theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) hospitals and (b) other NHS buildings are in each Integrated Care Board’s area. \p Karin Smyth: The annual Estates Return Information Collection collects data on National Health Service sites and integrated care boards by type and total, for instance hospitals and buildings, and is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/estates-returns-information-collection
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the cost to the NHS is for  cross solent travel for (a) patients, (b) ambulance transport and (c) staff annually. \p Karin Smyth: Information at this level of detail is not held centrally.
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Tristan Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of people on NHS waiting lists in (a) Chatham and Aylesford, (b) Gillingham and Rainham, (c) Rochester and Strood and (d) Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency in (i) August 2024 and (ii) March 2025. \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold data at the requested granularity. Tackling waiting lists remains a top priority for the Government. We are working to cut National Health Service waiting lists and to ensure people have the best possible experience during their care. As a first step, we have exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered over three million more appointments. We have seen a reduction in the national list of over 219,000 since July 2024.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department is providing to hospital trusts waiting for their wave of the New Hospital Programme to be implemented. \p Karin Smyth: Some Wave 2 and 3 schemes will receive funding for specific agreed activities, such as land purchases, that can be progressed during the Spending Review period. We will continue to engage with trusts over the next five years to establish whether there are any activities that can be progressed during the Spending Review period.

The Government recognises that in the interim, delivering high-quality National Health Service healthcare services requires safe, sustainable, and effective infrastructure. That is why the Government is backing the NHS with over £4 billion in operational capital and £750 million for estates safety in 2025/26, enabling systems to allocate funding according to local priorities, including maintenance and repairs at New Hospital Programme (NHP) sites. NHS trusts waiting for their NHP wave to be implemented should discuss options with the responsible system in order to allocate 2025/26 operational capital and national programme allocations towards needs at their sites. Capital funding levels beyond 2025/26 will be determined by the current Spending Review, concluding in June of this year, which will consider the needs of the NHS estate.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase public awareness of pre-payment certificates as a means to help reduce the cost of prescriptions. \p Karin Smyth: Promotion of pre-payment certificates (PPCs) is carried out by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), who promote the use of their online eligibility checker in the first instance, to enable people to check if they are entitled to free prescriptions or the NHS Low Income Scheme, before they purchase a PPC. They undertake PPC-specific communications activity such as:

- paid social media adverts, for instance running adverts in 2023/24 and 2024/25 to promote PPCs;

- posts on the Help with Health Costs Facebook and X channels promoting PPCs, with about one per week, amongst information about other exemptions;

- collaboration with NHS England to run a social media campaign promoting PPCs to people with certain medical conditions that aren’t covered by a medical exemption certificate;

- promotion of PPCs to pharmacy teams in a quarterly e-bulletin; and

- work with the media to place stories promoting PPCs, which are typically annual data-led media releases.

NHSBSA analysis shows that in 2023/24 an estimated 3.3 million patients received a prescription using a PPC, while the number of PPCs issued has steadily risen from approximately 2.29 million in 2018/19 to approximately three million in 2023/24, suggesting growing awareness. Additionally, the hormone replacement therapy PPC was introduced in 2023/24, and 566,000 certificates were issued in its first year.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the salaries are for the (a) Chairman and (b) Chief Executive of the new Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group. \p Karin Smyth: The Department does not hold the information requested. Information on the remuneration of senior staff is published by hospital trusts as part of their annual report and accounts.

As the Chair and the Chief Executive of the new Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group are both recent appointments, details of their salaries will appear in future published accounts.
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Kirith Entwistle:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients in (a) Greater Manchester ICB and (b) England are waiting for an appointment with a specialist respiratory clinician following a referral from their GP. \p Karin Smyth: The number of cases where patients on a consultant-led referral to treatment pathway were waiting for a first appointment under the Respiratory Medicine or Paediatric Respiratory Medicine treatment functions as of 20 April 2025 in the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board was 7,417, and in England was 150,484.
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Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on changes to employer National Insurance Contributions and the potential impact on (a) community care services and (b) wider healthcare services. \p Karin Smyth: The Department has discussed the impact of employer National Insurance contributions with HM Treasury, and has been informed of the Department’s allocation.

The Government’s intent is to publish the allocations alongside departmental budgets for 2025/26 at the Mains estimates. This will be published as a supplementary table, with a brief description of the methodology used accompanying it, and the table will not list a breakdown of the specific compensation to individual services.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of radiographers in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Karin Smyth: Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual National Health Service trusts. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place and with the right skills mix, to deliver safe and effective care. These staff include allied health professionals such as radiographers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists.

The Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, to ensure that we retain more of our skilled and dedicated staff. NHS England is leading work nationally through its retention programme to drive a consistent, system-wide approach to staff retention across NHS trusts. This ensures trusts have access to proven retention strategies, data-driven monitoring, and can foster a more stable, engaged, productive, and supported workforce.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 41044 on Radiotherapy: Medical Equipment, whether there is funding remaining for hospital trusts wishing to submit late applications for radiotherapy equipment. \p Ashley Dalton: The bidding round has been completed and there are no plans to accept further applications.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the defence sector with (a) high costs and (b) limited access to suitable facilities for (i) developing and (ii) testing new technologies. \p Sarah Jones: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are a vital part of the UK defence supply base, contributing to growth through high-skilled jobs and dual use technology. We are supporting their competitiveness through investment from the National Security Strategic Investment Fund and by improving access to defence supply chains through a new SME hub, which will set direct SME spending targets for the Ministry of Defence by June this year. Our new UK Defence Innovation Organisation will further support defence SMEs to take state-of-the-art technology from the drawing board to the production line, and into the hands of our Armed Forces.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to ensure that the mining of (a) lithium, (b) nickel, (c) cobalt, (d) manganese and (e) graphite is (i) sustainable and (ii) does not negatively impact net zero targets. \p Sarah Jones: While recognising these critical minerals are crucial for the energy transition, Government supports efforts to reduce the environmental impact of mining operations themselves. At present, the UK only has mining operations for lithium. As with any UK domestic mining project, these operations need to comply with permitting and planning regulations that protect our natural environment. The UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure critical minerals for the long term, promoting responsible and sustainable supply chains.
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Olivia Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of domestic steel production to the transition to net zero. \p Sarah Jones: Steel was responsible for 3% of UK emissions in 2022, 16% of UK manufacturing emissions. The majority of these emissions were due to the production of steel via the Blast Furnace route at Port Talbot and Scunthorpe. Currently the only commercially viable decarbonisation option is Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs), which can also contribute to meeting the demand for steel required for the Net Zero transition.

UK Government and Tata Steel have agreed a transformation deal to decarbonisation Port Talbot reducing carbon emissions from the site by 85%, and UK emissions by 1.5%.

We are also open to supporting innovative technologies like hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and Carbon Capture and Storage and continue to assess their feasibility.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether company directors will be indemnified from wrongful trading liability under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. \p Sarah Jones: If required, the Government would provide an indemnity from any possible wrongful trading liability to any company director appointed by Government under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025, or who had followed instructions from the Secretary of State for Business and Trade given pursuant to that Act. Whilst we recognise that there is a theoretical possibility of a wrongful trading claim against any such individuals relating to the period of special measures, it is not the intention of the Government that British Steel enters liquidation, which is the circumstance in which a wrongful trading claim could arise.

Any company directors not appointed by Government, and/or who had not had access to company systems and processes by direction of the Secretary of State under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025, would very likely have a good defence to any claim for wrongful trading brought later by a liquidator relating to any period when the company was under special measures. It is a matter for those directors to seek advice and take whatever steps they consider appropriate in the circumstances.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, If he would make an assessment of the potential merits of a licensing scheme for (a) hairdressers and (b) barbers. \p Gareth Thomas: Hairdressing salons and barbers, like other employers, are subject to normal business regulations such as health and safety requirements, employer and public liability insurance. The Hairdressers Registration Act of 1964 already provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and HMRC will investigate evidence suggesting businesses have misclassified individuals for tax purposes and Government collaborates closely with law enforcement to monitor criminal behaviour.

The Government has no current plans to introduce further regulation of the hair industry, but we will always remain open to considering.
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Tracy Gilbert:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of lifting tariffs on non-folding Chinese e-bikes on British manufacturers. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: On 6 February the government extended the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese e-bikes but only for folding e-bikes. The independent Trade Remedies Authority assessed the annual impact of removing the measures on non-folding Chinese e-bikes, as can be found in their Final Recommendation to the Secretary of State. The Trade Remedy Authority’s assessment was considered by the Secretary of State as part of his decision.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to review the penalties for the anti-social use of fireworks leading to significant criminal damage. \p Justin Madders: Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police and local authorities with a range of flexible tools and powers that they can use to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour, including the misuse of fireworks.

To inform any future decisions I have and will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the (a) unregulated sale and (b) misuse of fireworks on (i) public safety and (ii) property. \p Justin Madders: Most people use fireworks in a responsible and appropriate manner. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, animals, and property.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the unregulated sale and misuse of fireworks on public safety including the purchase for antisocial use and damage to property.

