theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the likelihood of non-harmful websites being made inaccessible to users due to the effects of the Online Safety Act 2023. \p Kanishka Narayan: Proportionality is a core principle of the Online Safety Act and is in-built into its duties. As online safety regulator, Ofcom must consider the size and risk level of different types of services when recommending steps providers can take to comply with their duties.

Ofcom is communicating with in scope services about the new regulations in the Act and is working with services to ensure compliance is as easy as possible. As noted in the Ofcom CEO’s letter of 8 July 2025 to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Ofcom is providing support to online service providers of all sizes to make it easier for them to understand – and comply with – their responsibilities under the new laws.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle AI-driven (a) abuse and (b) discrimination. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Online Safety Act 2023 places robust duties on user-to-user and search services to tackle abuse and discrimination where it is illegal or harmful to children. These duties apply regardless of whether content is created by AI or not. Services must implement effective systems to prevent, identify, and swiftly remove illegal material. Additionally, in-scope service providers have a responsibility to protect children from ‘priority’ content that is harmful to children, which includes violent content or content that is hateful or abusive based on certain characteristics. Services must also put in place adequate mechanisms for users to report bullying and online harassment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ban nudification apps from online app stores. \p Kanishka Narayan: The government is concerned about the proliferation of AI-enabled products and services that facilitate the creation of deepfake non-consensual intimate images.

Government legislated to ban the non-consensual creation of sexually explicit deepfake images in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, ensuring that offenders face the appropriate punishments for this atrocious harm. The government is aware of the concerns over the tools themselves and is looking into this closely.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the increased use of VPNs on the level of (a) data and (b) national security risks since the introduction of the Online Safety Act. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Department is monitoring the impact of circumvention techniques, including VPNs, on the Online Safety Act. Ofcom told Parliament last month that UK usage of VPN apps had declined from an initial peak when the Act’s child safety duties commenced.

There are legitimate reasons for using VPNs, including enhancing cybersecurity and protection against hostile regimes. The National Cyber Security Centre has guidance for organisations that use VPNs.

Organisations processing personal data, which could include VPN providers, are subject to data protection legislation that is enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office. This includes obligations to process people’s data fairly, lawfully and ensure it is held securely.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on reducing remaining tariffs on British-produced steel. \p Chris Bryant: Thanks to the strength of the UK-US partnership, the UK remains the only country to benefit from a preferential 25% tariff on steel and aluminium exports to the US, avoiding the global rate of 50%. The UK is therefore uniquely positioned as the only country to have secured this commitment, giving our companies a 25% competitive advantage over global competitors.

We continue to work closely with our US counterparts to reduce tariffs further and secure the best possible outcomes for UK manufacturers.
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Matt Western:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing exemptions to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (2024) to enable people who pay for charity subscriptions to continue to claim gift aid on membership subscriptions. \p Kate Dearden: The government understands the vital role that Gift Aid income provides for charities. The government intends that charities will be able to comply with both the consumer protections in the subscription chapter of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and, where eligible, continue to claim Gift Aid. HM Revenue and Customs are working through the technical details and will continue to engage with the charity sector as this work progresses. Individuals, where eligible, will also be able to continue to complete Gift Aid declarations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with (a) animal welfare charities and (b) other stakeholders on the potential impacts of fireworks use on (i) pets and (ii) livestock. \p Kate Dearden: Building on the work of my predecessor and to inform any future decisions in relation to the regulation of fireworks, I will engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks on livestock and pets.

The insights from these discussions, as well as from animal welfare campaigns and correspondence helped to inform the public campaign on fireworks safety that I have launched for this year’s fireworks season. The campaign features new guidance for those running community fireworks events, as well as social media materials that encourage the public to consider the welfare of animals when using fireworks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Sadik Al-Hassan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the application of consumer law to charitable membership subscriptions under the Digital Markets, Consumer and Competition Act 2024 on the finances of those organisations. \p Kate Dearden: Charities are not excluded from existing core consumer law on the basis of their charitable status. The government is engaging closely with the sector in relation to the subscriptions regime in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024.

