theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_87
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_87

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Early Release Scheme. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: After inheriting a prison system in crisis, SDS40 was a necessary measure we were forced to take to avoid the collapse of the Criminal Justice System. Our initial operational insights suggested there was not a significant change to the use and application of recall since the implementation of the SDS change, however we will continue to monitor this. In designing the measure, we took every possible step to mitigate risk including an 8-week implementation period, clear offence exclusions, and a huge amount of collaboration with partners across the Criminal Justice System.

Following the first tranche of SDS40 releases that took place on 10 September, the Ministry of Justice and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service consulted our frontline and cross government partners on how things went. This consultation informed our preparation for the Tranche 2 releases on 22 October.

As the Lord Chancellor has previously announced, the change will be reviewed after 18 months.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_88
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_88

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what (a) interviews and (b) security checks there are for foreign nationals applying for positions in the prison service; and whether their country of origin is a factor. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: HM Prison & Probation Service welcomes applications from people wishing to work in prisons in England and Wales. The interview process is the same for both UK and non-UK nationals. Selection is on the basis of fair and open competition, in accordance with the legal requirement set out in the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

Each candidate is assessed against the criteria published in the job advertisement. Most recruitment is managed locally. In relation to nationality, eligibility is governed by the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

All candidates, regardless of nationality, are subject to robust screening to assess their suitability against the relevant legislative requirements and security-related factors. These checks include confirmation of identity; confirmation of right to work in the UK; a criminal record check, declaration of any connections with offenders; employment reference enquiries; and a financial vulnerability assessment.

All directly-employed prison staff must achieve, as a minimum, security clearance at Enhanced Level 2. HM Prison & Probation Service also undertakes a range of digital vetting and social media checks for new prison officer starters and chaplains.

Non-directly employed staff working in our prisons must achieve, as a minimum, clearance at Enhanced Level 1. In some cases, depending on risk and role, these staff may additionally require either a Standard or an Enhanced Check by the Disclosure and Barring Service. For staff working in prisons in the Long-Term High Security Estate, an additional National Security Vetting Check, at Counter-Terrorist level, is required as a minimum for all staff.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_89
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_89

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how are jobs in the prison service advertised (a) domestically, and (b) overseas. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service publishes vacancies across formal UK advertising boards, including Civil Service Jobs. Selection for appointment to the prison service must be on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as per the legal requirement set out in the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

The Department does not advertise job roles overseas.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_90
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_90

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will outline the recruitment process for foreign nationals applying for positions in the prison service; and if she will publish all related documents. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) publishes vacancies across formal UK advertising boards, including Justice Jobs and Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK.

The recruitment process applied across HMPPS is the same for both UK and non-UK nationals, where selection for appointment is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as per the legal requirement set out in the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles, each candidate is assessed and selected fairly against the criteria published in the job advert. As the Ministry of Justice operates a devolved recruitment model, most recruitment is managed locally.

The Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) govern eligibility for employment in the Civil Service on the grounds of nationality. All applicants applying to work in the Department must meet the CSNRs and must have valid right to work in the UK for successful completion of pre-employment checks.

The Department welcomes job applications from everyone, irrespective of background, identity, experience, or circumstance, and particularly those underrepresented in our workforce.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_91
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_91

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 10 January 2025 to Question 21059 on Ministry of Justice: Video Recordings, whether disciplinary action is being undertaken for that video. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice takes all matters related to breaches in propriety and ethics policies very seriously, and in this instance, usual processes for checking the accuracy and appropriateness of social media posts were not followed properly. While we cannot comment on specific internal disciplinary actions, all staff involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibility to uphold the Civil Service Code.

