theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_126

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the specific growth regions for clean power are, broken down by (a) nuclear, (b) wind, and (c) solar. \p Michael Shanks: The Government’s plan to deliver Clean Power by 2030 will deliver economic growth across the country supporting thousands of jobs and businesses. A full regional capacity breakdowns for solar, onshore wind and batteries is included in the ‘Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity – connections reform annex’. Nuclear capacity included in the ‘Clean Power Capacity Range’ is expected to be delivered through some combination of Sizewell B, Heysham 2, Torness, and Hinkley Point C Reactor Unit 1.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_127

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase domestic inventories of uranium. \p Michael Shanks: The procurement of nuclear fuel, including uranium is a commercial matter for reactors operators. However, the Government does and will continue to work closely with operators and wider industry to ensure a secure and resilient supply for the UK fleet now and in the future.

There is a diverse and resilient global uranium supply and uranium deposits which are spread across the globe. The World Nuclear Association notes that the world’s known uranium resources increased by at least one-quarter in the last decade due to increased mineral exploration.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_128

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much plutonium was imported annually since 2010, by country of origin. \p Michael Shanks: We do not import civil separated plutonium to the UK. Historically, spent fuel has been imported from other countries for reprocessing, however the imports took place prior to 2010, and reprocessing stopped in the United Kingdom in 2022.

ONR publishes annual figures on the UK's separated plutonium inventory, including material held in the UK on behalf of overseas customers. The most recently published data can be found at the following link: https://www.onr.org.uk/publications/regulatory-reports/safeguards/annual-civil-plutonium-figures/2023-annual-figures-for-holdings-of-civil-unirradiated-plutonium/.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_129

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to engage with the public on the construction of new electricity network infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with communities and to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into any new projects.

Our objective is to ensure communities hosting transmission network infrastructure can directly benefit. The Government will publish guidance on community funds by Spring 2025. Our guidance will recommend early engagement with communities, ideally alongside initial project discussions.

The Government is also supporting the launch of a public communications campaign, developed by industry, to encourage public awareness of the importance of electricity network infrastructure in delivering clean power.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_130

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the proportion of grid decarboinsation that will be achieved via reduced energy usage before 2030. \p Michael Shanks: The Government expects overall grid demand to rise by 2030 as we electrify transport, heating, industry, and other sectors. The Government has committed to funding energy efficiency improvements in existing building stock which will make heating homes cheaper and more efficient.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_131

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department had with industry stakeholders before withdrawing legal support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_132

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure engagement with (a) the public and (b) relevant stakeholders on the environmental impact of pylon projects before Development Consent Orders are granted to private energy companies. \p Michael Shanks: In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with local communities and relevant stakeholders before they submit applications for consent. This includes engagement on the environmental impacts of pylon projects. As part of their applications developers are required to engage with the public and relevant stakeholders to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into the project. The Government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_133

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) disruption to and (b) interference with interconnectors on the UK's energy (i) security and (ii) resilience. \p Michael Shanks: The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero is working across Whitehall and with energy owners, operators, and regulators to ensure that interconnectors are proportionately protected against hazards and malicious threats. Great Britain has a highly resilient and diverse energy network, and we are confident that the gas and electricity system operators have the tools they need to effectively balance supply and demand in a wide range of scenarios. This includes ensuring robust plans are in place to mitigate the impacts of a gas or electricity disruption as far as possible, in the event that they occur.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_134

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25798 on Listed Buildings: Energy, if he will request data on listed buildings from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to enable an assessment to be made. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: We are working on our ambitious Warm Homes Plan, to transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps. Whilst we are not currently seeking additional data specifically on listed buildings, we have commissioned a package of research to collect data on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising the most complex housing archetypes.

Historic England also provide advice on retrofit and energy efficiency in historic buildings, including guidance on installing heat pumps and heating systems that is relevant to listed properties off the gas grid.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_135

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that net zero policies are affordable for rural households. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is committed to ensuring that energy is affordable for all consumers, including rural households, and we carefully consider all policies to evaluate the impact on bill costs.

