theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential differential impact of the local government finance system on local authorities. \p Alison McGovern: On 20 November the government published the Local Government Finance Policy Statement which sets out our plans for the 2026-27 to 2028-28 multi-year Local Government Finance Settlement. These plans represent a fairer system for all authorities which recognises the variation in demand and the cost of providing services in different places and the vast majority of social care authorities will receive a real terms increase.

The government wants to move decisively to a reformed system, but we have heard clearly that we need to implement funding reform in 2026-27 with transitional arrangements to allow time to adjust. We will therefore phase in allocations over the multi-year Settlement and protect the income of authorities which would see losses from funding reform. We will use a range of funding floor levels appropriate to specific groups of authorities’ circumstances. Further details can be found here: Local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29 - GOV.UK .

These changes will not fix the challenges facing local government overnight. Tough decisions are required on all sides, but these proposals are a fundamental step to improving the sustainability of local government in the years to come and will allow councils to focus on service delivery and transformation.

We will publish provisional local authority allocations at the upcoming provisional multi-year Settlement in December. Proposals and allocations will be subject to consultation and the usual Parliamentary process.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will extend Community Right to Buy powers to include environmental assets such as peat bogs, heathland, meadows, woods and rivers. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The new community right to buy, which we are introducing through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, will give communities stronger powers to take ownership of assets that are important to them.

Communities will already be able to nominate a range of environmental assets that further their social or economic wellbeing through the current provisions in this Bill. The list of such assets is extensive, from allotments and playing fields to woodlands and farms. Statutory guidance will be clear that local authorities must accept nominations for environmental assets that meet the criteria.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to implement policies to help build community cohesion in areas with segregated communities. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Ministry for Communities, Housing and Local Government is leading cross-Government efforts to consider a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.

This Government wants to ensure that all places are further supported to build cohesion and resilience, and that support is in place rapidly, as and when tensions occur. The Common Ground Resilience Fund will provide £2.87m funding to local communities to insulate them against threats to social cohesion.

We also recently announced the expansion of the Pride in Place Programme – this will provide up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade to 244 places across the UK. It focuses on three overarching objectives: building stronger communities; creating thriving places; and helping communities to take back control of their own lives and areas. As part of this, funding will be made available to improve community cohesion.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will consider consulting on increasing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) which have not increased since their introduction in 2004. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The responsibility for local authority penalty charge notice caps is shared between my department and the Department for Transport. The Government will be looking at penalty charge notice caps outside London. The findings from the parking sector’s own research into this issue, as well as the recent trial of higher parking penalties in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will inform that process.
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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, as a result of the changes in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, how many extra powers will be given to Sheffield City Council; and how many powers currently by Sheffield City Council be transferred to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will establish ‘Strategic Authorities’ to lead in our regions. Strategic authorities will not replace councils. Strategic authorities will be responsible for unlocking investment, infrastructure and economic growth across larger geographies, while local authorities will continue to be responsible for the critical daily services residents rely on and improving local neighbourhoods.

Only one power will be transferred to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority from its constituent councils via the Bill and only in specific circumstances. The Authority will take on responsibility for preparing reports assessing local road traffic levels and forecasting their growth, but only in relation to roads that are part of the Authority’s Key Route Network.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will also be given other powers, including over housing, land acquisition, and economic development which it will exercise concurrently with its constituent councils. As a constituent member of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council will have a key role in the decision-making about how most of these powers are used. Full detail of which powers will be held by Strategic Authorities were published alongside the Bill in Devolution Framework Explainers.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to review the home-buying and selling process in England and Wales, with the aim of reducing transaction fall-through rates and associated financial losses for buyers and sellers. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87197 on 7 November 2025.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to tackle (a) misinformation (b) foreign influence in the 2026 elections. \p Samantha Dixon: The Government takes attempts by any country to intervene in our democratic processes very seriously. It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic and electoral processes.