The impact assessment for the subscriptions chapter in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act can be found here: Subscription traps: annex 2 impact assessment. Together the subscription measures are anticipated to provide £400m of consumer benefits per year and the estimated net direct cost to businesses is £171m per year. Sector-specific analysis has not been conducted.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of pubs adding service charges for the sale of alcohol without table service on consumers. \p Kate Dearden: The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCCA) Act 2024 requires traders, including pubs, to display prices inclusive of all taxes and unavoidable charges before payment is made. Prices must be accurate and not misleading. Failure to do this may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.  Pubs can offer consumers a tipping facility to use should they wish to support the local pub and staff.

The department has no plans to assess the impact of any voluntary arrangements.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2025 to Question 78201 on Cement: Production, which cement producers are supported by the Energy Intensive Industries compensation scheme; and what representations he has received from the minerals and construction industry on inclusion in that scheme. \p Chris McDonald: Cement production is not classified as an eligible sector under the Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) compensation scheme, so there are no cement producers supported through the scheme. The sector, however, benefits from the Supercharger. I regret the drafting error in 78201, this has now been corrected.

My officials are in regular contact with the Mineral Products Association (MPA) and individual cement businesses to discuss issues affecting the sector. The Government will review the eligibility criteria for compensation in 2026 to ensure any support provided is for those sectors deemed most at risk of carbon leakage due to indirect carbon costs.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 37801 on Conditions of Employment, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of allowing local authority employers that adopt a four day week to contact employees by (a) email, (b) text and (c) phone on their fallow working day in the proposed draft Statutory Code of Practice under the right to switch off on those employers. \p Kate Dearden: The government believes in the importance of a good work life balance, which is why we are improving access to flexible working through the Employment Rights Bill.

If employees have different working patterns, it is important to agree an approach that works to meet business needs and support employees.

As we develop the right to switch off we will consult with local authorities, employers and trade unions to ensure it strikes the right balance, to support both businesses and the workforce.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the parents and carers of children with severe health conditions. \p Kate Dearden: Supporting children with severe health conditions can be a heartbreaking time for families. The Department for Business and Trade is currently developing a consultation on employment rights for carers, including specific measures for the parents and carers of seriously ill children. This will consider what employment rights may help families in such distressing situations. The consultation will take place in 2026.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of whistleblower protections. \p Kate Dearden: The Government recognises that the whistleblowing framework in the Employment Rights Act 1996 may not be operating as effectively as intended. My Department in July published an independent review into the framework, which did not make formal recommendations for reform but did provide some useful analyses on the functioning of the framework based on stakeholder engagement and a literature review.

The review is a helpful contribution to the governments ongoing assessment of the framework, and the Government welcomes the continued engagement of parliamentarians and stakeholders on this important area of public policy.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years. \p Kate Dearden: The Department for Business and Trade used influencers as part of the National Minimum and National Living Wage campaign in 2025 and 2026. We are unable to provide details of how much was paid to each influencer due to confidentiality provisions in the individual agreements. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 77460 on Department for Business and Trade: Social Media, on which campaigns influencers were used. \p Kate Dearden: The Department for Business and Trade used influencers as part of the National Minimum and Living Wage campaign, to raise awareness of the wage rate increases for workers that came into effect from 1st April 2025. This ensured workers understood their new entitlements and encouraged them to check their pay and act if they were paid incorrectly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Dr Beccy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen consumer protection in the short term lets market. \p Kate Dearden: Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, traders must carry out a service with reasonable care and skill, and within reasonable time. Where a trader fails to meet the standards required, this could be a breach of contract and the consumer is entitled to ask for a repeat performance of the service or a price reduction.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act strengthens consumer law enforcement by giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers, and the CMA and courts the ability to impose significant monetary penalties of up to 10% of turnover.