In addition to our usual mandatory training on the Civil Service Code and propriety and ethics, the Government Communications Service Skills and Standards team will deliver refresher training to the Ministry of Justice Communications Directorate, and all new staff joining the team will be required to complete the training within the first two weeks of employment.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_92
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_92

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 10 January 2025 to Question 21059 on Ministry of Justice: Video Recordings, if she will publish the mandatory refresher training for the Communications Directorate. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The training materials are owned by the central Government Communications Service (GCS) Skills and Standards team and are available on the GCS website for communication professionals across government. The team in the GCS will be delivering propriety and ethics training for Ministry of Justice Communications staff in a hybrid in-person/virtual meeting using these materials.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_93
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_93

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many court clerks worked at Boston Magistrates' Court in each year since 2014 for which data is available. \p Sarah Sackman: Boston operates as a hearing venue only and has done since consultation in 2019. There are 2 members of staff based there, who operate as a back office to support the wider Cluster, taking work primarily from Lincoln County Court. The role of Court Clerk exists in two jurisdictions, Crown Court and County Court. The Crown Court does not sit in Boston. If required, County Court clerks travel over from Lincoln.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_94
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_94

Caroline Voaden:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the time limit on bringing forward a civil legal claim for abuse. \p Sarah Sackman: The basic principle of limitation law is to provide fair and equitable access to justice for claimants by setting reasonable time limits, whilst for defendants the law offers fairness, finality and certainty in terms of the period in which they may face litigation. Rules exist to enable the possibility for extensions in exceptional cases where this is justified.

The position on personal injury cases (such as abuse claims) is that claims should be brought within three years (from the age of 18 for minors), although the legislation specifically provides for courts to extend this where it is satisfied that would be equitable.

The Government considers that the current law as set out in the Limitation Act 1980 is fair and balanced, but reforms are being considered in relation to child sexual abuse claims. The Government will be publishing its consultation response to time limits for those cases shortly.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_95

Mr Luke Charters:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of whether there are socio-economic disparities in the outcomes of special educational needs and disability tribunals. \p Sarah Sackman: Information about appeal outcomes to the First-tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability is published at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics.

This information includes outcomes of appeals, types of educational need and the age group of the child. The socio-economic status of appellants and the outcomes they achieve is not collected.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_96
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_96

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to support survivors of (a) domestic abuse and (b) violence against women through the criminal justice system. \p Sarah Sackman: This Government is working towards the ambition of halving violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse, in the next decade.

We are committed to supporting victims of these abhorrent crimes. We have protected VAWG spending by maintaining 2024/25 ringfenced funding levels for sexual violence and domestic abuse support this year, as well as the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund and funding for Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocates.

In November, we launched Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas. These orders will improve protection for victims of domestic abuse, including non-physical abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Further, we will increase the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner to improve accountability when victims’ needs are not met, and the Victims and Prisoners Act will improve awareness of, and compliance with, the Victims’ Code which supports victims of crime to understand what they can expect from the justice system. It will also require local commissioners to collaborate when commissioning support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_97
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_97

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Minister for Investment has held meetings with Doug Gurr since 4 July 2024. \p Justin Madders: Details of ministerial meetings are routinely published on Gov.uk.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_98
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_98

Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to enhance the powers of (a) police forces and (b) other relevant authorities under the Digital Markets Act to require the removal of dangerous items for sale on online platforms. \p Justin Madders: The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act will allow all public enforcers of consumer law, including Trading Standards, to apply for online interface orders to take down digital content that breaks the law. These powers are planned to commence in April.

Government recently introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which will allow Government to update the product regulatory framework to better protect consumers from unsafe products, including those sold online. The Bill will allow Government to introduce regulations that provide powers for Relevant Authorities to take action against non-compliance with product safety requirements, including those introduced on online platforms.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_99
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_99

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the appointment of Iain Anderson as a non-executive board member, if he will place a copy of Mr Anderson’s declaration of interests in the House of Commons Library. \p Justin Madders: Iain Anderson has declared his interests in line with the published process.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-executive-board-member-declaration-of-interests-process/non-executive-board-member-declaration-of-interests-process#context).

Interests will be published in due course on the department's website.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_100

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what meetings (a) he, (b) ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with the new American administration on a potential UK-US trade deal. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK looks forward to working with President Trump and his administration to deepen our trading relationship the US. The Prime Minister had a warm call with President Trump on 26 January where they discussed trade and the economy.

