theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on (a) permanent civil servants and (b) special advisers who choose to resign and work for a public affairs company or in-house lobbyists; and whether his Department has a policy on moving such staff onto gardening leave during the period of notice. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The rules for civil servants and special advisers on the acceptance of outside appointments after departing from the Crown service are set out in the Business Appointment Rules.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many instances there have been of foreign-owned companies using shell companies to bypass the National Security and Investment Act 2021 since 5 July 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act, the Government identifies and takes action in investments and other acquisitions of control in the UK economy that could harm our national security. Our powers apply to all types of acquirer.

Acquisitions in the most sensitive parts of our economy are subject to mandatory notification regardless of the type of acquirer. The Government also monitors the market at all times to identify acquisitions of potential national security interest.

The Government will conduct due diligence on acquisitions under review. This is backed up by statutory information gathering powers and the ability to impose civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance.

Further guidance on the NSI Act and how it applies to different types of acquisition is available on GOV.UK.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effect of the SPS agreement with the EU of 19 May 2025 on the requirement for (a) customs declarations and (b) inspections for the trade of sanitary and phytosanitary goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The new Windsor Framework customs arrangements introduced on 1 May will remain in place, in addition to the arrangements agreed in the SPS deal. The arrangements introduced on May 1 ensure that goods sent to or from consumers will not be subject to customs declarations or duty. The Government has also introduced a range of schemes to support businesses by removing unnecessary checks and paperwork; over 10,000 businesses are already signed up to the UK Internal Market Scheme.

The new UK-EU Common Understanding agrees to remove a broad and wide-ranging set of requirements for sanitary and phytosanitary goods and plants moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

When implemented, there will be no need for SPS paperwork such as health certificates to move agrifood or plant products to Northern Ireland, no mandatory identity or physical checks on those goods, no need for Plant Health Labels when moving plants for planting, seed potatoes, and used agricultural machinery, and no bans on ‘high risk’ plants.

The continued application of the Windsor Framework would provide for Northern Ireland maintaining its privileged unique dual access to both the European Union Single Market and the United Kingdom internal market.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-EU deal on the (a) applicability and (b) operation of the Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 in Northern Ireland. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Government has agreed in its new Common Understanding with the EU a new SPS agreement which makes it easier for food and drink to be imported and exported by reducing the red tape that placed burdens on businesses and led to lengthy lorry queues at the border. This agreement will have no time limit, giving vital certainty to businesses.

The SPS Agreement will facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, protecting the UK’s internal market, reducing costs for businesses and improving consumer choice by applying a consistent regulatory framework for official controls across the United Kingdom.

There will be no need for SPS paperwork such as health certificates to move agrifood or plant products to Northern Ireland, no mandatory identity and physical checks on those goods, no need for Plant Health Labels when moving plants for planting, seed potatoes, and used agricultural machinery, and no bans on ‘high risk’ plants.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what function will the border posts being built at Northern Ireland’s ports now perform in light of the UK-EU deal. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: This will depend on the final shape of a deal, however, the Government is clear that its priority is to reduce barriers to trade and red tape at the border.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any external contractors were procured by (a) Downing Street and (b) the Cabinet Office in relation to the Prime Minister’s visit to Cambridgeshire Police headquarters on 10 April 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Neighbourhood Policing announcement was made by the government on 9 April. A link to the announcement made on 9 April can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-put-neighbourhood-bobbies-back-on-beat

The visit in question on 10 April was not an official government visit and therefore no civil service support was provided.
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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans respond to Question 50047 tabled on 6 May 2025 for answer on 12 May 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: With apologies to the Hon. member, a response has now been issued.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how are aggregate disproportionate cost thresholds reviewed for (a) written Parliamentary Questions and (b) Freedom of Information Act requests; how often do these reviews take place; and on what dates have changes been made since 2000. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Guide to Parliamentary Work, which is published online and available here, sets out that there is an advisory cost limit known as the disproportionate cost threshold which is the level above which departments can decide not to answer a written question. The current disproportionate cost threshold is £850; the limit does not apply to oral questions.

The threshold is pegged at 140% of the Freedom of Information Act cost limit, currently £600, to the nearest £50. Where a change in the FOI cost limit occurs, the Cabinet Office will make a written statement to advise Parliament of the new disproportionate cost threshold.

Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 allows public authorities to refuse to deal with any requests where they estimate that responding to the request would exceed the “appropriate limit”, known as the “cost limit”.

If a public authority calculates that responding to a request will take it over the appropriate limit it is not obliged to provide a substantive response. The cost limit is calculated at a flat rate of £25 per hour and since 2004 has been set at £600 for central government departments and £450 for other public authorities.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of Personal Independence Payment recipients are in work in (a) Birmingham Northfield constituency, (b) Birmingham local authority area and (c) the West Midlands. \p Sir Stephen Timms: For the proportion of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants who are in work by different geographic breakdowns, please see table 1 below.

Table 1: the percentage of PIP claimants who are in work by different geographic breakdowns

Geography

Percentage of PIP claimants in work

Birmingham Northfield PC

18

Birmingham LA

15

West Midlands

19

Source(s): PIP Administrative Data and HMRC data

Notes:
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the use of food banks in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Alison McGovern: We are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. To inform this work, DWP officials have engaged with a range of organisations to better understand the complex food support landscape. We also continue to provide substantial funding to Local Authorities to support those most in need and extended the Household Support Fund by a further year until March 2026, providing funding of £742 million in England. This will ensure low-income households can continue to access support towards the cost of essentials, such as food.

Alongside this, the Child Poverty Taskforce is exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty. The Strategy will look at four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. Our plan to Make Work Pay, will help more people to stay in work, improve job security and boost living standards, including by increasing the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour to boost the pay of three million workers. It is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.
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Sir Julian Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using mediation to facilitate an (a) easier and (b) speedier return to the workplace for people off work for (i) stress and (ii) mental health issues. \p Alison McGovern: Employment Advisors in the jointly owned DWP-DHSC ‘Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies programme’ provide advice and support to those suffering with stress and/ or mental health conditions to remain in or return to work. Though not formal mediation, this support often includes liaising with employers to communicate the support that their clients need in the workplace. Additionally, if the client wishes, Employment Advisors can also work with NHS Talking Therapies patients and their employers to support returns to work following mental health-related absences.
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Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is taking steps to (a) provide guidance to, (b) help seek redress for and (c) otherwise help support people affected by HSBC historically deducting a portion of its workers' occupational pensions when they reached State Pension age. \p Torsten Bell: Integrated pensions are intended to provide people who retire before their State Pension age with a similar pension income before and after their State Pension comes into payment. A member’s scheme pension is calculated so that the scheme pays a higher pension before the person reaches State Pension age, which is then reduced at State Pension age to take account of their State Pension.

If members of an integrated pension scheme believe that the scheme has not followed its rules or the relevant law, they should use the scheme’s internal dispute resolution service, which every scheme is required to have. If they are not satisfied with the outcome, they can take the matter to the Pensions Ombudsman.

They may also find it helpful to contact Money Helper, which provides free advice on all aspects of occupational pension schemes and personal pension schemes. Money Helper can be contacted by telephone on: xx-xxxx-xxxx and more information is available on its website at: www.moneyhelper.org.uk
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what information her Department holds on the number of (a) food banks there are, (b) donations made to food banks and (c) people who used foodbanks in (i) Slough and (b) the South East in 2024. \p Alison McGovern: The Department does not hold information on the number food banks there are, nor the number of donations made to food banks in (i) Slough and (ii) the South East in 2024.

Regional breakdowns of the number of individuals living in households that accessed a food bank in the 12 months prior to interview are available on Stat-Xplore - Home. Disaggregation by geographical regions should be presented as three-year averages. This is because single-year regional estimates are considered too volatile.

We are committed to tackling food poverty and ending mass dependence of emergency food parcels. To inform this work, DWP officials have engaged with a range of organisations to better understand the complex food poverty landscape. We also continue to provide substantial funding to Local Authorities to support those most in need and are extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) by a further year until March 2026, providing funding of £742 million in England. This will ensure low-income households can continue to access support towards the cost of essentials, such as food.

