theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_852
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_852

Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what interim regulatory measures will be introduced before a successor regulator to Ofwat is established. \p Emma Hardy: This Government has put in place the building blocks to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. We have increased accountability by giving the regulators more teeth through the Water (Special Measures) Act with a ban on unfair bonuses, severe and automatic penalties for breaking the law, and jail sentences for serious offences.

The Independent Water Commission has examined how to strengthen the regulation and delivery of water services to better support long-term water security, sustainable growth, and environmental protection. The Commission’s final report was published on 21 July 2025. The Secretary of State provided an Oral Statement to Parliament in response to the final report.

The Government is immediately taking forward a number of Sir Jon’s recommendations.

Subject to consultation this autumn, the Government will abolish Ofwat and merge its functions with water functions across the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Drinking Water Inspectorate to form a single new regulator.

Until the single water regulator is fully established, the existing regulators will continue to carry out their functions and enforcement responsibilities in full. The Government will clarify its expectations through a transition plan, expected to be published later this year.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_853
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_853

Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Ofwat in protecting consumers from bill increases where a water company becomes insolvent. \p Emma Hardy: Ofwat’s price review process sets limits on what water companies can charge customers, ensuring bills reflect only efficient costs required to deliver services and meet statutory obligations. It does not allow companies to pass on costs incurred outside normal business operations, including those related to financial distress.

In the event of insolvency, Ofwat can initiate a Special Administration Regime to maintain service continuity and protect consumers. Price controls remain in place regardless of ownership changes, safeguarding customers from disproportionate bill increases.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_854
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_854

Aphra Brandreth:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Ofwat on lessons learned from the financial position of Thames Water. \p Emma Hardy: Ofwat is an independent regulator that monitors the financial position of water companies, taking action when companies need to strengthen their long-term financial resilience.

The Secretary of State meets with stakeholders regularly such as Ofwat to discuss a range of issues: Defra: ministerial overseas travel, and meetings - GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_855
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_855

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with shooting associations in (a) Surrey and (b) the South East on the potential implications of the Health and Safety Executive’s proposed three-year transition to restrict certain rifle ammunition. \p Emma Hardy: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the regulatory agency for UK REACH. As required by the UK REACH Regulations, the HSE rather than my Department was responsible for engaging with stakeholders via two public consultations in relation to their proposed UK REACH restriction relating to lead in ammunition.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_856
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_856

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Health and Safety Executive’s proposed three-year transition to restrict certain rifle ammunition on (a) shooting sports and (b) associated supply chains in (i) Surrey Heath constituency and (ii) the South East region. \p Emma Hardy: In 2021, Defra asked the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency (EA) to prepare a restriction dossier for lead ammunition. The HSE and the EA considered the evidence of risk posed by lead in ammunition on human health and the environment, as well as the socioeconomic impact of introducing further restrictions. This included considering the impacts on target shooting sports and supply chains in Great Britain.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_857
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_857

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025 to Question 45551, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including (a) Portsmouth Urban Area, (b) Reading/Wokingham Urban Area, (c) Sheffield Urban Area, (d) The Potteries and (e) Tyneside in the 2024 National Compliance Assessment. \p Emma Hardy: Portsmouth Urban Area, Reading/Wokingham Urban Area, Sheffield Urban Area, The Potteries and Tyneside are all included in the 2024 national air quality compliance assessment. The national assessment is based on a combination of monitoring and modelling which has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 for formally assessing compliance with air quality limits.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_858
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_858

Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency (a) plans to issue and (b) has already issued a drought permit to Thames Water. \p Emma Hardy: Water companies have a statutory duty to produce a drought plan outlining actions the company will take to maintain water supplies during dry weather and drought. Such actions include applying for drought permits. Only water companies can apply to the Environment Agency (EA) for a drought permit. Drought permits allow water companies to either:

Thames Water is following its drought plan, and this contains details of drought permits and when the company may apply to the Environment Agency. The decision to apply for a drought permit, is the responsibility of the water company. As of 1 September 2025, Thames Water has not applied to the EA for a drought permit.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_859
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_859

Helena Dollimore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the total value of UK water companies. \p Emma Hardy: Ofwat’s independently set Regulatory Capital Value (RCV) was £99.3 billion in 2024 and is £106.7 billion in 2025. RCV is recognised as the best proxy for the sector’s “enterprise value” – encompassing equity and debt.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_860
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_860