Our ambitious Warm Homes Plan, which will publish in due course, will support investment in households, including rural homes, to install energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating to cut bills.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_136

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of spray foam insulation previously deemed fit for purpose but later surveyed as inadequate. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Any measures fitted under government schemes must be fitted to the highest standards with issues promptly and properly rectified. Consumers are entitled to repair work by the original installer or, failing that, they can use their guarantee provided on installation. TrustMark can support them through this process.

The Government recognises that the consumer protection system that we inherited needs reform, we will press ahead with a sweeping overhaul through the Warm Homes Plan.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_137

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 30 August 2024 to Question 1331 on Energy Performance Certificates Housing, whether this will include banning the (a) sale and (b) purchase of privately occupied dwellings which do not meet minimum energy performance certificate requirements. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government’s position on supporting owner occupiers remains as was set out in the Answer to Question 1331. The Government has since published separate proposals to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales by 2030. Proposals in this consultation do not restrict the selling or purchase of private properties.

Our position on owner occupied homes remains unchanged from our Answer to Question 1331.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_138

Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that training of individuals qualified to install heat pumps is accelerated. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The £5 million Heat Training Grant is supporting existing heating engineers in England taking training relevant to heat pumps and heat networks. Since July 2023, nearly 5,500 individuals have gone through heat pump installation training funded through the scheme. We are also supporting new entrants through apprenticeships, to build a diverse and sustainable skills pipeline.

To keep up with future demand, the Heat Pump Association estimates that we need to train at least 6,600 installers a year until 2028. Around 9,000 individuals completed training in 2024, so we are well on track with current workforce needs.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_139

Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department made on extending consumer energy protections to tenants on heat networks. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is introducing heat network regulation in January 2026 which aims to provide heat networks consumers with comparable protections to existing gas and electricity regulations.

The heat network regulator, Ofgem, will have powers to investigate and intervene where heat network prices charged to consumers appear to be disproportionate or unfair.

We are also introducing mandatory technical standards, building on existing industry-led initiatives to ensure that new and existing heat networks are designed, built, and operated at a high standard.

Ofgem’s regulatory oversight will be supplemented by statutory redress through the Energy Ombudsman who, from April 2025, will have the same powers to hear complaints and make legally binding decisions as they do in gas and electricity markets.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_140

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for the delivery of the £300 reduction to household energy bills. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_141

Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that unaccompanied children arriving in the UK are (a) safeguarded by local authorities and (b) placed in appropriate fostering placements. \p Janet Daby: An unaccompanied child will become looked after by the local authority after having been accommodated under section 20(1) of the Children Act 1989 for 24 hours. This will mean that they will be entitled to the same local authority provision as any other looked after child and their care will be subject to statutory guidance, including care planning guidance. In addition, the 2017 statutory guidance on the 'Care of unaccompanied migrant children and child victims of modern slavery' sets out the steps local authorities should take to plan for the support of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC).

Upon the arrival of an unaccompanied child in the UK, the Home Office will refer them to a local authority children’s service at the earliest possible opportunity. All local authorities in the UK are expected to play their part in looking after UASC. These children are placed fairly across the UK’s local authorities through the National Transfer Scheme. This is considered to be in the best interest of these children and aims to ensure that UASC receive the support and accommodation they need.

Local authorities will assess the needs of unaccompanied children in the same way as any other looked-after child and ensure they are placed in the most suitable accommodation available to meet their needs. All unaccompanied children aged 16 or under are placed in foster care. We are aware that many local authorities struggle to find the right fostering placements for UASC.

To help support local authorities increase foster placement sufficiency, £36 million of investment (the largest ever investment in fostering) will deliver 10 local authority regional fostering recruitment and retention hubs covering 64% of local authorities in England.

As announced in the policy statement ‘Keeping children safe, helping families thrive’, we are investing an additional £15 million to expand this approach to make sure every local authority has access to this foster carer recruitment and support offer. This contains funding for a communication campaign, including targeted recruitment for carers for UASC.

Together with Fosterlink, we have worked with over 90% of all local authorities in England to improve their foster carer recruitment and we continue to build evidence for further investment in supported accommodation to meet the needs of UASC and care leavers.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_142

Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking through Young Futures Hubs to help tackle violence against women and girls. \p Janet Daby: The government has set an ambitious target to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. To achieve this, we plan to reduce the current levels of offending and reoffending and prevent abuse from happening altogether.

