theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_12

Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which Department will present the bill on regulating secondary ticketing markets. \p Justin Madders: The government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of live events by clamping down on exploitative practices in the ticket resale market. We ran a consultation earlier this year to seek views on a range of proposals, including a price cap that would restrict the price at which tickets could lawfully be resold.

We are currently reviewing all the evidence that we received in response to our consultation. We will set out our plans in the government response, which we intend to publish in the coming weeks.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_13

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of increasing parental bereavement leave from two weeks to four weeks. \p Justin Madders: The entitlement to Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay represents a floor, not a ceiling, and the Government strongly encourages employers to go beyond the statutory minimum wherever they are able to.

The Government is also committed to taking a holistic look at the parental leave and pay system to consider how it can better support working families via the Parental Leave Review, which launched in July and will run for 18 months.

All current parental leave and pay entitlements are in scope of the review, including Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_14

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a Bank Holiday to celebrate the victory of the England Women’s Football Team in the 2025 European Championships on the economy. \p Justin Madders: The Government recognises the Lionesses’ extraordinary achievement in securing their second consecutive European title.

We regularly receive requests for additional bank and public holidays to mark a variety of occasions. While an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy remains considerable. The latest analysis estimates the cost to the UK economy for a one-off bank holiday to be around £2 billion.

The current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established and the Government has no plans to create a one-off bank holiday to celebrate the victory of the England Women’s Football Team.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_15

Robin Swann:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his  Department will launch the consultation on Hughs Law. \p Justin Madders: A public consultation on further support for parents of seriously ill children, including Hugh's Law, will take place during 2026.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_16
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_16

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the document entitled Backing your business, published on 31 July 2025, what steps his Department plans to take to support SMEs to access skills funding in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency. \p Gareth Thomas: The Government is supporting SMEs across the country, including in Buckingham and Bletchley, by investing £1.2 billion annually in skills by 2028-29 as set out in the Spring Budget. Through Skills England and the new Growth and Skills levy, we are making it easier for SMEs to access training, tackle barriers to engagement, and benefit from employer incentives. Our reforms to apprenticeships and technical qualifications, including foundation apprenticeships and employer incentive payments, will further support SMEs to recruit, train, and develop the skilled workforce they need.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_17
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_17

Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support businesses developing vertical and short take-off and landing aircraft. \p Sarah Jones: The UK aerospace sector is a global leader in aircraft innovation. Through the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, the Government is investing up to £2.3 billion in R&D to 2035. This includes over £34 million awarded to Vertical Aerospace, supporting its development of electric vertical take-off landing (eVTOL) aircraft and reinforcing the UK’s position in sustainable aviation. Such support will enable the government to meet its objective of commercial piloted eVTOL from 2028.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_18
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_18

Lauren Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure SMEs can access (a) robust and (b) high-quality mental health training for staff. \p Justin Madders: To support health in the workplace, the landmark Employment Rights Bill will boost access to Statutory Sick Pay and make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted. We have published our Plan for Small Businesses, which provides positive and practical support to small and medium size businesses and employers across the UK.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in workplace health, the Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions and Business and Trade have commissioned the Keep Britain Working independent review, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, who is expected to produce a final report with recommendations in autumn 2025.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_19
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_19

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the cost to the civil service of the requirement in the Employment Rights Bill to provide (a) additional facility time to trade unions and (b) facility time for equality representatives. \p Justin Madders: In October 2024 the government published impact assessments on the trade union-related measures within the Employment Rights Bill and these are available here: Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_20
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_20

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will take steps to review international evidence of the impact of pay transparency laws on recruitment and retention. \p Justin Madders: While there is no immediate plan to introduce statutory pay transparency requirements for employers, we are currently considering responses to a Call for Evidence on equality law which included questions on this theme. We recognise that reforms introduced in other jurisdictions are prompting constructive debate around how best to include transparency in recruitment and pay systems. We are considering the full range of evidence and remain committed to identifying solutions that balance meaningful progress with the need to minimise unnecessary burdens on employers.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_21

Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) reducing the permissible noise limits of fireworks and (b) restricting their sale to Category F1 and F2 fireworks available only in licensed shops. \p Justin Madders: The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property. I continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including businesses, consumer groups and charities shortly to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks as part of ongoing review on potential regulatory reform as well as carefully considering reviewing all the feedback we have received.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_22
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_22

Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent increases in the National Living Wage on the financial sustainability of small businesses in (a) hospitality, (b) retail and (c) other sectors. \p Justin Madders: The Government considers the expert and independent advice of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) when setting the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. Each year, the Government’s remit to the LPC asks it to take into account the impact on businesses, including small businesses, as well as the wider economy. To inform its recommendations, the LPC undertakes extensive consultation, research and data analysis.