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect the Torbay Marine Conservation Zone, in the context of climate change. \p Emma Hardy: Torbay Marine Protected Area (MPA) was designated in 2013 to protect a range of features and species including native oysters, seagrass beds, and long – snouted seahorse. These features are protected through a mobile fishing gear permit byelaw that prohibits the use of demersal towed gears across designated features. Owing to the extension of the sea grass beds, an area that had previously been open to seasonal trawling was closed in February 2025. These measures will aid the recovery of sensitive features and allow the MPA to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. All MPAs are also protected from the point of designation by the planning and marine licensing regimes that cover activities such as dredging for aggregates and construction of offshore wind farms.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_861
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_861

Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on establishing a national social tariff for water consumers. \p Emma Hardy: The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff, which Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper.

Water companies have more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9% - and the Government expects industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_862
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_862

Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of social tariffs on household water affordability; and what steps he is taking to ensure that water companies provide adequate support for customers struggling to pay their bills. \p Emma Hardy: Water companies must ensure support is available for vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Companies have therefore more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through social tariffs – from 4% to 9 and government expects industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported.

The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff which the Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_863
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_863

Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national social tariff for water bills. \p Emma Hardy: The Independent Water Commission made a recommendation to consult on a National Social Tariff which the Government is taking into consideration and will provide a response to later this year in a White Paper.

The Government is working with industry to keep current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported and expects water companies to ensure support is available for vulnerable customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Companies have therefore more than doubled the number of customers that will receive help with their bills through existing social tariffs – from 4% to 9%.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_864
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_864

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered using external bodies with (a) forensic accounting and (b) corporate fraud expertise to support investigations into alleged (i) deliberate misreporting and (ii) illegal pollution by water companies. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) is the enforcement body responsible for investigating illegal pollution and misreporting by water companies.

The EA has concluded 83 prosecutions since 2015, securing record fines of over £150 million against water companies. Furthermore, the EA have increased water company inspections to 10,000 per year from April 2025 as part of the government’s wider focus to hold companies to account and improve our water environment.

The Water (Special Measures) Act provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers to the regulators in a decade. This includes powers for the Environment Agency to recover costs for a much greater range of enforcement activities.

Additionally, all water companies in England and Wales are now under a statutory duty to publish annual Pollution Incident Reduction Plans. Chief Executives will be required to approve both the plan and the report and will be personally liable for their publication.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_865
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_865

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of light pollution from large industrial units. \p Emma Hardy: The Government does recognise that good use of artificial light can contribute to preventing accidents; reducing crime and creating safer spaces and promoting the night time economy, benefiting us all in various ways.

The Government has put in place a range of measures to ensure that light pollution is effectively managed through controls in the planning system; the Permitted Development Regime and the Statutory Nuisance Regime.

The Environmental Protection Act requires local authorities to take reasonably practicable steps to investigate complaints of artificial light emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to human health or a nuisance and they have powers to take action where there is a problem.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_866
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_866

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure air quality is improved (a) nationally and (b) in Rushcliffe constituency. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is developing a series of interventions to reduce emissions so that everyone’s exposure to air pollution is reduced. This includes action to reduce harmful emissions from domestic burning and reforms to the industrial permitting regime. We remain committed to working closely with local authorities, industry, and the public to shape practical, proportionate policies that deliver cleaner air and improve public health.

Rushcliffe Borough council are responsible for reviewing and assessing air quality in their area.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_867
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of reintroducing the Local Air Quality Grants Scheme. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is working to end competitive bidding between local authorities for Government funding, to minimise unnecessary administrative and financial burdens.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the impact of domestic bonfire smoke on (a) rural air quality and (b) wider environmental health. \p Emma Hardy: Smoke from domestic bonfires can negatively affect both rural air quality and broader environmental health. Current legislation prohibits the burning of household waste where it may lead to pollution or pose a risk to public health. In addition, local authorities have the power to issue abatement notices should bonfire smoke constitute a statutory nuisance. Further guidance for the public is available at Reducing air pollution from outdoor burning.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_869
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_869

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been fined by the Environment Agency for fishing with a rod licence since 4 July 2024. \p Emma Hardy: All anglers caught fishing without a licence are subject to enforcement action as outlined in the Environment Agency’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy here. Rod licence income is ring fenced to be used by the Environment Agency to maintain, improve and develop freshwater fisheries in England and Wales.

Please see below the number people and actions for Offences for fishing without a Rod licence (Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act Section (1) (a).

