theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 11 December 2014 to Question 217660 on Teachers, whether the programme of talks referred to is ongoing. \p Catherine McKinnell: Following the 2024 general election, the Programme of Talks forum was stood down to enable the department to develop new and improved ways of working with employer organisations, unions and other key stakeholders. This government is committed to resetting the relationship with the sector, where we work together on priority areas for reform, building on decades of the sector’s experience and excellence. Tackling high workload for school staff remains a key focus for this government.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of academy schools that do not currently comply with the duty in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to follow the national curriculum. \p Catherine McKinnell: I refer the hon. Member for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston to the answer of 29 July 2024 to Question 1038.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will meet with representatives of the ForThe100 to discuss the duty of care owed by higher education providers to their students. \p Janet Daby: The department is determined that children and young people receive the mental health care they deserve. This government is breaking down barriers to opportunity by providing young people with the mental health support they deserve. To support this, this government has committed to recruiting 8,500 additional staff across children and adult NHS mental health services.

The department continues to work closely with students, parents, mental health experts and the higher education (HE) sector to drive meaningful change in mental health practice through the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce. The Taskforce recently published its second stage report, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/higher-education-mental-health-implementation-taskforce.

The department’s position is that a duty of care in HE may arise in certain circumstances. Such circumstances would be a matter for the courts to decide, based on the specific facts and context of the case being considered, and will be dependent on the application by a court of accepted common law principles.

My noble Friend, the Minister for Skills, welcomes the opportunity to meet with members of ForThe100 regarding these issues.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the current integration of digital literacy into school curriculums. \p Catherine McKinnell: Digital literacy is currently taught through the compulsory curriculum subjects of computing, relationships, sex and health education and, at key stage 3 and 4, citizenship.

Last summer, the government established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis. The review’s aim is for every child and young person to access a cutting-edge curriculum which is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative. The terms of reference set out that the review will seek to deliver a curriculum that ensures children and young people leave compulsory education ready for life and work. This includes embedding digital skills in their learning.

The review’s terms of reference can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/curriculum-and-assessment-review.
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Natasha Irons:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure the financial viability of (a) single and (b) two-form entry schools in (i) urban areas and (ii) Croydon East constituency. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department has allocated £242 million in growth and falling rolls funding to local authorities through the 2024/25 dedicated schools grant (DSG). Local authorities’ allocations of growth and falling rolls funding for 2025/26 was confirmed in December 2024 and information for Croydon is published here: https://skillsfunding.service.gov.uk/view-latest-funding/local-authority/statement/306.

Local authorities can use their growth and falling rolls funding allocations to repurpose surplus space to create SEND units, resource bases, or wraparound childcare provision in mainstream schools, activity which the department knows some local authorities already undertake. This is intended to support schools with falling rolls where planning data shows that the surplus places will be needed. Local authorities now have additional flexibility to support schools through such falling rolls funds.

The forthcoming Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill will introduce new duties for mainstream state schools and local authorities to co-operate regarding their respective school admissions functions and for mainstream, special and alternative provision state schools to co-operate with local authorities regarding their place planning functions. The onus will be on schools and local authorities to work together constructively on these issues so that their statutory responsibilities can be fulfilled.
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Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there is a mandated process for social services to be informed when a child for whom there has been a (a) Child Protection Plan, (b) Child in Need plan and (c) safeguarding concern raised is removed from school. \p Janet Daby: Schools are legally required to notify the local authority of a child’s removal from the school roll at a non-standard transition point. This relates to pupils removed from the admission register before completing the final year of education normally provided by the school, or pupils added to the admission register after the start of the first year of education normally provided by that school. Local authorities are legally responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in their area, and for identifying children who are not receiving a suitable education if not in school. Where the latter is the case, they should commence the School Attendance Order process.

Statutory guidance is clear on how local authorities, schools and other agencies should work together to help, protect, and promote the welfare of children. Where a child of school age is not a registered pupil at a school and is not receiving suitable education at home, this could be an indicator of neglect, abuse, or exploitation. Local authorities should work closely with schools and other agencies to share information effectively, identify and respond to risks of harm, and ensure children and families receive the services they need.

The proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, introduced on 17 December, contains new measures which, if the bill is passed, will require parents to obtain local authority consent before they can home educate if their child is subject to a child protection enquiry or has a child protection plan. Local authorities would also have new powers under the bill to require any home educated child to attend or remain in school if their home or learning environment is deemed unsuitable.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether compensation for schools and colleges from changes to employer National Insurance contributions will be paid via a grant or the detailed schools grant. \p Catherine McKinnell: The department will receive compensation in recognition of the increase in National Insurance Contributions paid by state-funded schools and colleges. That compensation will be additional to the £2.3 billion increase for schools announced at the Autumn Budget 2024. Due to timing constraints, it will be provided as a separate grant for schools, outside the dedicated schools grant in the 2025/26 financial year.
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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to give extra (a) powers and (b) responsibilities to (i) councils and (ii) mayors over (A) academies, (B) other schools and (C) further education. \p Catherine McKinnell: All our schools are crucial partners in breaking down the barriers to opportunities for children and young people so they all receive a brilliant education which sets them up to achieve and thrive.

Academies are directly accountable to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. In the event that academies and their trusts are not meeting the required standards, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has powers to intervene. In the event that a local authority or mayor has concerns about the performance of an academy or trust in their area they can raise these with the department.

Maintained schools are accountable to their local authority, which also has powers to intervene where schools are seriously underperforming.

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, introduced on 17 December 2024, contains proposals to extend certain powers of local authorities. They include powers relating to the admission of children to maintained schools and academies, to the range of bodies which can propose the opening of a new school and to the setting of a school’s published admission number.

The department believes that further education has a crucial part to play in ensuring we have the skills needed for sustainable economic growth. That is why the government will continue to build an education system that prepares our students for life, work, and the future. All young people should have access to high quality education and training that meets their needs and provides them with opportunities to thrive.

The department recognises that mayors have a key role to play in ensuring that education and training pathways for young people provide clear routes into further education or employment. While the department remains committed to the principle of a national education system for those in compulsory education, including that every learner must have a wide range of choices in 16-19 study, the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, sets out areas for further devolution including on skills. Mayors will in future be jointly responsible for local skills improvement plans and have a key role developing the Youth Guarantee to ensure all young people under age 21 are earning or learning.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20334 on Flexible Working, on what dates the Flexible Working Taskforce met in 2023. \p Justin Madders: The Flexible Working Taskforce met once in 2023, on April 24th. The government has continued to engage with stakeholders on a regular basis to discuss flexible working and related issues.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure sufficient recycling facilities are available to process end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. \p Sarah Jones: The UK has the opportunity to boost its midstream processing and recycling of critical minerals, building on world-leading innovation and technical expertise in our chemicals and metals sectors.

We continue to work with industry via the Automotive Transformation Fund to support the creation of an internationally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK including battery recycling. We will ensure continuity in HMG support, building on the announcement in the Budget of £2bn for zero emission vehicles manufacturing and their supply chains.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people were considered for appointment to the Industrial Strategy Council. \p Sarah Jones: Appointments to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were made through direct ministerial appointment by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Council’s membership includes senior business leaders, policy experts and trade union representatives. Members have been appointed in a personal capacity and the Council will help to ensure our Industrial Strategy is informed by a broad and high-quality evidence base, and a diverse range of perspectives.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has visited Harland and Wolff in Belfast. \p Sarah Jones: The Secretary of State has not yet had the opportunity to visit the Harland and Wolff Belfast site but looks forward to doing so in the future. However, as the Minister for Industry, I had the privilege of visiting Northern Ireland on 19th December to observe first-hand the potential of the site for job creation and manufacturing growth. The recent agreement between Navantia UK and Harland and Wolff, which was announced that day, will enable us to maintain our essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity and capability both now and in the long term.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the Fleet Solid Support Ship programme. \p Sarah Jones: The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has maintained regular communication with the Secretary of State for Defence on the Fleet Solid Support Ship programme. Together, they have worked closely with commercial partners Navantia UK and Harland and Wolff to facilitate an agreement that will ensure the delivery of these vital vessels for the Royal Navy. Both Departments agree this is a good deal for the Harland and Wolff shipyards, a good deal for its employees, and a good deal for the whole of British shipbuilding.
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Jim Dickson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the industrial strategy will include measures to support growth in the logistics sector. \p Sarah Jones: I refer the member for Dartford to the answer I provided to UIN 9312 on 18 October 2024.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish the list of attendees of the Indian Business Leaders delegation meeting of 18 December 2024. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The delegation included Bharti Enterprises, Bharat Semi Systems, Biocon Group, Blue Star Limited, Essar Group, Hero Enterprise, Jet Synthesis, Piramal Group, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, TVS Motor Company, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, and UPL Limited.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the UK and Germany. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Reinvigorating the UK’s relationship with our European partners is a top priority for this Government.