DBT also funds Citizens Advice to provide the consumer service which supports consumers to resolve disputes and assert their rights.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years. \p Michael Shanks: Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in his Department are recorded as having a (a) mental health condition and (b) physical disability by grade. \p Michael Shanks: Information on the number of people declaring a disability by each government department are published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Latest published data are as at 31 March 2025 and can be found at Table 29 of the statistical tables at the following web address:

Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK

Information for 31 March 2026 is due for publication in July 2026.
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Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of renewable energy equipment installed in the UK was manufactured in China. \p Michael Shanks: The Government does not hold data on what proportion of renewable energy equipment installed in the UK was manufactured in China.
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Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to (a) the public purse, (b) businesses and (c) households of meeting net zero by 2050. \p Katie White: Net zero is the economic opportunity of the 21st century. Meeting climate targets will cost less than failing to deal with climate change. The Climate Change Committee estimates the cost of meeting net zero targets will be on average the equivalent of 0.2% of UK GDP per year and the OBR estimates the cost of failing to deal with climate change will be 5% of UK GDP per year

The 0.2% cost also does not take into account the wider beneficial growth impacts of net zero investment. Since July 2024, £52bn of private investment has been announced in our clean energy industries

The OBR is clear that the costs of climate damage are getting higher, while the cost of the net zero transition is getting lower. Only by investing in the transition now can we reduce costs in future.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many performance reviews were undertaken for staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies in each of the last five years; in how many such cases performance was rated as unsatisfactory or below; how many staff left as a result of such a rating; and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff this represented. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was established on 7th February 2023. The data provided is from 1st April 2023 to present, in alignment with our performance year.

We do not record any data relating to performance management for any of our agencies.

DESNZ does not record the number of individual performance reviews undertaken, but records the formal ratings assigned at the end of each performance year at the end of March. For the 2023/24 annual cycle, 15 employees were rated as unsatisfactory or below. For 2024/25 period, 38 employees fell into this category.

Data on the number of employees leaving as a direct result of an unsatisfactory performance rating is not recorded locally by DESNZ. There can be a combination of reasons for individuals leaving, so a direct correlation cannot be drawn.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies producing wind turbines in the UK on national security. \p Michael Shanks: The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously with the UK being one of the most reliable and safest energy systems, and one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.

I also refer my hon Friend to the replies given on 10 March to Question UIN 34722 and on 11 March to question UIN 34972.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that transition plan requirements to clean energy are (a) proportionate and (b) flexible for SMEs. \p Michael Shanks: The government consultation seeking views on how to implement transition plan requirements has now closed. We are reviewing responses and will respond in due course. Sustainable finance is a key priority for the government and is one of the growth pillars for the financial services sector in the Industrial Strategy. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy. Transition planning can help businesses and investors identify and seize the economy-wide opportunities of the net zero transition, catalysing investment across the whole economy to create jobs, boost exports and drive economic growth.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many employment tribunal claims have been lodged against his Department in each of the last five years for (a) unfair dismissal and (b) claims under the Equality Act 2010. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) was created in February 2023.

In the period 23/24: 1 Employment Tribunal (ET) claim was lodged for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

In the period 24/25: 2 ET claims were lodged for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination and 1 ET claim for unfair dismissal alone.

In the period 25/26: 1 ET claim has been lodged for disability discrimination alone.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in his Department (a) did not retain employment following the completion of their probationary period and (b) had their probationary period extended in each of the last five years. \p Michael Shanks: (a)There is no evidence in the data held in the DESNZ HR Oracle system of any employee being dismissed during their probationary period.

(b) Probation extensions are not centrally recorded in the Oracle HR System.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff left his Department in each of the last five years by grade. \p Michael Shanks: Information on the number of civil servants leaving each government department and organisation by responsibility level for the years 2021 to 2025 is published annually through the ‘Civil Service data browser’ as part of Civil Service Statistics 2025, an accredited official statistics publication. Information can be accessed through the Civil Service data browser for 2021 through 2025 at the following web address:

Civil Service statistics - GOV.UK
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential role of UK's coal resources in his future energy policy. \p Michael Shanks: The last coal-fired power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, closed on 30 September 2024.  The Government has also announced it will introduce new legislation as soon as possible to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the public health impact of prolonged exposure to damp and mould caused by defective insulation installed under government energy-efficiency schemes. \p Martin McCluskey: Everyone deserves to live in a healthy and warm home. Damp and mould can have a serious impact on the health of residents.