Actions taken between

Number of Prosecutions

Advice & Guidance Letters

Warning Letters

Caution

04/07/2024 to 01/09/2025

527

63

1441

112

04/07/2023 to 01/09/2024

475

12

438

1146

NB: The table includes for actions taken between 04/07/2023 to 01/09/2024, for comparison purposes.

Please note, the EA has brought prosecutions against people, however the court imposes penalties after convictions, and the EA itself does not have the power to fine individuals for Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act offences. Fines are imposed by the courts and go to Treasury.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_870
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_870

Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle environmental harm in (a) Broxtowe Constituency and (b) Nottinghamshire. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) advises and regulates businesses across the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors. They are the environmental regulator for water companies, prosecute and act against those who pollute the environment, and they reduce and protect against flood risk. As a Category 1 Responder (with the emergency services) under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 they have a duty to warn, inform, and respond to flood incidents and prevent environmental damage.

The EA advises on planning applications within their statutory remit for all local planning authorities, including assessing flood risk and potential impacts to main rivers or controlled waters. They also work with local planning authorities ensuring flood risk, climate change, land contamination, and the water environment are included in their evidence base and policies for local plans.

In addition, they partner with the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, local authorities, and local police forces, to tackle environmental waste crime.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_871
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to help ensure that staffing levels of lock keepers and river infrastructure on the non‑tidal River Thames are sufficient to guarantee public and operator safety. \p Emma Hardy: Ensuring public and operator safety on the non-tidal River Thames is a priority for the Environment Agency (EA). The EA is investing in additional lock and weir resource.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_872
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_872

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to allocate additional funding for flood prevention in West Dorset constituency. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is investing record levels in flood protection. As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we are investing £4.2 billion over three years (2026/27 to 2028/29) to construct new flood schemes and maintain and repair existing defences across the country.

This is £1.4 billion on average each year – a 5% increase on the current average of £1.33 billion over 2024/25 and 2025/26.

The list of projects to receive Government funding will be consented on an annual basis through Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, with local representation.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_873
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_873

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that water customers have access to (a) impartial and (b) independent avenues of redress. \p Emma Hardy: The Government has already committed to a number of Sir Jon Cunliffe’s recommendations as set out in the Independent Water Commission’s final report.

As announced by the Environment Secretary on 21 July 2025, water customers will have more support than ever before. The Government will create a new statutory water ombudsman with the power to protect customers in disputes with their water company - a single, free service to help customers resolve complaints.

It will build on the Consumer Council for Water’s current role and bring dispute resolution processes for water in line with other sectors. These new measures will build on our reforms to more than double automatic payments to customers when water companies fail to deliver adequate standards of service, and to ensure customers are at the heart of water company purpose and regulation.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_874
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_874

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 28 July 2025 to Question 68480 on Government Legal Service, if she will publish that guidance. \p Ellie Reeves: The Attorney General's Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_875
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_875

Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Solicitor General, what steps she is taking to help ensure the effective prosecution of rural crime. \p Ellie Reeves: This Government is committed to working with the police and other partners to address the blight of rural crime.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council Wildlife and Rural Crime Strategy 2022-2025 provides a framework through which policing, and its partners, can work together to tackle the most prevalent threats and emerging issues which predominantly affect rural communities.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutors work closely with local police officers and officers from the National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit to tackle all types of rural crime, ensuring timely charging decisions and effective prosecutions.

The Government announced earlier this year that both Units, which the Home Office funds, will receive over £800,000 to continue their important work.

The CPS provides legal guidance on Wildlife, Rural and Heritage Crime, which is available to all its prosecutors, to assist them in dealing with these cases, and specialist training to ensure that its prosecutors have the expert knowledge needed to prosecute these crimes.

The CPS has also recently appointed a national lead on rural crime who heads up a network of Wildlife, Rural and Heritage Crime Champions across the CPS, to work with organisations with an interest in tackling all forms of wildlife, rural and heritage crime.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_876
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_876

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Solicitor General, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the effective prosecution of people who commit spiking. \p Ellie Reeves: Administering a substance to a person without their consent – commonly known as ‘spiking’ – is a serious criminal offence. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to prosecuting spiking cases effectively where they are referred to us by the police. We have seen a 40% increase in the number of spiking related offences the CPS have charged between 2022/23 to 2024/25.