The Government addresses these challenges through coordinated efforts led by the Defending Democracy Taskforce and Joint Election Security and Preparedness (JESP) Unit which bring together Whitehall departments, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies to monitor and mitigate election security risks, including mis – and disinformation and foreign interference. The Joint Election Security and Preparedness unit is currently leading on cross-government efforts in preparation for the 2026 elections, which are taking place across the UK.
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Lee Pitcher:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications of his policies the recommendation in the report entitled FloodReady – an action plan to build the resilience of people and properties, published on 16 October 2025, that the Government explore (a) amending Building Regulations and (b) amending the Future Homes Standard to include low-cost property flood resilience measures. \p Samantha Dixon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 81948 on 21 October 2025.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will introduce a social tariff for energy to help lift people at the end of life out of fuel poverty. \p Martin McCluskey: We recognise that for many households energy bills remain too high. That's why on 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from this winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bill costs.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when will the Government respond to the recommendations contained in the Nuclear Regulatory Review led by John Fingleton. \p Michael Shanks: At Budget the Chancellor confirmed that government endorses the report’s approach and accepts the principles of all recommendations it set out.

My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister has also issued a Strategic Steer which sets clear expectations for the civil, defence, and decommissioning nuclear sectors to accelerate safe and efficient delivery through proportionate regulation and stronger collaboration.

We will present a full implementation plan within three months, taking account of international obligations, national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes.
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Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many times he has (a) visited Aberdeen, (b) visited Aberdeenshire and (c) met an oil and gas company in (i) Aberdeen and (ii) Aberdeenshire to discuss their activities; and if he will list what businesses he met with. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on local employment and SME supply chains of reducing the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. \p Martin McCluskey: To bring domestic energy bills down for all, ECO will not continue when the current schemes end. Government recognises that this is likely to have an impact on some companies in the supply chain.

Government has instead committed additional grant funding of £1.5 billion, which will be directed to upgrading low-income households, benefiting those in fuel poverty. Government will set out the details of this in the Warm Homes Plan.

Government continues to improve home energy efficiency through other existing schemes, such as the Warm Home: Social Housing Fund, Warm Homes: Local Grant and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make a comparative assessment of the carbon intensity of (a) domestically produced oil and gas and (b) imported liquefied natural gas in the last 5 years. \p Michael Shanks: The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has published annual Emissions Monitoring Reports since 2021. These contain figures for carbon intensity or emissions intensity (relating to carbon dioxide and methane) of domestically produced oil and gas compared to fossil fuels from other sources, including imported Liquefied Natural Gas. The latest report and methodology can be accessed online:

Emissions Monitoring Report 2025

Emissions Monitoring Report 2025 methodology
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the impact of the North Sea oil and gas sector on employment and economic growth; and what steps he is taking to safeguard jobs in the offshore energy sector. \p Michael Shanks: Our oil and gas sector significantly contributes towards our economy, and directly employs tens of thousands of highly skilled workers right across the UK.

However, the natural decline of oil and gas in the North Sea has seen more than 70,000 jobs lost in the last decade. On 26 November the Government published its North Sea Future Plan. This sets out how we will protect current jobs in oil and gas, while also securing the next generation of good jobs. This includes a new North Sea Jobs Service to provide end-to-end support for the current workforce to access new opportunities.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of potential changes in the level of demand for insulation and heating upgrades following the reduction of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). \p Martin McCluskey: The government recognises that demand for energy efficiency upgrades will remain strong. To bring energy bills down for all, the decision has been made not to continue the Energy Company Obligation when the current scheme ends.

The government has instead committed an additional £1.5bn of grant funding, which will be directed to upgrading low-income households, benefiting those in fuel poverty. The details of this will be set out in the Warm Homes Plan.

The government continues to improve home energy efficiency through schemes, such as the Warm Home: Social Decarbonisation, Warm Homes: Local Grant and the Boiler Upgrade scheme.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of standing charges on the level of energy bills. \p Martin McCluskey: The Government knows that, for many consumers, too much of the burden of the bill is placed on standing charges. Ofgem have conducted a broad public consultation to understand the views of consumers on this issue, receiving over 5,000 responses on their 2024 discussion paper. Ofgem judged that if standing charges were fully removed, the fixed costs of the energy system would still need to be recovered, and unit rates would therefore need to increase. In Ofgem's view, this introduced a risk of harm for vulnerable consumers who are high users of energy, often for medical and health needs. Since then, Ofgem have been continuing work in two areas.

