theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_146

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 15 of the policy paper entitled Security and defence partnership between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, published on 19 May 2025, what recent progress he has made on establishing a UK-EU dialogue on peace mediation. \p Luke Pollard: The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government delivering on our manifesto commitments to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO.

Implementation is progressing. Since May, the Defence Secretary has held discussions with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, where they discussed our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced UK-EU cooperation under SAFE. The Foreign Secretary has also held talks with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas on the geopolitical challenges that face our continent. We look forward to the foreign and security policy dialogue between the High Representative, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary this autumn.

In addition, officials from across government continue to hold consultations with their EU counterparts on a range of issues, including but not limited to Iran, Russia-Ukraine, and tackling irregular migration.

As the Defence Secretary has previously said to this House, he will ensure that any UK commitment– whether financial or non-financial – provides value for the UK taxpayer and supports our defence goals. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy.

The Defence Secretary and I look forward to continuing to update the House on developments. The Defence Secretary’s offer still stands that he is happy to arrange a discussion with the Member of Parliament for South Suffolk who has shown such interest in these topics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's policy paper entitled The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published in June 2025, what progress he has made with Cabinet colleagues on the development of Defence Growth Deals. \p Maria Eagle: At the Spending Review, the Chancellor announced that there will be Defence Growth Deals launched across the UK. Further details will be provided in the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has agreed a timeline by which the UK will be able to access the Security Action for Europe fund; and whether a proportion of contracts available to the UK has been agreed. \p Maria Eagle: The UK and the EU have set out our joint ambition to swiftly explore the potential for enhanced cooperation under the SAFE instrument. The specific terms of UK participation will be subject to discussions on a bilateral agreement; we do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of any such negotiations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will have discussions with the Semiconductor Advisory Panel on the ongoing work of Northern Ireland based clusters. \p Feryal Clark: The Government recognises the strategic importance of the semiconductor sector across the UK, including the growing cluster in Northern Ireland with strengths in photonics, power, and sensors. The Semiconductor Advisory Panel, co-chaired by Lord Vallance, meets quarterly and plays a key role in shaping our national approach to support the semiconductor industry, including supporting the development of clusters. The Government is committed to supporting the Northern Irish cluster, such as through the SmartNano NI Initiative funded with £42.4 million from UKRI, and the Panel will continue to discuss the Northern Ireland cluster as part of its ongoing work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has received recent correspondence from Palantir. \p Feryal Clark: The Secretary of State has received recent correspondence from Palantir and will be responding in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2025 to question 64795 on MBR Acres, what are the nature of the national security concerns regarding the site. \p Feryal Clark: MBR Acres is a critical part of the UK’s preclinical research infrastructure, which in turn is crucial for domestic pandemic preparedness. Another pandemic is the top rated risk in the National Risk Register and discovery and development of therapeutics and vaccines, which relies on preclinical research, is one of the outcomes of the UK Biological Security Strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July 2025 to Question 65724 on Innovate UK: Northern Ireland, how many projects have been successfully completed under the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years. \p Feryal Clark: 59 Knowledge Transfer Partnership projects that involved either a Northern Ireland (NI) based business, or a NI based university or FE college successfully completed in the last 3 years. A breakdown of these projects in each year is:

2022 – 28

2023 – 17

2024 – 14
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885 to introduce modern (a) penalties and (b) definitions for (i) undersea infrastructure attacks and (ii) cyber‑enabled sabotage. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is conducting a review to assess whether existing legal frameworks applying to subsea telecoms cables remain sufficient to ensure the security and resilience of this critical infrastructure. As part of the review, we are considering the provisions in the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885, including whether existing penalties and definitions remain fit for purpose to address modern threats. Where appropriate and proportionate to do so, the government will develop proposals to update existing legal frameworks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Alan Mak:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the report commissioned by his Department entitled AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January 2025, what recent progress he has made in the implementation of the plan. \p Feryal Clark: The Government welcomed the AI Opportunities Action Plan and accepted all of its 50 recommendations.