However, to inform any future decisions I have and will continue to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to amend the code of practice on picketing, updated on 11 March 2024. \p Justin Madders: Subject to Parliamentary approval of the Employment Rights Bill, the Government intends to amend the Code of Practice on Picketing to reflect legislative changes made by the Bill.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on (a) the trade union action in Birmingham and (b) industrial action in general. \p Justin Madders: In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the trade union-related measures within the Employment Rights Bill. The impact assessments covering the Bill’s repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 and the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 included an assessment of the expected impact on industrial action.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to enforce compliance among social care providers based (a) in the UK and (b) abroad that fail to pay (i) wages and (ii) pension contributions. \p Justin Madders: The law is clear: if you are a UK-based worker, you are entitled to rights under UK employment law, regardless of where your employer is based.

HMRC enforces the minimum wage on behalf of DBT. It considers all complaints from workers and where it finds underpayment orders employers to pay workers their money back, and a penalty to government. Since the minimum wage was introduced, the Government has overseen the repayment of over £186 million to 1.5 million workers, issued over £100 million in financial penalties and completed over 90,000 investigations.

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has powers to take compliance action against employers who are found not to be paying employer pensions contributions, including, where necessary, through court action. The Pensions Ombudsman will consider complaints from individuals and award compensation when appropriate.

The Employment Rights Bill will create the Fair Work Agency to bring together employment rights enforcement. This body will provide better support for employers to comply with the law and will have powers to take tough action against the minority who flout it.

The Government has committed to establishing a new Fair Pay Agreement in the adult social care sector, empowering worker representatives and employer representatives to negotiate fair pay and terms and conditions in a regulated and responsible manner.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his planned timetable is for publishing a consultation on lowering the proportional threshold for trade union recognition. \p Justin Madders: The Employment Rights Bill has a power that enables Ministers to bring forward secondary legislation to vary the trade union recognition application threshold from 10% to 2% trade union membership of the bargaining unit.

No decision has yet been made by the Government as to whether or when to exercise this power. Therefore, there is no planned timetable for consulting on it at present.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the number of pub closures; and what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of closures. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities, providing accessible jobs and supporting economic growth across the UK.

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system and reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper later this year.

We are working with the Hospitality Sector Council to address challenges facing the sector. We are also working with Pub Is The Hub to help rural pubs adapt to the changing needs of their communities.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support hospitality businesses to maintain employment levels in the context of higher labour costs. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses, including those in West Dorset constituency, are vital to our communities and support economic growth.

We’re increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500, allowing 865,000 employers to pay no NICs this year. This means employers can hire up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without paying employer NICs. Additionally, we aim to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000. We are also working with the Hospitality Sector Council on issues the sector faces.

We recently launched a licensing taskforce to reduce red tape and barriers that too often hold hospitality businesses back. We are expecting recommendations before the Summer recess.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of increases in (a) employer National Insurance contributions and (b) the National Minimum Wage on annual costs to the hospitality sector. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

We are pleased to deliver a significant increase to the minimum wage, and to take crucial steps towards the creation of a genuine living wage that supports millions of families across the country.

The Government will protect the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, more than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.

The Government published an Impact Assessment for the 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates which includes a breakdown of impact by sector.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of the hospitality industry on the potential impact of increased labour costs on that sector. \p Gareth Thomas: I regularly engage with hospitality businesses, and I am aware of the current challenges they face. Raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions on tax, which is why we are asking employers to contribute more through National Insurance contributions. However, we are raising the threshold at which employers start paying NI to protect the smallest businesses.

Also, we are committed to creating a fairer business rates system to alleviate the pressure on hospitality businesses by introducing permanently lower business rates for RHL properties with a rateable value under £500,000.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of increased labour costs on employment levels in the hospitality industry in West Dorset constituency. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

Raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions on tax, which is why we are asking employers to contribute more.

The Government will protect the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, more than half of employers see no change or gain overall from this package and employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to monitor the potential long-term impact of increased employer National Insurance contributions on employment trends in the hospitality sector. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth.

I chair the Hospitality Sector Council, which meets quarterly in which we discuss issues the sector faces. I also meet regularly with individual businesses to hear about the pressures they are facing.

We’re increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500, allowing 865,000 employers to pay no NICs this year. This, for example, means employers can hire up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without paying employer NICs.
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support independent hospitality businesses. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth and social cohension across the UK.

