theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_58

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the written statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether the new rules on repayment of Ministerial severance payments will come into effect on 13 October; and whether the Deputy Prime Minister has now signed a waiver. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The reforms to ministerial severance payments, including the use of waivers, will take effect from 13 October.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_59

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 53898 on Senior Civil Servants: Pay, whether that list will be published in 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The ‘high earner’ list will be published after departments and their partner organisations have implemented the 2025/26 senior pay award and they have fully quality assured the personal data being published about individuals. Departments also publish salary information for all their Senior Civil Service (SCS) roles in quarterly organograms on data.gov.uk and for all SCS operating at Board level in their Annual Accounts.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_60

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Internship Scheme To Get More Working Class Students Into Civil Service, published on 1 August 2025, whether children of asylum seekers that (a) are permitted to work and (b) have a parent that is also an asylum seeker would be classified as working class for these purposes. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As we set out in August, we will be opening our Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme exclusively for undergraduates from lower socio-economic backgrounds for 2026. We will determine eligibility based on parental occupation at age 14 in line with guidance from the Social Mobility Commission and the Office for National Statistics definition.

Regardless of whether or not a person is eligible under the social mobility criteria all applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality rules (CSNR). Under this, asylum seekers are not permitted to work unless they have been waiting for a decision on their claim for 12 months or more and the delay is through no fault of their own. If granted permission to work, they are able to take up employment in jobs included on the Shortage Occupation List (replaced by the Immigration Salary List in April 2024). We do not consider roles offered on the Fast Stream Summer Internship Programme to be included on the ‘Immigration Salary List’.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_61

Alex Burghart:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is for updating the webpage entitled Salaries of members of His Majesty's Government on gov.uk. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Salary entitlements for ministers are set out by the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975.

The Prime Minister has maintained the pay freeze for ministers who continue to claim a lower salary to their entitlement under law, as per the salary amounts listed on GOV.uk. GOV.UK will be updated in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_62

Alex Burghart:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 11 July 2025, to Question 64830, on Civil Service: Equality, whether his Department has consulted trade unions in relation to planned updates to the Guidance for Civil Service Staff Networks. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: National trade unions have had the opportunity to provide feedback during the development of the Staff Network Policy.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_63

Alex Burghart:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister has any line management responsibilities for (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in 10 Downing Street; and whether the (i) responsibilities and (ii) remit of the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister have changed since the appointment of the Chief Secretary. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: It would not be appropriate to comment on staffing matters or individuals’ remits and responsibilities.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_64

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the total cost of the Civil Service paybill in the (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 financial years. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Salary data for the Civil Service is published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics, an Accredited Official Statistics release, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2025
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_65

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Extension of Generalist Member to the Senior Salaries Review Body, published on 5 August 2025, whether the Public Appointments Commissioner was consulted on the decision to reappoint the Generalist Member for 12 months. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Under the Governance Code on Public Appointments, departments must notify the Commissioner for Public Appointments of “exceptional reappointments or extensions”. An exceptional reappointment or extension is one that requires a postholder to serve for more than two terms or ten years.

On 10 July 2025, Pippa Greenslade’s appointment to the Senior Salaries Review Body was extended for 12 months. This is not considered an “exceptional extension” and therefore the Commissioner for Public Appointments was not notified.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_66
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_66

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62771 on Cabinet Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, if he will publish the invoice for that spending. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Rt Hon Member to my answer of 15 July, Official Report, PQ 65886.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_67
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_67

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who attended the reception for content creators at 10 Downing Street on 31 July 2025; and what the cost was of the event. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As under previous administrations, details of official receptions are published in quarterly transparency returns on gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_68
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_68

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 32929 on Cabinet Office: Palantir, which non-civil service organisations have seconded staff to the Downing Street business unit since July 2024. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: There have been no secondments from non-Civil Service organisations to Downing Street since July 2024.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_69
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_69

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54761 on 9 Downing Street: Repairs and Maintenance, whether the OCS invoice for the No9 media room works has now been (a) received by the Cabinet Office and (b) paid. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 8 July 2025, Official Report, PQ 64569.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_70
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_70

