theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_225
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_225

Wendy Chamberlain:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress she has made on simplifying the Pension Credit application form (a) in paper and (b) online. \p Torsten Bell: As the Department continues to modernise the Pension Credit service, we review the user experience, balancing simplification of application with capturing the right information to ensure accuracy of award. A key objective of DWP’s Service Modernisation Programme is to utilise end user research to understand how the application process should operate in the future and consider the opportunities on how services can be more user friendly and easily accessible for citizens. To that end we are streamlining all Pension Credit application routes by using information held internally to reduce the number of questions the citizen must answer.

Claims for Pension Credit can be made online, by telephone or by post. By far, the most popular way to claim is online where a claim can be made 24/7 with the help of a family member, a friend or a third party. Via the online service, the maximum number of questions a person needs to answer is 48; for some customers it can be as few as 35 questions. As a result, the online claim form now takes just 16 minutes on average to complete, with 90 per cent of new customers applying using the simple online form, or over the phone.

With the telephone service, the caller will be guided through the claim process. We will keep the Pension Credit application process under review.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_226
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_226

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking with (a) charities and (b) other organisations with expertise in domestic abuse to embed trauma-informed principles into the operation of the Child Maintenance Service. \p Andrew Western: I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 6 March to PQ 33879.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_227
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_227

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of using the Child Maintenance Service on the (a) mental health and wellbeing of its users and (b) relationships between separated parents when inaccurate awards are made and not amended. \p Andrew Western: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring it delivers a safe service which is sensitive to the needs of all customers that use it.

We recognise that some customers may face difficult circumstances particularly at a time of separation and the need to handle customer cases sensitively and accurately, particularly around calculations.

We introduced a Customer Experience Strategy and an Implementation Plan which aims to fully equip caseworkers with the tools, skills and support required to deliver service excellence. We are well prepared to respond quickly and effectively if we become aware that the mental health and wellbeing of any customer is at risk. Caseworkers have received extensive training and follow a well-managed process with clear steps, support tools and procedures to support vulnerable parents experiencing financial or emotional crisis. This includes the National District Provision Toolkit and Affordability Hub which provides invaluable information to allow caseworkers to signpost to national and local support organisations for debt help and mental health assistance across the UK.

To ensure calculations are accurate the department continues to build on its already proportionate and cost-effective controls, such as:

Where a single accidental error relating to the maintenance calculation is made, a challenge can be raised by a parent or their representative within time, and corrections can be applied by a caseworker without the need for a mandatory reconsideration (MR).

We have introduced a robust 3 Tier Quality Framework to rigorously monitor accuracy as part of our service ambition to further reduce error and increase our accuracy levels. The National Audit Office set a target of monetary value errors under 1%. CMS accuracy consistently meets this, remaining above 99% accuracy.

The government has also committed to reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose and reflects today’s trends. Any changes will be subject to extensive consultation and legislation brought forward where necessary for approval.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_228
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_228

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average non-salary recruitment cost is for a civil servant in her Department at Executive Officer grade. \p Andrew Western: The Average non salary recruitment cost for a civil servant at Executive Officer grade is £1,202.60.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_229
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_229

Kirsty Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which jobcentres in Scotland have seen work coach staffing numbers reduced (a) since 2018-19 and (b) in the year for which the most recent data is available. \p Alison McGovern: Work Coach staffing numbers for 2018-19 are unavailable. We have therefore compared Work Coach staffing numbers between March 2020 and the latest position (February 2025).

The following Jobcentres in Scotland have seen reductions in Work Coach levels between the two periods of March 2020 and February 2025:

Airdrie Stirling Street

Forfar Service Road

Forres Tytler Street

Fraserburgh South Harbour Road

Glasgow Radnor House

Greenock Dalrymple Street

Leven Waggon Road

Paisley High Street

The following Jobcentres in Scotland have seen reductions in Work Coach levels between the two periods of March 2024 and February 2025:

Annan Murray Street

Ayr Wallacetoun House

Dumfries Irish Street

Forfar Service Road

Fraserburgh South Harbour Road

Glasgow Radnor House

Leven Waggon Road

Paisley High Street
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_230
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_230

Natalie Fleet:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who are claiming PIP and who reside in the Bolsover constituency are (a) in work and (b) not in work. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The information requested is not readily available.