We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. Our plan to Make Work Pay, will help more people to stay in work, improve job security and boost living standards, including by increasing the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour to boost the pay of three million workers. It is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.
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Rebecca Long Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what (a) equality and (b) human rights impact assessments have been conducted on the proposed changes to the operational delivery of Access to Work. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Since the beginning of this Parliament the Department for Work and Pensions has taken steps to improve operational guidance and process to ensure Access to Work grants are awarded consistently and as quickly as possible. No significant changes have been made which would entail a consultation or impact assessment.

As part of our Plan for Change, and as set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper published in March, we are consulting on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the programme to help more disabled people into work and support employers, ensuring value for money for taxpayers. We will review all aspects of the Scheme following the conclusion of the consultation and carefully assess the impact of any proposed changes.

We encourage people to have their views and voices heard on how they think the programme and the welfare system could be improved.
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Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of Personal Independence Payment recipients are in work in (a) Worsley and Eccles constituency, (b) Salford, (c) Wigan, (d) Greater Manchester City Region and (e) England and Wales. \p Sir Stephen Timms: For the proportion of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants who are in work by different geographic breakdowns, please see table 1 below.

Table 1: the percentage of PIP claimants who are in work by different geographic breakdowns

Geography

Percentage of PIP claimants in work

Worsley and Eccles

20

Salford

13

Wigan

19

Greater Manchester City Region

18

England and Wales

20

Source(s): PIP Administrative Data and HMRC data

Notes:
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Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure that companies using self-employed food delivery riders comply with (a) their legal obligations as clients under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and (b) the duty to ensure the (i) competence of contractors and (ii) safety of systems of work involving (A) fire and (B) road risk. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks.

Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work.

Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with employers organisations on the viability of multi-employer Collective Defined Contribution pension schemes. \p Torsten Bell: The Department worked closely with a wide range of organisations, including those representing the interests of employers, in developing the policy and legislation to accommodate unconnected multiple employer collective defined contribution schemes.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to require the Environment Agency to revise environmental permits to enforce compliance with the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations 1994. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) enforces the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (UWWTR) through environmental permits. These set discharge limits, nutrient removal standards, and monitoring and reporting requirements, based on population size and receiving water sensitivity. Operators must regularly report data, which the EA assesses for compliance. Enforcement action is taken for breaches. Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations, the EA also reviews permits periodically to ensure they stay aligned with UWWTR, capturing changes in population, treatment standards, or sensitive area designations. This ensures permits remain current, effective, and protective of the environment.
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee entitled The Government’s vision for farming, HC 906, published on 16 May 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Secretary of State and Minister Zeichner met the Committee recently and had the chance to discuss this Government’s approach to farming policy at that time. The Secretary of State’s oral evidence sessions sets out the Ministerial his assessment.
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Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent engagement he has had with (a) zoos and (b) aquariums on the inclusion of conservation animal transfers in a future UK-EU veterinary agreement. \p Daniel Zeichner: We have worked closely with zoos and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to address challenges related to the movement of animals between the UK and the EU. This includes the availability of Export Health Certificates and to expedite requests for new EHCs, for breeding programmes where welfare concerns may arise.

Our future priority is to secure the long-term UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to reduce trade barriers and enable the safe and efficient movement of zoo animals. Our ambition is to reach an agreement that reduce administrative burden by streamlining SPS checks and certification, while upholding the UK’s commitment to ensure its biosecurity is protected within this future framework.

Ministers have actively engaged with the zoo and wildlife sector through multiple visits and discussions to understand it’s challenges and opportunities. This dialogue will continue as we work together to support ongoing improvements.
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Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to ensure that a future UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary veterinary agreement supports the role of (a) zoos and (b) aquariums in international conservation breeding programmes. \p Daniel Zeichner: While we continue to work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to address immediate challenges regarding EU trade– such as the availability of Export Health Certificates and Border Control Post capacity – our primary focus is on securing a long-term, sustainable solution through the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU.

