theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_175
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_175

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will meet representatives from the indoor play sector to discuss business rates reform. \p James Murray: At Autumn Budget, the Government published a Discussion Paper setting out priority areas for reform of the business rates system. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century.

HM Treasury officials have concluded an initial phase of engagement with stakeholders who registered interest by the 15 November deadline, and the government is open to receiving further written evidence to xxx@xxx.xx until the end of March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_176
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_176

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations her Department has received from the Ministry of Defence on security concerns related to the involvement of Mingyang Smart Energy in the Green Volt North Sea wind farm project; and what consideration has been given to these concerns in the decision-making process. \p James Murray: The Government is committed to attracting investment into the UK to support our growth and clean energy missions. The UK is one of the most attractive global investment destinations for renewable energy and significant deployment acceleration to 2030 will be required.

While we cannot comment on individual cases, the Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously. Delivering our Clean Power 2030 target will boost energy security, whilst creating good jobs and protecting consumers. We will protect national security wherever we identify concerns.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_177
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_177

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his US counterparts on the case for an end to the economic blockade of Cuba. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary had a call with his recently appointed US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on 27 January. The readout is available on gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_178
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_178

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made recent representations to his US counterpart on removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. \p Stephen Doughty: The Foreign Secretary had a call with his recently appointed US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on 27 January. The readout is available on gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_179
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_179

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of UK-funded counter-terrorism initiatives in Africa on trends in the level of terrorism in those countries. \p Anneliese Dodds: UK funded counter-terrorism initiatives in Africa reduce terrorism risks to the UK and to British Nationals and UK interests overseas, as set out in the CONTEST Strategy published in 2023. Across Africa, the primary risks to the UK stem from Al Qaeda affiliates such as Al Shabaab based in Somalia, and from groups affiliated with Daesh located across the continent.

We have had positive impact by supporting activities in priority countries to disrupt and degrade terrorist organisations (the 'Pursue' strand of CONTEST). Our focus is building host nations' counter terrorism criminal justice capability to tackle threats effectively, and to reduce terrorist capability and access to resources. We work hard to ensure compliance with UK human rights and legal standards.

We have also worked with a range of governments and international and multilateral partners to develop capabilities to prevent people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism (the 'Prevent' strand of CONTEST). For example, in Tunisia following the 2015 Sousse attacks in which 30 British nationals died, we worked in partnership with the Tunisian government to develop an early intervention system for people susceptible to radicalisation.

This focused counter terrorism work is designed in close coordination with wider UK-funded activity seeking to reduce conflict in places where the primary conflict actors are affiliates of global terrorist organisations, ensuring that the UK Government's efforts both target the direct terrorism risk to UK interests as well as some of the underlying drivers which may contribute to that risk.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_180
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_180

Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support women and girls in states affected by conflict. \p Anneliese Dodds: Empowering women and girls is a UK Government priority. The UK will take a leading role on the global stage, building partnerships, particularly in the Global South, to promote greater gender equality that strengthens whole societies and economies. Having led on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in 2000, the UK is resolute in its commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, and intends to build on the ambition displayed in the UK's 5th WPS National Action Plan during this anniversary year. At the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2025, I, alongside Lord Collins, will promote women's economic empowerment, galvanise funding for the global grassroots women's rights movement, support women and girls in Afghanistan, and strengthen global action on conflict-related sexual violence.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_181
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_181

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of the £236.75 million allocated to Ukraine in the Official Development Assistance Programme was designated for (a) humanitarian aid and (b) economic development projects in 2024-25. \p Stephen Doughty: The bilateral Ukraine portfolio totals £282 million in 2024/25 covering humanitarian, stabilisation, energy, recover and reform programmes. The majority of this is through Official Development Assistance. This includes £122 million in humanitarian assistance which is delivered through key partners such as UNICEF, UNHCR and Mercy Corps.

