theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the three main contributory factors are in the recent trends in the level of (a) Type 2 diabetes, (b) Coronary heart disease and (c) stroke. \p Ashley Dalton: According to the Global Burden of Disease, in 2021 the three main contributory risk factors for the burden in the United Kingdom for type 2 diabetes were high body mass index, dietary risks, and low physical activity, excluding high blood glucose. For coronary heart disease, the main contributory risk factors were high blood pressure, dietary risks, and high cholesterol. For stroke, the risk factors were high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tobacco use.

It is not possible to assess how much these risk factors have influenced trends or the change in trends for these three conditions, but the top three risk factors for each condition have remained the same from 1990 to 2021. For all three conditions, the prevalence increases with age, so the ageing population is also a leading contributory factor in recent trends.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department informs all (a) GPs and (b) care providers when a new Community Diagnostic Centre opens for referrals in the nearby area. \p Karin Smyth: The local community diagnostic centre (CDC) for patients in Shropshire is the Shrewsbury, Telford and Wrekin CDC. The CDC is located at Hollinswood House in Telford, TF3 3BD. Patients requiring tests will also be referred to other settings as appropriate, including local hospital sites. A list of all operational CDCs is published and available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/diagnostics-waiting-times-and-activity/cdc-management-information/

The Department and NHS England do not directly inform local providers or general practices (GPs) when CDCs open for referrals in the nearby area, but it is the expectation that each CDC and their host National Health Service trust does local engagement, including with local providers and GPs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Luke Murphy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) access to weigh in services with health visitors and (b) other postnatal support is provided (i) consistently and (ii) accessibly to new parents in (A) Basingstoke, (B) Hampshire and (C) England. \p Ashley Dalton: Local authorities have responsibility for commissioning public health services, including health visiting and services for all new parents. The Healthy Child Programme sets out the services and support families can expect and includes guidance on weighing, screening, immunisation, health improvement, wellbeing, and parenting, as well as five mandated health and development reviews.

Department officials and NHS England have worked across the South East region to develop resources. This includes a Health Visiting Development Toolkit to help share best practice and ensure consistency.

The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and strengthening the health visiting service. To achieve this, we must ensure that families have the support they need to give their babies and children the best start and the building blocks for a healthy life.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on promoting the (a) mental, (b) physical and (c) wellbeing aspects of (i) walking and (ii) cycling. \p Ashley Dalton: Ministers in the Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Transport have discussed promoting the mental, physical, and wellbeing benefits of walking and cycling. The departments work together to align active travel with health objectives, such as reducing physical inactivity and health inequalities, and improving air quality. We are considering together how to incorporate health into the upcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy and Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much of the Claimant’s legal costs paid by the NHS in all clinical negligence claims under £25,000 in 2023-24 were expert fees. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS Resolution (NHSR) manages clinical negligence and other claims against the national Health Service in England. The following table shows the total legal costs paid for claimants due to clinical negligence claims closed in the financial year 2023/24, where damages were paid up to £25,000:

Damages tranche

Claimant legal costs paid by NHSR

£1 to £1,500

£2,422,432

£1,501 to £25,000

£94,364,395

Total

£96,786,827

Claims closed in 2023/24 will often have been settled in previous years, as costs can take some time to finalise after an agreement on damages. NHSR does not record a breakdown of claimant legal costs between profit costs and disbursements in its claims management system. It also does not record a breakdown for expert fees.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the absence of a (a) compensation and (b) redress scheme on the (i) long-term planning and (ii) care provision for families impacted by in utero exposure to sodium valproate. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is carefully considering the valuable work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and the resulting Hughes Report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex area of work, involving several Government departments, and it is important that we get this right. We will be providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report at the earliest opportunity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of introducing fixed recoverable costs in lower-value clinical negligence cases on patients’ access to legal expertise. \p Ashley Dalton: Currently, the Government is considering the way forward on a wide range of matters relating to clinical negligence reform, and we will announce our position in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to amend regulations on the (a) composition, (b) marketing and (c) labelling of commercial infant and toddler foods, in the context of products with (i) a high nutritional value and (ii) added sugar. \p Ashley Dalton: Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influences many aspects of well-being in later life.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we have regulations in place that set nutritional and compositional standards for commercial baby food. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy. We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure they reflect the latest scientific and dietary guidelines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increased regulation on the nutritional value of baby food. \p Ashley Dalton: Children’s early years provide an important foundation for their future health and strongly influences many aspects of wellbeing in later life.