The US Government has clear rules that preclude other governments from formally engaging with members of the US Cabinet before they are officially confirmed by the Senate. We are still waiting for both the nominee for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, to be confirmed by the Senate.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_101
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_101

Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking into account Carers allowance in the calculation of state pensions. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The new State Pension was introduced in 2016 and improves State Pension outcomes for many people, including carers. When in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, a person also receives a National Insurance credit, which counts towards a person's State Pension entitlement.

Carers who do not get Carer's Allowance are able to apply for Carer's Credits if they are caring for one or more disabled people for at least 20 hours a week. Carer’s Credits also count towards a person’s State Pension entitlement.

Under the new State Pension, National Insurance Contributions and National Insurance Credits have equal value, providing access to the same level of entitlement for all.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_102

Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of paying carers allowance beyond State Pension age. \p Sir Stephen Timms: I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave on 14 October 2024 to question UIN 6904.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_103

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions her Department has had with representatives of people affected by proposed changes to (a) Personal Independence Payments, (b) Work Capability Assessments and (b) the Disability Living Allowance. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We believe there is a strong case to change the system of health and disability benefits across Great Britain so that it better enables people to enter and remain in work, to respond to the complex and fluctuating nature of the health conditions many people live with today. This government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, and with any reform, including the Health and Disability Green Paper we intend to publish in the Spring, we will consult with disabled people and representative organisations.

Ahead of the formal consultation for the Green Paper, we have already started to explore ways of engaging with disabled people and their representatives, including through stakeholder roundtables and public visits, and look forward to progressing these initiatives over the coming months.

About the PIP service specifically: the Health Transformation Programme is modernising health and disability benefit services, to improve people’s experience of applying for PIP. The Programme will transform the entire PIP service, from finding out about benefits through to decisions, eligibility, and payments

The Programme communicates and engages frequently with disabled people and external stakeholders – including national charities and other organisations that support people with disabilities – about proposed changes. Their opinions and suggestions are taken on board as we test new iterations of the transformed service.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_104

Tracy Gilbert:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of pensioners were claiming pension credit in (a) Edinburgh North and Leith constituency and (b) Scotland on 31 December 2024. \p Torsten Bell: In Winter 2023 to 2024, there were 10,051 pensioner households living in the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency and 751,246 pensioner households living in Scotland. This is based on winter-fuel-payments-household-2023-to-2024.ods.

At that point in time, 1,659 pensioner households received Pension Credit in the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency and 125,136 pensioner households received Pension Credit in Scotland. This is based on February 2024 Pension Credit statistics which are available via DWP Stat-Xplore.

Based on these figures, 16.5% of pensioner households in the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency and 16.7% of pensioner households in Scotland received Pension Credit in February 2024.

The latest Pension Credit statistics were published in November 2024 and cover the period up to May 2024. The next iteration of Pension Credit caseload statistics will be released on 18th February 2025, as part of the DWP Benefits Statistics quarterly release. This will contain data for the period from June 2024 to the end of August 2024. Following release, the data can also be accessed at Stat-Xplore - Home.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_105

Luke Myer:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to amend rules on competent states for UK citizens residing in the UK who are (a) subject to EU Regulation E883/2004 and (b) receiving a small pension from another country. \p Sir Stephen Timms: There are no plans to review the rules relating to competent states. The EU Regulation 883/2004 only applies to those in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. The role of these regulations is to coordinate the differing EU social security systems. The UK is bound by these international agreements and cannot change how the competent state is determined.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_106

John McDonnell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the judgment in Clifford v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] EWHC 53 (Comm), for what reason she proceeded with the case. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Courts have found the previous government failed to explain their proposals adequately. We felt, on balance that the consultation that was under challenge had provided people with sufficient information and time to respond intelligently to the proposals. However, we have accepted the judgment and do not intend to appeal.