Progress has been made across a range of areas, including holding two AI Energy Council meeting, signing an MOU with Anthropic, and opening the formal AI Growth Zone application process.

At the Spending Review the Government announced a £2 billion investment in AI to 2029-30, to continue to deliver on the Action Plan. This includes funding to enable a twentyfold expansion of the UK’s AI Research Resource.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much the UK Space Agency has spent on equipment for staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Chris Bryant: Obtaining information on how much the UK Space Agency (UKSA) has spent on equipment for staff to work from home in each of the last three years could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

The UKSA has its own policies relating to provision of equipment for working from home in line with Health and Safety legislation and how this is procured or employees reimbursed.

The UKSA have agreed that 40-60% minimum office attendance for staff continues to be the best balance of working for the UKSA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress his Department has made on gigabit voucher take-up in rural areas. \p Chris Bryant: The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme provides a subsidy of up to £4,500 towards the cost of installing gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses via local community broadband projects.

As of March 2024, 296,400 premises were able to take-up a gigabit-capable broadband connection as a result of the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, the vast majority of which are in rural areas.

We continue to support broadband suppliers to deliver voucher projects that have been approved as part of Project Gigabit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54918 on Written Questions, how many and what proportion of written parliamentary questions were carded in the first year of the last Parliament. \p Nick Smith: The information requested, covering the period from 17 December 2019 to 16 December 2020, is as follows:

Carded Count

Submitted Count

Carded Proportion

6528

52,890

12.34%
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52867 on Written Questions, what proportion of written parliamentary questions submitted to the Table Office were carded in each session of the last Parliament. \p Nick Smith: The information requested is set out in the table below, together with the equivalent figures for the current Session to date.

Session Number

Carded Count

Submitted Count

Carded Proportion

58/1

8,569

74,753

11.46%

58/2

3,763

51,615

7.29%

58/3

11,136

80,978

13.75%

58/4

6,475

30,696

21.09%

59/1

14,175

74,324

19.07%

*The 58th Parliament of the United Kingdom ran from 17 December 2019–30 May 2024, comprising four sessions.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54918 on Written Questions, how many and what proportion of those carded written parliamentary questions (a) were tabled after amendment, (b) were withdrawn by hon. Members and (c) remain carded. \p Nick Smith: The figures supplied in my earlier answer were obtained by establishing how many card e-mails were generated by the eQM question management system during the period in question. It is not possible to track individual questions in this way, so I am unable to say what proportion of carded questions were subsequently tabled or withdrawn.

Of the 60,136 questions tabled during the period in question, some 2,814 remain carded. Some 3,003 have been withdrawn by hon. Members, including questions that were withdrawn without being carded. It is not possible to establish what proportion of carded questions were subsequently withdrawn.

The Table Office cards questions which do not comply with the House’s rules of order. Most card queries are resolved quickly when the hon. Member who has tabled the question contacts the Table Office to discuss it. Where a question remains carded for a long period of time it is often because the hon. Member concerned has not responded to the card query.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2025 to Question 59355 on Local Government: Israel, whether the powers of the (a) Local Government Ombudsman, (b) Local Auditor and (c) Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman would extend to considering complaints from (i) local residents and (ii) local firms as a result of their local authority initiating (A) boycotts and (B) divestment relating to Israel. \p Jim McMahon: The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman may only consider complaints where the complainant claims to have suffered personal injustice. Whether they could investigate complaints relating to procurement matters would depend on the specific circumstances of the individual complaint.

Where matters of procurement policy are raised with local auditors, the auditor would need to determine whether the matters raised are directly related to the local authority’s accounts and/or would justify issuing a report in the public interest.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is not able to investigate the actions of local authorities.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to abolish directly elected council mayors once directly elected strategic authority mayors are introduced in localities. \p Jim McMahon: As part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, subject to Parliamentary agreement, we will legislate to prevent the creation of any new local authority directly elected Mayors. However, to prevent any further disruption, we accept the continuation of the 13 legacy directly elected Mayors currently in post.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department has taken to support community (a) cohesion and (b) integration. \p Alex Norris: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is leading cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to community cohesion and integration working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.