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2025 to Question 21256 on Government: Policy, what the total cost was for the Plan for Change event on 5 December 2024. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 6 January 2025, Official Report, PQ 21256.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_71
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_71

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39576 on Prime Minister: Aviation, how many and what proportion of the Prime Minister's overseas flights used Sustainable Aviation Fuel since 4 July 2024. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer of 21 October 2024, Official Report, PQ 8434.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_72
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_72

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the written ministerial statement of 21 July 2025, HCWS870, on Government of service, ⁠what criteria will be used to distinguish a breach from a serious breach for the purposes of severance payment recovery. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Issues that arise under the Ministerial Code are handled on a case by case basis. From 13 October 2025, if a minister leaves office having been found to have seriously breached the Ministerial Code, they will be expected to forgo a ministerial severance payment.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_73

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what guidance the Government has issued on diversity network events taking place during work hours. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Cabinet Office has issued an internal policy for Civil Service Staff Networks which includes information on the timing of diversity network events. The Policy states where possible events should be arranged outside of peak business activities and attendees would be expected to attend Network Events in their own time. Events that relate directly to a business outcome or to an individual’s learning & development could be attended in work time with the relevant approvals.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_74
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_74

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to update regulations on payment methods for amusement machines. \p Ian Murray: Direct use of debit cards and credit cards is currently prohibited on all gaming machines in Great Britain. The previous Government’s 2023 gambling white paper proposed removing the prohibition on the direct use of debit cards on gaming machines, subject to the introduction of certain player protections. While this proposal was not implemented under the previous administration, this government is considering the best available evidence from a wide range of stakeholders to inform any decisions on this proposal, which would require new legislation to implement.

In addition, the Gambling Commission recently consulted on proposals to introduce a number of new player protections for gaming machines in Great Britain, designed to support and empower customers to use gaming machines safely. The Government will take account of the progress and outcome of this consultation when considering regulations on payment methods for gaming machines.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_75
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_75

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with business representatives on ensuring that elderly people are not prevented from using businesses that choose to move to digital-only services. \p Ian Murray: The government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities or offer their products and services. However, the Government expects all businesses to treat all consumers fairly.

Having said that, everyone has a role to play in realising a shared vision for a digitally inclusive UK to ensure everyone, including the elderly, can participate in our modern digital society. That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February, which sets out the first actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion.
wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_76
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-25 conversation_76

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of trends in the level of tax (a) evasion and (b) avoidance linked to candy retail stores. \p Dan Tomlinson: As my rt. hon Friend the Prime Minister said, the Government recently launched a major crackdown against criminals using high street businesses to launder money at almost 400 properties, which involved securing freezing orders over bank accounts totaling more than £1 million and arresting 35 individuals.

HMRC is leading a cross-Government risk assessment to establish a shared understanding of the key risks and their underlying drivers. The findings of this assessment will inform a revitalised and more ambitious coordinated cross-government approach to addressing the harms associated with these retail models.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_1

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many bountied Hong Kongers living in the UK (a) she and (b) her Department have consulted while updating the Defending Democracy Taskforce. \p Catherine West: The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is, and always will be, a priority. Owing to the sensitive nature of this topic and the need to protect individuals who may be at threat, it would be inappropriate to provide further detail of any specific discussions we have had.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_2

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether UK aid has been used to support water and sanitation services for people at risk of contracting cholera in Sudan. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The conflict in Sudan and the widespread destruction of sanitation and health services has caused a devastating cholera outbreak with more than 83,000 cases and 2,100 deaths since July 2024. More than 33.5 million people are at risk. Humanitarian agencies, against a backdrop of continued violence and access impediments, are working to respond to the current outbreak alongside other priorities. In response the UK is supporting the United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF) and other agencies who are delivering lifesaving emergency health interventions, including cholera vaccines, treatment, and prevention. Via an aid match agreement alongside the State of Kuwait we provided an additional $5 million to UNICEF. The UK is also advocating with UN organisations to deliver a sufficiently scaled-up cholera response. We continue to urge all parties in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian access so that aid reaches those most in need.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_3

Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential (a) humanitarian and (b) medical impact of establishing a UK medical evacuation scheme for seriously ill and injured children in Gaza, in the context of (i) the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system due to the ongoing blockade, (ii) recent advice from UK-Med that hospitals in Gaza are close to running out of capacity, (iv) the World Health Organization’s call for the urgent evacuation of at least 5,000 children requiring specialist medical care and (iv) the acknowledged inability of regional countries to meet the scale of need alone. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: There are many people in need of urgent medical care in Gaza, where the UN reports all hospitals have been damaged or partly destroyed. Countries in the region, particularly Egypt, play a vital role treating high numbers of medially evacuated Gazans, but capacity is stretched. We recently announced a £7.5 million package to strengthen medical care in Gaza and the region, including additional funding for UK-Med and World Health Organization (WHO) Egypt. Our funding has provided 1.3 million items of life-saving medicines and enabled UK-Med to support over 500,000 patient consultations across Gaza. We consistently press the Government of Israel to allow access to essential healthcare and to ensure the protection of medical workers. The Prime Minister confirmed the UK will urgently accelerate efforts to medically evacuate critically ill and injured children from Gaza, working with the WHO and others to get these children to the UK so they get the treatment they need.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_4

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the level of telecommunications infrastructure in Sudan on the delivery of UK aid in that country. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: More than two years of sustained conflict has devastated Sudan's essential infrastructure including telecommunications networks. Millions of people across the country continue to experience significant communications disruptions with the limited availability of internet access severely impacting humanitarian agencies. Ongoing internet outages affects people's ability to access life-saving assistance such as mobile money services and it hinders Sudanese communities from communicating about their plight. The UK continues to advocate with the warring parties to respect the civilian nature of critical infrastructure. In addition, we continue to support the World Food Programme who are leading work on behalf of humanitarian agencies through the Telecommunications Cluster to help provide communications and connectivity services to relief actors.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_5

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing aid to women and girls in Afghanistan who had their special immigration visas for resettlement removed by the US government. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is committed to supporting the rights of all women and girls in Afghanistan. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used from 2026/27 onwards will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. In 2025/26 we have allocated up to £140 million to support those Afghans most in need, including marginalised and vulnerable groups. We also remain committed to ensuring at least 50 per cent of people reached by UK aid are women and girls.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_6

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken to help promote freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt and we express our sincere concern for all those impacted. The root causes of intercommunal violence are complex and often linked to land disputes, historical tensions, and criminal activity. While religion is not a causal factor in these conflicts, the impacts are felt acutely by religious communities, including hindering people's ability to practice their faith freely. The UK supports all affected communities, regardless of faith or ethnicity, and is working through programmes like Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria and the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership to promote peace, strengthen local institutions, and protect civilians. The UK remains committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), with Nigeria a priority country under the new FoRB strategy, and we will continue to raise this issue in our engagements with Nigeria.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_7

Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken in response to kidnappings and killings of Christians in the North-East and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt and we express our sincere concern for all those impacted. The root causes of intercommunal violence are complex and often linked to land disputes, historical tensions, and criminal activity. While religion is not a causal factor in these conflicts, the impacts are felt acutely by religious communities, including hindering people's ability to practice their faith freely. The UK supports all affected communities, regardless of faith or ethnicity, and is working through programmes like Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria and the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership to promote peace, strengthen local institutions, and protect civilians. The UK remains committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), with Nigeria a priority country under the new FoRB strategy, and we will continue to raise this issue in our engagements with Nigeria.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_8

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2025 to Question 60823 on Iran: Israel, whether he has met Reza Pahlavi; and whether he plans to. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary engages with a wide range of interlocutors on Iran, and most recently spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on 26 June. The Foreign Secretary has not met Reza Pahlavi since taking up his role and does not plan to meet him. We believe it is for the Iranian people to decide the future of Iran.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_9

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 63624 on Admiralty House: Energy Performance Certificates, if he will place the three EPCs for the Admiralty House flats in the Library. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: Where a building has an EPC the information on EPC ratings can be found at https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate/Admiralty-House.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_10