Germany is already the UK’s largest trading partner within the EU. Last summer, we launched negotiations for a bilateral treaty that will aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation on economic growth, and in a range of sectors including energy, defence and technology. Negotiations will resume after the forthcoming elections in Germany.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the UK and France. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Reinvigorating the UK’s relationship with our European partners is a top priority for this Government.

My officials regularly engage with counterparts in the French Government to identify opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investment, including the annual dialogue between DBT and France’s DG Entreprises, which last took place in November 2024. The Secretary of State met his counterpart at the G20 Trade Ministerial Meeting in October, to discuss improving bilateral trade flows and collaboration. My honourable friend, the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports will also be travelling to France to support UK exporters later this month.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help increase the (a) volume and (b) value of trade between the UK and Ireland. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Reinvigorating the UK’s relationship with our European partners is a top priority for this Government.

As the Prime Minister has made clear, we are committed to building an ever stronger relationship with Ireland. The UK-Ireland Summit in March offers the opportunity to take forward key areas of mutual cooperation with Ireland, including increasing bilateral trade and investment in areas such as renewables, infrastructure and supporting small business. This will build on the meeting with Irish business leaders the Prime Minister and Taoiseach held in Dublin on 7 September, and my own visit to Dublin for bilateral talks with my counterpart and to speak at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference in October.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what meetings for what purpose (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the People's Republic of China since 5 July 2024. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Secretary of State for Business and Trade met the Vice Minister of Commerce in the margins of the G20 trade summit in Brazil to discuss the UK-China trade relationship.

The Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets met the Vice Minister of the State Administration for Market Regulation in the UK to discuss competition issues.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the effectiveness of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Government has noted the EU’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and has been in regular contact with the European Commission on this issue through the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field, which last met on 9th October 2024. The Directive will apply to UK companies with a turnover generated in the EU of more than €450 million.

We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK’s existing measures, alongside the impacts of new policy tools that are emerging to ensure we can best promote responsible business practices, and take action where appropriate.
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what meetings for what purpose (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of the European Union since 5 July 2024. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Since 5 July 2024, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has held meetings with Commissioner Dombrovskis on three occasions: an introductory call on 10 July 2024; a meeting at the G7 Trade Ministerial in Italy; and a meeting at the G20 in Brazil. On each of these occasions the Secretary of State underlined the Government’s commitment to reset our relationship with the EU.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) his Department and (b) the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service issue guidance on exemptions to trade union recognition. \p Justin Madders: Guidance on the trade union recognition scheme is at Gov.UK. This sets out that the scheme is available to unions where the workplace has 21 or more workers. Therefore the smallest workplaces that have 20 or less workers not in scope of the scheme.

The Central Arbitration Committee has also published detailed guides to the parties to enable both unions and employers to understand the recognition process.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the sale of Royal Mail on its (a) workforce and (b) customers. \p Justin Madders: The Government has ensured that the potential takeover of Royal Mail has been properly scrutinised and that appropriate guarantees have been put in place to protect the interests of the workforce, customers and the country. These guarantees include the bidder’s agreements with the unions and commitments to the Government to ensure the ongoing provision of services and the protection of the network required to deliver those services. Additionally, the company has an ongoing requirement to fulfil its statutory and regulatory responsibilities, regardless of its ownership.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to incentivise growth in rural businesses. \p Gareth Thomas: Rural businesses offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy. DBT works with other departments who provide funding for the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) supporting new and existing rural businesses and improved community infrastructure that will provide essential community services.