The audits the Department has commissioned into Solid Wall Insulations on ECO4 and GBIS schemes consider risks to health and safety and where any such risk is identified, we require the installer to make it safe within 24 hours. For government schemes, it is the responsibility of the installer to fix any defective installation and if they cease to trade, then the guarantee for that work can be exercised by the householder.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when his Department was first made aware of systemic failings in (a) the Fishwick project in Preston and (b) other government-backed insulation schemes; and what steps have been taken to investigate and rectify those failures. \p Martin McCluskey: Ofgem was first made aware of concerns with insulation issues in Fishwick in 2013 and they engaged with the energy supplier responsible to secure remediation.

Since then, National Energy Action (NEA) have led remediation schemes to support residents but we understand that there are still homes needing remediation. DESNZ has been in contact with NEA.

ECO4 / GBIS non-compliance issues were alerted to DESNZ in October 2024. Since that date thousands of additional audits have taken place and any issues are being fixed. We have offered an audit to all homes fitted with EWI under these schemes.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of homes affected by defective insulation installed under government schemes between 2013 and 2021; and if he will commission a national audit of all such properties. \p Martin McCluskey: Data has not been collected regarding the specific number of houses affected by non-compliance, however failure rates from audits of individual measures has been collected for some schemes of which a summary is included in the NAO report.

For SWI installed under ECO4 and GBIS we have calculated the number of homes affected. We acknowledge that issues have emerged in other schemes, however this is not on the scale seen with EWI issues under ECO4 / GBIS. We have recent published results from audits on our housing association and local authority based schemes on gov.uk.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish (a) the 2019 government-commissioned report into the Fishwick external wall insulation scheme and (b) any other reports identifying widespread failure in similar government-backed schemes. \p Martin McCluskey: We are aware of unresolved issues with external wall insulation in Fishwick under the Community Energy Savings Programme (a supplier obligation based scheme)

The Department will continue to update the House on energy efficiency schemes, including the publication of relevant analysis.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses to transition to clean energy sources in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England. \p Chris McDonald: Net zero is the economic and industrial opportunity of the 21st century, driving growth and creating new jobs whilst benefiting businesses through new market opportunities, access to green finance and reduced energy bills.

Government is working in partnership with businesses to support their transition to net zero, including through the Net Zero Council.

The UK Business Climate Hub provides advice and guidance to support SMEs to reduce their emissions.

Climate Change Agreements provide tax discounts for businesses reducing their emissions, and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund supports industrial sites with high energy use to transition.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has worked with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government to assess the implications of insulation-related building damage on housing safety and standards. \p Martin McCluskey: The Government is committed to ensuring building work is done to the highest levels of quality and safety, be that in new builds, high rise or the home retrofit space such as Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme / Great British Insulation Scheme. The Department is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Building Safety Regulator on reforms to the consumer protection system to improve accountability and support higher-quality installations including addressing the issues identified in the NAO report pertaining to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how future home energy efficiency programmes are planned to be independently audited to ensure quality assurance and prevent a recurrence of widespread installation failures such as those identified in Fishwick and Chilton. \p Martin McCluskey: The Government is reviewing the system of consumer protection and oversight for home retrofit installations, and is committed to creating a simpler, stronger system of standards and oversight that will give consumers confidence.

We will look at the entire landscape: from how installers work in people’s homes to where homeowners turn for rapid action and enforcement if things go wrong. More information will be shared in our Warm Homes Plan.

The Government is planning to consult on proposals for retrofit system reform early next year.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the disproportionate effect of failed insulation schemes on low-income households targeted by previous government energy-efficiency programmes. \p Martin McCluskey: ECO has installed measures in 2.6m households. ECO4 was designed to address deep fuel poverty by addressing the worst properties first. When installed correctly, insulation can help reduce energy costs.

DESNZ has acknowledged there have been quality failings with SWI measures installed under the current ECO4 and GBIS schemes. As a result, we have committed to a property level check, followed by remediation of any issues found, for all households fitted with EWI under those schemes.