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to take steps to support the use of the Cornish language on official documents. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The UK Government recognises Cornish as a minority language under Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

There are no statutory requirements for the Home Office to provide official documents in Cornish. Responsibility for promoting and supporting the Cornish language sits with Cornwall Council, with UK-wide policy oversight led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_11

Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae (a) were recorded as transiting across Great Britain and (b) had been declared on their paperwork as having been imported via (i) Harwich, (ii) Dover, (iii) Killingholme, (iv) Cairnryan, (v) Holyhead, (vi) Birkenhead (vii) other ports in (A) 2023, (B) 2024 and (C) 2025 to-date. \p Daniel Zeichner: From 2023 to date, a total of 8346 Equidae were recorded as transiting across Great Britain and had been declared on their paperwork as having been imported by a UK port.

The attached table shows the number of Equidae by year and port.

This information is drawn from external systems not directly controlled by the department.

Annex A (pdf, 38.8KB)
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_12

Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were declared as transiting across Great Britain on an intra-EU certificate in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025; and how many of those were declared as originating from (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) the Republic of Ireland and (iii) other EU countries in each year. \p Daniel Zeichner: The attached table shows the number of Equidae which were declared as originating from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and other EU countries.

This information is drawn from external systems not directly controlled by the department.

Annex A (pdf, 100.4KB)
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_13

Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae recorded as transiting across Great Britain were declared as being exported from (a) Harwich, (b) Dover, (c) Killingholme, (d) Holyhead, (e) Birkenhead and (f) other ports in (i) 2023, (ii) 2024 and (iii) 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: This data is available on Export Health Certificates (Live Animals and Animal Product Origins) Issued between Great Britain and European Union by APHA - data.gov.uk

This dataset contains information on the number of Export Health Certificates issued for exports from GB to the European Union in respect of Live Animals and Products of Animal Origin. It does not show the number of exports for each port but shows the number of Export Health Certificates issued per commodity group by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in a calendar month.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_14

David Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with ex-miners and stakeholders on the financial practices of CISWO. \p Stephanie Peacock: As an MP representing a mining community and previous member of the Coalfields Communities APPG, I understand the concerns raised about the performance of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO). As a constituency MP I have spoken to both ex-miners and stakeholders about the practices of CISWO. I would strongly encourage CISWO to strengthen its engagement with the coalfield communities that it was established to support.

As the Minister for Civil Society, I have met with the Charity Commission to discuss CISWO’s support for coal mining communities, and I know that the Charity Commission is in contact with CISWO directly. CISWO is an independent charity that does not receive direct government funding. It is for the charity trustees to make decisions about how it should deliver its charitable purpose. If the trustees are acting within the law, fulfilling their duties and furthering their charitable purpose, the Charity Commission cannot become involved in the internal decision making of a charity.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_15

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what proportion of sex offenders serving a custodial sentence in prison are foreign nationals, broken down by nationality. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: In line with the Code of Practice for Statistics, we are unable to provide the requested information at this time, as doing so would disclose a subset of data which is currently intended for future publication by the Ministry of Justice.

Data on the number of Foreign National Offenders in prison by offence group is due for publication on 31 July 2025 in the Offender Management Statistics Quarterly.
wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-30 conversation_16

Afzal Khan:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on improving diagnostic outcomes for autistic women and girls from ethnic minority backgrounds. \p Dame Nia Griffith: NHS data suggests that rates of diagnoses for autism are often lower in certain ethnic communities, with research literature indicating that attitudes, beliefs and stigma about neurodevelopmental differences are likely to play a significant role in this.

At the end of last year, a Neurodivergence Task and Finish group was established, chaired by Professor Karen Guldberg of Birmingham University, to provide advice and recommendations on the best ways to support and meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people within inclusive mainstream settings.

The group have listened to a wide range of people, including other sector experts and stakeholders and neurodivergent children and young people, their parents, and others who care for them. The group are due to report back to me shortly.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_1

Jim McMahon:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the lower rate of business rates retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers, revaluation, and transition arrangements on pubs, bars and restaurants. \p Dan Tomlinson: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties, including those in the hospitality sector as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest.