Our economic recovery programmes total £25.5 million for this year. These programmes will unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of private lending to bolster the growth and economic resilience in Ukraine. These programmes cover aspects from support to small business, to war risk insurance and infrastructure capacity building, working with key partners such as the International Finance Corporation, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The remainder of this year's allocation will be used to support energy, social recovery, and governance reform programmes.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_182
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_182

Blair McDougall:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to provide support to Georgian democrats who were arrested by their government and have lost legal defence funding following the funding freeze by USAID. \p Stephen Doughty: We do not provide any legal defence funding to Georgian Civil Society involved in recent protests. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world remains steadfast. The Foreign Secretary and I have raised our concerns over arbitrary arrests and violence in Georgia with the Georgian Dream authorities. I was clear that Georgia's negative democratic trajectory, and violence targeting demonstrators and journalists is unacceptable. We are working to support a free and open civil society and attend court hearings. On 30 January, our Embassy in Tbilisi issued a statement supporting journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who has been on hunger strike since 11 January.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_183
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_183

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help stop the persecution of Christians in South East Asia; and if he will have discussions with his ASEAN counterparts on protecting (a) Christians and (b) churches. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK Government champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and mutual respect through our engagement in multilateral organisations including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), our bilateral work, and our programme funding. The UK continues to hold countries to account on their FoRB commitments and obligations, including South East Asian nations, through our engagement with the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and at the UN Human Rights Council. This work is mutually reinforcing of our wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_184
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_184

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to promote the John Bunyan Fund for Freedom of Religion and Belief. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK Government champions, and remains strongly committed to, freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) John Bunyan Fund (JBF), the designated programme for FoRB-focused overseas projects, has a budget allocation of £460,720 in financial year (FY) 2024/25. The FCDO works to ensure that Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to those who are most vulnerable and most in need of this assistance irrespective of race, religion, or ethnicity. This includes minority religious or belief communities, including Christians, who are assessed by our partners when determining those most in need of protection and assistance.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_185
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_185

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) meetings and (b) discussions (i) he and (ii) Ministers from his Department have had with their Mauritian counterparts since July 2024. \p Stephen Doughty: The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary met the then Mauritian Prime Minister in London on 23 July 2024, and negotiating rounds led to political agreement between the Prime Minister and then Mauritian Prime Minister on 3 October 2024. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations, Jonathan Powell, and Prime Minister Ramgoolam met on 25 November 2024. The Attorney General met with the Mauritian Attorney General on 16 January 2025, and I also had a separate call with the Mauritian AG on this date. The Prime Minister spoke with Prime Minister Ramgoolam on 31 January 2025. This engagement has been supplemented by numerous official level meetings, and joint statements from the UK and Mauritian governments were issued on 20 December 2024 and 13 January 2025. We do not hold a centralised list of all meetings relating to Chagos sovereignty, and the number of such meetings, and Ministers and senior officials involved, would make it disproportionately costly to put such a list together.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_186
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_186

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to revoke the status of the British Indian Ocean Territories as British Overseas Territories. \p Stephen Doughty: The political agreement, reached between the UK and Mauritius in October 2024, will need to be underpinned by a Treaty which, once signed, will be made public and put before both Houses for scrutiny consistent with the obligations under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act. Following signature, the Government intends to bring forward a Bill to make the necessary amendments to current legislation to implement the Treaty.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_187

Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his next scheduled meeting is with representatives of the Chinese Government. \p Catherine West: On 13 February, the Foreign Secretary met the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, in London. The Foreign Secretary does not have any further meetings scheduled with representatives of the Chinese Government at this point.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_188

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland since it was established. \p Sarah Jones: The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland was launched in November 2023 with the aim to deliver a £70 million commitment to smaller businesses in Northern Ireland, alongside investment from the private sector. Since its launch, the fund has deployed almost £10 million in debt funding and equity investment to local businesses at differing stages of their growth journey.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_189
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_189

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he plans to take to increase the evidence base on the impacts of merger and acquisition-led FDI projects in the creative industries. \p Sarah Jones: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is cognisant of the increasing levels of Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) driven Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), as highlighted in the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre's (PEC) recent "FDI in the Creative Industries" report, November 2024.

A new partnership will be announced shortly between DBT, the Creative PEC and the CoStar Foresight Lab, supported by DCMS. The Creative Business Panel is a longitudinal study which will involve 5 waves of in-depth industry research, running to 2028. It will provide unprecedented insight into what drives growth in the sector, and crucially it will be able to determine for the first time how potential growth factors, including M&A, interrelate.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_190
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_190

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences on businesses importing into Northern Ireland and (b) UK Generalised Scheme of Preferences on business importing into Great Britain. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) replaced the UK Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) in 2023. Like the EU GSP, the DCTS incentivises trade with developing countries, to reduce poverty, and to provide cheaper imports for UK and European businesses and consumers. They are two of the most generous schemes of their kind.