Firstly, Ofgem have been working to ensure that domestic consumers can choose tariffs with lower standing charges. Ofgem took a further step towards this goal on 24 July, announcing proposals to require suppliers to offer their customers tariffs with lower standing charges from early 2026.

Ofgem’s consultation on these proposals closed on 23 October, and they will provide a further update in due course.

Secondly, Ofgem have been reviewing how ‘fixed’ costs, which tend to be funded through standing charges, should be recovered in the future energy system. This includes whether those fixed costs could be recovered in more progressive ways, and we are working closely with the regulator on this.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he will publish the Hydrogen Allocation Round 3 market engagement exercise. \p Michael Shanks: We plan to publish our Market Engagement on the Third Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR3), alongside the updated Hydrogen Strategy, in due course. This will seek feedback on the proposed design and delivery of HAR3 ahead of its intended launch in 2026, as set out in the Industrial Strategy.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to increase the levels of UK content used in hydrogen production projects as part of the upcoming Hydrogen Allocation Round 3. \p Michael Shanks: We welcome the industry-led voluntary ambition of 50% UK local content for hydrogen across the value chain from 2030. We will work with industry to introduce monitoring and evaluation to determine the health and success of the supply chain in relation to the existing industry voluntary content ambition, which could include exploring stronger incentives around reporting.

We plan to publish a market engagement exercise setting out our proposals for HAR3 in due course.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason. \p Michael Shanks: As of 31 October 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had less than five employees on sickness absence for six months or more where the recorded reason related to mental health. The exact number has been redacted to avoid identification of individuals.

The Department records sickness absence reasons in line with Civil Service categories, which include stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.

The Department offers a range of support including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and access to occupational health services.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that homes which have received (a) insulation and (b) internal wall insulation under the ECO4 scheme are independently inspected any sub-standard or unsafe work is remediated at no cost to the homeowner, and that the homeowner is informed of their rights to redress. \p Martin McCluskey: Government is offering free inspections of all properties where external wall insulation was fitted under ECO4. Ofgem will contact every household with external wall insulation that has not yet been audited.

Remediation is already taking place to address substandard and unsafe work, and over half of the issues identified to date have been fixed. They will be rectified at no cost to the consumer.

Issues in external wall insulation are substantially higher than those for internal wall insulation. If customers have concerns about the quality of their internal wall insulation, they can contact their original installer or Ofgem’s dedicated helpline.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of international regulatory harmonisation on the speed of delivery of civil nuclear projects in the UK. \p Michael Shanks: International cooperation and regulatory harmonisation have the potential to streamline deployment for nuclear energy deployment around the world and help achieve economies of scale.

The UK continues to explore opportunities for regulatory harmonisation in nuclear to speed up the deployment of new nuclear in the UK, demonstrated by the recent Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, which builds on existing UK-US collaboration.

ONR as the UK’s independent regulator will need to be satisfied that any design to be deployed in the UK meets UK safety standards and complies with UK law.
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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will publish modelling undertaken by Ofgem on how suppliers may respond to projected Transmission Use of System charge increases over the 2026-31 price control period. \p Michael Shanks: Ofgem, as the independent regulator, sets funding and investment allowances for gas and electricity transmission, and gas distribution networks through its RIIO-3 price control process. Final Determinations for RIIO-3 will be confirmed by Ofgem in December.

Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs.

Following the energy crisis, Ofgem introduced capital adequacy rules to strengthen the financial resilience of suppliers and the stability of the retail market.

The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to introduce monitoring and evaluation to determine the health and success of the UK hydrogen supply chain. \p Michael Shanks: Developing domestic supply chains is a government priority, as demonstrated through our Industrial Strategy and comprehensive public financial institution offer which will provide direct support to UK hydrogen supply chains.