As part of wider reforms that help people into work and ensure fiscal sustainability, the government will re-consult on WCA descriptor changes, addressing the shortcomings in the previous consultation, in light of the judgment. The government intends to deliver the full level of savings in the public finance forecasts.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_107

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of pending pension credit applications as of 21 December 2024. \p Torsten Bell: Outstanding Pension Credit claims totalled 92,400 at the end of week commencing 23rd December 2024. This includes 8,500 advanced claims. Advanced claims are where the application can be started up to 4 months before reaching State Pension age.

The most recent available information shows 74,000 claims outstanding at the end of week commencing 13 January 2025. This includes 8,700 advanced claims.

Please note, the data shown is unpublished management information, collected and intended for internal departmental use and has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_108

Maureen Burke:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department takes to monitor enforcement of the Civil Service Code. \p Andrew Western: The Department for Work and Pensions deploys a variety of methods for monitoring enforcement of rules of conduct that underpin but are not exclusively about the Civil Service Code.

For example, the Departmental Audit and Risk Assurance Committee monitors the effect of measures to prevent and detect dishonesty that takes the form of internal fraud and security breaches, and employees are appointed to roles in areas such as security, data management and fraud detection to assess risks, monitor compliance, implement improvements and undertake investigations.

Other employees, such as human resources experts, support enforcement of the Civil Service Code by monitoring take up of mandatory training and ensure that concerns identified by misconduct, grievances and annual ‘People Survey’ are acted upon.

It is not possible to state all of the ways of monitoring enforcement of rules that ensure compliance with the Civil Service Code’s wide-ranging standards for integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_109

Maureen Burke:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to (a) ensure compliance with the Civil Service Code and (b) record breaches of that code. \p Andrew Western: The Department for Work and Pensions makes it a contractual term of employment that its employees comply with the Civil Service Code and report if ever they are required to act in any way which may be illegal, improper or unethical. Failure to meet this contractual duty could result in disciplinary action, for which the most severe penalty could be dismissal.

The Department uses mandatory induction training and periodic communications to ensure its employees are aware of the standards prescribed by the Code and through its annual ‘People Survey’, employees are asked if they are aware of the Code and know how to report alleged breaches. Undertaking annual training in security and anti-fraud measures, relevant to the Code’s requirement for honesty, is also mandatory and monitored for compliance. Employees are required to declare apparent conflicts of interest and declarations are mandatory for the Senior Civil Service and for employees in particular circumstances.

Day to day, line managers are responsible for ensuring the employees they manage comply with the Code, and for dealing promptly with alleged breaches. All employees can use either the grievance or whistleblowing procedures to request investigation of alleged breaches by colleagues and in the case of whistleblowing, they may also report concerns about breaches of the Code to the Civil Service Commission or National Audit Office.

Confirmed breaches of the Code are recorded for whistleblowing but are also registered in disciplinary data according to the nature of the proven breach, e.g. fraud, theft, data misuse.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_110

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many child maintenance administrative liability orders were rejected by courts in each year between 2021 and 2024; and for what reasons courts rejected these applications. \p Andrew Western: Where parents fail to take responsibility for paying for their children, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will not hesitate to use the range of enforcement powers available, and a liability order facilitates this.

A liability order allows the CMS to formally have the debt a paying parent owes legally recognised in a court of law. It can choose which enforcement method to proceed with depending on the circumstances of the case, and the welfare of any qualifying children involved.

Following the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 receiving royal assent in July 2023, secondary legislation is required to bring into force existing powers that allow the CMS to make an administrative liability order (ALO) against a person who has failed to pay child maintenance and is in arrears.

The ALO will replace the current requirement for the CMS to apply to the court for a liability order enabling CMS to take faster action against those paying parents who actively avoid their responsibilities and will get money to children more quickly.

Liability orders have not yet been replaced by ALOs, so we are only able to provide data for liability orders. Published data can be found on the national tables page 6.1. Please find a summary of the data below.

Data on the reasons a court rejected a liability order is not held centrally and to compile it would not be an effective use of operational resources.