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_231
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_231

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's Green Paper entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, published on 18 March 2025, whether disabled people aged between 19 and 22 years in receipt of Universal Credit whose condition is (a) severe and (b) terminal will be required to seek employment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: In Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper we are consulting on raising the age someone can access the UC Health Element to 22, which would remove any potential disincentive to work during this time. It would also be on the basis that resources may be better spent on improving the quality and range of opportunities available to young people through the guarantee, so they can move towards a life of learning, training or work rather than a life on benefits. However, we do understand that there may be some exceptions where this may not be possible due to a disability or health condition.

No final decision has been made on access to the UC health element and we welcome responses to the consultation.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_232
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_232

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to winter fuel payment eligibility on pensioners who are (a) disabled, (b) renting and (c) on low to modest incomes. \p Torsten Bell: The Secretary of State considered the impact of the Winter Fuel Payment changes on pensioners with protected characteristics as part of her duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty. This included the impact on those with disabilities.

Details of the Equality Analysis can be found at: Responses to Freedom of Information requests on Equality Impact Assessments produced for targeting Winter Fuel Payment - GOV.UK

Disability benefits provide a tax free, non-income-related contribution towards the extra costs people with a long-term health condition or disability can face, such as additional heating costs. They are paid in addition to any other benefits received.

The Government also offers direct financial help to low-income pensioners through Pension Credit, the Warm Home Discount, and (in England & Wales) Cold Weather Payments.

Pension Credit provides a safety net for low-income pensioners by guaranteeing a minimum level of income and also passports them to receive other benefits (including Winter Fuel Payments, help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75).

The Government is taking significant steps to raise awareness and maximise the take-up of Pension Credit.   DWP has received 235,000 Pension Credit applications in the 30 weeks since the Winter Fuel Payment announcement and made 117,800 new Pension Credit awards over the same period.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_233
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_233

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the recently proposed welfare reforms on veterans. \p Sir Stephen Timms: In our recent Pathways to Work Green Paper, published on the 18 March 2025, we announced a broad package of reforms to the health and disability benefit and support system. No changes are proposed to Armed Forces Independence Payments which provide support to some of the most severely disabled veterans.

For those who receive PIP and are affected by the eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. We also intend to launch a wider review of the PIP assessment, and we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.

As we develop proposals further, we will consider the impacts of changes as part of our wider consideration of responses to the Green Paper consultation. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, such as the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, and many others, to respond to the consultation setting out their thoughts and views on how wounded, injured and sick veterans can best be supported.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_234
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_234

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reforms to the personal independence payment on children living in families in receipt of that benefit. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The publication ‘Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms – Impacts’ provides some information on the numbers affected by the proposed changes to the disability benefits system.

In particular, table B2 on page 12 shows the estimated impact of the benefit change alone on the proportion of children living in poverty.

More information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published shortly. A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_235
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_235

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that people that are unable to work due to (a) long-term illness, (b) disability and (c) other circumstances are adequately supported following her planned reforms to the welfare system. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The social security system will always be there for those who can’t work. As part of making changes to the payment rates in Universal Credit, we will ensure that those with the most severe, lifelong conditions who will never be able to work have their incomes protected.

Twinned with this, as we set out in the Pathways to Work, our ambition is to guarantee personalised employment support to anyone claiming out of work benefits (UC and contributory) with a health condition or disability who wants to work but is currently outside the labour market. We propose that this guarantee will have a particular focus on early support, by offering everyone who claims out of work benefits and has a work-limiting health condition or disability, or who has recently been in receipt of PIP, with a support conversation. The support conversation will help identify the best next steps, including a range of personalised and more intensive support for anyone who wants it. We want our offer to be flexible, personalised and built on the evidence.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_236
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_236

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reforms to the personal independence payment on the NHS. \p Sir Stephen Timms: As part of the mission led government, regular cross government collaboration takes place at both Ministerial and official level. DWP will work across Government, including with the Department for Health and Social Care, to address any impacts caused by reforms made to the Social Security system.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_237
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_237

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an estimate of the proportion of Personal Independence Payment recipients who would remain eligible for support under the proposed changes to the disability benefits system. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The publication ‘Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms – Impacts’ provides some information on the numbers affected by the proposed changes to the disability benefits system.

