theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_53
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_53

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS573, whether the creation of the National Armaments Director Group will result in the (a) abolition, (b) absorption and (c) resubordinating of parts of Defence Support. \p Maria Eagle: The far-reaching changes in this Defence Reform programme will help cut waste, boost British growth and jobs and fast track the technologies of the future into the hands of our frontline forces.

It is too early to specify the overall staffing requirements for the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.

The NAD Group will benefit from a streamlined approach to governance overseen by a Leadership Board. This will send reports and advice to senior committees, e.g. the Ministry of Defence Executive Committee; and will receive reports and advice from supporting committees e.g. its Challenge Board, Strategy and Policy Board, and management boards of Defence Support, and of the delivery and enabling organisations: Defence Equipment and Support; Defence Digital; Defence Infrastructure Organisation; and, Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, which are now part of the collective NAD Group, and whose heads will all sit on the NAD Group Leadership Board.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_54

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Written Ministerial Statement of 1 April 2025 on Defence Reform, HCWS 573, whether the Chief of Joint Operations will report to (a) the Military Strategic Headquarters and (b) Commander Strategic Command. \p Maria Eagle: The detailed requirement for the Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) organisational structure is in development and will include a small central team integrating activity and Force Design. This will be drawn from existing resource within the Department.

The full detail of the responsibilities of MSHQ is under review as part of Defence Reform. This will be subject to refinement as planned implementation continues, and in response to operational and policy requirements as they emerge.

The Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) will remain based at the Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, which remains part of Strategic Command. CJO will report to the Chief of the Defence Staff for operational matters when required.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether compliance obligations related to defence procurement will be assessed for potential reduction. \p Maria Eagle: Through our acquisition reforms we are streamlining our processes and taking risk-based approaches to procurement. We will focus assurance activity where it is most needed, reducing bureaucracy to drive pace in delivery, while ensuring compliance with the Department’s legal obligations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2025 to Question 4159 on Military Aircraft: Procurement, what assessment he has made of the options available for a replacement fast jet trainer. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Air Force continuously researches and assesses options for the sustainment, enhancement and development of hardware and systems to maintain competitive advantage within the flying training system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_57

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the forecasted annual administration cost is of the Military Strategic Headquarters. \p Luke Pollard: The Military Strategic Headquarters has not been set a specific administration budget for 2025-26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_58

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the use of AI in his Department on security. \p Justin Madders: Within the Department for Business and Trade we have produced an AI governance framework for how we use AI both internally and externally to ensure safe and effective use of AI. On our departmental risk register we have identified a number of risks associated with the use of AI in particular in relation to leakage of sensitive information or incorrect decisions being made on the back of outputs from AI outputs. Our mitigations to these risks include blocking non-approved AI tools and guidance to staff that all outputs from AI should be checked for accuracy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_59

Abtisam Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many School Attendance Order (a) prosecutions and (b) fines there were under section 443 of the Education Act 1996 in each of the last 10 years. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The volume of defendants prosecuted and fined for offences under 443 of the Education Act 1996 from 2015 - 2024 (January to September) is provided in the attached table 1.

Note that that this is an additional breakdown of statistics published by the Ministry of Justice on volumes of criminal proceedings.

Table (xlsx, 18.5KB)
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Kanishka Narayan:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to improve communication and information sharing between (a) South Wales and Gwent and (b) other regional probation services in the management of high-risk offenders. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Offenders assessed as posing a high risk of serious harm are subject to increased levels of oversight and are a priority focus for the Probation Service.

The Probation Service consistently shares information within and across regions to effectively manage risks and support individuals. This involves collaboration between probation, police, and other agencies to ensure comprehensive support and management of offenders to reduce reoffending and enhance public safety.

Wales Probation Service share information about the risks during case transfers through conversations between senior leaders and middle managers. This ensures effective communication and support for managing risks and individuals during transfer. Additionally, there is ongoing information sharing between South Wales, Gwent and other probation delivery units and regions to enhance the management of high-risk offenders and ensure comprehensive support across regions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_61

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make her policy that local authorities that employ an internal team of certificated enforcement agents to collect fees under the (a) Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2014 and (b) Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 must be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board. \p Sarah Sackman: The Government is committed to ensuring that there are fair and sustainable enforcement processes available to judgment creditors for the enforcement of judgment debts and fines. We also want to ensure that those facing enforcement action, particularly the most vulnerable in society, are treated fairly.

