theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Zarah Sultana:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) protect survivors of modern slavery in the context of immigration enforcement raids. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer given on 19 February to Question 30592.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the public purse was of laundrette services for irregular migrants housed in hotels through contracted services in 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer I gave him on 2 December 2024 to Question UIN 15593.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the public purse was of cleaning in hotels housing irregular migrants in 2024. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The cost of laundry and cleaning services at hotels are included in the overall payment made for the use of each property rather than through any separate contractual arrangement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many non-disclosure agreements were signed by staff in hotels hosting irregular migrants in each of the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The Home Office is not responsible for the employment of staff in asylum hotels and is not aware of any such arrangements they may have signed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many migrants subject to voluntary removals received payments to ensure departure since 5 July 2024; and what the (a) total, (b) average, (c) lowest and (d) highest payment made was. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer I gave on 6 February to Question UIN 28420.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to publish a deadline for the implementation public registers of beneficial ownership in the Overseas Territories. \p Stephen Doughty: At the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in November 2024, the Falkland Islands and St Helena committed to join Montserrat and Gibraltar in implementing fully public registers by April 2025.

Other OTs, including the British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Bermuda, Anguilla and Turks & Caicos Islands, agreed to implement registers of beneficial ownership, accessible to those with a legitimate interest, by June 2025. The details of this commitment are set out in the JMC communique published on gov.uk. We are working with OT Governments to ensure proposals for the registers meet the requirements agreed at the Joint Ministerial Council.

Our expectation is that all OTs will ultimately implement registers that are fully accessible to the public.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether changes have been made to the mechanisms by which the proposed lease of the military base on Diego Garcia can be extended in the proposed UK-Mauritius Treaty since 3 October 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: The Treaty will last for an initial 99 years and may be extended for a further 40 years (and beyond) by agreement between the UK and Mauritius. The UK will also have the right to first refusal on the use of Diego Garcia which, if exercised, would prevent the use of the base by any other party.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy that Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody with strong British connections are treated as British citizens. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment of detainees. The UK continues to reiterate calls for Israel to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) unfettered and immediate access to detention facilities. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and our Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates worldwide provide consular assistance to British nationals abroad. Types of British citizenship are set out on Gov.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2025 to Question 28962, whether his Department has conducted a value for money assessment of the proposed agreement with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands. \p Stephen Doughty: On 3 October 2024, the UK and Mauritius reached a political agreement to secure the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which is an essential part of our global defence network.

HMT has been working with the FCDO and the MOD on the agreement who, as the lead departments, are responsible for assessing its value for money under the Managing Public Money framework.

Protecting the British people is this government's number one priority. We will not scrimp on security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what kind of shipping trade (a) to and (b) from Russia is not covered by the sanctions regime. \p Stephen Doughty: In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UK has introduced an unprecedented package of sanctions. Sanctions have deprived Russia of over $400 billion since February 2022. Sanctions on trade to and from Russia are designed to undermine Russia's war effort by inflicting economic cost on the regime and denying it the equipment, services, and technology critical for its military development. Russian imports into the UK have fallen by more than 99 per cent, and UK exports to Russia are down by more than 75 per cent. Since July, the UK has sanctioned over 125 oil tankers, as well as a number of vessels carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and military goods.
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Jon Trickett:To ask the Solicitor General, how many staff her Department has seconded from Palantir since July 2024. \p Lucy Rigby: The Attorney General’s Office has never seconded any staff from Palantir.
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Chris Bloore:To ask the Solicitor General, whether her Department offers (a) paid time off work and (b) other support to employees who become kinship carers. \p Lucy Rigby: The Attorney General’s Office offers carers emergency leave for dependants with pay in accordance with the department’s special leave policy. Employees can take time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant or are able to request other leave, paid and unpaid, as well as annual and flexi leave as required to support them when they become a kinship carer. Employees are also able to request flexible working to support both short term and longer-term arrangements.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Solicitor General, whether there are any requirements for civil servants to book a desk in advance in order to attend the office in person in each of (a) their Department's office workplaces and (b) the arm’s length bodies of their Department. \p Lucy Rigby: No. There are not any requirements for Attorney General's Office staff to book a desk in advance in order to attend the office in person.