Our Warm Homes Plan will outline the full package of measures proposed to support those on low-income and get people out of fuel-poverty.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what financial or practical support is available to homeowners whose properties have been damaged by poorly installed insulation under government schemes; and whether he plans to establish a dedicated compensation or remediation fund for such properties. \p Martin McCluskey: The cost of remediation sits with the original installer. For every measure installed under TrustMark schemes, a guarantee is required to be in place. If the installer is no longer trading, then the guarantee policy will kick in up to the cap for that policy. For SWI the cap is £20k.

In rare cases where the costs exceed the cap, the Department will continue to facilitate solutions with organisations across the sector.

As part of our reforms, we will be improving protections for consumers, ensuring, in the rare cases they are needed, financial protection products fully protect consumers and it’s clear how consumers get the help they need.
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Imran Hussain:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what mechanisms are in place to hold contractors and installers accountable for poor workmanship on government-backed insulation schemes in cases where the original firms have since ceased trading. \p Martin McCluskey: We have been clear that the original installer is responsible for remediating issues with their work and for the costs of doing so. Where an installer ceases to trade or in some cases fails to rectify an issue, TrustMark require a guarantee to have been issued which for SWI will cover up to £20k.

We are working with Ofgem, TrustMark, certification bodies, energy suppliers and guarantee providers to encourage businesses to fulfil their responsibilities.

Where installers refuse to engage with remediation requests, TrustMark and certification bodies can suspend or remove their certifications. This prevents them being awarded any new work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_164

David Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) levels of rurality, (b) local average temperature and (c) average age of housing on the implementation of the Warm Homes Plan. \p Martin McCluskey: The UK government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings regardless of age or location.

Therefore, research was commissioned by the Department to develop a definition for housing stock for which the presence, and combination, of attributes and contextual factors can add complexity to improving energy efficiency and utilising low carbon heating solutions.

The government is currently carefully considering the findings of the research, which can be found at: (www.gov.uk/government/publications/defining-and-identifying-complex-to-decarbonise-homes.)

For tailored recommendations on home upgrades consumers should visit the government’s home retrofit tool on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Nigel Topping has made a declaration of political activity. \p Katie White: The appointment of Nigel Topping as Chair of the Climate Change Committee was made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. In supporting evidence for his pre-appointment scrutiny by the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on 16 July 2025, Nigel Topping confirmed he had no political activity to disclose.

Nigel Topping brings a wealth of experience to the CCC Chair position, having been appointed to several public roles under previous governments, including as High-Level Climate Action Champion for COP26 in 2020 and as a Board Member of the UK Infrastructure Bank in 2022.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_166

Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, on what date he will publish the Warm Homes Plan. \p Martin McCluskey: We are working across government on a comprehensive Warm Homes Plan to cut energy bills for good. We will publish more details soon.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_167

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of potential economic merits of linking UK and the EU Emissions Trading Schemes. \p Chris McDonald: Linking is expected to bring significant economic benefits. It would create a larger, stable carbon market, support British businesses through removing trade barriers, support UK renewable rollout and lower electricity costs.

Linking is expected to facilitate a mutual UK-EU CBAM exemption, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK firms. Linking is also expected to support new green industries in the UK and enable cross-border CO2 storage.

UK Government analysis was published on 19th May 2025 and is available at Gov.uk
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_168

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of (a) dentists currently accepting NHS patients, (b) NHS dental appointments offered each month and (c) patients seeking NHS dentistry in Newton Abbot constituency. \p Stephen Kinnock: Data is not held on the number of National Health Service dental appointments offered each month.

As of 3 November 2025, there were nine NHS dentist practices in the Newton Abbot constituency, with two showing as ‘accepting new child patients when availability allows’ and two showing as ‘accepting new adult patients when availability allows’.

This data is sourced from the Find a Dentist website and is matched to constituencies based on the postcode data shown on the website, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

The data for the Devon Integrated Care Board (ICB), which includes the Newton Abbot constituency, shows that 29% of adults were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2025, compared to 40% in England.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the ICBs across England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the numbers of walk-in consultation services at pharmacies. \p Stephen Kinnock: Community pharmacies already provide a range of walk-in consultation services, including blood pressure checks, contraception consultations, and Pharmacy First. They also provide health advice and sell over the counter medicines for minor illnesses.