DESNZ collects supply chain data through the Hydrogen Allocation Rounds and welcomes the industry’s voluntary 50% local content ambition.

We are developing options to strengthen our approach to domestic supply chains in future allocation rounds and will be launching our HAR3 market engagement exercise setting out our proposals in due course.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to make changes to the (a) accreditation, (b) certification and (c) guarantee regime of (i) installers and (ii) retrofit coordinators working under (A) ECO4, (B) future Warm Homes Plan programmes and (C) other Government-funded retrofit schemes to prevent (1) rogue and (2) negligent firms participating. \p Martin McCluskey: The government is reviewing the system of consumer protection and oversight for home retrofit installations that improve energy efficiency and decarbonise homes. This work is looking at the entire landscape: from how installers work in people’s homes to where homeowners turn for rapid action and enforcement if things go wrong. More information will be shared in the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan.

The government is planning to consult on proposals for retrofit system reform early next year.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Solicitor General, how many (a) active and (b) concluded cases the Government Legal Department has handled relating to legal challenges against the one-in, one-out migrant returns scheme; and what the total cost of that litigation has been. \p Ellie Reeves: The UK-France Treaty is an innovative pilot designed to deter illegal migration across the Channel. Litigation related to this pilot was anticipated and we are concentrating resources on robustly defending this so that removals can continue as planned. As of 28 November, 153 individuals have been returned to France through this agreement.

Operational details on the pilot are sensitive, and we will not be disclosing such information as it could inadvertently assist the organised immigration crime gangs that are behind small boats crossings.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Solicitor General, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason. \p Ellie Reeves: Cabinet Office publishes sickness absence data for the Civil Service on an annual basis, including by organisation and by absence reason. I refer you to the statistics publicly available which can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence. The next release is likely to be around 18 December 2025.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Civil Service Management Code, updated on 9 November 2016, whether his Department has internal guidance on the process for the dismissal of a Cabinet Secretary. \p Anna Turley: The Permanent Secretary model contract sets out the contractual detail on exits and disciplinary procedures for all Permanent Secretaries. This applies to the Cabinet Secretary and there is no separate internal guidance. A copy of the model contract has been placed in the House Library.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Departmental Strategic Asset Management Plan Executive Summaries 2025 - 2026, published on 30 October 2025, when the summaries for all departments will be published. \p Anna Turley: The intention is to publish all summaries of departmental Strategic Asset Management Plans (SAMPs) on the UK government website. For practical purposes, this is being done in phases with a second batch going live in December.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason. \p Anna Turley: The Civil Service publishes regular sickness absence reports, which provide statistics for sickness absence by organisation and sickness reason, including Mental Ill-Health. These can be found at Sickness absence in the Civil Service - GOV.UK.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Deposited Paper DEP2025-0726, committed on 21 October 2025, what was the cause of the breakdown in the toilet macerator. \p Anna Turley: The toilet macerator was found to be leaking and upon investigation the pump was defective. The macerator was 10 years old and it was concluded that the unit should be replaced.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025, to Question 73729, on Ministers: Aviation, which other Government-financed planes have their carbon offset. \p Chris Ward: The Government does not lease any other government-financed aircraft outside of the wet-leased A321neoLR (G-GBNI) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) assets.
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Jim McMahon:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many copies of each UK daily newspaper did the government purchase for each year from 2015 to date. \p Chris Ward: The information requested is not held centrally.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the causes of the excess winter deaths in the latest data. \p Josh Simons: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Questions of the 25th November is attached.