The CPS has undertaken work to improve prosecutions for violence against women and girls (VAWG), which can include spiking. Through initiatives such as the National Operating Model for Adult Rape and the Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan with policing, the CPS is embedding a suspect-focused approach to VAWG offending. This means that prosecutors examine the behaviour and actions of the suspect before, during, and after the alleged assault. Spiking may form part of a wider pattern of predatory behaviour, and identifying this is key to building a strong prosecution case.

The CPS is also promoting closer collaboration between prosecutors and police to ensure that key aspects of the evidence-gathering process – such as a forensic strategy – are agreed at an early stage in the investigation.

This Government is proposing to introduce an updated offence of spiking through the Crime and Policing Bill. This would streamline the legislative framework – which is currently spread across several provisions in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 – and support prosecutors in identifying the most appropriate charge.

We recognise spiking is an under-reported crime, and strongly encourage anyone who has been a victim of this offence to report it to the police.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_877
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_877

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68773 on Civil Service: Equality, if she will publish the (a) handouts and (b) presentations used at the conference. \p Ellie Reeves: The Crown Prosecution Service does not, as a matter of practice, publish materials used in internal conferences.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_878
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_878

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring the Crown Prosecution Service to assess the need for Criminal Behaviour Orders for defendants sentenced at their first appearance at court following a remand in police custody. \p Ellie Reeves: Ancillary orders, including Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), play an important work in delivering justice, especially for victims of crime.

When submitting a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in cases where it is appropriate to seek a CBO, the police are required to provide information to justify the making of a CBO. As with other ancillary orders, prosecutors apply for CBOs where the law enables them to do so, considering all the facts and circumstances in a case.

In the Government’s response to the Independent Sentencing Review, the Ministry of Justice announced plans to expand ancillary orders and to explore wider powers for judges to enable them to use these orders more effectively and punish offenders. The CPS is working with the Ministry of Justice to provide prosecutorial insight in support of this work.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_879
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_879

Josh Babarinde:To ask the Solicitor General, what steps she is taking to ensure that policy-makers are aware of international law pertaining to war and genocide. \p Ellie Reeves: The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by, or requested of, the Law Officers, and it applies to your question. It can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 6 November 2024]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

Policy-makers are mindful of the overarching duty, set out at paragraph 1.6 of the Ministerial Code, to comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations. They seek advice from their departmental lawyers in this regard, as appropriate.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_880
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_880

Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Solicitor General, what proportion of staff in her Department have flexible working arrangements; and how many of those work compressed hours. \p Ellie Reeves: The Attorney General’s Office have 10 people on flexible working arrangements which represents 17.24% of the workforce. Of these 8 are on a compressed hours arrangement.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_881
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_881

Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Solicitor General, what proportion of staff in her Department did not meet the minimum office attendance target in the latest period for which data is available; and what sanctions her Department issues to staff who do not meet this target. \p Ellie Reeves: On 24 October 2024 the Cabinet Office announced that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Senior managers will continue to be expected to be in the office more than 60% of the time.

If people do not meet that reasonable expectation, as with any management instruction it will be dealt with via existing performance management processes and ultimately with disciplinary action should there be sustained failure to comply.

Published data on office attendance for 102 Petty France is available https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-headquarters-occupancy-data.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_882
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year. \p Jo Stevens: The Department utilises AI tools to support officials in their work, mainly in drafting of written material for internal use.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_883
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information they hold on the number of workdays that were completed remotely in their Department in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date. \p Justin Madders: On 24 October 2024 the Cabinet Office announced that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Senior managers will continue to be expected to be in the office more than 60% of the time. Due to space constraints the department has set the requirement of 40% for delegated grades.

The department does not hold comprehensive data on the number of workdays that were completed remotely. See Civil Service Headquarters occupancy data for published information covering departmental headquarters building occupancy.

The department introduced a process to record office attendance information from 4 August 2025. This data is not yet available.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_884
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what proportion of civil servants in his Department have flexible working arrangements; and how many of those work compressed hours. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to supporting flexible working practices. Employees may request alternative working patterns to help balance their professional and personal responsibilities, as long as business requirements are met. Compressed hours enable an individual to complete their contracted full-time weekly hours across longer daily working hours over fewer days, with no change to their salary.