Importers can claim UK DCTS preferential tariffs in Northern Ireland, provided the goods are not 'at risk' of entering the EU. Where the EU tariff is charged waivers and reimbursements are available.

His Majesty’s Government has not conducted a comparative assessment of the impacts of these Schemes.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_191
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_191

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring builders to (a) have relevant qualifications and (b) demonstrate a certain competence level to undertake specific work. \p Sarah Jones: The Building Safety Act requires that all those undertaking work in the built environment must be competent and have the right skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours.

The Government is working with the construction industry to support the development and implementation of competence frameworks for built environment occupations that identify the core skills, qualifications and competence levels needed to undertake work. Engagement with DfE, Skills England and Standard Setting Bodies is a key part of developing the frameworks to align with and improve existing qualification routes to deliver the competence levels required.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_192
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_192

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with his counterparts in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on establishing a permanent secretariat for the CPTPP in the UK. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Ministers and Senior Officials meet regularly with their counterparts to discuss CPTPP issues. In November last year, CPTPP Ministers, including the UK, agreed the Vancouver Statement, providing an interim report on the CPTPP General Review. This covered a number of recommendations for taking the review forward, including a proposal for further discussions around improving the effective implementation and operation of the Agreement. The Statement noted that ‘these discussions should cover a range of approaches, including, but not limited to, the possible establishment of a secretariat’. The UK will continue to engage in such discussions with other CPTPP Parties under the auspices of the General Review in the coming year.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_193
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_193

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support regional investment funds; and whether the Minister for Investment has met with (a) Northern Gritstone, (b) Midlands Mindforge and (c) other regional investment funds. \p Sarah Jones: The Department for Business and Trade supports regional investment funds by fostering growth, expanding their investor networks, and identifying opportunities for international collaboration. The Minister for Investment will look to meet North Gritstone, Midlands Mindforge and others when next in the regions.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_194
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_194

Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the chemical sector. \p Sarah Jones: The chemicals sector underpins almost all manufacturing in the UK and is fundamental to maximising growth and productivity across the economy to drive forward the government’s missions, including delivering growth for all. Reforms are underway to address planning barriers to growth, channel finance towards growth priorities and accelerate the transition to net zero.

This will be supported by our modern Industrial Strategy which will implement targeted policy interventions to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth.

Last autumn’s Budget announced continued support for Energy Intensive Industries – including chemical companies – through £350M of additional funding across the next two years.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_195
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_195

Alison Griffiths:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of (a) the adequacy of the level of UK car production and (b) the impact of that industry on the economy. \p Sarah Jones: The UK’s automotive manufacturing industry directly supports over 150,000 jobs and contributed £21.0 billion in gross value added to the economy in 2024.

It plays a crucial role in driving innovation, advancing net-zero goals, and fostering economic growth. In value added terms, the UK has the second-largest car manufacturing industry in Europe. While production dipped last year due to planned upgrades and weaker global demand compared to 2023, the government remains confident in and committed to the sector. The Autumn Budget included a £2 billion commitment for the sector. Recently a £50 million investment deal was secured with JATCO and Nissan to establish a new manufacturing site in Sunderland, JATCO’s first site in Europe.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_196
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_196

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his planned timetable is for when each consultation attached to the Employment Rights Bill will have reported to the Government. \p Justin Madders: The department launched an initial package of three public consultations last October covering: the application of zero hours contracts measures to agency workers; creating a modern framework for industrial relations; and, strengthening remedies against abuse of rules on collective redundancy and fire and rehire. These consultations closed in December and the department will publish responses in due course. The department does not routinely collate information on the specific cost of running such consultations.

We have committed to full consultation on the implementation of this legislation, and expect this to begin this year, ensuring reforms work for employers and workers alike.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_197
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_197

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with Royal Mail on the increase in the cost of first class stamps. \p Justin Madders: Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider.