The CMS applied for approximately;

Approximate number of liability orders withdrawn or dismissed (rejected);

(Please note that the figures exclude Scotland).

It is worth noting that an important reason for liability orders being withdrawn is that they are settled prior to going to court.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_111

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the supervision and processing of (a) Direct Pay arrangements and (b) Collect and Pay arrangements cost the Child Maintenance Service. \p Andrew Western: The cost of running the Child Maintenance Service is not separated between supervision and processing of (a) Direct Pay arrangements and (b) Collect and Pay arrangements, therefore, the information requested is not held.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_112

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many staff work for the Child Maintenance Service by each civil service pay bracket. \p Andrew Western: The number of staff who work for the Child Maintenance Service by each civil service pay bracket has been provided in the tables 1 and 2 below.

Table 1: The Child Maintenance Service, Great Britain (CMS GB) have a total of 3,831 staff in post.

Grade

Child Maintenance Service GB

AA

44

AO

2,232

EO

1,210

HEO

220

SEO

77

UG7

34

UG6

10

SCS1

3

SCS2

1

Total

3,831

Data to December 2024

Table 2: The Department for Communities, Northern Ireland (DFC NI) administers casework for Paying Parents living in Northern Ireland under Northern Ireland legislation for the 2012 scheme and have their own funding process, pay structure and grading system. DFC NI also provide services to CMS GB under a Memorandum of Understanding. There are a total of 987 staff in post providing these services who are either civil servants employed by the DFC NI or agency staff employed by The Recruitment Co.

Grade

Department for Communities NI, GB services.

VRAO

343

VAO

309

VWP AO

4

AO Administrative Officer

87

VREO2

5

VEO2

85

VWP EO2

5

EO2 Executive Officer 2

75

VEO1

10

VREO1

3

EO1 Executive Officer 1

33

V Staff Officer

4

Staff Officer

11

DP Deputy Principal

7

G7

4

G6

1

G5

1

Total

987

Data to December 2024
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_113

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support newly recognised refugees into employment in the agricultural sector. \p Alison McGovern: DWP provides a wide range of support in Great Britain to help refugees into work. Employment support in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter.

DWP Support for refugees includes access to Restart, Sector Based Work Academies, work experience and help with English language skills where appropriate. We also work with national employers, trade associations and partners across a wide range of labour market sectors, including those from the agricultural sector, encouraging local Jobcentre link ups and the use of Find a Job to support people into work.

To support agricultural recruitment specifically, DWP is working with Defra and key Trade Associations to develop and deliver their long-term strategy designed to build and develop a skilled workforce for both seasonal and long-term roles in the agriculture sector.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_114

Chris Webb:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the household benefit cap on single-parent families. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No assessment has been made. Single-parent households can still receive benefits up to the value of gross earnings of around £25,700 or £30,300 in London. Where households require more support, they can approach their Local Authority, for help and guidance with housing costs. Delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty is an urgent priority for this Government, and the Ministerial Taskforce is continuing its urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_115

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the defence budget is accounted for by armed forces pensions. \p Al Carns: Armed Forces Pensions represent around 9% of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) budget in financial year 2024-25. This does not include any of the Armed Forces Pensions Schemes' Annually Managed Expenditure, which sits outside the MOD's budget.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_116

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to implement all the recommendations in the Haythornthwaite Review into Armed Forces Incentivisation. \p Al Carns: The Government is committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve. We have already taken action including delivering the largest pay rise for our Armed Forces in over 20 years, expanding wraparound childcare support for Service families deployed overseas and introducing legislation to establish an independent Armed Forces Commissioner.

We welcome the Haythornthwaite Report, which was published under the previous Government and have engaged with Rick Haythornthwaite to discuss our plans to deliver widespread improvements to service personnel life. This activity is being coordinated through a portfolio approach and includes numerous programmes and projects that directly address the report’s recommendations. Implementation will be incremental, with targeted improvements evaluated and then potentially scaled up to the wider workforce. Several longer-term programmes are also underway to drive the culture change needed to embrace a total reward approach.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_117

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many death-in-service payments are paid to the families of deceased armed forces personnel each year. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence administer three schemes which compensate for those whose death was caused by service.