The Government notes the findings of the 2023 review of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014 and will set out the way forward shortly.

The Government supports the important work undertaken by the Enforcement Conduct Board to ensure that people facing enforcement action are treated fairly. We are actively considering whether further legislation is required to ensure appropriate oversight of enforcement firms and enforcement agents using the Taking Control of Goods procedure.

The Government will set out its approach in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will conduct a review into the effectiveness of the Sentencing Council. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The proper role of the Sentencing Council, and the process for making guidelines, must be considered further and in greater depth. The Lord Chancellor has committed to reviewing the role and powers of the Council over the coming months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the education system for supporting the academic attainment of boys. \p Catherine McKinnell: All young people should have every opportunity to succeed, no matter who they are or where they are from. That is why, through our work to deliver the Opportunity Mission, the department will improve opportunities and life chances across the country for all children and young people.

As in previous years the latest attainment data shows girls continue to do better than boys across all headline measures, however, the gap has narrowed when comparing the 2023/24 academic year to the 2018/19 academic year. The department publishes attainment data by sex on an annual basis in the autumn term, which can be broken down by specific local authorities, including Essex. Further data can be accessed here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/key-stage-4-performance/2023-24.

High and rising standards across schools are the heart of our mission and the key to unlocking stronger outcomes for every child and young person, regardless of their gender. The department aims to deliver these improvements through excellent teaching and leadership, a high quality curriculum and a system which removes the barriers to learning that hold too many children back.

The quality of teaching is the single most important in-school factor in improving outcomes for all children, which is why the department is committed to recruiting 6,500 new expert teachers. We have also launched an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, which is closely examining the key challenges to attainment for young people and the barriers that hold children back from the opportunities and life chances they deserve.

To strengthen school improvement, the new regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) teams will provide both mandatory targeted intervention for schools identified by Ofsted as needing to improve and a universal service, acting as a catalyst for a self-improving system, for all schools.

The department also engages regularly with teachers and headteachers and their representative bodies on a range of issues, including attainment, behaviour and attendance. This includes engagement through the department’s teacher and headteacher reference groups.

Alongside this, the department regularly engages with school leaders and teachers to develop its attendance policy. During the spring term the department delivered a programme of nine regional attendance conferences across England, giving secondary school leaders and teachers the chance to hear how other schools are tackling attendance challenges and spread best practice across the system. The conference in the East of England was held on 17 March.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of growing class sizes on (a) the academic attainment of students and (b) the quality of lessons. \p Catherine McKinnell: Our school system will drive high and rising standards, across every school and for every child. We aim to deliver these improvements through excellent teaching and leadership, a high-quality curriculum, robust accountability and faster school improvement, and a system which removes additional barriers to learning.

Class sizes in primary and infant classes have been on a downwards trend in recent years, while secondary school classes have increased only slightly in line with demographic trends.

The quality of teaching is the most significant within-school factor in improving outcomes for children. This is why as our first steps for change, we are committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across our schools, both mainstream and specialist, and our colleges over the course of this Parliament, reflecting the demographic trend of more pupils moving into upper secondary school and 16 to 19.

To further strengthen the foundations of learning, we have also launched an independent, expert-led curriculum and assessment review which seeks to deliver an excellent foundation in the core subjects of reading, writing and mathematics, and a broader, high-quality knowledge-rich curriculum that readies young people for life and work.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what was the total (a) apprenticeship levy revenue received from eligible employers, (b) sum and proportion of levy revenue spent on Level 4, 5, 6 and 7 apprenticeship qualifications and (c) the sum and proportion of unspent levy revenue returned to HM Treasury in each of the last five years. \p Janet Daby: All UK employers with an annual pay bill above £3 million pay 0.5 per cent of their pay bill to invest in apprenticeship training. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for collecting the levy on behalf of the government. Annual apprenticeship levy receipts are published at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b5fd2c9ae06ef4a71cf2e0/NS_Table_final.ods.

The department is responsible for apprenticeships in England only and receives an annual protected apprenticeships budget, which is agreed at spending reviews. Although closely linked, this is distinct from the total levy income collected and the funds in employer accounts.