This focus on prevention also sits at the heart of the Young Futures programme, which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures prevention partnerships.

Young Futures Hubs will be set up across the country, bringing together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling young people to thrive.

Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will bring local partners together to intervene earlier to ensure that vulnerable children at-risk of being drawn into a variety of crime types (including anti-social behaviour, knife crime and violence against women and girls) are identified and offered support in a more systematic way.

Officials from across government, including my department, the Home Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice are working together using their various bodies of evidence of what works to shape Young Futures Hubs.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_143

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve (a) vocational education and (b) apprenticeships in agriculture. \p Janet Daby: The government is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce in all sectors, including agriculture and drive economic growth through our industrial strategy.

We have established Skills England to ensure we have the highly trained workforce required to deliver the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade. It will ensure that the skills system is clear and navigable for individuals, both young people and older adults, strengthening careers pathways into jobs across the economy.

The department’s reformed growth and skills offer, which will have apprenticeships at its core, will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers. As a key first step towards greater flexibility, we are introducing new foundation apprenticeships for young people as well as shorter apprenticeships. These will help more people learn high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country. During autumn 2024, Skills England engaged with employers and other key stakeholders on initial priorities for the new offer. The department will set out more detail on the offer in due course.

The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in agriculture through its technical education offer, with a range of high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities at all levels. We recognise the crucial role that land-based colleges and providers play in delivering the skills training and innovation needed for the current and future workforce.

Employers have developed several apprenticeships in the agriculture sector to support them to develop skilled workforces, including general farm worker (level 2), livestock unit technical (level 3) and assistant farm manager (level 4).

21 T Levels are being delivered in a range of in-demand subjects. T Levels in Agriculture, Land Management and Production, and Animal Care and Management are now being taught across the country, providing students with the core knowledge and skills needed for entry to a range of occupations in the rural sector.

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), which are occupation-focussed level 4-5 qualifications, are approved and quality marked as providing the skills demanded in the workplace by employers. To date, 263 HTQs have been approved for delivery across a range of occupational routes, with the Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care route becoming available for first teach from September 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_144

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a cap on the number of international students. \p Janet Daby: The government is committed to a United Kingdom that is outward looking and welcomes international students, who make a positive contribution to the UK’s higher education sector, our economy and society as a whole. Universities in England receive an estimated £12.1bn annually in tuition fee income from international students, which supports provision of places for domestic students and research and development.

Universities and other higher education providers are autonomous bodies which are independent of government. As such, they are responsible for their own admissions decisions in relation to domestic and international students.

The department is reviewing the International Education Strategy to ensure that it increases the value of education exports and reflects the priorities of education organisations and businesses. This review will also consider the department’s ambition on international student numbers.

The government remains committed to managing migration carefully, which is why my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced in November 2024 that we will publish a White Paper on reducing migration this year.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_145

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a study of the impact of the dependency of universities on international students on the level of fees paid by such students. \p Janet Daby: The government remains committed to a United Kingdom that is outward looking and welcomes international students who make a positive contribution to the UK’s higher education (HE) sector, our economy and society as a whole.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of English HE providers. As such, it is responsible for monitoring the financial sustainability of the sector. The department works closely with the OfS to understand the impact of the sector’s changing financial landscape. In its most recent report on the financial health of the HE sector (published November 2024), the OfS assessed the risks to provider financial sustainability and overreliance on recruitment of students from particular countries was noted as a particular concern. The report models the impacts of various scenarios on provider finances, including in relation to levels of international student recruitment.

The OfS emphasised that the HE sector should be cautious of depending too much on international student fee income in their recruitment forecasts and urged institutions to have strong contingency plans to mitigate the financial risks of over-recruiting from a single country.

All providers must continue to adapt to uncertainties and financial risks. As autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for providers to decide on effective business models and to how to manage their finances. The department will continue to work closely with the OfS in order to understand the ongoing impacts and changing landscape of financial sustainability in the sector.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_146

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase opportunities for STEM apprentices. \p Janet Daby: This government has committed to widening the apprenticeships offer into a growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners across the country and aligns with the industrial strategy, creating routes into good, skilled jobs in growing industries.