We recently launched a licensing taskforce to reduce red tape and barriers that too often hold businesses back. In addition, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value less than £500,000

We have also recently announced a £1.5 million Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects that align with Department of Business & Trade and Hospitality Sector Council Priorities. I am working with Council Members to maximise the benefits of this funding.
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Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Post Office Transformation Plan published on 13 November 2024; whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the recommendation to provide additional payments to postmasters in the 2025-26 financial year; and when he expects to conclude his assessment of the plan. \p Gareth Thomas: On 13 November, the Post Office Chair Nigel Railton announced a Transformation Plan, which aims to create a long-term sustainable future for Post Offices in communities all across the UK. Through the Transformation Plan, Post Office aims to deliver a "New Deal" for Postmasters, which includes increases to renumeration.

The government welcomes both the ambition to put postmasters at the centre of the business, and in particular recent announcements about increases to remuneration, which historically have not kept up with inflation. We will continue to work with the Post Office on their plans including further payments to postmasters.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support cafes in West Dorset constituency. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses, including those in West Dorset, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth and social cohension across the UK.

We recently launched a licensing taskforce to reduce red tape and barriers that too often hold businesses back. The Government intends to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value less than £500,000. Additionally, we recently announced a £1.5 million Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects that align with Department of Business & Trade and Hospitality Sector Council Priorities. I am working with Council Members to maximise the benefits of this funding.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will issue guidance to local authorities on communicating levels of risk associated with green investment products to consumers; and whether municipal green investment trust products are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. \p Jim McMahon: Under the current system, councils are free to determine their own investment strategies. In doing so they must, however, have regard to statutory guidance that sets out best practice to ensure decisions are prudent, affordable and sustainable, and comply with their Best Value Duty. Investments should represent value for money and not place tax payers’ money at excessive risk.

If a firm offering an investment product in question was authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is no longer solvent and cannot pay for a claim, the FSCS may offer compensation up to a certain limit. The firm must also be undertaking an activity regulated by the PRA or FCA in relation to that investment product.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much funding her Department has provided to (a) Bedford Borough and (b) Central Bedfordshire Councils to tackle rough sleeping in each financial year since 2022-23. \p Rushanara Ali: Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, Bedford Borough Council were allocated funding to tackle rough sleeping through the Rough Sleeping Initiative, Accommodation for Ex-Offenders, Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme and Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment. Bedford Borough Council were allocated £2,929,761 in 2022/23, £2,007,058 in 2023/24 and £1,718,596 in 2024/25.

In 2025/26, this Government has simplified local authorities’ access to and management of rough sleeping grants by consolidating the Rough Sleeping Initiative and Accommodation for Ex Offenders programmes into the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. Bedford Borough Council have also been allocated Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme and Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment in 2025/26. The total funding allocation is £1,699,802.

Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, Central Bedfordshire Council were allocated funding to tackle rough sleeping through the Rough Sleeping Initiative and the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme. Central Bedfordshire Council were allocated £542,406 in 2022/23, £560,600 in 2023/24 and £388,479 in 2024/25.

In 2025/26 Central Bedfordshire Council have been allocated £388,479 to tackle rough sleeping through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant and the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of automatic voter registration. \p Rushanara Ali: The Government is committed to improving electoral registration. We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on this manifesto commitment, including making greater use of public data and online Government services. Any changes will be based on robust evidence and user research.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

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Margaret Mullane:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to include provisions for youths in the upcoming homelessness strategy. \p Rushanara Ali: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20895 on 19 December 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_131

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his letter to the Lead Commissioner of Birmingham City Council of 2 April 2025, what the remit of the Commissioners is on the failures of the Oracle IT system; and whether he expects there to be a wider inquiry in the IT system. \p Jim McMahon: Commissioners appointed to Birmingham City Council have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment, and bring expertise in local government improvement, finance, HR, housing, IT and commercial strategy. Their remit includes supporting the Council in the re-implementation of the Oracle-based Enterprise Resource Programme system.

Commissioners have supported the Council in developing a recovery strategy and improving stability and accountability, as reflected in their second progress report which was published on 31 March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_132

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to reform Homes England as an Arm’s Length Body. \p Matthew Pennycook: On 7 April 2025, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster asked all Departments to review all arms length bodies to ensure there is the appropriate Ministerial oversight of delivery and that we are maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of all parts of Government.

My department is actively engaging with this review and any reforms to our arms length bodies we choose to make will be announced in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_133

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of equal pay legislation on the finances of (a) Birmingham City Council and (b) other local authorities. \p Jim McMahon: Local authorities are independent employers responsible for complying with employment legislation and so the management of equal pay claims is a matter for councils. This includes conducting an assessment of the financial impact of such claims.