In particular, table A3 on page 8 shows the estimated impacts of the proposed changes on the working age Personal Independence Payment and Daily Living Allowance caseload, and table A4 on page 9 shows the volume of people in receipt of PIP estimated to be affected by the change, divided into the pre-implementation caseload, and people claiming from November 2026 onwards.

More information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course. A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_238
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_238

Patricia Ferguson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken for Access to Work applications to be allocated to a case manager; and what steps she is taking to help reduce this waiting time. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We are committed to reducing waiting times for Access to Work and are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims and applications from customers who are about to start a job or who are renewing are prioritised.

The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to get Britain Working’ Green Paper was published on 18 March. Alongside the Access to Work reform proposals introduced in the Green Paper, we are considering further options to reduce the waiting time for customers
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_239
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_239

Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's proposed welfare reforms on levels of economic inactivity. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No estimate has yet been made.

As announced in the Green Paper, we will build towards a guarantee of personalised employment, health and skills support for anyone on out of work benefits with a work-limiting health condition or disability who wants it. Catalysed by an additional £1 billion a year by 2029/2030, this will improve returns to work and prevent economic inactivity, as part of rebalancing spending towards work over welfare.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

As stated in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, OBR plan to work with the Treasury and DWP to further scrutinise both the direct and indirect effects of these welfare and employment support policies ahead of their next forecast, alongside the effects of any further measures from the Green Paper that have been sufficiently developed.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_240
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_240

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed reductions in the welfare budget on local government services. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No assessment has been made.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_241
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_241

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing carers to keep Carer’s Allowance if they are providing over 35 hours of care to someone who has eligible health needs but who no longer qualifies for the Personal Independence Payment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We have committed to introduce a new requirement that, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria, claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. Our intention is that – subject to parliamentary approval – the changes will apply to new claims and award reviews from November 2026.

This government is committed to supporting carers, who do one of the most valuable jobs in society, unpaid. As the Green Paper sets out, we will consider the impacts on benefits for unpaid carers as part of our wider considerations of responses to the consultation as we develop our detailed proposals for change. We are also consulting on how best to support those who lose entitlement to Personal Independence Payment due to the reforms, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_242
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_242

Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support pensioners in receipt of Local Housing Allowance who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for tenants (including pensioners) in the private rented sector. LHA rates are not intended to cover all rents in all areas.

The increase to LHA rates in April 2024 cost an additional £1.2bn in 2024/25, and approximately £7bn over 5 years.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities to those entitled to Housing Benefit who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.

As a downpayment on poverty we are investing £1bn in funding for both the Household Support Fund (HSF) and DHPs (including Barnett impacts) for 2025/26 and will be ensuring DHP funding is maintained at current levels.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_243
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_243

Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the correspondence from the First Minister of Wales to her on the impact of welfare reforms in Wales, dated 11 March 2025, if she will publish her Department's reply to that letter. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Secretary of State responded to the First Minister of Wales on March 28. Her published response can be found here: Secretary of State letter to the First Minister of Wales - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_244
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_244

Natalie Fleet:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who reside in Bolsover and claim the health element of Universal Credit are (a) in work and (b) not in work. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The table below shows the number of claimants in the Bolsover Parliamentary Constituency with a live Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work and Work-related Activity (LCWRA) award and the percentage of these claimants who are recorded as in work.

Claimant in Work

Number of claimants

Percentage

Yes

260

8%

No

3,060

92%

Total

3,320

100%

Source: DWP UC Computer System

The table below shows the number of claimants in the Bolsover Local Authority area with a live Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work and Work-related Activity (LCWRA) award and the percentage of these claimants who are recorded as in work.