The Government is providing communities with the resources and capacity to deliver on this – in June we announced funding for up to 350 places, which will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 75 Plan for Neighbourhoods areas that were announced in March, and the 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods announced at Spending Review, who will receive up to £20 million over the next decade.

This funding will support improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement and strengthen social cohesion.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many full time equivalent staff are assigned to the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia secretariat. \p Alex Norris: Per the Terms of Reference for the Working Group, the Group is supported by a small secretariat function based within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with Senior Civil Servant-level oversight provided in the usual manner.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take with local authorities to help encourage social cohesion at a neighbourhood level. \p Alex Norris: Local Authorities are being actively supported to improve social cohesion through a range of national initiatives. This includes the recently announced communities funding for up to 350 places, incorporating the existing 75 Plan for Neighbourhoods, announced in March, and the 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods announced at Spending Review, who will receive up to £20 million each over the next decade. This funding will support improvements people can see on their doorstep, champion local leadership, foster community engagement and strengthen social cohesion.

To deliver this programme of neighbourhood-level support, the government will work in partnership with local communities and local authorities to support delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on providing English Local Authorities the powers to enforce a pavement parking ban. \p Alex Norris: The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the Secretary of State for Department for Transport on this matter. The Department for Transport held a public consultation in 2020 and has been considering all the views expressed in response to the consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. In the meantime, local authorities can make use of existing powers to restrict and enforce pavement parking.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what expenditure the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred has undertaken in relation to external (a) research, (b) engagement and (c) contractors. \p Alex Norris: Per the Terms of Reference for the Working Group, the Working Group is supported by a secretariat based within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and group members are able to claim expenses for travel and/or costs incurred whilst carrying out their role. No other costs have been incurred.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Islamophobia Working Group definition, whether the policy intention is that the definition will be adopted by (a) the police, (b) schools, (c) universities, (d) the Crown Prosecution Service and (e) councils. \p Alex Norris: The Working Group is an independent, non-statutory body which will provide advice to ministers on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/islamophobia. Ministers will consider the advice that the independent working group provides.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations her Department received from the Local Government Association on housing asylum seekers in in the context of (a) the Spending Review 2025 and (b) the Affordable Homes Programme. \p Alex Norris: The department engages closely on asylum and resettlement matters with the Local Government Association (LGA) alongside the Home Office. This includes a quarterly ministerial and local government forum with both MHCLG and Home Office ministers, and regular working level meetings. MHCLG and Home Office ministers also recently attended the LGA’s annual conference to discuss asylum and resettlement.