The Government Legal Department (GLD) has staff based in five sites across the country; 102 Petty France, London; 1 Ruskin Square, Croydon; 7-8 Wellington Place, Leeds; 2 Rivergate, Bristol; and Three New Bailey, Manchester. GLD staff in each of these locations are expected to book a desk using the dedicated desk booking system; client-based legal teams follow local protocols.

HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate books desks for staff attending both their offices through systems run by the GLD for London and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (as the major occupier) for the York office.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has staff based in 37 sites across the country, a full list of which is annexed to this answer. CPS staff in each of these locations are expected to book a desk using the dedicated desk booking system; client-based legal teams follow local protocols.

Staff at the Serious Fraud Office are not required to book a desk in advance to attend the office.

Annex (pdf, 132.5KB)
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John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of putting in place an independent process to set benefit levels in line with the cost of essentials. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No assessment has been made. The Social Security Administration Act 1992 requires the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to review benefit and State Pension rates each year to see if they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices or earnings. Where the relevant benefit or State Pension rates have not retained their value, legislation provides that the Secretary of State is required to, or in some instances may, up-rate their value.

Following this review, benefit and State Pension rates are increased in line with statutory minimum amounts and others are increased subject to Secretary of State’s discretion.

Following the Secretary of State’s up-rating decisions for 2025/26, DWP expenditure on state pensions and benefits will increase by £6.9 billion.
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Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support young people with SEND needs into employment. \p Alison McGovern: The Department for Work and Pensions are supporting many young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to find employment.

The government will be launching a Youth Guarantee for all 18-21 year olds in England, to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. This will start with eight trailblazers, which are launching this spring, and testing localised approaches to supporting young people, which could include those with SEND.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will reverse the Government’s decision not to provide pension compensation to women who were born in the 1950s and 1960s. \p Torsten Bell: We carefully considered the Ombudsman’s findings to ensure our decision was fair and based on the evidence.

We have accepted the Ombudsman’s finding that there was a 28-month delay in sending out letters and for this we have apologised. However, we do not agree with the Ombudsman’s approach to injustice or remedy. Full details of the Government’s decision are available here: Government response to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s Investigation into Women’s State Pension age communications and associated issues - GOV.UK
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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to publish an Equality Impact Assessment of proposed reforms to the health and benefit system. \p Sir Stephen Timms: As with all policies, we will ensure that considerations about their impact are at the heart of the policy making process.

We will consider the publication of any future Equality Impact Assessments on a case by case basis as usual.
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Damien Egan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January to Question 27607 on Work Capability Assessment, how many and what proportion of decisions for each assessment interview type were classified as (a) fit for work, (b) need to prepare to work in the future, but have limited capability for work and (c) have limited capability for work and work related activity between January 2019 and December 2024. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The information requested on decisions is not collated centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

However, we have provided the monthly figures on health professional (HP) recommendations, Fit for Work, Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA), following a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) separated by assessment type, since January 2021, in the attachment.

Please Note

Attachment (xlsx, 40.9KB)
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Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of Common Wealth's report, entitled Public Coordination of a Just North Sea Transition, published on 10 January 2025. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is committed to a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea to boost Britain’s energy security and ensure good, long-term jobs. That is why we have already launched Great British Energy, begun the biggest ever investment in offshore wind, and are moving ahead with new North Sea industries like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen.
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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of building energy infrastructure on protected peatland. \p Michael Shanks: The Government has committed to ensuring nature’s recovery and recognises the vital role of peatlands in storing carbon, tackling climate change and fighting biodiversity loss. The National Policy Statements for energy set out the requirements on developers to undertake Greenhouse Gas Assessments and the mitigation hierarchy they must apply, including consideration of peatland restoration through a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy. Where significant effects are likely, energy infrastructure developers must submit an Environmental Impact Assessment with their planning application, demonstrating how they have applied this hierarchy to any impacts arising from proposed development.
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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation. \p Michael Shanks: The Department launched the consultation ‘Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7)’ on 6 February 2025, with more information available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-national-policy-statement-for-nuclear-energy-generation-en-7 (opens in a new tab)

As per the department's accessible documents policy, the consultation document is published on GOV.UK and provided as both a tagged PDF and HTML so screen readers can understand the page structure. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform.

Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation in an accessible format by emailing xxx@xxx.xx. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact xxx@xxx.xx.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make a comparative assessment of the potential impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism introduced by Regulation (EU) 2023/956 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on the price of electricity in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain after 1 January 2026. \p Michael Shanks: The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is in an implementation period until January 2026 and applies to exports of electricity to the EU but not electricity for the UK market. The EU Commission has said that it intends to finalise the regulation via legislation over 2025. It remains difficult to conduct an accurate assessment of any potential impacts.

The UK will continue to engage closely with the EU as it finalises the CBAM and will continue to raise the need for clarity on the practical implementation of the CBAM for trade in electricity, given the challenges involved.
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Mark Sewards:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that there are adequate electric vehicle charging points for properties that do not have a driveway. \p Michael Shanks: The Government and industry have supported the installation of over 74,000 public charging devices across the UK. The Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund will transform the availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging for drivers without off-street parking. Through the Fund, an additional 100,000 local chargers are planned to be installed.

For drivers who do not have a driveway, but do have access to on-street parking, Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grants are also available. These offer up to £350 towards the purchase and installation of a chargepoint. To support local authorities, the Government has published guidance on installing cross-pavement solutions for residents without off-street parking.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of developing high-temperature superconducting magnet technology in the UK. \p Kerry McCarthy: High Temperature Superconducting magnets will not only be critical for fusion energy machines such as STEP, but have potential to revolutionise aviation, trains, marine propulsion, medical scanners, wind turbines, materials processing, big science facilities, and more. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and the private sector, to support the establishment and growth of the UK’s HTS magnet capabilities, to capture the benefits of this growing market, and ultimately enable the delivery of commercially viable fusion energy.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to support the fusion energy sector to commercialise its technologies. \p Kerry McCarthy: On 16 January 2025, the Government announced a record £410m for fusion R&D to fund world leading new facilities and provide support for the UK’s thriving industry and skill provision across the UK.

The Government is supporting rapid development of the fusion energy sector, investing in cutting edge research capabilities and facilities, and implementing a proportionate regulatory framework to cement the UK as a global hub for fusion investment and commercialisation. This includes the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype fusion energy power plant which aims to prove the viability of commercial fusion and catalyse fusion sector development.
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Steve Barclay:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much has been paid to farmers in Improving Farming Productivity grants since 4 July 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Rual Payment Agency has supported the farming and rural sector through payments under a range of grants. Since 04 July 2024, £2,403,543.46 been paid to farmers for Improving Farming Productivity grants.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support farmers facing increased veterinary insurance premiums. \p Daniel Zeichner: Insurance providers are private businesses and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. However, through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, we are providing eligible keepers of cattle, sheep and pigs in England access to a series of funded visits by a vet of their choice, the animal health and welfare review and the complementary endemic disease follow-up visit.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent hunting activities from causing distress to livestock on active farmland. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government recognises the distress livestock worrying can cause animals and their keepers.

It is an offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 for any dog to attack or worry livestock. All reported crimes should be taken seriously, investigated and, where appropriate, taken through the courts and met with appropriate penalties.

Government is supporting a Private Members’ Bill which will amend and update the 1953 Act. The Bill will modernise definitions and scope, strengthen police powers and increase the maximum penalty from a fine of £1,000 to an “unlimited” fine to act as a deterrent.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to support farmers with changes in agricultural subsidies following the UK's departure from the EU. \p Daniel Zeichner: As we carry on the transition away from payment for land ownership and towards paying to deliver public goods for the environment, the Government is working with farmers to deliver a profitable farming sector and unlock rural growth.