In most instances, staff are not required to record flexible working arrangements within the central HR Management system, as these agreements are managed directly with their line manager. Consequently, we are unable to provide the numbers.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_885
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to present the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill during this parliamentary session. \p Justin Madders: Due to the current volume of legislation before Parliament, the Government will not publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill this session. We will improve our proposals further through consultation on the details with stakeholders in the Autumn.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_886
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many (a) corporate and (b) personal insolvencies were recorded by the Insolvency Service in each of the last twelve months. \p Justin Madders: The Insolvency Service collates and publishes insolvency statistics from across the UK. Tables 1 and 2 below present the numbers of companies and individuals entering insolvency in England & Wales, Scotland (companies only) and Northern Ireland in each of the 12 months to June 2025.

Table 1: Company insolvencies, England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025

Month

England and Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

July 2024

2,085

117

20

August 2024

1,921

102

11

September 2024

1,947

73

28

October 2024

1,731

115

31

November 2024

1,971

114

16

December 2024

1,865

82

23

January 2025

1,988

75

28

February 2025

2,021

103

21

March 2025

2,016

118

29

April 2025

2,062

101

30

May 2025

2,230

133

53

June 2025

2,043

105

25

Table 2: Individual insolvencies, England & Wales, Northern Ireland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025

Month

England & Wales

Northern Ireland

July 2024

10,564

152

August 2024

9,972

90

September 2024

10,513

155

October 2024

9,125

155

November 2024

10,010

144

December 2024

10,044

101

January 2025

9,578

141

February 2025

9,948

126

March 2025

9,329

134

April 2025

10,102

123

May 2025

10,113

102

June 2025

10,279

167

Scottish individual insolvency numbers are published quarterly. Numbers of individuals in Scotland entering insolvency in each of the last 4 quarters to June 2025 are presented in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Individual insolvencies, Scotland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025

Quarter

Individual Insolvencies

July to September 2024

1,893

October to December 2024

1,785

January to March 2025

1,671

April to June 2025

1,935
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_887
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_887

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 65879 on Ethics and Integrity Commission: Correspondence, if he will publish correspondence from external organisations on the Ethics and Integrity Commission received since 4 July 2024. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Cabinet Office does not routinely publish public correspondence.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_888
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_888

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 64832 on King Charles III: Artworks, if he will provide a hyperlink to the breakdown of the take up for (a) UK Government departments and (b) arm's-length bodies on gov.uk. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: His Majesty The King’s free Portrait Scheme was a voluntary programme offering a free, framed portrait of The King to any eligible public institution that requested one.

Following the conclusion of the scheme, a breakdown of the take up including UK Government departments and Arms Length Bodies, wider public authorities and other eligible institutions can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/conclusion-of-his-majesty-the-kings-free-portrait-scheme
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_889
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_889

Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many non-party political life peers he intends to ask the Commission to nominate in 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: It is for the Prime Minister to make recommendations to the Sovereign on new peers. As set out in his written ministerial statement of 19 June 2025, in doing so he will continue to ask the House of Lords Appointments Commission to nominate individuals to sit as Crossbench peers.

Any such appointments will subsequently be announced by the Commission in the usual way.
wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_890
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-08)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-08 conversation_890

Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Written Statement of 21 July 2025 on Government of service, HCWS870, whether the appointment of members to the Ethics and Integrity Commission will be made under the Public Appointments Order in Council; and which Department will be responsible for approving those appointments. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Ethics and Integrity Commission will be established on 13 October 2025 by the Government strengthening and reforming the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).

The appointment of independent members to the Ethics and Integrity Commission will continue to be subject to the Governance Code for Public Appointments and regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, as has been the case with CSPL.

As an Arm's Length Body of the Cabinet Office, appointments to the Ethics and Integrity Commission will be the responsibility of Cabinet Office Ministers.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_1

John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to review the convictions of postmasters affected by Capture errors in instances where those convictions have not already been quashed. \p Gareth Thomas: There is no definitive number or record of the number of convictions related to Capture. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has received 31 pre-Horizon applications to date. Incomplete due to the passage of time complicates confirming they are Capture-related. To support the CCRC, we commissioned the Post Office to review its branch files for the period from 1992 to 2000 for potential prosecutions. 448 potential cases have been reviewed with 31 confirmed Capture-related cases. The findings have been sent to the CCRC. If convictions related to Capture are overturned by the courts, we will provide appropriate redress.

For non-convicted postmasters, the Government announced the Capture scheme design on 19 June. We expect to launch in Autumn, starting with an initial 150 claimants before broader rollout.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_2

Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of changes in the market share of e-bikes imported from China out of all e-bikes sold in the UK since 6 February 2025. \p Gareth Thomas: UK bicycle manufacturers play a key role in supporting our green growth ambitions. The Government’s Industrial and Trade Strategies are designed to support innovation, sustainability, and skills development, to help businesses grow, create new jobs, and compete internationally.