The government is committed to working with local government to test-locally led models and ending the reliance on hotel use for asylum accommodation. We will continue to engage closely with the Home Office and the LGA as this work progresses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2025 to Question 58975 on Civil Service: Offices, what the exceptions are that allow for office attendance to be less than 50 percent. \p Alex Norris: There are a number of reasons individuals may need to discuss and agree an exception with their manager. Exceptions can be long-term if the reason is enduring, for example a disability related matter, or short-term, for example an unexpected issue or need but all must be subject to review and none represent contractual employment changes under this policy.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2025 to Question 58975 on Civil Service: Offices, for what reason offices outside London have a lower office attendance expectation. \p Alex Norris: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has commenced a project to secure new and additional space in some of our offices outside London which supports the demand for office space we anticipate from completing the Places for Growth programme and increasing the proportion of our workforce outside London. Until that new and additional space is secured, it has and will be necessary to ensure attendance comes within statutory building safety limits. In some cases this may mean that individual office capacities will offer lower attendance ratios than others.
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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a nationwide ten minute grace period for private car parks where users cannot not be fined for non-purchase of a ticket. \p Alex Norris: On 11 July, the government published a consultation setting out its proposals for raising standards across the private parking industry ahead of preparing a code of practice and an accompanying compliance framework for private parking operators. The consultation seeks views on the minimum grace periods set out in the previously withdrawn government code.
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Deirdre Costigan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of responding to written questions from the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. \p Alex Norris: This Government welcomes scrutiny from all members of Parliament. In 2012 it was estimated that the average cost of answering a written question was £164. The Hon Member for Thirsk and Malton has tabled 2205 written questions in this Parliament, so the cost of answering these is likely to have exceeded £350,000.
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Sarah Dyke:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether any Town Fund projects under the Town Deals programme have applied for an extension. \p Alex Norris: The 2024 October Budget announcement set out a 12-month extension to the original Town Deals deadline. All Town Deal monies must now be spent by March 2027. For a minority of projects delivery will continue after this point, for example where match funding is being used to complete the works. No funding recipients have requested an exemption to spend their grant beyond this date.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 June 2025 to Question 54905 on MHCLG: Public Expenditure, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of raising the thresholds for the publication of transparency data on (a) transparency and (c) accountability. \p Alex Norris: MHCLG publishes its spend data in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance. There is no requirement for departments to undertake impact assessments of the nature specified when implementing changes to meet central guidance.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May 2025 to Question 53573 on Oxford Growth Commission: Public Appointments, what the level of remuneration is for the Chair of the Oxford Growth Commission. \p Alex Norris: The Chair of the Oxford Growth Commission’s (OGC) remuneration is commensurate with the seniority of the role and in line with current policy on senior pay levels. We understand that the Chair has written to Kevin Hollinrake to disclose his level of renumeration.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department has spent on equipment for civil servants to work from home in each of the last five years. \p Georgia Gould: The requested information is not centrally held, and complying with this request would incur a disproportionate cost to the department.

Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service, as was the case under the previous administration.
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Jim Allister:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24053 on Independent Review of the Windsor Framework, what steps he has taken to ensure the (a) support arrangements for that review were independent and (b) independence of the review process in general. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Terms of Reference of the Review clearly state that the Secretariat arrangements provided to it should operate with full regard to the independence of the Review. It has remained a matter for the Reviewer to fulfil those Terms of Reference and reach their conclusions and recommendations independently of Government.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January to Question 21331 on National Security Advisor: Pay, whether he plans to publish the Annual Report on Special Advisers before 22 July 2025. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Annual Report on Special Advisers has been published on gov.uk.
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Sarah Champion:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many companies are listed on the Government’s Debarment List under the exclusion regime in the Procurement Act 2023. \p Georgia Gould: The Government is committed to tackling misconduct in public procurement. All contracting authorities and suppliers are expected to act, and be seen to act, with integrity. The debarment regime came into effect on 24 February 2025. We will not hesitate to make use of those powers where there is evidence of wrongdoing where appropriate.

In order for any supplier to be added to the debarment list, an investigation must be undertaken.

The outcomes of debarment investigations will be published here. Currently there are no suppliers included on the debarment list.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 186 of the Census 2021: General report for England and Wales, published on 21 June 2025, which local authorities had a response rate below 95%. \p Georgia Gould: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 9th July is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 104.6KB)
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Blair McDougall:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to continue to use X.com as a platform for government communications. \p Georgia Gould: The Government uses a range of channels to reach and engage the public. Use of these platforms is assessed against the high standards for digital safety, as set out in the Government Communication Service (GCS) SAFE framework.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2025 to Question 66727 on Military Alliances: France, which Ministers will attend the first meeting. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The UK-France Nuclear Steering Group meetings will be convened and attended by senior government officials representing the UK Cabinet Office and the Presidency of the French republic as well as other Ministries and organisations. The Steering Group will regularly update senior UK and French Ministers on the items under discussion. Ministerial discussions between the UK and France will take place as required.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled Cabinet Office: Government Procurement Card spend over £500 - March 2025, published on 24 April 2025, what the spending to Berry Bros Rudd Limited was for. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The referenced entry relates to wine purchased for official business. The Government regularly hosts events and diplomatic occasions to bring together world leaders and other dignitaries, strengthen international relationships and deliver for the UK public.