Claimant in Work

Number of claimants

Percentage

Yes

200

8%

No

2,450

92%

Total

2,650

100%

Source: DWP UC Computer System

Notes:
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_245
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_245

Ann Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's Green Paper entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, published on 18 March 2025, and report entitled Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Impacts, published on 26 March 2025, when she plans to publish an impact assessment of the effect of welfare reforms in Wales. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Information on the impacts of the “Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper” will be published in due course, with some information already published alongside the Spring Statement.

Future publications will include some information on people in Wales affected. A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_246
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_246

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's Green Paper entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, published on 18 March 2025, how many people in Stroud will no longer be eligible for Personal Independence Payment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No estimate has yet been made.

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_247
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_247

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many pricing reviews of contracts managed by his Department the Crown Commercial Service has undertaken due to changes to employer’s National Insurance contributions in April 2025; and if he will make an estimate of the number of pricing reviews that will be required for this reason. \p Georgia Gould: Most Crown Commercial Service (CCS) commercial agreements use the public sector contract which does not permit increases in the framework rates for employer national insurance contributions as these are classed as General Change in Law. Where the framework contract allows for framework rates to be reviewed, any request by a supplier to do so would be considered by CCS on a case-by-case basis.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_248
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_248

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any Cabinet Ministers have donated a book to the Prime Minister's Library since 5 July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: No donations have been made to the Prime Minister's Library since 5 July 2024.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_249
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_249

Joe Robertson:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many public contracts awarded by his Department have been subject to investigations for (a) fraud and (b) corruption since 5 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: The Government takes any allegations of fraud and corruption very seriously. 5 contracts have been referred to the Cabinet Office Assurance, Compliance and Counter Fraud Team for consideration of allegations of fraud or corruption.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_250

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when 10 Downing Street cleaners are due to strike; and whether temporary cover will be organised for the Prime Minister’s (a) offices and (b) residence during the strike action. \p Georgia Gould: The PCS trade union is in dispute with ISS and G4S. As is longstanding practice, the Government does not provide an ongoing commentary on industrial disputes.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_251

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 23884 on 10 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, if he will publish the Freedom of Information Act response with reference FOI2025/01530. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: A copy of the response to FOI2025/01530 will be deposited in the House Library. The media suite is in a listed part of 9 Downing Street.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_252
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_252

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance has been issued to civil servants on how Diversity and Inclusion considerations should be embedded in all decision-making and delivery. \p Georgia Gould: The Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy provides a framework for departments about how Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) should be embedded in the Civil Service.

The EDI Expenditure Guidance and the Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion and Impartiality for Civil Servants also provide guidance on specific aspects of EDI. None of this guidance has changed since the General Election.

Departmental EDI guidance for individual civil servants will be held in departments.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_253
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_253

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 22202 on Foreign Investment in the UK: National Security, how many transactions have related to China since 5 July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Government publishes an annual report on the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021, with information about the transactions that it has been notified about and those it subsequently called in for a full national security assessment.

The reports include, amongst other things, the percentage of accepted notifications, call-in notices issued, final notifications issued and the number of withdrawals from a called in acquisition and final orders issued by origin of investment.

The NSI Annual Report 2023-24 was published on 10 September 2024. In this period 3% of accepted notifications involved acquirers associated with China. The period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 will be covered in the next annual report, which will be published later this year.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_254

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 1260 on External by Default Recruitment, what criteria were applied to determine whether a role was urgent or critical during the pre-election period. \p Georgia Gould: The guidance regarding recruitment of Senior Civil Servants during the pre-election period was published on the gov.uk website here.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_255
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_255

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 1260 on External by Default Recruitment, how many urgent exemptions to external by default recruitment were granted during the pre-election period. \p Georgia Gould: Details of exemptions to External by Default recruitment are not held centrally.

It is the responsibility of all Ministerial departments, Non-Ministerial departments, Executive Agencies and Crown Non-Departmental Public Bodies to hold their own recruitment records including those relating to exemptions to External by Default.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_256
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_256

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Procurement Policy Note 002: Social Value Model, published in February 2025, what estimate he has made of the regulatory cost to the public sector of such contract compliance requirements of the new measures on trade unions and fair work. \p Georgia Gould: Central government uses the same tool for assessing social value that has been used since 2021, where central government buyers select evaluation criteria from the options available in the social value model.