In total, this apprenticeship budget covers the spend drawn down by all levy-paying employers, as well as apprenticeships for those who do not pay the levy, the costs of English and mathematics tuition for apprentices, and additional payments to employers, training providers and apprentices. It also covers the administrative costs of running the apprenticeships programme.

The table below provides details of the ring-fenced apprenticeships budget, and the total and proportion of the budget that was unspent in each of the last five years.

£ (million)

Financial year

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

Department ring-fenced apprenticeships budget

2,469

2,467

2,466

2,554

2,525*

Underspend against Department ring-fenced apprenticeships budget

550

604

11

96

16*

Proportion of underspend against the apprenticeship budget

22%

24%

1%

4%

1%*

*The 2023/24 annual apprenticeship budget was revised in-year from £2,585 million to £2,525 million, as £60 million was surrendered in-year.

Where the department’s apprenticeships budget is underspent by the end of the financial year, funds are returned to HM Treasury in line with standard practice set out in the Consolidated Budgeting Guidance, a copy of which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consolidated-budgeting-guidance-2024-to-2025.

The table below provides a breakdown of spend against the apprenticeship budget by apprenticeship level 4 to level 7, and the proportion of the budget spent at level 4 to level 7 for each of the five past years.

Budget spend by apprenticeships level (£ million & %)

Financial year

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

2019/20

156 (8%)

128 (7%)

114 (6%)

103 (5%)

2020/21

181 (10%)

146 (8%)

172 (9%)

165 (9%)

2021/22

241 (10%)

181 (7%)

296 (12%)

236 (10%)

2022/23

249 (10%)

166 (7%)

349 (14%)

234 (10%)

2023/24

268 (11%)

171 (7%)

387 (15%)

238 (9%)
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to support the SEND-specialist Further Education sector; and what central capital grants have been provided to that sector during the last ten years. \p Janet Daby: The department has now published allocations for £740 million of high needs capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year. Of this funding, Birmingham has been allocated a total of just under £15 million which can be used to deliver new places in mainstream and special schools, as well as other specialist settings including early years, post-16 settings and alternative provision. It can also be used to improve the suitability and accessibility of existing buildings.

This is in addition to over £3 billion of high needs capital funding allocated to local authorities since 2018.

The department has also announced allocations of high needs revenue funding, which will be allocated as part of the dedicated schools grant to local authorities, and which they can use to support specialist further education provision for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), particularly those with education, health and care plans, as well as children with SEND in the schools sector. High needs funding will total over £12 billion in the 2025/26 financial year.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when her Department plans to make a decision on the extension of transitional protections for free school meal entitlements beyond 31 March 2025. \p Stephen Morgan: The continued provision of school food has an important role to play in breaking the unfair link between background and opportunity, which is why the department is considering the government’s school food offer as part of our work on child poverty.

As part of our Plan for Change, we have already taken wide-ranging action, despite this government’s incredibly challenging fiscal inheritance, including setting up the Child Poverty Taskforce.

The transitional protections policy on free school meals (FSM), put in place in 2018 during the roll out of Universal Credit (UC), ensures that households in receipt of FSM will retain their entitlement during UC migration.

As with all government programmes we will keep our approach, including to FSM and Pupil Premium, under continued review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information her Department holds on the (a) sources and (b) levels of carbon emissions for schools in England in each year since 2015. \p Stephen Morgan: Education settings are not required to provide specific data on their energy use or greenhouse gas emissions.

To estimate the education estate's emissions position overall, the department references a Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy report, the Building Energy Efficiency Survey (BEES) 2014/15.

The BEES report estimates that schools and universities represent approximately one third of all England and Wales public sector building emissions. Total greenhouse gas emissions from education sector buildings were estimated to be 4.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) per year. The equivalent figure for industrial sector buildings is 7.8 MtCO2e. The annual greenhouse gas emissions from electrical energy consumption were 2.2 MtCO2e and those from non-electrical energy consumption were 1.9 MtCO2e.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department is projected to spend on ultra-low carbon measures for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools by 2030. \p Stephen Morgan: The department is committed to supporting the UK net-zero carbon targets. Since 2021, the department’s own building standards require that all new school buildings we deliver are net-zero carbon in operation and are adapted to climate change to between 2 and 4 degrees temperature increase. The costs of meeting net-zero are within the overall construction costs for each school and not separately identified.