The SPS Agreement will establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Zone aimed at reducing trade barriers and facilitating the safe and efficient movement of terrestrial and aquatic zoo animals. Our ambition is to reach an agreement that reduce administrative burden by streamlining SPS checks and certification, while upholding the UK’s commitment to ensure its biosecurity is protected within this future framework.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the potential financial impact of the extension of EU access to fish in British territorial waters to June 2038 on the fishing sector in each region. \p Daniel Zeichner: The new UK-EU fisheries agreement announced on 19 May will continue the current access arrangements in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, under which the UK grants access to around 1,600 EU registered vessels to fish in UK waters, of which 154 vessels have access to parts of the 6-12 nautical mile zone in England and Wales in 2025. A list of EU vessels with access to UK waters is published by the UK Single Issuing Authority.

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities to understand their concerns and the impacts of the fishing arrangements announced in the UK-EU summit. We are also launching the Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund investing £360 million over the next 12 years to support the next generation of fishermen and our coastal communities.
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Llinos Medi:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the fishing and coastal growth fund will be allocated to Wales. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Fishing & Coastal Growth Fund will be investing £360 million over the next 12 years. As part of that fund Ministers committed to working closely with the industry and local communities in order to ensure investment is targeted to where it is needed most. As part of that planned engagement we will work closely with Devolved Governments.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the number of red squirrels in each year between 2022 and 2025. \p Mary Creagh: The Government has not made an estimate of red squirrel populations between 2022 and 2025. No systematic national survey for the species currently exists, therefore it is not possible to provide annual population estimates. In England the red squirrel population is estimated to be 38,900 (Mathews et al, 2018).
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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent Natural England having a conflict of interest as (a) regulator and (b) service provider in the nutrient credit market. \p Mary Creagh: Natural England has robust internal processes in place to ensure the integrity of their advice to Local Planning Authorities and others - including with respect to nutrient neutrality and nutrient mitigation standards and services.

While Natural England provides advice, it is Local Planning Authorities who make decisions on what nutrient mitigation to accept.

In accordance with the Direction from the Secretary of State of 28 July 2022, Natural England only intervenes to establish nutrient mitigation schemes itself where there is market failure, prioritising those catchments where interventions will have the most impact in addressing development pressures.

The Government recognises the importance of avoiding any perception of conflict of interest and will continue to ensure that standard setting and service delivery are clearly seen to be independent as nature services markets develop and mature.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department had discussions with the UK fisheries sector on negotiations with the EU for the UK-EU trade deal. \p Daniel Zeichner: The deal announced on 19 May secures the continuation of current access arrangements and sees no changes in the level of EU vessel access to UK waters and no changes to the quota shares set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK also retains control over its waters to pursue its own sustainable fishing policies. There are areas where we’re going further and faster than the EU to protect marine life and support sustainable fisheries. That’s not changing.

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether increasing fishing quotas for UK fisheries was discussed during negotiations on the UK-EU trade deal. \p Daniel Zeichner: In preparation for negotiations around the UK-EU Summit, Defra engaged with the UK fishing sector to understand their priorities. Throughout these negotiations, we made every effort to achieve the best outcome for the UK fishing industry. We have secured a deal that gives UK fisheries long-term certainty and protects the significant quota uplifts received by the UK under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-EU trade deal on the sustainability of the fisheries sector. \p Daniel Zeichner: The deal announced on 19 May secures the continuation of current access arrangements and sees no changes in the level of EU vessel access to UK waters and no changes to the quota shares set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The UK also retains control over its waters to pursue its own sustainable fishing policies. There are areas where we’re going further and faster than the EU to protect marine life and support sustainable fisheries. That’s not changing.

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress.
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Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the UK-EU trade deal will require the repeal of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023. \p Daniel Zeichner: The EU have accepted there will need to be a number of areas where we need to retain our own rules. The details of these are subject to negotiation, but we have been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards, support public health, and support the use of new and innovative technologies.

We remain committed to moving forward with the Precision Breeding Act.

The EU are also looking to legislate in this area. We look forward to discussing further how we will work together on this issue.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that forest risk commodities implementing legislation supports the UK's commitments under the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade Dialogue on (a) making finance available to smallholders, (b) supporting transition towards sustainable production and (c) strengthening enabling conditions. \p Mary Creagh: The Government recognises the need to take action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation and we will set out our approach to addressing this in due course.