Environment Land Management (ELM) schemes remain at the centre of our offer for farmers and nature, putting us on the path to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector. In the October 2024 budget, we committed £5 billion for farming over two years, including £1.8 billion for our ELM schemes - the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history. More than half of farmers are now in an ELM scheme.

At January’s Oxford Farming Conference, the Secretary of State announced a series of reforms to support farmers, delivering on the Government’s New Deal for Farmers. This includes a pledge to use the Government’s own purchasing power to back British produce and a commitment to monitor food currently bought in the public sector and where it is bought from.

The Government will also use planning reforms to support food production, help farmers make additional money from selling surplus energy from solar panels and wind turbines by accelerating connections to the grid, protect farmers in trade deals, and boost profitability through fair competition across the supply chain.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding is allocated for research into affordable precision agriculture technologies suitable for small-scale farmers. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Farming Innovation Programme funds research across a range of technologies in agriculture including precision agriculture.

Almost £150 million has been committed to projects of which over £84 million has been committed to small businesses.

From 2025 / 2026 a further £63 million will be available in innovation grants under the Programme to support research and innovation, technology and equipment for farmers.
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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase support for farmers who make environmental contributions in the Land Use Framework. \p Mary Creagh: The Government has recently launched a 12-week consultation on land use in England, which will inform the publication of a Land Use Framework later in the year. The consultation includes questions about how the government can more effectively align incentives to support farmers in providing the food and environment outcomes that the nation needs.
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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing the farming budget to reflect the Government’s nature and climate targets. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to implement the Environmental Land Management scheme options. \p Daniel Zeichner: Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes remain at the centre of our offer for farmers and nature, putting us on the path to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector.

We now have more than half of farmers in an ELM scheme, including over 36,00 farmers in an SFI agreement. We are continuing to progress with the launch of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, and the first farmers and land managers started the required pre-application process in January. Similarly, we are continuing to progress Landscape Recovery with the first projects moving into their implementation stages this year.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of councils have (a) applied for and (b) received exemptions from food waste processing under the Simpler Recycling’s mandatory food waste collection requirements, due to commence between 2025-2027. \p Mary Creagh: We have set out that every local authority will be required to collect food waste for recycling by 31 March 2026. Commencement regulations named a total of 31 local authorities that were provided with a bespoke transitional arrangement, delaying food waste collection requirements. It was deemed that these local authorities needed longer to implement separate food waste collections for households due to barriers presented by long-term residual waste disposal contracts that run beyond 31 March 2026.

We engaged extensively with affected local authorities. Where the evidence demonstrated that existing long-term waste disposal contracts presented an unavoidable barrier to the introduction of food waste collections by 31 March 2026, transitional arrangements were provided by Defra.

We will continue to work with local authorities to identify whether they can bring forward food waste collections and the associated benefits before the end of their bespoke transitional arrangement.
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Sir Geoffrey Cox:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what she has recently consulted with relevant stakeholders on the future of the Tavistock to Plymouth line. \p Mike Kane: Department for Transport ministers have not recently consulted with relevant stakeholders on the line north of Bere Alston. The project to reopen the line is being considered as part of the Spending Review, which will be concluded in June 2025.
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Jade Botterill:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what financial support she is providing to local transport authorities and Mayors to improve local bus services in Yorkshire. \p Mike Kane: The government is committed to delivering the better, more reliable bus services that passengers deserve. In the Budget the government confirmed investment of over £1 billion to support and improve bus services and keep fares affordable. Local transport authorities (LTAs) in Yorkshire have been allocated over £76 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services. This includes £36 million allocated to West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

In addition to funding for LTAs, eligible bus operators in Yorkshire can claim funding through the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) and BSOG Plus, which supports bus service provision.

All future funding for buses will be considered as part of the upcoming multi-year spending review. We have also committed to reforming bus funding to give local leaders more control and flexibility to allow them to plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities.
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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. \p Mike Kane: The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable form, email and post. Tagged PDF files have been provided and users can also request alternative versions if the files are not suitable for their needs, to support accessibility.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Network rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon. \p Lilian Greenwood: Department for Transport ministers have had no recent discussions with Network Rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon.