Decisions on which projects to prioritise with funding are primarily taken at a local level. For the 2025/26 financial year, the department has increased funding to improve the condition of the estate to £2.1 billion, up from £1.8 billion in 2024/25. Details of capital funding are published on GOV.UK.

Capital funding beyond the 2025/26 financial year will be set out following the next phase of the spending review.

Schools, along with other public bodies, have also been able to access funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Details of projects funded are also available on GOV.UK.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the expiration of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund on foster (a) carers and (b) children. \p Janet Daby: On 1 April, the department announced that the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) would continue into 2025/26, with a budget of £50 million. A further announcement about arrangements for applications will be made as soon as possible. We remain committed to supporting families, who play an essential role in providing stable and loving homes for children in need. This funding will enable eligible families to apply for support in the coming year.

The ASGSF provides support for adopted children and those under special guardianship or child arrangement orders. The only group of foster carers and foster children who can access the ASGSF are those on the ‘foster to adopt’ pathway, where the plan is for the foster carer to adopt the child they are caring for if the court makes a placement order. Foster carers who obtain a special guardianship order can also ask that an application be made to the fund for a child they previously fostered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the availability of information on future funding for the adoption and special guardianship support fund on (a) therapy providers (b) levels of redundancies of therapists that specialise in supporting (i) adopted children and (ii) children in special guardianship and (iii) their families. \p Janet Daby: Following an announcement on 1 April, the department is delighted to announce that £50 million has been allocated to the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) for the 2025/26 financial year.

No applications to the ASGSF made before 31 March 2025 have been rejected because no announcement had been made. Any applications which requested funding from April 2025 have either been returned for possible re-submission or held on the system.

Transitional funding arrangements for 2025/26 were communicated to all local authorities and regional adoption agencies on 11 April 2024 and reiterated on 25 October 2024. This meant that we could accept applications which started in the 2024/25 financial year and continued into the 2025/26 financial year. However, they could not begin in the 2025/26 financial year.

The department very much values the work of providers of therapy and recognises that this has been a challenging period. We hope the announcement will help providers, families and children prepare for the year ahead. We will provide additional details for the 2025/26 financial year shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Tristan Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the introduction of a retailer licensing scheme, as outlined in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. \p Alex Norris: The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will be the biggest public health intervention in a generation—tackling the harms of smoking, breaking the cycle of addition, and paving the way for a smoke-free UK. The Bill provides powers for Ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vapes and nicotine products. This will strengthen enforcement and support Trading Standards to crack down on rogue retailers.

The licensing scheme will be introduced in regulations, following consultation on the details of the scheme.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, and will continue to do so as the regulations are developed, to ensure the successful implementation of the scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support Ukrainians staying in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset, and (c) the South West of England in the long term. \p Alex Norris: Councils receive integration funding of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. All councils have the flexibility to use this funding as best suits the local area and the specific needs of the Ukrainian guests that they support. This could include measures to support guests to access employment, develop their English language skills, and access privately rented accommodation.

The Department for Education supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access ESOL provision via the Adult Skills Fund.

Thank-you payments to sponsors of Homes for Ukraine guests have also been extended for 18-months under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme, to support guests who wish to remain in sponsorship and provide enough time for guests and sponsors to plan for next steps.

All Ukraine visa holders have rights to work, live and study as well as access to healthcare and welfare support in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support first time buyers in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \p Jim McMahon: The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership. This government is determined to change that, ensuring that young families and hardworking renters can buy a home of their own.

Boosting the supply of homes of all tenures must be at the heart of any strategy to improve housing affordability which is why the government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament.

In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, we are committed to introducing a permanent, comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme, to support first-time buyers, including those in Fylde and Lancashire, who struggle to save for a large deposit, with lower mortgage costs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_75

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund: prospectus, published on 2 April 2025, whether (a) Tell MAMA and (b) Faith Matters will receive any funding from her Department in 2025-26; and whether they will be required to bid for this funding. \p Alex Norris: We are committed to providing a comprehensive service to monitor Anti-Muslim Hatred and provide support for victims.

Applications to the Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund are now open. With cases of anti-Muslim hatred on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported. We welcome an application from Faith Matters.