Any hospitality purchases for these occasions are made with value-for-money for the taxpayer as a priority.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of Strategic Priorities Grant funding for journalism courses on the creative industries. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government has had to make tough prioritisation decisions driven by the challenging fiscal context that we inherited. For the Department of Education, this has meant prioritising support for high-cost subjects that are essential to delivery of our industrial strategy and core funding to support access to higher education for disadvantaged groups. It is important that the targeted funding allocated through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) supports courses that have higher costs of delivery and our Plan for Growth.

The Government remains committed to supporting the invaluable role which journalism plays in the fabric of our society. We acknowledge journalism as an important and valued subject in higher education, alongside numerous other subjects that do not attract SPG high-cost subject funding, such as history, languages, economics, maths and law.

DCMS officials are engaging with the Department for Education, as well as the press sector and the key journalism professional bodies, to better understand the impact this will have on the journalism industry, as part of the wider creative industries.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_185

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding her Department plans to provide for (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities during the Spending Review period. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the nation following the Spending Review.

We will now work closely with sporting bodies - including the Lawn Tennis Association - and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England provides long term investment to the LTA, which receives up to £10.2 million for 5 years from 2022 to invest in tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit as many people as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_186

Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding is available to support the refurbishment of (a) the Swing Bridge in Newcastle and (b) other British industrial heritage. \p Chris Bryant: Newcastle’s Swing Bridge is a Scheduled Monument and Grade II* listed structure. Support for the refurbishment of the bridge and other industrial heritage may be available through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Arms-Length Bodies.

Historic England, DCMS Arms-Length Body and government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, also offers grants for the repair and conservation of historic buildings, monuments, and landscapes that are of national importance. Historic England is currently involved in ongoing discussions on restoring movement to the bridge and is supporting relevant stakeholders in its repair.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund awards grants ranging from £10,000 up to £10 million for projects that conserve and enhance heritage, making it accessible to everyone. Last year it invested £330 million in the nation's heritage.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_187

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support pathways into professional journalism. \p Stephanie Peacock: A free, sustainable, and diverse media landscape is the best way to maintain a shared understanding of facts, and we are committed to supporting the invaluable role which journalism plays in the fabric of our society. Trustworthy journalism plays a vital role in countering the effects of mis- and disinformation, and local journalism in particular plays a crucial role in fostering civic engagement, with evidence showing a positive and significant correlation between daily circulation of local newspapers and local election turnout.

It is important therefore to maintain a healthy and diverse pipeline of talent into the industry through the provision of journalism education opportunities. With this in mind, we are exploring through the DCMS Local Media Strategy whether more can be done to promote journalism as a career amongst young people, including through the DCMS-funded Creative Careers Programme which is intended to promote careers in the creative industries among young people and recently added the National Council for the Training of Journalists to its steering group.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_188

Chris Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress she has made on reducing exposure to gambling advertisements by (a) children and (b) young people. \p Stephanie Peacock: To improve and expand the services available to understand, tackle and treat gambling-related harm, the Government has introduced a statutory levy on gambling operators to fund research, prevention and treatment. This includes dedicated investment for prevention to raise awareness of the risks associated with gambling and facilitating a cultural shift to break down barriers to help-seeking behaviour such as stigma. Thirty percent of funding will be allocated to prevention activity, including education and early intervention, to help raise awareness of harmful gambling.

There are existing robust rules in place to ensure that gambling advertising, whenever it appears, is socially responsible, with a particular regard to the need to protect children, young persons and other vulnerable persons. Adverts cannot be targeted towards children, feature those under 25 or those who are perceived as being under 25, and top-flight footballers and celebrities popular with children are also banned from adverts to ensure they do not have inappropriate appeal. The IGRG Code includes specific requirements for operators to include ‘GambleAware’ or ‘www.gambleaware.org’ in their advertisements.