The Government is committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. For example, on 29 October the Pharmacy Contraception Service was expanded so that pharmacies can supply emergency contraception free of charge, to ensure women have access to a consistent offer across England.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_170

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to help support pharmacies to increase their productivity. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department has recently implemented several reforms to help pharmacy contractors to improve dispensing efficiencies and productivity. Since January 2025, pharmacies have been allowed to dispense medicines in the original manufacturers package if the quantity in the package is 10% higher or lower than the quantity ordered on prescription. This removes the need to open and split the package in a pharmacy and increases the number of orders that can be processed through automated dispensing facilities. From 1 October 2025, pharmacies can make arrangements with a pharmacy owned by a different legal entity to undertake routine assembly of medicines on their behalf. This is known as hub and spoke arrangements and enables smaller pharmacies to utilise automated dispensing hubs to free up time for the pharmacist in the spoke pharmacy to focus on patient facing tasks.

On 17 July, draft regulations were laid with the aim to modernise the rules concerning who must supervise the dispensing of medicines in pharmacies. The Government is working to make the National Patient Prescription Tracking Service available in each pharmacy to help patients track their prescriptions online through the NHS App. This will reduce the burden on busy general practitioners and pharmacy teams and will avoid patients queuing at a pharmacy only to find that their prescription is not ready. The Government has also launched a public consultation on giving pharmacists increased flexibilities to supply an alternative product against a prescription, if the prescribed item is not available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of people claiming Personal Independence Payments had their award assessed through (a) a telephone consultation, (b) an in person assessment, (c) a paper based assessment and (d) a video assessment in each of the last ten years; and what the approval rate was for each method. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Management information on the number and proportion of Personal Independence Payments assessments by channel is published in Table 2.32 of the Pathways to Work: Evidence pack: Chapter 2 reforming the structure - GOV.UK. Telephone and video channels have only been available since 2020.

The information on approval rates requested is not readily available, and providing it would incur a disproportionate cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_172

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising Statutory Sick Pay for the parents and carers of children with severe health conditions. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Statutory Sick Pay provides financial support to individual employees who are sick or incapable of work. It is not designed to provide financial support for parents or carers who are not able to work because their child is sick or has a health condition.

Parents who cannot work because their child is sick, rather than being directly incapable of work due to sickness themselves, have a number of options open to them such as asking their employer if they can work flexibly or requesting to take emergency leave. Parents may also be eligible to apply for welfare benefits, such as Carer's allowance or Universal Credit, depending on their circumstances.

The Department for Business and Trade is currently developing a consultation on employment rights for carers, including specific measures for the parents and carers of seriously ill children. This will consider what employment rights may help families in such distressing situations. The consultation will take place in 2026.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_173

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish guidance on how businesses will be able to utilise the Growth and Skills Levy. \p Andrew Western: The government publishes information for businesses on the Growth and Skills offer, available here; Find training and employment schemes for your business - The Growth and Skills Levy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-07 conversation_174

Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to The Universal Credit (Earned Income) Amendment Regulations 2020, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of moving double-paydays to subsequent assessment periods on (a) working Universal Credit recipients and (b) resourcing within her Department; and what steps she is taking to reduce the impact on (i) claimants and (ii) resources. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department recognised the impact that having double earnings in an assessment period can have on individual households and their ability to manage their finances and that is why we made the regulations changes. The amendment allows the Department to reallocate a payment of earnings reported via the Real Time Information (RTI) service to a different Universal Credit assessment period, either because it was reported in the wrong assessment period or (in the case of calendar monthly paid employees) it is necessary to maintain a regular payment cycle. This will also enable certain claimants to benefit from any applicable work allowance in each assessment period.

Those claimants who are paid two sets of monthly earnings in one assessment period are usually identified by an automated system that corrects the Universal Credit award. However, there are a small number of claimants who are not automatically identified and will need to be manually identified, this work has been absorbed by a multi-skilled centralised team and is resourced flexibly to meet demand. This only generally applies to a very small proportion of claimants and applies equally to all claimants.