In addition to announcing the new Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund, the Government made available £500,000 for funding Tell MAMA in 2025/26 to support their work for Q1 and Q2 of 2025/26, subject to signing of a Grant Funding Agreement. This funding offer has now been rejected by Faith Matters. We are disappointed Faith Matters have chosen to decline our offer of a funding extension - but thank them for their many years of work in monitoring anti-Muslim hatred and supporting victims.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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Rachel Blake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued on the apportionment of cladding remediation costs between occupants of shared ownership properties and full owner occupiers where properties of both tenures exist within the same building. \p Alex Norris: The responsibility for undertaking cladding remediation and, in the majority of cases, paying for the works will rest with the landlord of the building. This is correct for both shared ownership and for owner occupiers.

Where a responsible developer cannot be identified, traced, or held responsible, leaseholders can benefit from the funding available for cladding repairs on residential buildings over 11 metres in height in England. The Building Safety Fund still provides funding for some buildings over 18m in height in the Greater London Area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_77

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund: prospectus, published on 2 April 2025, whether groups that disagree with the Government’s new working definition on Islamophobia will be eligible to receive funding. \p Alex Norris: The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims. With cases on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this form of hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported.

Non-profit distributing incorporated organisations such as: companies limited by guarantee (including community interest companies), charitable incorporated organisations, and community benefit societies are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to understand and work with Muslim communities.

The prospectus for the fund makes clear that applicants must be aligned with government values concerning hate crime, extremism, community cohesion, and the value of inter-faith work. They must also be willing to record and monitor instances of anti-Muslim hate crime in such a way that is consistent with the government’s working definition of anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia, should the government choose to adopt a definition in future

Further information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, published on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 36119 on Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Children, whether those safeguards will be in place for the duration of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. \p Rushanara Ali: The safeguarding of arrivals, including children, under the Homes for Ukraine scheme is a priority and we will ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place for the duration of the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_79

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the entry for Casas Y Palacios in the publication entitled MHCLG: spending over £500, January 2025, updated on 27 February 2025, what event she attended. \p Alex Norris: Details of international Ministerial travel are published on a quarterly basis on Gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_80

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 38374 on Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the resolution of Oxford City Council of 24 March 2025 to boycott and divest from Israel on community cohesion and integration in Oxfordshire. \p Alex Norris: The Government has consistently opposed both the BDS Movement and calls to boycott the State of Israel by public authorities including local authorities. It is not government’s business to monitor the number of debates or motions on any matter provided councils are compliant with the law.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_81
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_81

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 39870 on Freeports: Finance, what the budgeted (a) capital and (b) resource funding is for freeports in 2025-26. \p Alex Norris: Departmental budgets for 2025-26 will not be formally confirmed until the Main Estimate has been approved by Parliament.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_82
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_82

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39867 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, if she will publish all expenditure on those cards since 4 July 2024. \p Alex Norris: In line with Cabinet Office guidance MHCLG publishes details of all spending over £500 using an electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS) on a monthly basis.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_83
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_83

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many special advisers are employed by her Department. \p Alex Norris: The Deputy Prime Minister has appointed six Special Advisers to the department.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_84
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_84

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment they have made of the potential impact of the use of AI in their Department on security. \p Mike Kane: Use of AI in the Department for Transport falls into a number of categories, each with different security assessment requirements.

Where AI tools and services have been procured from third parties, the department’s supply chain assurance process ensures that security risks are considered and appropriately addressed.

For AI tools and services developed internally, these are deployed in a secure environment following review by data protection, information assurance and performance evaluation specialists.

In line with the Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government, staff in DfT are encouraged to make use of AI technology but DfT does not rely on AI for decision making. The 10 core principles outlined in this playbook ensure the appropriate use of AI within the OFFICIAL tier of government information.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_85
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_85

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing additional diesel multiple units to the Great Western Railway fleet on the environment; and whether she plans to take steps to help mitigate the environmental impact of diesel trains on Great Western Railway services. \p Simon Lightwood: Great Western Railway (GWR) is introducing additional diesel units from the end of this year. This will enable older diesel units to be retired and provide more resilience across the network. The Department continues to work with the industry to develop plans to move towards decarbonisation in the longer term.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_86
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_86

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with Great Western Railway on improving customer satisfaction of services in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other areas. \p Simon Lightwood: Department officials have regular discussions with Great Western Railway (GWR) on matters related to customer satisfaction on its services, including those that run through West Dorset. The operator is held to account for its performance both at stations and on trains.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_87
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_87

Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) ticket office closures and (b) staffing reductions at rural railways stations on passengers. \p Simon Lightwood: We expect all train operating companies to use reasonable endeavours to meet their obligations for regulated staffed ticket office opening hours under Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA).