However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely. Additionally, there is ongoing work with DHSC and the Gambling Commission to develop a new, evidence-based model for independently developed messages to increase awareness of gambling harms, replacing industry ownership of safer gambling messaging.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_189

Tracy Gilbert:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the practice by video game publishers of remotely disabling access to games that consumers have legally purchased on consumer rights. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is aware of concerns relating to the continued access to video games, including licensed, online-only video games, and we appreciate the frustrations of players of some games that have been discontinued. The Government has responded to a recent petition on this issue.

There are no plans to amend existing consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs), giving clear advice to consumers. Video game sellers must not omit or hide material information, or provide it in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_190

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the cancellation of the A12 widening scheme on (a) levels of congestion, (b) road safety and (c) the economy. \p Lilian Greenwood: As announced on 8 July 2025, this Government inherited a series of commitments that could not be afforded. Therefore, the Secretary of State for Transport had to take the difficult decision not to progress the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) Widening Scheme.

The decision was based on evidence assessed against a wide range of criteria including (a) congestion, (b) road safety and (c) the economy and in line with the HMT Treasury Green Book and the Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_191

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she made an assessment of the potential impact of cancelling the A12 Widening Scheme on housing growth. \p Lilian Greenwood: As announced on 8 July 2025, this Government inherited a series of commitments that could not be afforded. Therefore, the Secretary of State for Transport had to take the difficult decision not to progress the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) Widening Scheme. The decision was based on evidence assessed against a wide range of criteria, including housing growth impacts, and in line with the HMT Treasury Green Book and the Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance. The Department will continue to work with National Highways and relevant partners to explore whether there are any small-scale interventions to potentially address issues on the A12 to support housing growth.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_192

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of delaying Phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience Programme on (a) the local economy and (b) transport resilience. \p Simon Lightwood: The Spending Review considered and prioritised investment across all government spending, taking account of business cases and affordability, including economic and social impacts.

The Government does not undertake formal consultation with regional stakeholders as part of Spending Reviews.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_193

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress Network Rail has made on the potential replacement of the Total Operations Processing System. \p Simon Lightwood: The Network Rail Route Service’s Digital, Data and Technology Services Team has a project progressing to replace the Total Operations Processing System (and related Passenger Operations Information System).

This was started in January 2024 when funding had been allocated from the Control Period 7 settlement and is forecast to complete by Quarter 2 2029.

The System Release Proposal provides additional information about this work. This document was issued for formal consultation on 9 May 2025 to 8 July 2025 to at least 60 stakeholders. (This number may be greater due to onward sharing).

The Network Rail project team has received six formal responses of which only one was negative to the approach. Therefore, the project continues as planned.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_194

Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects Network Rail to have completed a feasibility study on making Burntisland railway station accessible. \p Simon Lightwood: This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.

In May 2024, the previous government selected 50 stations for initial feasibility work for potential upgrades as part of our Access for All programme. This did not include Burntisland railway station. We expect to provide an update to stakeholders during the summer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_195

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total cost to the public purse is for the A12 widening scheme. \p Lilian Greenwood: As announced on 8 July 2025, this Government inherited a series of commitments that could not be afforded. Therefore, the Secretary of State for Transport had to take the difficult decision not to progress the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) Widening Scheme. In 2022, the A12 scheme had an estimated cost of between £1,045 million and £1,268 million, on the assumption of a start of works in 2023/24 under the previous government, which did not happen. Had the scheme proceeded following Spending Review 2025, the cost of delivery to the earliest timetable would be greater because of increases in prices over time and other factors. Following cancellation, National Highways will be working to bring the scheme to a close and will publish details on costs incurred in its Annual Report and Accounts in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-17 conversation_196

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a public information campaign for drivers of vehicles fitted with daytime running lights of the need to manually switch on their rear lights when weather conditions necessitate. \p Lilian Greenwood: Road vehicle lighting is governed by combination of national and international regulations. As per the advice in the Highway Code drivers must use appropriate vehicle lighting for the prevailing conditions and should ensure that they are familiar with the operation of all vehicle controls.

No assessment has been made of the merits of a public information campaign to support the correct use of daytime running lamps.