The Government is taking action to support our FACT Dialogue commitments, working with smallholder farmers to improve sustainable practices and encourage forest-friendly businesses. For example, the Official Development Assistance funded ‘Investments in Forests and Sustainable Land Use’ programme supports the development of new business models which provide jobs and livelihoods, while protecting and restoring forests.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding his Department has allocated to support Sizewell C nuclear plant in advance of the final investment decision for that plant. \p Michael Shanks: The Sizewell C Development Expenditure Subsidy Scheme (DEVEX Scheme) has been made for £5.5bn for the Sizewell C company. Under this scheme to date, £3.9bn has been awarded to the company, in two tranches, one of £1.2bn and one of £2.7bn.

Prior to these awards, the Department had awarded £2.5bn to the project since the Government Investment Decision in November 2022 under the SZC Investment Funding Scheme.

Hence, in total, the Department has to date allocated £6.4bn to the project under both subsidy scheme.
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Ruth Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has to include tidal lagoons in the 2030-50 clean energy mix. \p Michael Shanks: The UK possesses tremendous tidal resource which could play a role in balancing the intermittency of wind and solar generation as we transition towards a carbon-neutral power sector.

The Government's position on tidal range generation, is that we remain open to considering well-developed proposals for harnessing the tidal range energy in the bays and estuaries around our coastlines, including lagoons and other alternatives.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

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Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 52787 on Offshore Industry: Carbon Emissions, how many offshore oil and gas projects are awaiting the resumption of environmental impact assessment evaluations. \p Michael Shanks: There are a variety of factors beyond the publication of the guidance that will influence a developer’s decisions on whether to proceed with a project, so it is therefore difficult to predict the exact number of projects waiting to commence the environmental impact assessment process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_268

Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the number of radio teleswitch service meters in use in (a) Wales, (b) Gwynedd and (c) Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency in the latest period for which data is available. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Most recent figures provided to the Department from Ofgem indicates that as of 2nd May there were c.9,500 RTS meters remaining in Wales.

Ofgem does not collect constituency level data on RTS meters from suppliers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_269

Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of beach closures caused by pollution on tourism in coastal communities. \p Chris Bryant: DCMS recognises the importance of clean and accessible beaches to the tourism offer in coastal communities.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage which affect coastal beaches.

That is why the Water (Special Measures) Act will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry and the Independent Water Commission will make recommendations to shape further action to transform how our water system works and clean up our waterways for good.

As part of Price Review 2024 (PR24), water companies will be delivering over £11 billion to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales which OfWat expects will reduce storm overflow discharges by 45% by 2030, compared to 2021 levels. Water companies are prioritising investment at storm overflows near Bathing Waters, with improvements being delivered at them all by 2035.”

While DCMS has not conducted a specific assessment of the impact of beach closures caused by pollution on tourism, we continue to engage with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which leads on water quality, to ensure that the environmental health of coastal areas supports a thriving tourism sector. Moreover, it stands to reason that if tourists feel our beaches aren’t safe or clean, this will impact tourism figures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_270

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the economic contribution of coach travel to the tourism sector. \p Chris Bryant: Coaches play a vital role in the tourism sector, providing transportation for millions of people every year to experience local attractions, scenic destinations such as coastal towns, or embark on excursions, often at budget-friendly rates. According to research published by the Confederation of Passenger Transport in 2024, coaches facilitate 450 million journeys each year and coach passengers spend £8.3 billion every year in local economies.

The government remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders to strengthen our partnerships and encourage sustainable growth within the sector, including coach travel.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_271

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support (a) small and (b) independent artists in securing adequate levels of payments from music streaming services. \p Chris Bryant: The Government recognises the vital importance of ensuring that all music creators, including independent artists, are appropriately compensated for their work. Many have raised legitimate concerns about remuneration from streaming platforms and we take these issues seriously. Through a dedicated working group, we are facilitating industry-led action on music streaming remuneration, with the aim of making meaningful progress.

We recognise that positive steps are being taken by parts of the industry, such as the decision by some, but not all, labels to disregard unrecouped advances in legacy contracts on a rolling basis. These are welcome moves that reflect an increasing recognition across the sector of the need for more equitable outcomes. However, there is still a clear need for further progress. Too many musicians and song writers are expected to work for a pittance. We remain committed to pursuing practical, effective solutions that empower our world-class industry and its creators to thrive.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_272

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the causes of homelessness in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire. \p Rushanara Ali: Homelessness levels are far too high, and this can have a devastating impact on those affected. The Government is looking at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to deliver the long-term solutions to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

The Government are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. We have increased funding for homelessness services across England by £233 million to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. This will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation. Allocations, including those for Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire, have been published on gov.uk.