The Government has published an Impact Assessment for the 2025 rates, which sets out the potential impacts on small businesses and the range of mitigations and policy measures in place to support them.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_23

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what criteria his Department plans to use to identify regulatory reporting requirements suitable for (a) simplification and (b) removal. \p Justin Madders: The Department for Business and Trade is undertaking a review to simplify and streamline the UK’s non-financial reporting framework. When considering what reporting can be simplified and removed whether the disclosure leads to decision-useful information for investors and other stakeholders will be key. It will also be important that the reformed framework places a proportionate burden on business. We will consult on reforms in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_24

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has conducted an impact assessment of Royal Mail’s service standards performance on connectivity between local communities. \p Justin Madders: It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator for the postal sector to ensure the provision of the universal postal service. I recently met representatives of Ofcom who gave their reassurance that the regulator is closely monitoring Royal Mail’s performance and will regularly press Royal Mail on this issue to improve service levels as a matter of urgency.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_25

Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to provide guidance to Ofcom on maintaining access to (a) affordable and (b) time-sensitive subscription publications, following changes to the Universal Service Obligation. \p Justin Madders: A reliable and affordable universal postal service is crucial to the UK, and we are clear it must work for customers, workers and businesses that help drive growth across the country.

Parliament has made Ofcom the independent regulator for the postal sector, and as such Ofcom has the responsibility to ensure the provision of the universal service obligation. The government is not involved in Ofcom’s regulatory decisions.

Ofcom’s reforms to the universal service obligation are intended to improve Royal Mail’s reliability. The regulator is conducting a review of pricing and affordability and plan to publish a consultation in the new year.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_26

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will ensure the long term future of the postal service. \p Justin Madders: The government is clear on its commitment to the provision of a comprehensive, reliable and affordable universal postal service that works for customers, workers and businesses.

Ofcom has reviewed the future of the universal service obligation (USO) and set out changes to put the USO on a more sustainable footing and to push Royal Mail to improve reliability.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_27

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the requirement in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 that micro-entities publicly file their profit and loss accounts on small businesses. \p Justin Madders: The Department is currently engaging with stakeholders on proposed changes in filing requirements at Companies House, to ensure they strike the right balance between tackling economic crime and avoiding undue burden on business. In 2022, the department estimated that proposed changes to the small accounts regime, which included among other policies the requirement for small and micro-entities to file profit and loss accounts, would result in one-off familiarisation costs to business of £3.2 million in the first year, or £0.4m annual net direct costs to business over 10 years. Recurrent costs from profit and loss account filing were estimated to be negligible.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_28
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_28

Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what regulatory oversight is in place to ensure (a) (i) accurate and (ii) secure delivery in rural locations and (b) other basic standards of service by delivery companies. \p Justin Madders: Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

The ‘Mail Integrity Objectives’, set out in Ofcom’s Essential Condition 1, seek to minimise the potential for postal packets to be subject to loss, theft, damage or interference. Currently this Essential Condition is effectively restricted to Royal Mail’s services delivered under its universal postal service obligation.

Ofcom engages regularly with all parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of, and compliance with, its consumer protection measures.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_29

Steve Yemm:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to prevent phoenixing. \p Justin Madders: The Insolvency Service is tackling abusive phoenixism, working in close partnership with HMRC and Companies House to combat these wrongful activities. A coordinated action plan has been agreed, and an implementation plan is underway. Key measures include, closing loopholes in company registration and dissolution processes; increasing our compliance impact through targeted enforcement; and improving the quantity and quality of referrals for enforcement action in order to maximise enforcement outcomes, including director disqualifications and prosecutions.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_30
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_30

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken to support working families in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire through the parental leave system. \p Justin Madders: Through the Employment Rights Bill the Government will ensure that Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave are ‘day one’ rights, removing continuity of service requirements for employees.

In the Plan to Make Work Pay the Government committed to a review of the parental leave system. This review was launched on 1 July and will explore how the system can better support working families and reflect the realities of modern work and childcare. All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements will be in scope.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_31
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_31

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether young women will be represented on the Advisory Board for the Fair Work Agency. \p Justin Madders: Women and young people are less likely to get the employment rights they are entitled to than the general population. The creation of the Fair Work Agency will deliver a generational upgrade to enforcement of workers’ rights, and young women particularly stand to benefit.

Its core function will be to enforce specific employment legislation set out in Part 1 of Schedule 7 of the Employment Rights Bill. The Government has worked closely with a variety of stakeholders as it has developed the Bill, and we are committed to continuing this.