War Pension Scheme (WPS)

The WPS is a provision for individuals whose spouse's demise was either caused or expedited due to their service. It is essential to note that the fatal injury or the death itself must have transpired before 6 April 2005. This data includes payments made to widows or widowers of service members who perished not only during service but also post-service, if their death was a direct result of their service.

As of 31 March 2024, the WPS accounted for 9,884 widows or widowers receiving payments.

For a comprehensive overview of these figures over the past five years, as of 31 March each year, please refer to the WPS Accredited Official Statistic Supplementary Tables (Table 9) via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/war-pensions-scheme-statistics-2024

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)

The AFCS was established to support personnel whose injury or death was a direct consequence of their service on or after 6 April 2005. It's important to clarify that these figures encompass payments made to the families of those who not only died while in service, but also those who passed away post-service due to service-related causes.

As of 31 March 2024, the AFCS reported that 322 spouses and 232 children were receiving a Survivor's Guaranteed Income Payment.

For a detailed breakdown of these figures from 2006 to 2024, as of 31 March each year, please refer to the AFCS Accredited Official Statistic Supplementary Tables (Table 15) available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-compensation-scheme-statistics-index

Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS)

Under this scheme, since January 2020 until December 2024, 161 Death-in-Service (DIS) payments have been made to the Next-of-Kin/Executors /Solicitors. This is broken down in the table below:

Calendar Year

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

DIS Payments made

35

25

33

44

24

The total amounts of the DIS lump sum, paid per annum, is made up of individual payments each month to the estates of deceased Service Personnel (Officers and Other Ranks) from the Army, Navy and RAF who died whilst still in Service.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_118

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 December 2024 to Question 17774 on Ministry of Defence: Capita, whether his Department plans to conduct performance reviews of Capita’s contract in 2025. \p Luke Pollard: The Army continues to monitor Capita’s performance through the various contract management measures as set out in the Recruitment Partnering Programme contract.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_119

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's press release of 21 January 2025 entitled Shake up of tech and AI usage across NHS and other public services to deliver plan for change, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making these tools available to (a) parliamentary staff, (b) the public sector and (c) more widely. \p Feryal Clark: The Government is excited about the opportunity presented to adopt AI for the public good, including for parliamentary staff and the public sector at large. In service of this, the Government has introduced the GDS Blueprint which outlined the GovAI toolkit. This is a set of productivity tools designed to enhance civil service operations and delivery of ministerial priorities. Developed by the Incubator for AI within the Government Digital Service, these tools are rapidly prototyped and deployed across the public sector once productivity benefits have been established.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_120

Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Department is taking to tackle doxing; and whether she plans to (a) fast track protections for victims and (b) ensure social media platforms act swiftly to remove content. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT is implementing the Online Safety Act which will bring in a number of protections for online users from the harms associated with doxing. In-scope providers will need to enact measures to take down illegal content and protect children from harmful content. Additionally, the largest services (Category 1) must ensure their terms of service are clear and consistently enforced. Ofcom is required to consult with the Victim's Commissioner before drafting its codes of practice. Ofcom can take enforcement action against companies failing to meet their duties, including fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_121

Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the timetable is for the (a) introduction of 5G and (b) the rollout of fibre broadband in Telford constituency. \p Chris Bryant: The Government wants all areas of the UK, including Telford constituency, to benefit from good quality mobile coverage. Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030.

5G is already available in the Telford constituency. I have raised my concerns about the reporting of mobile connectivity with Ofcom, but according to Ofcom’s Connected Nations report (published on 5 December 2024) 5G is available from at least one operator outside 99% of all premises in the Telford constituency.