The Government is also tackling the root causes of homelessness, including the delivery of the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_273

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her comments to the Convention of the North in Preston on 28 February 2025, on what evidential basis she said that the whole of the North will have elected mayors by May 2026. \p Jim McMahon: Earlier this month, inaugural mayoral elections were held in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull & East Yorkshire. They now join the rest of Yorkshire, the North East, Tees Valley, Liverpool City and Greater Manchester as mayoral combined authorities.

Continuing our ambition to see the benefits of devolution extended across the North, the Deputy Prime Minister announced six places on the Devolution Priority Programme with a fast-track ticket to drive real change in their area – including Cumbria, and Cheshire and Warrington – which are receiving the full backing of government.

Finally, we are continuing to work with Lancashire Combined County Authority to deepen their existing devolution agreement and, dependant on their ongoing governance review, we will explore a path towards mayoral devolution for the region.

Clearly it is for local leaders to organise and secure consensus in each of these areas, but as has always been the case, the government stands ready to work as partners in achieving this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_274

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what funding she has made available to support community-led housing schemes. \p Matthew Pennycook: Community-led housing schemes can apply for government funding through a range of existing programmes, including the Brownfield Land Release Fund and the Affordable Homes Programme.

On 25 March, we announced a £20 million support package for community-led housebuilding groups, including housing co-operatives and community land trusts. This investment, managed by Resonance Ltd, will support the construction of over 2,500 new homes in the next decade, addressing local needs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_275

Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the accuracy of financial viability assessments used in the planning process. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. As part of this commitment, we are reviewing Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) on viability, and expect to provide a further update by the end of spring.

It is already the case, as set out in the viability PPG, that any viability assessment should be prepared with professional integrity by a suitably qualified practitioner and be presented in accordance with the guidance. The inputs and findings of any viability assessment should be set out in a way that aids clear interpretation and interrogation by decision makers.

Reports and findings should clearly state what assumptions have been made about costs and values (including gross development value, benchmark land value including the landowner premium, developer’s return and costs).

Any viability assessment should be prepared on the basis that it will be made publicly available other than in exceptional circumstances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_276

Luke Myer:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to regulate the use of (a) algorithmic and (b) AI-driven decision-making tools in the private rental sector. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Government is clear that tenants living in the private rented sector should be treated fairly and with respect. Landlords are responsible for any decision they make, including where they have used AI-driven tools to support their decision making process.

In designing and implementing the digital aspects of our reforms, including the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman and the Private Rented Sector Database, the Department will capitalise on the opportunities that AI offers to create modern and efficient services. These services will be built in line with the Government Digital Service Standard and the code of practice for cyber security of AI published by DSIT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-02 conversation_277

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Solicitor General, what recent steps she has taken to help increase prosecution rates for knife crime. \p Lucy Rigby: This Government is committed to halving knife crime in the next decade as set out in our Safer Streets Mission.

The number of cases that the CPS prosecuted for possession of a knife under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and Prevention of Crime Act 1953 has risen from 26,500 (2022-2023) to 27,818 (2023-2024).

The Crime and Policing Bill introduces several knife crime specific measures including a new offence of possession of a knife or offensive weapon with intent to use it for violence; and increasing the maximum penalties for offences relating to the sale and possession of offensive weapons from six months to two years imprisonment. We will also give police power to seize and destroy knifes that they suspect will be used for violence.

Additionally, the Government has set up a national taskforce with policing leaders, which the CPS is supporting. This taskforce is exploring actions to prevent, tackle and reduce knife enabled robbery.

The Government is also acting to address the deadly cycle of knife crime by getting more dangerous weapons off our streets and preventing young people from being drawn into violent crime in the first place, with a radical new Young Futures prevention programme and early intervention for those at-risk. Working with our criminal justice partners, we will also introduce tough consequences for youths caught with knives, including more referrals to Youth Offending Teams.