The Government has just announced the Business Growth Service (BGS), with local delivery at its heart to bring a range of existing core services under the BGS banner.

All businesses can access their Local Growth Hubs, which provide advice and support throughout the business journey, shaping their offer around the unique needs, whether town or country.
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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, about the potential impact of the Devolution White Paper on support for small businesses. \p Gareth Thomas: Ministers from the Department for Business and Trade regularly engage with colleagues from across Government, including from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, on support for small businesses.

As committed to in the English Devolution White Paper, the Government will set out a vision for a new approach to business support, including more devolution in England and greater alignment between national, local and devolved business support, in the upcoming Small Business Strategy. This will include further details on the Business Growth Service, a new national service with local delivery at its heart, which will make it easier and quicker for businesses across the UK to get the help, support and advice they need to grow and thrive.
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Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether het has made a recent assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the difficulties that rural businesses face. \p Gareth Thomas: Rural businesses offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy. DBT works with other departments such as Defra, helping people living and working in rural areas to realise the full potential of rural businesses and communities placing them at the heart of our policymaking.

The Government will publish a Small Business Strategy Paper later this year, setting out the Government’s vision for all small businesses, and has committed to funding for two key growth-driving programmes in 2025-26: Growth Hubs in England and Help to Grow: Management across the UK, which help businesses and entrepreneurs unlock their potential through bespoke support and resources

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is intended to support new and existing rural businesses, including farm businesses, to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy and to support new and improved community infrastructure that will provide essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy
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Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department plans to take to increase the market for small (a) artisanal brewers, (b) distillers and (c) vintners. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) supports growth and increases the market for small brewers, distillers, and vintners by leveraging trade agreements, removing market entry barriers, and showcasing producers at global trade shows. We recently led a drinks trade mission to India and will support UK companies to participate in ProWein Dusseldorf in March 2025.

DBT's Export Academy launched a food and drink programme in October, which offers upskilling opportunities for emerging and experienced brewers, distillers and vinters looking to grow through exports. DBT also works closely with trade bodies in each sector to drive growth and signpost export opportunities.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people in Birmingham received awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what the value of those awards was. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The table below provides the number of compensation awards paid in each of the last five calendar years to applicants living in Birmingham.

Number of compensation awards paid to applicants living in Birmingham* **:

Calendar Year

Number of awards paid

Total value of those awards

2020

340

£2,746,670

2021

294

£3,055,441

2022

248

£2,624,286

2023

347

£3,866,507

2024

294

£3,074,242

* The above table includes all awards where the applicant named Birmingham as the city in their home address in their application.

**The table does not include archived bereavement applications because the address of the applicant is not retained. In most cases, applications are archived three years after the case has been closed.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many foreign nationals have been convicted for grooming. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice publishes data on convictions for a wide range of offences, including grooming up to and including June 2024 in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here:

Criminal justice statistics - GOV.UK.

However, convictions data held centrally does not include if the offender is a foreign national. This information may be held in the court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate cost.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to make being (a) the leader of and (b) involved in a grooming gang a statutory aggravating factor during sentencing. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Child sexual abuse and exploitation are the most vile and horrific of crimes - involving rape, violence, coercive control, intimidation, manipulation, and deep long-term harm.

That is why this Government is determined to act – strengthening the law, taking forward recommendations from independent inquiries, supporting stronger police action and protection for victims.

As part of this package of measures, the Government has committed to legislate to make grooming an aggravating factor in the sentencing of child sexual offences, to ensure that this behaviour is reflected in the sentencing of perpetrators.
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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to facilitate the recycling of blister packs. \p Mary Creagh: Waste is a devolved policy, and the devolved administrations have their own arrangements for household and business recycling and waste collections. There are currently no plans for blister packs to be included in the list of materials to be collected at kerbside through Simpler Recycling reforms.

Modulation of pEPR fees, which will be introduced in from year 2 of the scheme, will be used to disincentivise packaging formats that are not readily recyclable.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme on taking steps to protect the residents of Mallard Close, Madeley, from the effects of repeated flooding incidents. \p Emma Hardy: To ensure we protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, we will invest £2.4 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience, by building, maintaining, and repairing flood defences.