As an independent business, Royal Mail’s management sets the prices for its services. The government does not have a role in the company’s day-to-day commercial or operational decisions. In setting its prices however, Royal Mail must work within the regulatory framework set by Ofcom, the independent regulator for postal services.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_198
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_198

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2025 to Question 22858 on Trade Agreements, how goods produced in Northern Ireland using inputs that entered Great Britain under the terms of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and were, when moved to Northern Ireland, deemed under the Windsor Framework to be at risk of entering the Republic of Ireland, will be subject to cumulation in relation to those inputs in the context of the relevant rules of origin for onward sale. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: CPTPP originating inputs imported to Great Britain under CPTPP (from a country which has ratified UK accession) and moved to Northern Ireland retain their originating status, even if deemed at risk of entering the European Union under the Windsor Framework, as long as the inputs remain in the UK. Northern Ireland businesses may be able to cumulate these inputs in their goods exported under CPTPP to a country which has ratified UK accession, potentially helping them to meet the Rules of Origin.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_199
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_199

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing extended paternity leave when the mother has been through a traumatic birth and is medically unable to properly care for the child alone after the two weeks of paternity leave. \p Justin Madders: This Government is committed to ensuring that employed parents receive the best possible support in balancing their work and home lives. Eligible fathers or partners can plan to take a longer period of leave by using Shared Parental Leave or Unpaid Parental Leave. We recognise that parental leave can be improved. Work on this has already begun. The Employment Rights Bill will make Paternity and Unpaid Parental Leave 'day one' rights, accessible to all employees.

Government has also committed to a review of the parental leave system to ensure that it best supports working families. Planning work is already underway.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_200
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_200

Andy Slaughter:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department (a) encourages and (b) supports UK businesses involved in (i) economic and (ii) financial activities that (A) support and (B) maintain Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK government does not recognise the Occupied Palestinian Territories as part of Israel. The UK government has a clear position that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace, and threaten the long-term stability of a two-state solution. We do not encourage or offer support to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and our commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering, as is our commitment to international law. We advise British businesses to strongly consider the UK government's stance towards settlements when considering their investments and activities in the region.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_201
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_201

Jade Botterill:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the gender pay gap. \p Anneliese Dodds: Women’s equality and economic growth go hand in hand, but in spite of reporting requirements, progress on closing the gender pay gap stalled under the previous administration.

This government will Make Work Pay – including for women. As part of the Employment Rights Bill, we will require large employers to publish gender pay gap action plans alongside their figures. We are committed to working closely with partners both inside and outside government to make this a reality.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_202
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_202

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Government’s preferred option in its consultation on copyright and AI on growth in the creative industries. \p Chris Bryant: The government’s consultation on Copyright and AI, launched 17 December and closing 25 February, was published alongside an accompanying options assessment. The consultation seeks to gather further evidence on the potential impact on the creative industries of any change to the copyright regime in the context of AI training.

We have said we will only move forward once confident we have a practical plan that delivers each of our objectives: increased control for right holders to help them license their content, access to high-quality material to train leading AI models in the UK, and more transparency for right holders from AI developers.

Following the consultation, if legislative changes are needed, a full economic impact assessment will be undertaken.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_203
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_203

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the findings in the report entitled Addressing the UK’s heritage skills crisis: why we must act now, published by the University of Manchester on 23 January 2025. \p Chris Bryant: The government recognises the risk to the repair, maintenance and retrofit of older buildings arising from possible skills shortages. DCMS and Historic England are working across government and with sector partners to ensure the necessary workforce is in place.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_204
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_204

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of putting the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on a permanent footing. \p Chris Bryant: As was the case with previous Governments, spending commitments are a matter for the Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_205
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_205

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to promote Morris dancing in England. \p Chris Bryant: The UK ratified the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in March 2024.

Intangible Cultural Heritage, also known as living heritage, includes the folklore, performance, customs and crafts that play an important role in the identity, pride, and cohesion of communities across the UK, and includes traditions such as Morris dancing.

The Government is committed to ensure the safeguarding of living heritage and as a first step of implementing the Convention will be creating, with the Devolved Governments, an inventory of living heritage in the UK later this year.