To deliver the government’s Net Zero commitment, the Government’s stated approach will be to electrify additional rail lines and deploy alternative traction technologies such as battery and hybrid where it makes operational and economic sense. This whole track and train approach ensures that we find the best solution for each situation, with a particular emphasis on taxpayer Value for Money.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to amend the charge for the Dartford Crossing, in the context of the potential impact of the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls on levels of congestion. \p Simon Lightwood: The level of charges at the Dartford Crossing is kept under review to maintain its effective operation. Given the additional capacity provided by the Silvertown Tunnel and that for most of the day the charges for cars, vans and lorries at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels will be less than those at the Dartford Crossing, the Department expects minimal changes in total demand at the Dartford Crossing when tolling at the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels begins, and therefore this would not require amendment of the charges levied there.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_123

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many train cars were in use by Northern in January 2024. \p Simon Lightwood: On 1 January 2024, Northern had 904 carriages. The average number of carriage journeys made by Northern Trains in January was 6543 per day across all train configurations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_124

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the British Transport Police on the adequacy of access to train operating company CCTV systems. \p Simon Lightwood: Police access to CCTV is an essential tool for use not only when investigating crime on the rail network, but also to equip Police Officers with effective situational awareness and evidence when making decisions in ongoing incidents.

The Department is working with British Transport Police (BTP) and train operators to ensure sufficient access to CCTV, so that the force can carry out its policing duties across the rail network.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_125

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase (a) automated announcements at railway stations and (b) assistance from platform staff for visually impaired passengers. \p Simon Lightwood: Ensuring accessibility for all passengers is at the heart of our passenger-focused approach. Whenever the industry carries out work at stations this must meet current accessibility standards, including for visual and audible announcements. Furthermore, all train and station operators are required to establish and comply with an Accessible Travel Policy which sets out, amongst other things, the arrangements and assistance that an operator will provide to protect the interests of disabled people using its services. We have recently funded the next phase of the Passenger Assist programme, this will build on the existing programme and deliver an improved and more consistent assistance offer for all passengers who require assistance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_126

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Oyster card scheme to stations in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: Transport for London (TfL) and Operators can consider and propose Oyster expansion where a positive business case can be demonstrated.

No such proposals have been put forward to the Department. However, we are expanding ticketing innovations such as Pay As You Go (PAYG) to more stations and this month we launched PAYG with contactless at Berkhamsted station to join Harpenden station which got contactless PAYG in 2019.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_127

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the frequency and reliability of rail services to stations in Herefordshire. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department works with all its Train Operating Companies on the frequency and reliability of services, including those in Herefordshire, where it also liaises with Transport for Wales on its services through the county. We are aware that West Midlands Trains (WMT) services to Birmingham have suffered reliability issues and shorter trains in recent months, and WMT is implementing a focused set of initiatives to mitigate this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_128

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with the Office of Rail and Road on the potential merits of increasing the number of northern services from (a) Seaham and (b) Horden train stations. \p Simon Lightwood: Rail North Partnership, on behalf of the Department and Transport for the North is currently examining a business case for the increase in services along the Durham Coast line to these two stations, with effect from the December 2025 timetable. The analysis must balance the economic and social benefits of this enhancement with the performance of existing services and the financial impact on taxpayer subsidy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_129

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations she has received from the British Transport Police on the potential merits of additional funding to help ensure it has adequate resources to review CCTV footage for all reported incidents of theft on the Govia Thameslink Railway network. \p Simon Lightwood: Police access to CCTV is an essential tool for use not only when investigating crime on the rail network, but also to equip Police Officers with effective situational awareness and evidence when making decisions in ongoing incidents.

The Department is in regular contact with the BTP and the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) about making the best use of technology, including discussing funding options for new activities.