As a first step, this will include shorter duration and foundation apprenticeships in targeted sectors, helping more people to learn new high-quality skills at work, fuelling innovation in businesses across the country, and providing high-quality entry pathways for young people.

Apprenticeships are a great way for individuals to begin, or progress in, a successful career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Employers have developed over 350 apprenticeships in STEM sectors including level 3 Cyber Security Technician, level 4 Software Developer and level 6 Civil Engineer degree to meet their needs.

The department continues to promote the benefits that apprenticeships offer, through the Skills for Life campaign.

In addition, Skills England will help to ensure that there is a comprehensive suite of apprenticeships, training and technical qualifications for individuals and employers to access, which are aligned with skills gaps and what employers need. This includes the needs of STEM sectors identified in the industrial strategy, such as advanced manufacturing.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_147
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_147

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled School accountability reform - school profiles, improvement and intervention, page 18, published on 3 February 2025, what estimate she has made of the number of schools which will require a (a) structural intervention and (b) targeted RISE intervention in the next three years. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department’s consultation document explained that, overall, we expect twice as many mandatory interventions in schools, through both structural intervention and targeted regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) interventions. This is expected to total around 370 schools experiencing mandatory intervention averaged annually over the next three years, based on the pattern of Ofsted inspections in recent years and based on the numbers of schools which already meet our proposed eligibility criteria but have not had structural intervention to date.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_149
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_149

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of complaints to Ofsted on schools. \p Catherine McKinnell: This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the right hon. Member for East Hampshire directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_150
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_150

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of teachers without qualified teacher status will be exempted from requiring that status due to exemptions for maintained schools being extended to academy schools under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. \p Catherine McKinnell: Following implementation of the qualified teacher status (QTS) measure in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, when a teacher is recruited and commences employment with an academy, they will be required to have QTS or meet one of the exemptions set out in regulations. The proportion of the teachers who will meet one of these exemptions and therefore not require QTS will depend on the individual circumstances of the teachers being employed and recruitment decisions made by leadership teams in academies.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_151
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_151

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the average price of school uniform in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools, broken down by regions of England. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department recently published its latest research on the cost of school uniform, surveying parents and carers of children aged 4 to 16 attending state-funded schools in England. The research report assessed the relative changes to the cost of school uniform since the department’s previous report in 2015. This report is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms-survey-2023.

The research found that the average total expenditure on school uniform and physical education (PE) kit, based on the items required in 2023, was £381.92. There were higher levels of expenditure for children in secondary schools, at £442.25, than in primary schools, at £343.28, and within both phases for girls (secondary: £454.31; primary: £357.28) compared to boys (secondary: £430.40; primary: £330.78).

The data was sampled to be representative of the population at primary and secondary level. The sample size was not large enough to make robust comparisons at a regional level.

Too many families still tell us that the cost of school uniform remains a financial burden. ​This is why the department has introduced legislation to limit the number of branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require to bring down costs for parents and remove barriers from children accessing sport and other school activities. This will give parents more choice in where to purchase uniform and allow them greater flexibility to make the spending decisions that suit their circumstances.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_152
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_152

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many state school teachers were employed in Bromsgrove constituency on (a) 5 July 2024 and (b) 6 February 2025. \p Catherine McKinnell: Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers in each school, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

As of November 2023, the latest date for which data is available, there were 943 full-time equivalent teachers employed in the 38 state-funded schools in Bromsgrove constituency.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_153
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_153

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of Education Support's report entitled Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024, published in November 2024. \p Catherine McKinnell: Education Support’s Teacher Wellbeing Index provides an insight into the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff working in the UK.

Ensuring our education workforce are supported is critical to retaining teachers our children need and to deliver high-quality teaching for every child. The department is working in partnership with the sector and mental health experts to improve staff mental health and wellbeing to boost retention. Measures to do so include:

The department knows there are further changes needed to make to ensure the system is most effective for children, schools and staff, and to reset the relationship with the sector.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_154
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_154

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of funds spent by (a) schools and (b) trusts on legal advice in relation to complaints. \p Catherine McKinnell: Each year, schools receive core funding from the department to cover their expenditures. The funding schools receive is not ringfenced for any specific form of expenditure and it is for each school to determine how this money will be best used to support their individual circumstances.