We would expect this to include Morris dancing.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_206
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_206

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the press notice from the Advertising Standards Authority entitled Media restrictions on advertisements for “less healthy” food and drink products: consultation update, published on 13 January 2025. \p Chris Bryant: I have met the ASA and Ofcom twice to discuss the statement and the ASA’s subsequent consultation and officials are closely engaged with stakeholders. Implementing advertising restrictions for less healthy food or drink on television and online is a manifesto commitment for this government. To support this, it is important that the ASA’s guidance provides clarity to industry, including advertisers and broadcasters. The ASA published a consultation on an updated version of its guidance on 18 February and I encourage those with an interest to engage with it. We are keen to ensure a proportionate outcome, limiting advertising for identifiable less healthy food products, incentivising advertisers and food producers to move towards healthier options, and maintaining strong advertising and broadcasting sectors.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_207
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_207

Alex McIntyre:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle offences related to drink driving in Gloucester constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government takes road safety seriously, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. We are currently considering policy options in this area.

The Government’s THINK! road safety campaign, aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. THINK! launched a major new drink driving campaign in November, highlighting the risks of drinking even a little before driving. The campaign targeted men aged 17-24, who are four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road than drivers aged 25 and over, and who are over-represented in drink drive casualties. Paid advertising ran across social media, online video and gaming sites, radio and podcasts. The campaign also featured roadside advertising near to pubs and bars and posters and beermats in venues across England and Wales, including sites in Gloucester.

The enforcement of road traffic law and how available resources are deployed in Gloucester constituency, and other rural areas, is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers and Police and Crime Commissioners, taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_208
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_208

Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve access to electric vehicle charging points in rural communities. \p Lilian Greenwood: A widespread, easy-to-use and reliable network of public chargepoints is crucial to support the electric vehicle transition. In 2024, nearly 20,000 public charging devices were added to the network, making it a record year. There was particularly strong growth in rural areas, with chargepoint numbers increasing by 45%.

Government investment will continue to support public chargepoint rollout, including the £381m Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund which was purposefully designed to better reflect regional disparity. The LEVI Fund, alongside private investment, is estimated to deliver at least 100,000 chargepoints alone.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_209
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_209

Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance exists to define (a) sunk", (b) stranded and (c) abandoned vessels for the under the terms of s.252 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. \p Mike Kane: Guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wreck-and-salvage-law. Local port acts may contain additional definitions that may vary from act to act.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_210
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_210

Jas Athwal:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps is she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support people to (a) purchase and (b) use electric vehicles. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government will provide £120m of additional funding to extend the Plug-in Van Grant and the Plug in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Grant next financial year. Grants for motorcycles, taxis, and trucks are currently available until at least the end of this financial year. All grants are kept under review to ensure the best value for taxpayer’s money.

Zero emission vehicles will receive favourable Benefit in Kind tax rates until at least 2030. They are also exempt from vehicle excise duty (VED) until April 2025, after which electric vehicles will still have preferential first year rates of VED in comparison to the most polluting vehicles.

The Government is committed to accelerating the rollout of charging infrastructure, to ensure electric vehicles are easy to use. There are currently over 74,000 publicly available charging devices and the Government has introduced the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 to improve consumer experience of charging infrastructure.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_211
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_211

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a standardised battery health certification scheme for second-hand electric vehicles. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department for Transport has worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to develop a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle batteries (GTR 22). If implemented, the regulation would set standards for the lifespan of a battery and its minimum durability. It will also ensure that information about electric vehicle batteries is easily accessible, accurate and comparable. The Government is currently considering options for the implementation of GTR 22 battery regulations in the UK.

In the meantime, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate requires all new electric vehicles to be sold with a warranty that includes battery replacement if capacity falls below 70% in the first 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever is sooner.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_212

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the cost of motor insurance premiums. \p Lilian Greenwood: Our cross-Government taskforce on the cost of motor insurance is exploring how we can stabilise or reduce premiums to break down barriers to opportunity and grow the economy, delivering the Plan for Change. We will provide updates about the taskforce in due course.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_213

Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help improve highway safety on rural lanes. \p Lilian Greenwood: We have awarded local authorities £185.8 million of funding between 2017 and 2024 through the Safer Roads Fund to improve the safety of England's most high risk 'A' roads. To date, it has funded 445.3 miles of rural roads which make up 62.4% of all funded routes.