The British Transport Police costs for policing the railways, including its resources for reviewing CCTV, are met by funding agreements with train operators rather than from the Department for Transport. The BTPA, which is independent and includes representatives from the rail industry, sets the BTP budget annually.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the frequency of rail services for commuters between Wokingham and London. \p Simon Lightwood: Department officials are in regular conversation with South-Western Railway regarding its service provision in response to demand. When reviewing train services, the Department needs to assess business cases and balance demand with value for the taxpayer in its considerations. The Department believe this balance to be appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_131

Daniel Francis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of additional Southeastern services directly from Crayford to Abbey Wood. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department requires all train operators, including Southeastern, to plan services and timetables designed to meet passenger demand while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. Timetables are kept under review and, where appropriate, adjusted to reflect fluctuations in demand. As part of the recent December timetable change Southeastern introduced 12 extra Sidcup/ Greenwich line ‘rounder’ services in the morning and evening peaks. These trains provide direct services between Crayford and Abbey Wood, improving access to the Elizabeth Line and linking the Sidcup line with Cannon Street and New Cross. There are currently no further plans to introduce any additional direct services between Crayford and Abbey Wood.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_132

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative assessment she has made of the employment rates between working-age non-graduates and young graduates. \p Janet Daby: The department produces an annual publication that uses the Labour Force Survey and compares the employment rates of postgraduates, graduates and non-graduates. The publication can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/graduate-labour-markets#dataBlock-3450d11e-68f3-4f34-9284-4a9dd67e861a-tables.

The employment rates for graduates and non-graduates of working age (16 to 64) and for the young population (21 to 30) can be found in two of the tables provided in ‘Section 4. Employment rates time series (2007 – 2023)’ of the publication. These are highlighted below:

Employment rates by working age population for 16- to 64-year-olds: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/fast-track/8c070fb0-8bb7-4278-a65f-08dc7b21f080#:~:text=https%3A//explore%2Deducation%2Dstatistics.service.gov.uk/data%2Dtables/permalink/dcb4226c%2Dc97e%2D4908%2Dd8c5%2D08dd4a33315d.

Employment rates by young population for 21- to 30-year-olds: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/a671ed04-c746-435a-6d61-08dd48e2728c.

The figures in the publication show that:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_133

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in international student applications on the availability of university spaces for domestic students. \p Janet Daby: Universities and other higher education (HE) providers are autonomous bodies and are independent of government and responsible for their own admissions decisions in relation to both domestic and international students. Our world class universities are highly attractive to all students.

This government is clear that international students, who make a positive impact on HE, as well as our economy and society as a whole, are welcome in the UK. They bring significant benefits, by enriching our university campuses, forging lifelong friendships with our domestic students and becoming global ambassadors for the UK.

Domestic students continue to make up the majority of students within our universities. Higher Education Statistics Agency data shows that international students made up 16% of all undergraduate entrants at UK providers in the 2022/23 academic year, down from a high of 18% in the 2019/20 academic year. Tuition fees paid by international students in the 2022/23 academic year are estimated at £12.1 billion, with this contribution supporting provision of places for domestic students and research and development.

The department will continue to monitor available data and engage closely with the HE sector to assess the level of international student admissions to UK universities for the next academic year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve the number of (a) work experience and (b) apprenticeship opportunities in (i) existing and (ii) emerging sectors. \p Janet Daby: The department is committed to ensuring that all pupils are provided with at least two weeks' worth of work experience over the course of their secondary education, by the end of this Parliament. We are piloting the delivery of this guarantee through our delivery partner, the Careers and Enterprise Company. This includes exploring improving the supply of work experience opportunities in all, including emerging, sectors, such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital, ensuring equitable access to activities and placements. We are looking at ways to reduce the administrative burden on both employers and schools to encourage greater uptake of work experience amongst pupils. Piloting work began in October 2024, with end of pilot reporting in August 2025.

Our levy-funded growth and skills offer, with apprenticeships at the heart, will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers in England, aligned with our industrial strategy creating routes into good, skilled jobs in growing industries. As a first step, this will include shorter duration and foundation apprenticeships in targeted sectors. From August 2025, three trailblazers in the key priority sectors of green energy, healthcare and film/TV production will be among the first to pioneer, and benefit from, the flexibilities that new shorter duration apprenticeships offer. These will support more people to gain high-quality skills at work, fuelling innovation in businesses across the country.