If train operating companies wish to make changes to regulated opening hours of ticket offices, they should follow the process in the TSA. The ‘Secretary of State for Transport's Ticketing and Settlement Agreement ticket office guidance’ sets out the approach which the Secretary of State will normally take in deciding how to exercise her role under the TSA in relation to ticket office opening hours.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_88
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_88

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to help support Great Western Railway to procure additional rolling stock. \p Simon Lightwood: Great Western Railway and Network Rail have been working together to develop plans to replace ageing rolling stock with trains that will better meet the needs of passengers in the future. Any specific proposals are subject to both business case approval and funding being available.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_89
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_89

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to provide sustainable funding to the British Transport Police. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set independently by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) and the Department of Transport has no powers to intervene in this process. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Set against a backdrop of wider public sector efficiencies and affordability by the rail industry it has agreed a budget increase for the financial year 2025/26 of 5.9%. This is comparable with the budget settlements of Home Office police forces.

The cost of policing the rail network in Great Britain is primarily covered through the funding agreements that the British Transport Police Authority holds with Network Rail, the rail operators and Transport for London.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_90
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_90

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will hold discussions with Great Western Railway on improving seat availability on services in West Dorset constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: Department officials have regular discussions with Great Western Railway (GWR) about the provision of capacity across its network, including in the West Dorset constituency. Additional capacity was added in May 2023 to ensure trains run consistently once every two hours but there are no immediate plans to increase capacity at this time.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_91
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_91

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much money has been spent on the Great British Rail Transition Team. \p Simon Lightwood: The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) was set up as a temporary organisation under the previous government to design and transition towards Great British Railways, including building cross-industry capability. Total funding provided to GBRTT was: £12.9m in the financial year 2021-22; £52.7m in the financial year 2022-23, £41.3m in the financial year 2023-24; and £27.6m in the financial year 2024-25.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_92
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_92

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will allocate 10% of the transport budget to active travel to increase cycling levels. \p Simon Lightwood: Decisions on future Government funding for active travel will be a matter for the Spending Review, which is considering all transport expenditure in the round. Investment in active travel supports the Government’s economic growth, health and net zero missions, and the Department announced the details of almost £300 million of funding for active travel in 2024/5 and 2025/6 on 12 February.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_93
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_93

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much British Transport Police has spent on electric vehicles in each of the past 5 years. \p Simon Lightwood: The British Transport Police have provided the following figures:

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

Total

Fully Electric Vehicles (VAT inclusive)

£0

£495,544

£2,509,465

£0

£0

£3,005,009
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_94
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_94

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to introduce (a) accountability and (b) enforcement provisions for private train companies during rail nationalisation. \p Simon Lightwood: During the transition of passenger services to a public sector operator, the Secretary of State for Transport will continue to hold private sector operators to account through a range of measures, using enforcement provisions where required. All operators will continue to go through an annual planning process with the Department to agree plans for changes to service specifications, performance improvements and other deliverables. If an operator’s poor performance means that contractual conditions for early termination are met, Ministers will not hesitate to take decisive action.
wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_95

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 35853 on Govia Thameslink Railway: Fares, if she will make an estimate of the first year in which rail fares will go down under Great British Railways. \p Simon Lightwood: We are committed to the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation, delivering a range of improvements, from more reliable services to simpler ticketing. Through public ownership and the transition to Great British Railways, it is also our ambition to deliver a more affordable railway. Post-pandemic, the amount of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter in 2018/19 to over half of total income in 2022/23. A proportionate, annual increase in fares is necessary to support crucial investment and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the railway.

Our goal is to keep the price of rail travel at a point that works for both passengers and taxpayers, where possible, while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the railway.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-11 conversation_96

Olly Glover:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of Arriva Cross Country under the terms of its contract. \p Simon Lightwood: CrossCountry performance was not good enough in 2024. A Remedial Agreement was in place from August 2024 to March 2025 when the operator took steps to improve services. The operator was monitored closely. In 2025 CrossCountry cancellations are now lower and punctuality better. The operator is aware there is more to do, particularly on Sundays.

Based on the most recent information available, CrossCountry has been meeting its contractual benchmarks since 5 January 2025.