The Secretary of State has discretion to appoint individuals as independent experts to the Fair Work Agency’s Advisory Board, if the Secretary of State considers them to have relevant expertise. This could include appointing individuals with expertise in relation to young women’s experience of the labour market.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_32
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_32

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if  he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing the role of a Fair Work Commissioner to ensure the independent enforcement of workers' rights. \p Justin Madders: Fair Work Agency officers will be operationally independent. Additionally, the Employment Right Bill provides for effective oversight of the Fair Work Agency through the three-year enforcement strategies and annual reports, which must be laid before Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The Secretary of State is also required to consult the Advisory Board, which will have equal representation from businesses, trade unions and independent experts, to ensure they benefit from a broad range of insight when developing these documents.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_33
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_33

Chris Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the structures in place for the Fair Work Agency to collaborate with other Government departments to (a) prevent and (b) disrupt modern slavery. \p Justin Madders: The Fair Work Agency will take on the full remit of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).

Collaborating with other government bodies will be crucial to the Fair Work Agency effectively enforcing employment rights. We have ensured it will be able to share information with specified bodies where disclosures are relevant to their statutory function.

The Government is committed to ensuring the Fair Work Agency has what it needs to do its job. The Bill therefore provides for the transfer of existing staff to ensure we retain the relevant expertise.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_34
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_34

Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the parental leave review on the gender pay gap. \p Justin Madders: On 1 July, the Government launched the Parental Leave Review, fulfilling its manifesto commitment.

As set out in the terms of reference, the review is scheduled finish roughly 18 months after launch which will be around January 2027.

The Department has not made an assessment on the potential impact of the Review on the gender pay gap at this stage. However the Review’s Terms of Reference set out that one of our objectives for the parental leave and pay system is to support economic growth through labour market participation, including tackling the gender pay gap and motherhood penalty.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_35
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_35

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2024 to Question 763, on Special Educational Needs: Tribunals, if she will update the table given in that Answer for the most recent year for which figures are available. \p Sarah Sackman: Information about appeals to the First-tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) is published at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics.

The table below sets out the number of appeals to the SEND Tribunal against decisions made by Birmingham City Council for the academic years 2021 to 2023 (the latest period for which data are available); and the numbers of those appeals that were (i) determined in favour of the appellants, (ii) determined in favour of the local authority, (iii) withdrawn, (iv) conceded before the hearing, and (v) still awaiting a hearing.

Appellants would include appeals made by parents and young persons.

Academic year

Total appeals registered(1)

Total appeals determined in favour of the appellants

Total appeals determined in favour of the local authority

Total appeals withdrawn

Conceded before the hearing

Awaiting a hearing date (4)

2021(2)

547

367

31

48

89

1

2022

525

365

10

52

84

12

2023(3)

642

410

22

46

144

18

1. Appeals registered and appeals concluded will not tally due to spanning over academic years.

2. Appeal data are only available for three years due to the Tribunal’s record retention and disposal policy.

3. The latest period for which data have been published.

4. This figure includes appeals with a consent order or a hearing has been vacated awaiting a new hearing date.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_36
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_36

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to help tackle the backlog of possession proceedings in court (a) in advance and (b) on implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill. \p Sarah Sackman: The most recent published statistics show the median time from claim to order falls within the Civil Procedure Rules stipulation that possession claims should be listed within 4 to 8 weeks. HMCTS is making improvements to bailiff recruitment and retention practices to ensure staffing resources are available to enforce judgments made by the County Courts in those cases where it is subsequently needed.

The Ministry of Justice is working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure the justice system is fully prepared for the implementation of the Renters Rights’ Bill.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_37
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_37

Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) ringfencing a minimum amount of community justice funding specifically for residential rehabilitation services, (b) establishing formal pathways between prison to residential rehabilitation provision and recovery housing services and (c) facilitating integrated discharge planning including proactive pathways into (i) community integration, (ii) employment, (iii) education and (iv) recovery support as part of her plans for justice reform. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: We know continued engagement with treatment and recovery throughout an offender’s journey is vital to reduce drug misuse, drug-related crime, and reoffending. Responsibility for funding and commissioning of substance misuse treatment lies with the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS Wales. We work very closely with health partners to ensure pathways are accessible for offenders, including to residential rehabilitation which can be a valuable treatment option for some.

In line with recommendations from the Independent Sentencing Review, we want to divert more offenders away from custody where appropriate, including increasing the use of Drug Rehabilitation Requirements to address the underlying causes of offending. For those who do go to prison, accessing support to resettle effectively in the community is crucial, particularly as the first few weeks after release are high-risk for relapse, overdose, and reoffending.