Letter from the National Statistician (pdf, 137.7KB)
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information the Crown Commercial Service holds on Government use of the Starlink network. \p Chris Ward: Starlink is not a supplier on any Crown Commercial Service (CCS) commercial agreement.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, page 16, what proportion of the £203 million underspend in DEL arose from projects that failed to deliver to plan and are now expected to require re-profiling or supplementary funding in 2025–26. \p Chris Ward: None of the underspend requires re-profiling or supplementary funding in 2025-26.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the Freedom of Information Act response released by Cabinet Office, reference FOI2025/05758 of 10 July 2025 on criminal offences by Ministers. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: A copy of the response will be placed in the House Library.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether applications for the Government Communication Service Apprenticeship in 2026 will be restricted on the basis of (a) socio-economic background and (b) ethnicity. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Applications for the GCS Apprenticeship are not restricted on the basis of socio-economic background or ethnicity.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the Mission Boards do not appear in the List of Cabinet Committees, published on 19 November 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Following a review of the Cabinet committee system, the Prime Minister announced a number of changes to the committee structure. Mission Boards have been reformed to become delivery-focused forums benefitting from external and industry expertise, led by the relevant Secretary of State. The Government remains committed to delivering the missions.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 1 July 2025, to Question 62993, on King Charles III: Artworks, whether (a) NHS England and (b) Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust accepted the offer from the Cabinet Office of a free portrait of the King to place in their offices. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Honourable Member to the information published on GOV.UK on 28 November 2024 which provided a summary of the His Majesty The King’s Official Portrait Scheme, including the number of portraits provided by type of public institution, and the total cost of the scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/conclusion-of-his-majesty-the-kings-free-portrait-scheme
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92495 on Civil Servants: Disclosure of Information, what is the evidence basis for the Government’s view that an independent Office for the Whistleblower would (a) be duplicative and (b) what would this be duplicative of. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: There are well established whistleblowing processes in place across government. Individual government departments are responsible for determining and setting their whistleblowing arrangements and procedures. In addition, the Civil Service Commission is an independent body that can hear and determine concerns by civil servants that relate to the Civil Service Code, where it has already been raised formally under the Code with the relevant Department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_316

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 86058 on Government Departments: Advertising, for what reason Politico has not been assessed. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: As detailed on the SAFE framework page (under ‘Safety and suitability’), publishers must provide a safe environment for HMG advertising. Link provided below:

https://www.communications.gov.uk/publications/safe-framework-the-4-principles-for-hmg-brand-safety/

There have been no requests for government advertising via Politico and this publication has not been assessed against the framework.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_317

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the cost was of the One Big Thing 2024 initiative, including (a) design and delivery of the Innovation Masterclass, (b) the contract with Wazoku for the One Big Thing platform, (c) communications and engagement activities and (d) evaluation and analysis. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The total cost for One Big Thing 2024 was £400,164, including a) £258,144 for the design and delivery of the Innovation Masterclass, b) £0 for access to Wazoku Platform (an existing contract between Wazoku and MoD was utilised, at no cost to the the Cabinet Office) c) £11,066 for marketing and media (cost relates to stalls at Civil Service Live) and d) £7,980 for a data dashboard for monitoring live uptake. The evaluation and analysis were done internally within the CO, at no cost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_318

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 31 of the Cabinet Office Annual report and accounts 2024-2025, HC1372, 23 October 2025, what his evidential basis is for the statement that those services are widely known across government as providing an excellent service. \p Chris Ward: The services offered by the Cabinet Office functions have seen significant growth in usage, with income increasing by 77% over the last five years. Departments are not mandated to use all the services provided by the functions but opt to use them.

In most cases, the functions have customer boards which provide robust oversight and feedback on how the services they provide are performing. On occasion, teams can also request customer feedback via surveys to ensure the services they are providing are meeting customer requirements.

This feedback along with the continued increase in usage reflects the growing reputation of the functions for providing excellent services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_319

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Office for the Impact Economy is taking with social investors to increase funding for communities. \p Josh Simons: Social investors and philanthropists across the country are already working in partnership with local community organisations to improve people’s daily lives.

The Office for the Impact Economy will act as the front door to social investors who want to partner with the government to unlock funding for local communities. The Office will create partnerships, including investment opportunities, to scale up the impact of public investment and develop opportunities for communities across the UK.