It is vital that we maintain the highest standards for foods consumed by babies and infants, which is why we have regulations in place that set nutritional and compositional standards for commercial baby food. The regulations also set labelling standards to ensure consumers have clear and accurate information about the products they buy. We continue to keep these regulations under review to ensure they reflect the latest scientific and dietary guidelines.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 May 2025 to Question 45023 on Fast Food, how the Food Standard Agency defines fast food outlets. \p Ashley Dalton: The term ‘fast food outlet’ is not one that is used or defined in retained European Union or domestic food hygiene and safety legislation. In addition, there is nothing in terms of food standards regarding the definition of a fast-food outlet.

Any food business that sells, cooks, stores, handles, prepares, or distributes food may be considered a food business and will need to register with their local authority.

When a food business registers, they confirm what type of business they are, including if they supply take away food. They would be regulated in a similar way to restaurants, cafés, and canteens.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information the NHS holds on the number of Jewish people with breast cancer. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) in NHS England, as the national cancer registry, collects and analyses diagnosis and treatment data on cancer patients in England. Further information is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs

The NDRS does not record patients’ religion as part of cancer registration data. Additionally, in line with guidance from the Office for National Statistics and the National Health Service, ethnicity data is collected using standardised categories that do not separately identify Jewish ethnicity. Further information on the classification of ethnic groups can be found at the following link:

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/style-guide/ethnic-groups
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people with measles have been admitted to hospital in the last 12 months. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England publishes annual data on Hospital Admitted Patient Care Activity in England. The latest data covers activity from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, during which 428 hospital admissions were reported where measles was recorded as the main reason for admission.

The United Kingdom relies on laboratory testing to confirm or exclude measles infection. This means the admission figures above will include suspected measles cases which are later discarded after testing, and may also not capture some true measles.

A more accurate method for identifying measles-related hospitalisations links laboratory confirmed measles case data to hospital admission data. The UK Health Security Agency undertakes this analysis and plans to publish hospitalisation data in the quarterly Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Health Protection Report. The first inclusion of these figures in the report will be published by the end of June 2025. The current reports are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measles-mumps-and-rubella-lab-confirmed-cases-in-england-2024
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people under the age of 21 have been diagnosed with brain tumours in the last 12 months. \p Ashley Dalton: In England, the total number of brain tumour diagnoses in the zero to 19 year old age group in 2022 was 579. In the same period, for the 20 to 24 year old age group, the total number of brain tumour diagnoses was 154.

The most recent data available is from the 2022 Cancer Registrations Statistics for England. Data is not held for the specific age group of under 21 years old, but it is held for the zero to 19 and 20 to 24 year old age groups.

It is important to note that the statistics are presented as numbers of diagnoses, and not numbers of people. This is due to the possibility of one person receiving more than one diagnosis.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of deprivation on lung health in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency, (b) Staffordshire and (c) England. \p Ashley Dalton: The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts our National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community; from analogue to digital; and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving respiratory health in all parts of the country.

More tests and scans delivered in the community will allow for earlier diagnosis, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all help people manage their long-term conditions, including respiratory conditions, closer to home. Earlier diagnosis of conditions will help prevent deterioration and improve survival rates.

The prevalence of smoking in adults, current smokers who are 18 years old and over, in Newcastle under Lyme and Staffordshire is lower than the overall England average, at 8.8% and 9.0% respectively, compared to the overall England average of 12.4%.

Urgent cancer referrals for suspected lung cancer in the Staffordshire and Stoke Integrated Care Board are much higher than the England average. However, the mortality rate from lung cancer, chronic obstructive airways disease, heart disease, and stroke associated with smoking in Staffordshire is similar to the England average.

We are taking action to reduce the causes of the biggest killers, for instance by enabling a smoke free generation to further help prevent lung conditions.