The issues in the Mallards Close, Madeley, are related to surface water flooding. The responsible flood authority for surface water flooding is Staffordshire County Council. The Environment Agency is aware they are already responding to this issue and will be happy to support the council where they are able to.
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Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Environmental permitting: standard rules consultation number 29, published on 9 December 2024. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) uses existing Government websites to publish permit consultations, posting a notification on GOV.UK that points to a consultation on the EA’s Citizen Space website. The EA ensures its consultation information meets the accessibility requirements for these websites. The accessibility statement for the website is available here. This sets out what steps have been taken to make the website as accessible as possible, including for people who rely on assistive technology. The accessibility statement for GOV.UK is found here .
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions there have been for slaughterhouses in England not having CCTV in the last five years. \p Daniel Zeichner: All approved slaughterhouses in England must have CCTV systems installed as required by the Mandatory Use of Closed-Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (England) Regulations 2018. There have been no prosecutions for slaughterhouses in England for not having CCTV in the last five years.

Where non-compliances with the legislation are identified the Food Standards Agency will apply their enforcement hierarchy, from verbal and written warnings to enforcement notices and referral to the Crown Prosecution Service for prosecution.
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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the RSPCA on animal cruelty at RSPCA-approved abattoirs. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Department engages regularly with the RSPCA on a range of animal welfare topics.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_99
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_99

Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what animal welfare protections exist for farmed animals at slaughterhouses. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 and assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing set out extensive requirements to protect the welfare of animals at slaughterhouses. Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) are present in all approved slaughterhouses to monitor and enforce these animal welfare requirements. The FSA has a zero-tolerance policy to animal welfare breaches and will take appropriate action where these occur.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_100

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to develop recycling technologies for end-of-life wind turbine blades and solar panels. \p Mary Creagh: This Government is committed to transition to a circular economy. We are developing a Circular Economy Strategy for England including a series of road maps detailing the interventions that the Government will make on a sector-by-sector basis, supporting Government’s Missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower.

In our manifesto we also committed to forcing fly-tippers and vandals to clean up the mess that they have created as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviours to ensure we can all take pride in our communities.

With regard to solar panels, they are electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). This is regulated to reduce the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) incinerated or sent to landfill sites. The WEEE Regulations 2013 require the producers of electrical equipment, including solar panels, to take financial responsibility for products they place on the market when they become waste.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_101
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_101

Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 September 2024 to Question 5227 on Wood-burning Stoves, what recent estimate he has made of when his Department will complete its assessment of options to (a) reduce the impact of wood burning stoves on people’s health and (b) meet statutory targets for this pollutant. \p Emma Hardy: Officials are currently evaluating a number of options to reduce emissions of air pollutants, in particular fine particulate matter, from domestic burning, which I anticipate will be completed in spring this year. The Government launched a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) to revise our plan for significantly improving the environment and deliver legally binding targets including for Air Quality and PM2.5. The Government concluded the review of the EIP at the end of last year and will publish a summary of findings in early 2025. This will be followed by publication of a revised EIP.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_102

Clive Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department or water companies will appoint members to consumer water panels. \p Emma Hardy: For too long customers have not been at the heart of the objectives of water companies. This Government believes the interests of customers should be clearly represented and they should play a key role in holding water companies to account on their performance, which is why we have announced powerful new customer panels will be established.

Through the Water (Special Measures) Bill, for the first time in history, customers will get new powers to hold water company executives to account and companies will be required to include customers in decision making. Ofwat will monitor how companies implement this, and customer panels will be vital in delivering accountability and better customer outcomes.

An Ofwat statutory consultation in 2025 will finalise proposals, and further detail on when panels will be established will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_103

Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Open access restriction at Biggar (margin - winter): how to comment, published on 11 December 2024. \p Mary Creagh: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 6 December 2024 to Questions xx-xxxx-xxxx and xx-xxxx-xxxx.