We do not keep records of schools or trust spending on legal advice in relation to complaints or any other legal matters.

All schools must have a written complaints procedure that tells complainants how they can make a complaint and how the school will handle it. This must be available on request to complainants.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_156
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_156

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in employers National Insurance contributions on private suppliers providing local authority-funded home-to-school transport to children with special educational needs. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon to the answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 26397.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_159
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_159

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the potential impact of the covid pandemic on levels of teacher (a) recruitment and (b) retention between 2020 and 2024. \p Catherine McKinnell: Information on the school workforce is published in the ‘School Workforce in England’ statistical publication which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.

The pandemic period affects figures relating to the data between 2019 and 2021.

In the state school sector, there were 45,381 new entrants in 2019/20 compared to 47,230 in 2018/19. This reduced to 41,796 in 2020/21. The numbers have risen again as reflected in the most recent census, where there were 44,002 new entrants in 2023/24.

Retention increased during the COVID-19 pandemic which we expect is due to changing career plans for individuals. In 2019/20, 41,193 teachers left the profession compared to 43,134 in 2018/19, and this dropped to 32,227 in 2020/21. In the most recent census, 43,522 teachers left the profession, whilst almost 9 in 10 (88.7%) teachers who qualified in 2022 are still teaching one year after qualification, almost three-quarters (74.1%) of teachers who qualified three years ago are still teaching and over two-thirds (67.5%) of teachers who qualified five years ago are still teaching.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_160
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_160

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 9833 on Cabinet Office: Ministers’ Private Offices, in whose Ministerial offices are the five new standing mirrors located; and what the cost was of the coasters. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Ministerial offices are routinely refurbished after Parliament is dissolved and generally before new ministers are appointed or occupy their offices. There are mirrors located in several offices across the Cabinet Office. New standing mirrors - costing £37 each - were located in offices now occupied by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the House of Commons, the Minister without Portfolio, and the two Parliamentary Secretaries in Cabinet Office. The coasters purchased for ministerial private offices cost £7.99 per set.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_161
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_161

Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending Paid Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave to those who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks. \p Justin Madders: The loss of a child at any age is incredibly difficult. Parental Bereavement Leave is available to parents who suffer a bereavement from 24 weeks of completed pregnancy up to the age of 18.

Under existing laws, women are protected against any discrimination regarding pregnancy, including miscarriage. We expect employers to treat their employees experiencing miscarriage with compassion, and we encourage them to where possible go further to support their employees. More broadly, the Employment Rights Bill will strengthen protection for new mothers and establish a new right to Bereavement Leave for other loved ones.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_162
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_162

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his Department’s policy is on the continued use of imperial measures in retail and hospitality settings. \p Justin Madders: UK law requires metric units to be used for all trade purposes, including in retail and hospitality settings, with only limited exceptions. While imperial units can be used alongside metric units, the imperial markings must not be larger or more prominent than the metric ones. Imperial units can only be used on their own (without metric units) for certain products, such as the pint for sales of draught beer, cider and milk in returnable containers.

We have no plans to change this policy.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_163
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_163

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish the total cost to the public purse for the provision of diversity, equality and inclusion courses for staff in her Department in 2024. \p Justin Madders: In 2024, DBT spent a total of £1,199.93 incl. VAT on D&I courses. This is based on the assumption that EDI training refers to training where awareness of EDI issues is the main theme of the training.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_164
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_164

Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to update the Cautioning and Relationship Abuse training for domestic abuse offenders with diagnosed mental health conditions. \p Jess Phillips: The Home Office published standards for domestic abuse perpetrator interventions in 2023 to provide evidence-based standards for interventions aimed at perpetrators of domestic abuse. The standards outline that interventions should be appropriate and adapt where necessary, such as where perpetrators have mental health support needs. Where interventions need to be adapted, the standards recommend that co-facilitation with a relevant skilled practitioner should be considered.