It is the most disadvantaged who suffer the most from the financial and health burden of smoking, with 230,000 households living in smoking induced poverty and with smoking being the number one preventable cause of death, disability, and ill health, claiming the lives of approximately 80,000 people a year in the United Kingdom, and being the leading cause of lung cancer. The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will create the first smoke-free generation, ending the cycle of addiction and disadvantage and putting us on track to a smoke-free UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has received reports on the operation of informal (a) adjudication mechanisms and (b) dispute resolution systems within prisons based on (i) Sharia and (ii) other (A) religious and (B) ideological codes. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Extremist gang activity is not tolerated in prisons. Staff act swiftly to clamp down on intimidating or threatening behaviour regardless of cultural or religious sensitivities. Anyone who threatens assaults or attempts to control others faces tough sanctions, including time added on to their sentence. Our message is clear: follow the rules or pay for breaking them.

We do not tolerate any attempts by extremists to coerce others. Where we do identify evidence that this may be happening, we take a zero-tolerance approach. We have robust measures in place to manage offenders and prevent them from radicalising others. This includes specialist staff training, monitoring of communications, and targeted interventions, both in custody and upon release, to prevent the spread of harmful ideologies and reduce reoffending.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to appoint a chair to conduct the independent review of the attack on prison officers at HMP Frankland on 12 April 2025; and when the review will conclude. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: On Thursday 15 May, we announced the appointment of Jonathan Hall KC as the reviewer of the HMP Frankland Independent Review. The Lord Chancellor has asked for the review to report back promptly, and to leave no stone unturned so we can prevent such an incident ever happening again.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to publish the outcome of her Department's review into whether protective body armour should be made available to frontline prison staff. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: HM Prison & Probation Service has commissioned an internal review to establish whether it is necessary for our brave and hard-working prison officers to wear Protective Body Armour either routinely or when working in high-risk environments within the prison estate which will report in early June. We will announce the outcome of the review and next steps to be taken following the review’s conclusion.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 50727 on Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority: Standards, what proportion of the respondents to that paper survey selected (a) very good, (b) good, (c) average, (d) poor and (e) very poor in 2023-24. \p Alex Davies-Jones: Of the respondents to the paper survey in 2023-34, (a) 53.2% selected very good, (b) 31.0% selected good, (c) 10.0% selected average, (d) 3.3% poor and (e) 2.5% selected very poor.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Natalie Fleet:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many applications have been made to the courts to strip people convicted of (a) rape and (b) other serious crime of their parental responsibility in each of the last five years. \p Sarah Sackman: Data on the number of barring orders made in the family courts and on the number of applications made to strip people convicted of rape and other serious crime of their parental responsibility are not held.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of District Judges in hearing civil litigation cases. \p Sarah Sackman: I refer the honourable Member to the Department’s evidence to the Justice Select Committee into the work of the County Court, which explained the current capacity for civil cases: Work of the County Court - Committees - UK Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Money Claim Online in delivering civil remedies for small claims legal disputes. \p Sarah Sackman: Money Claim Online (MCOL) has provided claimants with an electronic means by which to make money claims online since 2002. Including claims made by bulk users, the system handles over 1 million claims per annum.

As part of HMCTS Reform programme, HMCTS has created a new digital service – Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) – which enables users to issue, respond to and manage a claim digitally, including the ability to settle a claim without court intervention and uploading evidence for hearings. OCMC has been available since 2018 and handles around 120,000 claims per year. The OCMC service was recently evaluated with the findings published and available on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/modern-justice-for-all-our-online-civil-money-claims-reformed-service-helps-more-people-settle-disputes-away-from-the-courtroom.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of US tariffs on film production in Northern Ireland. \p Chris Bryant: We continue to engage with industry, including representatives from all nations and regions, to ensure our film and TV sector can continue to thrive and create good jobs across the UK.

We will continue to take a calm and steady approach to this fluid situation.

Trade is a reserved matter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to provide (a) support and (b) funding for cricket nets in rural communities. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises that sports facilities are important to communities up and down the country, including rural communities. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active.

Grassroots sport, including cricket, is funded through the Government’s Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, who invest over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. This includes long-term investment to the England and Wales Cricket Board, the National Governing Body for cricket, which receives up to £11.6 million for five years to invest in community cricket initiatives that will benefit everyone, including those in rural areas.