These are the pages for the consultations referred to:

Open access restriction at Christy Pool to North Point: how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at South Walney: how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Rape Haw to Creephaw Marsh: how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at North Scale (margin): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at South Walney nature reserve: how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Biggar (trail - winter): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Biggar (margin - summer): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at North Scale (trail): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Biggar (trail - summer): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Walney airfield (trail): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at North End Marsh: how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Hare Hill (trail): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Walney airfield (margin): how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Biggar to Tummer Hill: how to comment - GOV.UK

Open access restriction at Biggar (margin - winter): how to comment - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_104

Emily Thornberry:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 9618 on Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Ministers' Private Offices, how much was spent on (a) new furniture and fittings and (b) other refurbishment of Ministerial offices in his Department between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024; and on what items this was spent. \p Daniel Zeichner: Between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024 approximately £5,700 (inclusive of VAT) was spent on renovation and improvements to Ministerial Offices.

Incurred costs were:
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_105

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of biodiversity net gain in delivering for biodiversity as intended. \p Mary Creagh: Mandatory biodiversity net gain is an important means of ensuring development makes a net positive contribution to nature. It is in the early stages of implementation. The policy has been designed to achieve long-term benefits for biodiversity, with major biodiversity gains secured by legal contract for a minimum of 30 years. Because biodiversity net gain applies as a ‘post-permission requirement’, we are only now seeing the first permissions granted with the mandatory biodiversity gain condition.

Defra officials are monitoring the implementation of mandatory biodiversity net gain closely and regularly meet with local planning authorities, developers, and the land management sector, to ensure biodiversity net gain works effectively and proportionally.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_106

John Grady:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to increase levels of innovation in Glasgow. \p Feryal Clark: This Government’s record £20.4 billion investment in R&D for 2025/26 will help people across the UK enjoy the benefits from an innovation-led economy.

My Hon Friend will be pleased to hear, as part of this, we are extending the Innovation Accelerators, including in the Glasgow City Region to grow its globally competitive innovation centre.

An example of one of the many innovative firms we are supporting in Glasgow is Spire Global who were recently awarded over £3.5 million for a unique weather forecasting data project.

The Government is investing £106 million in five new quantum hubs across the UK as part of the National Quantum Technologies Programme. One hub, the UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing (QEPNT), will be based in Glasgow, leveraging the city’s strengths in photonics and quantum.

These hubs aim to turn cutting-edge science into practical solutions, transforming sectors like healthcare and security, while fostering innovation and driving economic growth, including in Glasgow.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_107

John Milne:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to fund research into lobular breast cancer. \p Feryal Clark: The Government doesn’t ringfence funding for specific diseases but is committed to funding cancer research, including lobular breast cancer. The Department of Health and Social Care spent £121.8 million in 2022/23 on cancer research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology funds cancer research via UK Innovation and Research (UKRI). UKRI invests approximately £200 million annually into cancer research, of which £10m per year is for breast cancer research.

Office for Life Sciences’ Cancer Healthcare Goals programme funds innovations at the earlier stages of the research and development pipeline. Such innovations will have the potential to diagnose multiple tumour types, including breast cancer.

We have allocated £1.3 million of funding for a National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) project that will assess the effectiveness of a new form of MRI scan to detect breast cancers that have been missed by mammograms.

Further NIHR research infrastructure funding supports Biomedical Research Centres and the NIHR Research Delivery Network, which has enabled delivery of 10 lobular breast-cancer studies.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_108

Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle digital exclusion. \p Chris Bryant: It is shocking that the last government published no digital inclusion strategy for 10 years. This Government is determined to remedy that and I hope to be able to say more soon.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_109

Gideon Amos:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of broadband coverage in rural areas. \p Chris Bryant: The latest data from the independent website Thinkbroadband.com shows that over 85% of UK premises can now access a gigabit-capable connection. We are committed to delivering nationwide gigabit coverage by 2030.

Earlier this week we announced the signing of four additional Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach to extend gigabit connectivity to over 130,000 premises, including in the Hon. Gentleman’s constituency.

As a result, there is now more than £2 billion available in our live contracts to connect over a million premises with gigabit-capable broadband. These are premises that fall predominantly in rural areas.
wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-08 conversation_110

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help ensure reliable mobile coverage in rural areas. \p Chris Bryant: This government wants people across the UK to benefit from reliable and good quality mobile coverage.

Through the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage at all. Our ambition goes beyond this, and is for all populated areas, including rural areas, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030 – and we want to support the industry to deliver this.