We have made updates to the social value model, to streamline it, align it with the government’s missions and ensure suppliers’ commitments are targeted to need. Any new criteria in the social value model must only be used where they are proportionate and relevant to the contract to prevent creating burdens.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_257
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_257

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 37807 on Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and House of Lords Appointments Commission, what the existing Memorandum of Understanding or equivalent document is between Cabinet Office and HOLAC. \p Georgia Gould: There is no existing Memorandum of Understanding between HOLAC and the Cabinet Office. As with all independent advisory bodies, the Government keeps its arrangements with HOLAC under review. HOLAC has published on its website its Code of Practice and other information detailing the way in which it carries out its advisory role.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_258
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_258

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question HL5388 on Government Departments: Assets, if he will place in the Library a copy of each department’s most recent Strategic Asset Management Plan. \p Georgia Gould: The government has previously published summaries of departments’ yearly Strategic Asset Management Plans (SAMPs). These are available on the UK government's website (GOV.UK) at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/departmental-strategic-asset-management-plan-executive-summaries
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_259
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_259

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Mass cancellation of government credit cards in crackdown on wasteful spend, published on 18 March 2025, if he will require Departments to publish Government Procurement Card spending above £0. \p Georgia Gould: All central Government departments are required to publish Government Procurement Card transactions of £500 and over in line with the guidance available to all government departments on gov.uk at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8b402686650c18ce2cb541/Procurement_Cards_-_Pan_Government_Policy_V4_xx-xxxx-xxxx.pdf.

Departments can elect to publish transactions under £500 if they so wish.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_260
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_260

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 February 2025, to Question 30682, on Honours, for what reasons the three Honours campaigns were closed and then later re-opened; and how many of the subsequently-successful candidates were individuals who only applied after the campaigns were re-opened. \p Georgia Gould: In reference to my response to question 14712, the three campaigns were closed and reopened to allow for the widest range of applications. All three campaigns are still in progress, so there are at present no successful candidates.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_261
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_261

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information the Government Communications Service holds on spending on (a) external marketing, (b) external public relations and (c) other forms of external communications by (i) his and (ii) other Departments. \p Georgia Gould: All departments and ALBs are responsible for their own business planning process. During this process, they will decide their allocation of advertising, marketing, and communications (AMC) spending.

If their spend breaches the advertising, marketing and communications spending control threshold (£100,000), they then engage with our AMC team within the Government Communications Service (GCS).
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_262
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_262

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29023 on Special Advisers: Industrial Disputes, whether he has issued guidance to special advisers on whether they may undertake industrial action with special advisers from other Departments. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office has not issued any such guidance.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_263
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_263

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 19414 on Non-departmental public bodies, how many arm's length bodies other than non-departmental public bodies the Government has (a) announced it will open, (b) opened, (c) announced it will close, and (d) closed since 4 July 2024. \p Georgia Gould: As said in my previous answer of 8 January 2025, the Cabinet Office maintains records and oversight of formally established Arm’s Length Bodies. No ALBs have been formally established since 4 July 2024. Individual departments are responsible for any proposals to open or close ALBs.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_264
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_264

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's guidance entitled The Approvals Process for the Creation of New Arm’s-Length Bodies, whether the Cabinet Office Public Bodies Team assessed Skills England against the requirement that the creation of a new ALB should only be considered as a last resort; whether the department provided evidence that alternative delivery models such as enhancing an existing body, executive agency, or departmental function were considered; and which of the three tests outlined in chapter 2 of that guidance it overcame. \p Georgia Gould: The Department for Education is currently working through the approval process to establish Skills England as an Arm’s Length Body. The completion of business cases as part of this process considers viable delivery mechanisms and the three tests.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_265
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_265