We recommend that all perpetrator intervention programmes, such as the Cautioning and Relationship Abuse programme, should consider these standards as part of their approach to working with domestic abuse perpetrators.

We are determined to safeguard victims by disrupting the behaviour of perpetrators . In order to achieve our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, it is essential that we prevent reoffending and ensure there is comprehensive approach to perpetrators, from early intervention to targeting the most prolific and repeat offenders.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_165
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_165

Katie Lam:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department holds (a) demographic and (b) ethnicity data on the investigation of sex crimes. \p Jess Phillips: The Home Office holds information on all notifiable crimes, including sexual offences, recorded by the police in England and Wales and their investigative outcomes. The extent of the data held in each case will depend on what information has been collected by the police as part of their investigation.

Statistics on the outcomes of cases are routinely published by the Ministry of Justice, and contain breakdowns of convicted offenders by age, gender, ethnicity, police force area and type of offence. This can be assessed via their outcomes by offence data tool available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-june-2024
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_166
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_166

Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to bring forward the necessary statutory instruments to bring section (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 of the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023 into force. \p Jess Phillips: The Government is committed to halving levels of violence against women and girls in a decade. An important part of this ambition is tackling public sexual harassment which often leaves people, disproportionately women, feeling unsafe. The Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 will make this type of harassment a specific offence and could see perpetrators face a custodial sentence of up to 2 years.

As with any new criminal justice legislation, an implementation period is necessary to ensure all processes, systems and guidance are updated - including drawing up the statutory guidance. We will ensure the legislation comes into force as quickly as reasonably possible. We will confirm next steps on implementation of the Act at the earliest opportunity.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_167
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_167

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story entitled, Survivors of sexual abuse to be empowered in closed case reviews, published on 16 January 2025, if she will publish the full terms of reference for the review; and whether Baroness Casey of Blackstock (a) will be remunerated and (b) has made a declaration of interest. \p Jess Phillips: The complete terms of reference for the review will be made available on gov.uk. Baroness Casey is leading the review in her role as the Government's lead Non-Executive Director (NED). This is a paid position, and all necessary due diligence has been conducted.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_168
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_168

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Oral Statement of 16 January 2025 on Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Official Report, how many civil servants have been assigned to support Baroness Casey's audit; and what staff resources her Department has made available to support inquiries into grooming gangs. \p Jess Phillips: The Home Office is committed to supporting the National Audit and the necessary resources will be made available to Baroness Casey to complete her work. Staffing arrangements, including the involvement of Home Office civil servants, for the Audit will be agreed with Baroness Casey on a flexible basis as the work progresses.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_169
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_169

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to tackle (a) violence, (b) abuse and (c) neglect against young people. \p Jess Phillips: The Government is seeking to protect young people against a range of specific harms. We have committed to the creation of a new Young Futures Programme (YFP), which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships, to intervene earlier to ensure at-risk young people are identified and offered support in a more systematic way, as well as creating more opportunities for young people in their communities, through the provision of mental health and careers support.

New Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will bring local partners together to identify vulnerable children at-risk of being drawn into crime, map local youth service provision, and ensure that evidence-based support is provided to those in need.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_170
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_170

Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to introduce medal recognition for emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Home Office is happy to consider proposals for new medals for members of the emergency services who get injured in the line of duty. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by these personnel, and it is important to make sure this is done in a proportionate and effective manner.

Any official medal for emergency services personnel is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within the service. The creation of a new medal requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (“HD Committee”), before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.
wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_171
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_171

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her oral contribution of 2 September 2024 in response to the question from the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich, Official Report, column 70, on what evidential basis she said that two-tier policing does not occur in England and Wales. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Schedule 4 of the Police Act 1996 requires all police constables to make a declaration that they will carry out their role with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality. This means that the police must, and do, enforce the law without fear or favour.

The use of police powers to maintain public order is an operational decision for the relevant force and how they choose to exercise those powers will depend on the circumstances of a particular incident.

The previous Home Secretary (the Rt Hon Member for Fareham and Waterlooville) was rightly dismissed from her position for suggesting otherwise.