Future funding of sports facilities will be considered as part of the upcoming Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to encourage grassroots sports clubs to share their facilities with local communities. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises that sports facilities are important to communities up and down the country. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active.

Sport England, our arm’s length body that is responsible for physical activity and sport participation in England, invests over £250 million a year into grassroots sport and physical activity. A large part of Sport England’s work focuses on bringing organisations together at a local level including the health and sports sectors. This includes their place partnerships work which is working in a targeted way with local areas to understand and overcome the specific barriers in their communities.

The Government-funded School Games Organisers are essential in ensuring that all children have the opportunity to take part in local and accessible sport and physical activity. There are over 450 SGOs across the country who support schools in their local areas to provide physical activity both inside and outside of school, with many facilitating links to wider club and community engagement.

We are considering how we can best make all of this work for local communities as part of the Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to support the provision of sports (a) clubs and (b) facilities in (i) rural communities and (ii) Yeovil Constituency. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises that sports clubs and facilities are important to communities up and down the country, including rural communities. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to them and opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.

The ongoing responsibility for public leisure facilities lies at Local Authority level. Local Authorities work in partnership with operators who manage leisure services. The Government and Sport England continue to work closely with Local Authorities to monitor pressures in the sector.

The Government has committed to continued funding for grassroots facilities. £100 million will be invested into grassroots sport facilities across the UK through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. Grassroots sport is also funded through the Government’s Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, who invest over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year.

Future funding of sports facilities will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of National Archives documents misplaced while on loan to Departments. \p Chris Bryant: Section 4(6) of the Public Records Act 1958 gives departments the right to recall records that they have transferred to The National Archives. In 2018, The National Archives put in place a framework for safeguarding public records that establishes firm controls around such recalls. Officials at The National Archives are unaware of any records going missing since the establishment of this framework.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the Royal Collection Trust on the ownership of the Royal Stamp Collection. \p Chris Bryant: We have no plans to do so, nor are Ministers in discussions with the Royal Collection Trust, which is an independent charity, with control over its own collections, policies and management. The public can enjoy the Royal Collection across official royal residences, former royal residences, and through an extensive lending and touring exhibitions programme. Over 280,000 object records in the Collection can be accessed via the Royal Collection Trust website.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answers of 28 April 2025 and 4 December 2024 to Questions 47334 and 16604 on DCMS: Art Works and 11 Downing Street: Artworks, if she will publish the Government Art Collection (a) reference number and (b) title for each item (i) installed and (ii) deinstalled from her Department since 4 July 2024. \p Chris Bryant: I refer the Right Honourable Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2025 to Question UIN 47334.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with his US counterpart on the future of Hollywood-funded film production in the UK. \p Chris Bryant: We are in active discussions with the top of the US administration and we are clear that the deep ties between the US and UK film industries provide mutual benefits to both countries. This is a fluid situation, and we will continue to take a calm and steady approach.

We are engaging closely with industry and we are absolutely committed to ensuring our film and TV sector can continue to thrive and create good jobs across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps with local authorities in Bedfordshire to plan for increased guest accommodation in the context of the proposed Universal theme park in Bedfordshire. \p Chris Bryant: DCMS is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the visitor economy across the country, including in Bedfordshire. Responsibility for local planning and accommodation provision rests with local authorities, but of course DCMS works closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, VisitEngland, and other partners to ensure that areas are equipped to respond to major tourism developments, and will do so as this project develops.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps with local leaders to establish a Local Visitor Economy Partnership in Bedfordshire in the context of the proposed Universal theme park. \p Chris Bryant: Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are a vital part of the Government’s strategy to support a more sustainable and resilient visitor economy across England. The LVEP programme, in partnership with VisitEngland, provides a clear framework for collaboration between local leaders, tourism businesses, and national bodies.

VisitEngland continues to work on growing the LVEP network, and stands ready to support areas that meet the criteria and can demonstrate strong local coordination and ambition, including Bedfordshire.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure sustainable energy use in AI growth zones. \p Feryal Clark: The Government recognises the importance of continued innovation and efficiency of AI infrastructure as we deliver AI Growth Zones (AIGZs).