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 36677 on Senior Civil Servants: Performance Appraisal, whether he plans to make changes to facilitate the dismissal of under-performing civil servants. \p Georgia Gould: In line with the newly announced changes to Senior Civil Service Performance management, this Government will require that Permanent Secretaries identify the lowest performing members of their senior workforce and take action to address this within 6 months. In addition to expanding the tools available to ensure that those with the right skills can deliver to the highest standard and drive a productive and efficient Civil Service, we will hold Heads of Departments accountable for the management of underperformance.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_266
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_266

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 28582 on Government Departments: Directors, whether non-executive directors who are consultant lobbyists are required to recuse themselves on all matters relating to their lobbying clients. \p Georgia Gould: Non-Executive Directors who are consultant lobbyists are required to recuse themselves on all matters relating to their lobbying clients. Non-Executives are required to recuse themselves from any and all matters relating to any conflict of interest.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_267
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_267

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to use recruitment consultants for staffing test-and-learn teams. \p Georgia Gould: The Test, Learn and Grow Programme will use existing government recruitment channels to staff the programme for the three years of the initiative. This includes the use of loans for existing Civil Servants, and fixed term appointments for external candidates. The programme will also leverage an inward secondment programme for public service delivery experts working near the frontline to help drive public service reform in their field. This scheme will be flexible in terms of duration and location, and specifically for those with experience relevant to the public service reform project. We do not plan to use recruitment consultants for these staffing needs.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_268
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_268

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 27921 on Cabinet Office: Secondment, whether (a) any staff in his Department are seconded from other local authorities and (b) the secondee from Camden council works on policy. \p Georgia Gould: Secondments are part of a range of ways of bringing talent and experience into the civil service for short periods of time and have been used by successive governments. Secondments are arranged at a business unit level and must follow the processes as set out in the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster set out in his speech in December 2024, we will be bringing in secondees - both frontline workers and digital and data experts - to help deliver public service reform.

This includes the secondee referenced from Camden Council, who works as the Director of Public Service Reform in the Public Sector Reform and Efficiency team. More details will be published in the quarterly Organogram of Staff Roles & Salaries on data.gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_269
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_269

Jim Shannon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of recent trends in the level of inflation. \p Emma Reynolds: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) are the Government’s official economic forecaster. They published their Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO) on 26th March, including an assessment on recent trends in inflation. The EFO can be found at the link below.

https://obr.uk/efo/economic-and-fiscal-outlook-march-2025/.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_270
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_270

Laurence Turner:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of NHS staff being taxed as a second job for working overtime. \p James Murray: All income earned through employment is taxable, including income from further employment, such as from overtime or through additional employment. Tax is paid on individual’s overall income, regardless of the source of that income. Not all individuals who receive an income are formally employed, as many earn through self-employment or receive other sources of income.

By paying tax on overall income, rather than solely through income from a single source of employment, the income tax system is highly progressive, with different rates of tax sitting above an internationally high Personal Allowance. When an individual moves from one tax band to another because of an increase in their income, they will only pay additional tax on the portion of their income that falls within the new tax band.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_271
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_271

Dan Aldridge:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to increase taxation on (a) higher-polluting vehicles and (b) tax pickup trucks used for personal purposes as private vehicles. \p James Murray: The Government uses the tax system to support a variety of objectives including our legally binding climate targets, including the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced changes to the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) first year rates from 1 April 2025, to introduce higher rates for hybrid and petrol/diesel vehicles for 2025-26, and freeze the rate for zero emission vehicles until 2029-30.

The Budget also announced new company car tax rates for 2028-29 and 2029-30, which gradually increase the rates for both petrol/diesel and electric vehicles whilst restricting incentives for hybrid vehicles, which research has shown are over three times more polluting than previously thought.

Cars are treated according to their emissions under the capital allowances system; and company cars made available for private use are also taxed according to their CO2 emissions under the benefit in kind regime.

From April 2025 this includes some pick-up trucks such as double cab pick-ups and extended cab pick-ups. These vehicles will be charged a higher rate for the benefit in kind, and be eligible for lower capital allowances reflecting their generally higher emissions.
wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_272
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-03 conversation_272

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill on the night-time economy. \p James Murray: A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.