More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto.

The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including pubs. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_2

Mike Wood:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2025 to question 95074 , how many of the businesses classified as holiday sites in the Valuation Office Agency draft 2026 rating lists have had their rateable value i) decrease ii) stay the same iii) increase compared to their 2023 rateable values. \p Dan Tomlinson: The VOA published the Draft non-domestic rating list on 26 November 2025, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rating-change-in-rateable-value-of-rating-lists-england-and-wales-2026-revaluation-draft-list
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_3

Sarah Owen:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing child poverty on the economy. \p James Murray: The Child Poverty Action Group estimate the cost to the country at £40bn per year, which is one of the reasons why the government is removing the two-child limit and lifting 550,000 children out of poverty in the final year of this Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_4

Tom Hayes:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the OBR's report entitled Economic and fiscal outlook, published in November 2025. \p James Murray: The OBR’s November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook is a detailed document, and plays a key role in our robust and transparent fiscal framework.

The report shows that growth is up this year, that living standards are up over the Parliament, and that we are getting borrowing and debt down.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_5

Alison Hume:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reforms to public sector procurement processes on economic growth. \p James Murray: This Government is committed to using procurement strategically to drive growth across the United Kingdom, as set out in the National Procurement Policy Statement published in February.

At Budget the Chancellor went further, announcing that we will reform our approach to procurement so that it can actively shape markets and manage demand in the national interest. The Government has consulted on reforms to public procurement and impact assessments will be undertaken as required.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_6

Gill German:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people will receive the increased National Minimum Wage. \p James Murray: From 1 April 2026, around 2.7m low-paid workers are expected to benefit from the uplifts to the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_7

David Simmonds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Office for National Statistics holds data on the number of dwellings in each council tax band by (a) Parliamentary constituency, (b) local authority ward or division or polling district, (c) Lower layer Super Output Areas and (d) Middle layer Super Output Areas, in (i) England and (ii) Wales. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Office for National Statistics does not publish this data.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) publish Council Tax statistics on gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_8

David Chadwick:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the impact of the income tax threshold freeze on Welsh Rates of Income Tax revenues. \p Dan Tomlinson: The previous Government made the decision to maintain income tax thresholds at their current levels from April 2021 until April 2028

As agreed between the UK and Welsh Governments, under the existing fiscal framework, the Welsh Government is responsible for 10p in income tax rates, whilst income tax thresholds in Wales remain reserved to the UK Government.

The UK Government has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on their fiscal framework, including the impact of UK Government tax policy changes.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_9

Dave Robertson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help lower energy bills. \p Torsten Bell: Energy bills are too high. The previous Government left Britain dependent on the roller coaster of gas prices and left families paying around £1.7 billion on their bills for their failed energy efficiency ‘ECO’ scheme

This is why we are scrapping ECO and taking some of the expensive legacy levies off bills – saving households an average £150 from April.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_10

Susan Murray:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to National Insurance contributions on economic growth. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government made fair and necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to help fix the public finances and fund public services.

The Government of course carefully considers the impacts of all policies, including the changes to employer National Insurance.

An assessment of the changes announced at Autumn Budget 2024 on Employer National Insurance Contributions was published by HMRC in their Tax Information and Impact Note

Further, the OBR’s October 2024 Economic and Fiscal Outlook sets out the expected macroeconomic impact of the changes to employer National Insurance contributions.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_11
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_11

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many new enquiries were opened into child benefit claims which were suspended from claimants as a result of data-sharing between HMRC and the Home Office in the period 1st to 30th November 2025. \p Dan Tomlinson: There were no new Child Benefit compliance enquiries opened using Home Office international travel data in the period 1st to 30th November 2025. This is because our focus during that time was on reviewing the c. 23,500 already opened.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_12

David Chadwick:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the proposed high-value property surcharge in England will generate Barnett-related consequentials for devolved administrations. \p James Murray: There were no changes to UK Government DEL budgets as a result of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge so this policy did not result in Barnett consequentials.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_13

David Simmonds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the high value council tax surcharge will be valued by the Valuation Office Agency by the same assumptions and methodology as current council tax, other than the valuation date. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Valuation Office Agency are developing their approach to the targeted revaluation and will set out more details in due course, following the outcome of the Government's consultation.