This includes opportunities to make government spending go further on priority programmes such as Pride in Place and Neighbourhood Health Services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_320

Chris Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how she marked Red Wednesday on 19 November; and what steps she is taking to support persecuted Christians across the world. \p Chris Elmore: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 3 November 2025 to Question 85662.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_321

Cat Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make it her policy to support efforts to create a Special Rapporteur for Women and Girls Living Under Occupation at the United Nations. \p Chris Elmore: In our discussions with the United Nations and other international bodies, the UK continues to push for greater priority to be given to the risks facing women and girls in conflict, as set out in the Foreign Secretary's speech on 24 November, available at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/twenty-five-years-of-women-peace-and-security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_322

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when her Department plans to bring forward potential sanctions relating to human rights violations and abuses in Sudan. \p Chris Elmore: We continue to work tirelessly towards securing a ceasefire, humanitarian relief, and accountability for atrocities committed in Sudan, as set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 18 November. We will provide further updates to the House in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_323

Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she had with international counterparts concerning ongoing reports of (a) detention and (b) killing of the Falun Gong in China. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 April to Question 43452.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_324

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterparts concerning the detention of Asif Pervaiz; and what diplomatic steps she is taking to support his release. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 12 June to question 58220.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_325

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government gave assurances to the Chinese Government on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London after 4 July 2024 and before the previously refused planning application was resubmitted by the Chinese Government. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 14 July 2025 to Question 65869.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_326

Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of increased prison restrictions for human rights activist Zhang Zhan; and what diplomatic steps she has taken with international partners to help ensure her release. \p Seema Malhotra: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 20 October to Question 81324.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_327

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason. \p Seema Malhotra: The Civil Service publishes sickness absence statistics by organisation and by sickness reason, including mental ill-health. These figures are available in the publicly accessible Civil Service sickness absence reports on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence). The next release of these statistics is scheduled for 18 December, and you may wish to refer to this forthcoming publication for the most up-to-date information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_328

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with the Southern African Development Community to help tackle violence against women and girls. \p Chris Elmore: Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and forms a regular and essential part of our engagement with counterparts across the world, including in the Southern African Development Community.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_329

Mr Gagan Mohindra:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to build large nuclear sites in Wales. \p Anna McMorrin: This Government has chosen Wylfa as the best site to host Britain’s first ever three Small Modular Reactors.

Great British Energy-Nuclear has confirmed it could host up to eight SMR units in the future, bringing in even more jobs, investment and benefits for Wales.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_330

Catherine Fookes:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support recovery from flooding caused by Storm Claudia in Wales. \p Jo Stevens: I saw first-hand the devastating impact of Storm Claudia in Monmouthshire when I visited on 20 November with my hon. Friend. My thoughts, and I’m sure those of the whole house, remain with affected residents.

I went to Monmouth to thank emergency responders and local residents who have all rallied together to support the community, and the Mayor of Monmouth, Jacqui Atkin who has raised a substantial sum to help with the clean-up operation.

Both the Welsh and UK Governments will do whatever it takes to support the people and businesses of Monmouthshire to recover in the weeks and months ahead.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-03 conversation_331

Cat Smith:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to support (a) LGBTQ+ clergy and (b) people considering entering ministry. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church Commissioners have indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-03)

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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Scottish Government's real terms reduction in College Funding since 2021 to the delivery of the industrial strategy in Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: Colleges have a critical role in ensuring the young people of Scotland can access secure, skilled jobs, and in fostering innovation, developing a skilled workforce, and driving economic growth.

This is why we have committed to hundreds of millions of additional funding for colleges in the Industrial Strategy.

However, the funding of colleges in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government. Scotland’s colleges have had their funding cut by 20% between 2021/22 and 2025/26. The Spending Review was historic for Scotland and delivered the largest real terms settlement for the Scottish Government since devolution, with an average £50.9 billion per year between 2026-27 and 2028-29. Last week’s Budget has boosted this by a further £820m.

As the UK Government has delivered a record funding settlement to the Scottish Government, it is up to them to ensure that young people will benefit from these investments.