We acknowledge there is more that can be done; therefore, my Department is developing a road safety strategy, the first in over ten years, and we will set out more details in due course.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_214

Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time for driving tests is in Worsley and Eccles constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: The table below shows the average waiting time as of January 2025, for driving test centres (DTCs) that serve the Worsley and Eccles constituency.

DTC

Average Waiting Time (January 2025)

Atherton

19.8

Bolton

24

Sale

24

Cheetham Hill

24
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_215

Tony Vaughan:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve bus services in Folkestone and Hythe constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including in Folkestone and Hythe. The government has committed to increasing accountability by including a measure on socially necessary services so that local authorities and bus operators have to have regard for alternatives to changing or cancelling services.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Kent County Council has been allocated over £23 million of this funding. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_216

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on improving accessibility of railways; and (a) when and (b) how new projects will be identified under the Access for All funding scheme. \p Simon Lightwood: Since April 2024, step free upgrades at 13 stations have been completed, with a further 18 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme started in 2006. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. We will shortly provide an update to MPs and other stakeholders on our approach to the Access for All programme.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_217

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to respond to the consultation entitled Enabling road use of hydrogen-powered non-road mobile machinery, published on 27 March 2024. \p Lilian Greenwood: Following a consultation that closed in April 2024, the Department for Transport is developing an amendment to The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to allow hydrogen-powered off-road machinery to be used on the road. Legislation is expected to be introduced alongside publication of the Government’s response to the public consultation in April.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_218

Sir Roger Gale:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to bring forward the statutory instrument necessary to permit the use of hydrogen powered construction vehicles on public roads through amendment to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. \p Lilian Greenwood: Following a consultation that closed in April 2024, the Department for Transport is developing an amendment to The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 to allow hydrogen-powered off-road machinery to be used on the road. Legislation is expected to be introduced alongside publication of the Government’s response to the public consultation in April.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_219

Tom Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential role of air-to-air heat pumps for making homes more climate resilient. \p Michael Shanks: The department is currently developing the Warm Homes Plan to ensure that homes are fit for the future. The department has been carrying out research to respond to the relevant climate change adaptation risks identified by the third Climate Change Risk Assessment.

This research is closing evidence gaps identifying the buildings most vulnerable to extreme heat and where these are located, as well as appropriate adaptation solutions. This includes considering the role of technologies, such as air-to-air heat pumps. This work is informing the development of the Warm Homes Plan.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_220

Tom Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken to develop the skills and workforce needed for the energy transition. \p Sarah Jones: The Office for Clean Energy Jobs (OCEJ) has been created to ensure that clean energy jobs are abundant, high quality, paid fairly, and have favourable terms and good working conditions.

The OCEJ is engaging widely with industry, experts, and trade unions for a clear assessment of the skills opportunities and challenges. It is working closely with Skills England to ensure that skills systems reforms support the clean energy transition.

The OCEJ will also set out targeted interventions to support specific skills needs in the clean energy workforce. It has recently launched the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers into new roles in the clean energy sector.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_221
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_221

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the marginal pricing system on consumer electricity bills. \p Michael Shanks: With marginal pricing, the price of electricity is set by the last technology needed to meet overall demand. The marginal price reflects the value of generating an additional unit of electricity at any given time. This ensures that generators increase or decrease their output to meet demand and incentivises them to make efficiency improvements to remain competitive in electricity markets and keep costs down for consumers.

As part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA) programme, the Government is also considering what further steps can be taken to protect consumers from the impacts of potential price spikes.
wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_222
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-24 conversation_222

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the pricing mechanism for electricity reflects the lower generation costs of renewables. \p Michael Shanks: Unabated gas generation is increasingly being displaced on the system by the rollout of renewables, setting the marginal price less frequently. The most effective mechanism for driving renewable generation is a Contract for Difference-type scheme that includes key features such as competitive auctions to minimise costs to consumers, alongside a mechanism wherein generators pay back when wholesale prices are high. The Government is committed to retaining this type of scheme and as part of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements programme, is also considering what further steps can be taken to protect consumers from the impacts of potential price spikes.