In the Telford constituency, over 99% of premises can access superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and over 87% have access to gigabit-capable broadband coverage (>1000 Mbps). There is high existing gigabit coverage and commercial plans in the area. Therefore, this constituency is not expected to see significant benefits from Project Gigabit.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_122

Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the digital driving licence will be accepted as a valid form of photo ID. \p Feryal Clark: While the legal purpose of the driving licence is to convey driving entitlement, they are already commonly accepted as proof of age or identity. The Department for Science and Technology’s (DSIT) ambition is that, in time, the digital driving licence will be usable in the same way as its physical counterparts. In order to achieve this, and as part of our work to deliver a UK digital driving licence, we will be exploring all legal, regulatory, and technical implications.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_123

Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether artificial intelligence is being used to make decisions on individual caseworks (a) across government departments, (b) in the Home Office and (c) in the Department for Work and Pensions. \p Feryal Clark: Individual departments have responsibility for their specific adoption of Artificial Intelligence. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) supports their adoption by providing frameworks, guidance and a community of practice. DSIT is currently implementing the mandatory rollout of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) which establishes a standardised way for public sector organisations to publish information about how and why they are using algorithmic tools.

Artificial Intelligence is not being used within the Home Office to make caseworking decisions. DWP does not use artificial intelligence to make decisions in relation to fraud and error. All decisions that impact payments involve human intervention.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_124

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22384 on Local Government Finance: Services, what the estimated council tax receipts are in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 within the core spending power figures for each of the rural/urban classifications. \p Jim McMahon: This government is committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. Places with a significant rural population (encompassing both authorities classed as predominantly Rural, and Urban with Significant Rural) will on average receive around a 5% increase in their Core Spending Power next year, which is a real terms increase.

Core Spending Power measures the core revenue funding available for local authority services through the local government finance settlement. Core Spending Power is the government’s chosen measure of resources because it gives a consistent measure of resources available to any local authority across revenue grant funding made available through the settlement, locally retained business rates and council tax.

Further information on the provisional local government finance settlement, including tables with local authority Rural/Urban classifications can be accessed via the following links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/core-spending-power-table-provisional-local-government-finance-settlement-2025-to-2026 and Key information table for local authorities: provisional local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.

These tables will be updated following the final local government finance settlement.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_125

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement entitled Local Government Finance Settlement, HCWS342, published on 18 December 2024, whether she plans create the Local Audit Office as (a) an executive agency, (b) a non-departmental public body, (c) a public corporation or (d) another category of body. \p Jim McMahon: The government’s local audit strategy committed to establish the Local Audit Office (LAO) to streamline and simplify the audit system and drive change.

The LAO will be a statutory and independent arm’s-length body of MHCLG, adopting functions currently fragmented across the framework to bring together strategic oversight and technical expertise to identify and address challenges swiftly. The full remit and status of the LAO will be determined following consultation, which closed on 29 January.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_126

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer by the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution of 15 January 2025 on Local Government Reorganisation, Official Report, column 344, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of splitting county councils into unitary councils on social care provision. \p Jim McMahon: The case for unitarisation in the English Devolution White Paper set out the opportunities available to areas for local government reorganisation. We will prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens and communities above all other issues. Unitary councils bring lower and upper tier services together, creating opportunities for service transformation which can support improvements in delivery. The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. I intend to ask areas for interim plans by March 2025, and for full proposals to be submitted to government later in the year.
wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-30)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-30 conversation_127

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish guidance on (a) the liability of a new owner of a dwelling for unpaid (i) council tax, (ii) second homes premium and (iii) empty homes premium if that property has been empty prior to the purchase of the dwelling and (b) requirements a seller has to disclose any council tax liabilities when marketing a property for sale. \p Jim McMahon: Where a person purchases a dwelling, they would not become liable for any outstanding council tax debt for which the previous owner is liable. The government’s guidance on the implementation of council tax premiums and exceptions set out when someone may be liable for a council tax premium. A prospective buyer may wish to make enquiries of the seller in relation to matters such as how long a dwelling has been empty as part of purchase negotiations and of the local billing authority in relation to whether a council tax premium may apply to the dwelling. However, in any case, this doesn’t not mean there would be a transfer in liability for historic council tax.