In general, when valuing domestic properties, the VOA uses modern technology and industry standard techniques combined with freely available information including sales data, property attribute details and government records.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_14

David Simmonds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate has the Valuation Office Agency made of the number of appeals that will be made against the high value council tax surcharge. \p Dan Tomlinson: We recognise the importance of the right to appeal, and the Government will consult on the details of this in the new year.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_15

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which properties will be subject to revaluation by the Valuation Office following the implementation of a High Value Council Tax Surcharge. \p Dan Tomlinson: As announced in the Autumn Budget, the high value council tax surcharge will be a new tax on domestic properties in England which have a value of £2m or above in 2026.

The Valuation Office Agency are developing their approach to the targeted valuation and will set out more details in due course, following the outcome of the Government's consultation.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_16

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 26 June to Question 61930, how many P85 forms have been submitted in each month from May 2025 to date. \p Dan Tomlinson: The table below shows the number of P85 forms submitted to HMRC electronically from May 2025 to September 2025.

Month

P85 iForms

May 2025

4,500

June 2025

4,500

July 2025

4,900

August 2025

5,200

September 2025

6,300

Figures rounded to 100
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_17

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has she made of the impact of treating 50% of the gain in disposal to trustees of an Employee Ownership Trust as the disposers' chargeable gain for CGT purposes. \p Dan Tomlinson: At Budget 2025, the Chancellor announced that the relief from Capital Gains Tax available on qualifying disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts will be reduced from 100% to 50%. This will retain a strong incentive for employee ownership, whilst ensuring that business owners pay their fair share of tax. The relief remains more generous than alternative reliefs that individuals might use when disposing of their companies, such as Business Asset Disposal Relief.

An assessment of the impacts can be found in the Tax and Information Note for this measure, here: Capital Gains Tax — Employee Ownership Trusts - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_18

David Chadwick:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the Treasury’s analysis of how far the uplifts to Welsh Government borrowing and reserve limits restore the real-terms value of those limits since they were set a decade ago. \p James Murray: As announced at Autumn Budget 2025 there will be a 10% increase to annual and cumulative capital borrowing limits and the Wales Reserve overall and annual drawdown limits in 2026-27 which will increase the real value of the Welsh Government’s budget management tools.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_19

David Simmonds:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to paragraph 1.28 of the OBR, Economic and Fiscal Outlook, November 2025, CP1439, 26 November 2025, how the Government intends to finance the cost of the estimated £14 billion of local authority SEND deficits; and what proportion of accrued deficits will remain with local authorities from 2028-29. \p James Murray: See paragraph 4.94 of Budget 2025: Strong Foundations, Secure Future. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-2025-document
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_20

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the proportion of text redacted in statements provided to hon. Members from opposition parties in advance of the Chancellor’s statement on each Budget day since 1997. \p James Murray: Redactions to documents shared in confidence are made for reasons of market sensitivity. The full Budget documentation and the Chancellor’s speech are shared with all MPs as soon as the Chancellor finishes delivering the Budget speech.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_21

Claire Hanna:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Northern Ireland Department of Finance Minister has submitted fiscal devolution plans to her Department in this current Stormont mandate. \p James Murray: HM Treasury and Northern Ireland Executive Ministers have regular discussions.

The Northern Ireland Executive’s Interim Fiscal Framework published in May 2024 stated that a full Fiscal Framework would consider the principles of fiscal devolution.

The scope and scale of the full Fiscal Framework will be subject to agreement between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-09)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-09 conversation_22

Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has had recent discussions with Anas Sarwar MSP on the higher rate of the Energy Profits Levy since 30 October 2024. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Chancellor regularly meets different stakeholders, including those from Scottish Labour, to discuss a range of policy issues.