The independent Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) assessed the market share of e-bikes imported from China as part of its recent anti-dumping review. Following the TRA's recommendation, anti-dumping measures on Chinese folding e-bikes were extended on 6 February 2025. The TRA will continue to assess the effectiveness of these measures, including any changes in market share.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_3

Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what tariffs applied to steel exports to the United States of America on 9 July 2025. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Thanks to our trade deal with the US, the UK remains the only country to have avoided 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. A 25% tariff continues to apply to UK steel exports. President Trump’s Executive Order on 3 June reconfirmed this will be removed once a US for UK quota is implemented, as per the Economic Prosperity Deal.

We are in constant dialogue with domestic steel and aluminium sectors. We will continue to work with the US to get this deal implemented as soon as possible and in industry's best interests – supporting industry and protecting jobs.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_4

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much the Competition and Markets Authority has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Justin Madders: The Competition and Markets Authority has spent the following on equipment for safe and productive home working:

(i) 2022-23 = £44,658.20

(ii) 2023-24 = £42,469.83

(iii) 2024-25 = £40,739.89

This includes home working equipment such as desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards and mice. This does not include laptops or mobile phones.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_5

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much the Trade Remedies Authority has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Justin Madders: The Trade Remedies Authority has spent the following on equipment for safe and productive home working:

(i) 2022-23 = £5,695

(ii) 2023-24 = £2,010

(iii) 2024-25 = £3,672

This includes home working equipment such as desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards and mice. This does not include laptops or mobile phones.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_6

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much the British Business Bank has spent on equipment to enable staff to work from home in each of the last three years. \p Justin Madders: The British Business Bank has spent the following on equipment for safe and productive home working:

(i) 2022-23 = N/A

(ii) 2023-24 = £9,697

(iii) 2024-25 = £7,857

This includes home working equipment such as desks, chairs, monitors, keyboards and mice. This does not include laptops or mobile phones.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_7
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_7

Dame Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure that SMEs are not required to submit the same data to different government (a) departments and (b) agencies. \p Justin Madders: We want to free up business owners to focus on running their businesses and our SME Strategy will set out steps to reduce duplication and streamline data-sharing across Government.

This includes simplifying and digitising forms and exploring how services like GOV.UK One Login could offer businesses a more joined-up experience. The Prime Minister has committed to cutting the administrative cost of regulation by 25% by the end of this Parliament. By removing duplication and making services more responsive, we will help SMEs save time and money, enabling them to innovate, grow and drive economic prosperity.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_8
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_8

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase apprenticeship opportunities within his Department. \p Justin Madders: In DBT, apprenticeships remain a core element of the learning and development offer for all employees. We are taking active steps to continue to increase apprenticeship opportunities within the Department, with commitment to our recently launched DBT Apprenticeship Plan for 2025-2026. This includes offering all new Executive Officer (EO) vacancies as apprenticeships, encouraging those at the start of their careers to consider an apprenticeship route as default.

DBT are also committed to support the new ‘Civil Service Career Launch Apprenticeship’ (CLA) Programme which seeks to support individuals kickstarting their careers whilst undertaking the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship, with placements launching across government and within DBT in January 2026.

DBT also supports the Government’s commitment to improving digital skills through the TechTrack scheme which is committed to supporting 2,000 digital apprenticeships by 2030.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_9

Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to ensure that the Universal Service Obligation applies to rural areas. \p Justin Madders: The government is committed to a sustainable universal postal service for users throughout the UK, including maintaining the one-price-goes anywhere principle including for those in remote and rural areas.

It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s service standards and decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.
wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-16 conversation_10

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to prevent solvent companies from using Company Voluntary Arrangements to avoid meeting their (a) redundancy and (b) notice period obligations. \p Justin Madders: Company Voluntary Arrangements (“CVAs”) are a restructuring process for insolvent or contingently insolvent companies. To be eligible, a company must meet the insolvent test as assessed by an insolvency practitioner and the CVA must be agreed by a majority of creditors and shareholders.

Where redundancies are necessary as part of a CVA, the Government ensures employees have appropriate safeguards through employment rights’ legislation. Redundancy payments (within statutory limits) are guaranteed from the National Insurance Fund. The Redundancy Payments Service makes these payments directly to the employees and will seek to reclaim the money back from the company as a creditor.