The government does however, fund the Local Government Association to run a Sector Support Programme, which includes providing support and guidance for councils on equal pay issues. In addition, in line with the government’s wider approach to Exceptional Financial Support, we stand ready to speak to any council that is experiencing financial difficulties, including as a result of equal pay.

As I confirmed last July (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament), Birmingham Council’s current estimate of the Equal Pay liability is £867m. The Government has provided in-principle Exceptional Financial Support to support the Council to set a balanced budget, including on the Equal Pay liability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_134

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 29th April 2025 to question 46179 on Councillors: Disqualification, whether a criminal conviction resulting in a custodial sentence of three months or more would disqualify an individual from appointment as a metro mayor. \p Jim McMahon: Yes, an individual would be disqualified from being a metro mayor candidate or holding the office in these circumstances.

The five-year disqualification for a criminal conviction that results in a custodial sentence of three months or more, suspended or not, applies to all elected mayors, including metro mayors, other than in cases where a mayor also holds the Police and Crime Commissioner function. Where a mayor also holds the Police and Crime Commissioner function, they are disqualified if they have ever been convicted of an imprisonable offence.

The Electoral Commission publishes guidance on disqualifications for single authority, combined authority, combined county authority and Greater London Authority mayoral candidates online.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_135

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much will be paid to each local authority through the Employer National Insurance Contribution Grant in the 2025-26 financial year; and whether payments will be made through that grant in the 2026-27 financial year. \p Jim McMahon: The allocations for the Employer National Insurance Contributions Grant for each local authority are available on the GOV.UK page for the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement, in the Core Spending Power table - Core Spending Power table: final local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.

Spending decisions beyond 2025-26, including on Employer National Insurance Contributions Grant for 2026-27, are a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_136

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Planning Inspectorate have issued guidance on the Supreme Court judgement UKSC/2022/0064 in relation to considering the potential impact of planning applications and appeals on the environment. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Supreme Court judgement UKSC/2022/0064 clarified that downstream emissions are to be considered for oil extraction projects where those emissions are an inevitable consequence of the oil extraction.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have since consulted on draft supplementary EIA guidance for assessing the effects of scope 3 emissions on climate from offshore oil and gas projects. The consultation responses are being reviewed, and the updated guidance is expected to be published as soon as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_137

Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the merits of reforming linked estate charges. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_138

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will implement the powers provided under section 113 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 23874 on 22 January 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_139

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department holds information on the number of days each Minister in her Department has spent working primarily at her Department's offices outside London since 5 July 2024, broken down by location. \p Alex Norris: MHCLG Ministers work closely with local leaders across the country, including visiting and working from locations outside of London, including the Department’s offices across the UK. MHCLG does not hold a central record of the number of days Ministers work from each office.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_140

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press notice entitled Chancellor vows to go further and faster to kickstart economic growth, published on 29 January 2025, what her Department's timetable is for publishing the location of the submissions for sizeable new developments along the East-West Rail route. \p Matthew Pennycook: The New Towns Taskforce will submit its final report this summer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-05-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-05-07 conversation_141

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to work with relevant authorities to prevent wildfires. \p Alex Norris: Each fire and rescue authority is required to plan for the foreseeable risks in their area (including wildfire), through their Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), and having regard to the views of other key local responders.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is the lead government department for wildfire response (from 1 April 2025) and owns the National Risk Register (NRR) wildfire risk, however a coordinated approach is essential to mitigate the impact on people, property, habitats, livestock, natural capital and wildlife, and to plan the most effective response to incidents. MHCLG maintains regular engagement with other government departments including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Cabinet Office, along with National Bodies including the National Fire Chiefs Council and England and Wales Wildfire Forum to monitor and review sector led improvements and mitigations. Since 2024 the government has funded a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor to assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to the wildfire risk and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector.

In December 2021 the Home Office, as the former lead government department for wildfire, published the Wildfire Framework for England. The framework identifies responsibilities, clarifies relationships, and facilitates coordination at the government level and between key wildfire stakeholders, in England.

As outlined in the Wildfire Framework for England, Defra maintain responsibility for the review of land management inputs for fuel load management, and for the promotion of wildfire mitigation and adaptation planning to land managers. Landowners and land managers are encouraged to adopt good quality wildfire management plans, use sustainable methods to manage habitat and restore their peatland – wetter, healthy-functioning peatlands are more resilient to the risk of wildfire.