AIGZs will seek to shift energy demand to areas with greater capacity, reducing pressure on congested parts of the grid. DSIT is working closely with DESNZ and the NESO to align AI energy demand with future energy planning and long-term sustainability.

The AI Energy Council, co-chaired by the Secretaries of State for DSIT and DESNZ, will explore clean energy solutions for AI infrastructure, including small modular reactors and next-gen renewables, to ensure our AI ambitions align with the UK’s net zero goals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department holds on the number of Departments that use the Redbox AI chatbot. \p Feryal Clark: Redbox is available in DSIT, the Prime Minister's Office and the Cabinet Office. The Department for Business and Trade also runs its own instance of Redbox.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he plans to make a policy announcement on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, following the consultation on which closed on 25 February 2025. \p Feryal Clark: The Government received over 11,500 responses to the consultation on copyright and AI. It is now carefully considering these responses, and a Government response will be published when this work is complete. Government amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill commit the Government to publishing a full report on some of the issues covered in the consultation within 12 months of Royal Assent.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to ensure access to gigabit broadband for (a) homes and (b) businesses not covered by (i) Project Gigabit and (ii) commercial rollout plans. \p Chris Bryant: The vast majority of premises will be covered by commercial activity or Project Gigabit, but it will remain too expensive to build a gigabit capable connection to a very small proportion of premises on either a commercial or subsidised basis. The government is exploring options for the kind of support that might be required and appropriate to ensure sufficient, affordable and reliable connectivity in these cases.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_60

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing spending on research and development. \p Feryal Clark: Research and development (R&D) is key to our agenda to boost growth and improve lives by maximising the potential of science and technology. Investment in R&D underpins the innovations that help the UK boost productivity and create high-paid jobs. UK public R&D has been estimated to have an average rate of return of 40% 6 years after the investment is made. Each pound invested also leverages on average £2 of private investment in the long run.

DSIT's R&D budget has risen to £13.9bn in 2025/26, an increase of 8.5% in real terms compared to its 2024/25 budget. R&D funding beyond 2025/26 is subject to the next phase of the Spending Review, which will conclude in June.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_61

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to prevent hostile state actors from exploiting UK research institutions; and what assessment her Department has made of potential Chinese involvement in sensitive academic collaborations. \p Feryal Clark: We have a robust approach to risk in the research sector, working to ensure that institutions are alert to security risks and able to make informed decisions when collaborating internationally, backed by the government's comprehensive regulatory powers.

We are seeking to bring a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing our science and technology relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. Our approach remains to enhance the UK’s long-term prosperity, while never compromising on economic and national security.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_62

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice 2016 on the number of complaints from residents about the proposed site locations of new poles and cabinets for telecommunications equipment. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is aware of public concerns about the deployment of additional broadband infrastructure, despite the guidance provided in the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice 2016. This is why I asked operators to consider revising the Code of Practice to take into account communities’ concerns. Operators have responded by convening the Telecommunications Poles Working Group, which has now published its best practice recommendations, setting out expectations for how operators can pay due regard to community interests. The Government will continue to monitor the impact of these recommendations on public concern about the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_63

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that cardiovascular disease is included in the upcoming Life Sciences Plan. \p Feryal Clark: The Life Sciences Sector Plan will focus on enabling world-class R&D, making the UK an outstanding place to start, scale, and invest in life sciences, and driving healthcare innovation and reform. This approach will cement the UK’s global leadership in life sciences and support high-growth businesses, deliver better health outcomes across various diseases – including cardiovascular disease.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_64

Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, for what reason funding was allocated to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency to support research into solar radiation modification techniques. \p Feryal Clark: As set out in ARIA's Framework Agreement, ARIA has unique operational freedoms, including over its research and project choice and its procedures. This independence allows ARIA to take bold steps to better understand the world we live in, and the Government supports ARIA exploring critical areas like this.

