decisions on tax, welfare and spending to fix the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability. The Government has considered the implications of this policy change, and the impacts were published in the usual way as part of the Autumn Budget process. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year, making a total spend of almost £1 billion in 2025/26.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_62

Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment has she made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of the support available to veterans affected by homelessness. \p Rushanara Ali: Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. We must address this and deliver long term solutions. The Government is looking at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness, including veteran homelessness.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233m compared to this year (2024/25). This brings total spend to nearly a billion pounds in 2025/26.

We have made changes to social housing allocations regulations to exempt all veterans from local connection and residency tests to facilitate their access to social housing. The regulations came into force on 18 December 2024.

The Government has also committed a further £3.5 million to the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme from March 2025, including Op FORTITUDE, the homelessness pathway for homeless veterans, including those rough sleeping.
wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-25 conversation_63

Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Housing Ombudsman Service's report Special Report on GreenSquareAccord, published in October 2024, what discussions she has had with the Housing Ombudsman Service on GreenSquareAccord. \p Matthew Pennycook: As has been the case under successive administrations, government does not normally disclose details of internal discussions.