The Government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification. ARIA is an independent research body, and they are conducting cautious, controlled research aimed at improving understanding of its risks and impacts. This will produce important information for decisions around the world.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_65

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking with (a) broadband network infrastructure providers, (b) local authorities and (c) utility companies to prevent vouchers issued under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme from expiring before rollout to premises is completed; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of renewing expired vouchers where works are not completed by the required deadline. \p Chris Bryant: Vouchers issued under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme are valid for 12 months from the date issued. Building Digital UK (BDUK) maintains regular contact with local authorities and broadband suppliers to discuss any issues relating to the delivery of voucher projects, and suppliers can request an extension if they are experiencing delays to their rollout due to third parties, for example as a result of wayleave application and civil works.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_66

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to ensure Project Gigabit includes addresses with (a) PE30 3RW, (b) PE30 3BZ and (c) PE30 3NQ postcodes. \p Chris Bryant: CityFibre is currently delivering a Project Gigabit contract across Norfolk.

However, Building Digital UK’s (BDUK) regular market reviews have indicated that premises in the PE30 3RW, PE30 3BZ and PE30 3NQ postcode areas are likely to be included in suppliers’ future commercial plans and should receive a gigabit-capable connection without the need for public subsidy.

BDUK continually monitors suppliers' commercial plans and, if it becomes apparent that these commercial plans will not deliver as expected, premises in these postcode areas may then become eligible for inclusion within the scope of Project Gigabit.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_67
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_67

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development and (b) deployment of artificial intelligence to reduce the use of animals in scientific (i) research and (ii) testing. \p Feryal Clark: The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use, we support the development and application of approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research (the 3Rs), including via artificial intelligence. The Prime Minister launched the AI Opportunities Action Plan in January which outlined 50 actions needed to drive up the development and deployment of AI.

The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_68

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that blasphemy laws are not reintroduced. \p Alex Norris: The government has been clear that there is no blasphemy law in England, and we will not introduce one. Everyone has a fundamental right to freedom of speech. All language adopted by government must be accurate and acknowledge British citizens’ unchanging right to freedom of speech and expression.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_69
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_69

Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which (a) charities and (b) organisations have received funding from the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund. \p Alex Norris: The department has not yet awarded funding to any charities or other organisations via the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund.

The deadline for submitting applications to the fund is 18 May. Funding will be awarded in July 2025. Further information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, published on gov.uk here.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_70

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of polygamous marriages approved by sharia law courts in the most recent period for which information is held. \p Alex Norris: This information is not held.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_71

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to extend the boundary of Freeport East. \p Alex Norris: The boundaries of Freeport tax sites are defined in law. They were agreed, after careful deliberation, by the Government and local Freeport partners, including the relevant local authorities. The Government currently has no plans to amend the boundaries of Freeport tax sites.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_72

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on boycotting (a) goods and services associated with and (b) companies that trade with Israel. \p Alex Norris: The UK government is committed to promoting our trade and business ties with Israel and strongly opposes boycotts. The Cabinet Office has published guidance to public authorities prohibiting procurement boycotts against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel. MHCLG has not issued separate guidance on this matter.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_73

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment made of the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Bills on employment levels in the estate agency sector. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department published the Renters’ Rights Bill Impact Assessment (IA) on 22 November 2024. It received a ‘Green’ rating from the Regulatory Policy Committee, indicating that it is ‘fit for purpose’.

In the IA, the government estimates there are 22,900 letting agents in England in 2023 and 64% of landlords use their services (sources: ONS and English Private Landlord Survey).

The IA does not assess employment levels in the sector but does monetise the familiarisation costs of understanding and adjusting to new regulations for lettings agents. The IA also monetises the commensurate loss of income for lettings agents and other related business of reduced churn in the private rented sector as a result of more stable tenancies. Landlords will benefit from the equivalent saving in letting agent fees.

There are also benefits that the Department has not been able to monetise, for example letting agents are expected to benefit from the Private Rented Sector Database because they will be able to register on behalf of landlords – generating income from this new service.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_74

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her timeline is for (a) consultation and (b) implementation of the updated Decent Homes Standard. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government will consult this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors.
wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-16 conversation_75

Leigh Ingham:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of working with private sector organisations to expand rent-to-buy schemes to support first-time buyers. \p Matthew Pennycook: Rent to Buy is funded through the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) 2021 to 2026.

To own and manage rent to Buy homes funded through the AHP an organisation must be a Registered Provider with the Regulator of Social Housing.

Some private sector organisations also offer rent-to-buy schemes funded by other means. The government has not made any assessment of such schemes.