To support this, community probation practitioners coordinate the overall rehabilitation of an offender, supported by pre-release teams. They work proactively with all prisoners to make sure the right support is on offer during their time in prison and prior to release to address resettlement needs such as accommodation, employment, and substance misuse. Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators work nationwide to support prison leavers to maintain recovery in the community, strengthening links between prisons, probation and treatment providers. The latest data for June 2025 shows that 54% of adults released with an ongoing substance misuse need engaged in treatment within 3 weeks of release, an increase from 38% in April 2021.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_38
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_38

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 53819 on Ministry of Justice: Translation Services, what was the change in the cost of language services between 2019 and 2024. \p Sarah Sackman: The cost for each of the four language service contracts in the years requested are in the table below (in £s):

Face to face

Translation & Transcription

Visual and Tactile

Quality Assurance

Total

2019

24,293,224.10

2,577,197.45

1,001,106.93

531,035.97

28,402,564.44

2020

16,425,864.81

2,066,580.04

1,199,690.68

525,412.56

20,217,548.09

2021

20,542,402.56

2,398,276.41

1,603,427.73

518,512.01

25,062,618.71

2022

23,189,695.49

1,816,523.53

1,480,500.68

512,592.01

26,999,311.71

2023

25,873,556.97

2,186,420.94

1,796,135.58

517,936.95

30,374,050.44

2024

26,729,057.53

2,826,541.95

1,550,246.80

519,312.07

31,625,158.35
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_39
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_39

Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of tackling welfare benefit fraud on public sector finances. \p Andrew Western: The Government has committed to the biggest ever package of welfare fraud error and debt measures at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spring Statement 2025. These will deliver an additional £9.6bn OBR-scored savings over the next five years.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_40
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_40

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure immigration status is recorded on digital systems when Universal Credit claims are processed. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Universal Credit records the immigration status of a claimant.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_41
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_41

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent steps she has taken to ensure that people moving from Employment Support Allowance Support Group to Universal Credit do not require a further fit note. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We want the migration process to be as simple as possible for claimants when they move their claim to Universal Credit (UC) from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If they have been receiving ESA, they will not need to provide medical evidence such as fit notes, or have a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) again if all of the following apply:

If they were providing medical evidence on ESA before they moved, they will still need to provide medical evidence on Universal Credit until a WCA decision is received.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_42
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_42

Paulette Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will award maternity pay per baby instead of per pregnancy. \p Andrew Western: We want new mothers to be able to take time away from work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth, in the interests of their own and their baby’s health and wellbeing.

Maternity pay is paid for each pregnancy, not in respect of each child as maternity pay is intended primarily as a health and safety provision for pregnant working women. It is not intended to replace a woman's earnings completely, nor is it intended to cover the cost of having a baby; rather, it provides a measure of financial security to help pregnant working women take time off work in the later stages of their pregnancy and in the months following childbirth.

All current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements are in scope of the Parental Leave and Pay Review. The review presents an opportunity to reset our approach and understanding of parental leave and pay and what we want the system to achieve, whilst giving due consideration to balancing costs and benefits to families, businesses and the Exchequer.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_43

Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to review the cut-off date of 22 September 2025 for people reaching the state pension age of 66 for Winter Fuel Payment. \p Torsten Bell: It is longstanding policy that Winter Fuel Payments are paid only to people who have reached State Pension age on or before the end of the qualifying week (the week beginning the third Monday of September each year) and meet certain other entitlement conditions.

For winter 2025/26, the qualifying week for Winter Fuel Payments will be 15 to 21 September 2025, and the person needs to have reached State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week to be eligible (that is, they need to have been born before 22 September 1959).

There are no plans to change or review this policy.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_44
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_44

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the annual cost of uprating State Pensions for armed forces veterans living overseas by inflation in each of the next three financial years; how many armed forces veterans who receive the State Pension live overseas; what the average weekly amount received is; what the average weekly amount received would have been if it had been uprated by inflation in each of the last five years; and if he will make an estimate of what the cost to the public purse would have been of uprating these pensions by inflation in the 2024-25 financial year. \p Torsten Bell: As of the quarter ending November 2024, latest available data show there were around 1.1 million recipients of the GB State Pension living overseas. Source: DWP Stat-Xplore

The Department does not hold data identifying armed forces veterans in receipt of the State Pension, whether in GB or overseas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_45

Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of women to have died since the publication of the Government’s Response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s Investigation into and Reports on the Women’s State Pension age on 17 December 2024; what plans she has for a compensation scheme for women adversely affected by the State Pension age changes; and whether she will make it her policy to enter into alternative dispute resolution. \p Torsten Bell: The decision not to set up a compensation scheme is now subject to live litigation and the High Court has granted permission for a full hearing.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_46
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_46

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to ensure that pension scheme trustees are able to use surplus funds to provide discretionary increases for pre-1997 pensioners whose pensions have not kept pace with inflation. \p Torsten Bell: Discretionary indexation is over and above the statutory requirements. This discretion is usually exercised by the trustees with the agreement of the sponsoring employer.

The precise design of pension benefits is a matter for employers and trustees and is not covered in Department for Work and Pensions legislation. Pension scheme rules regarding pension entitlements are many and varied and must remain a matter for employers and scheme trustees to decide.

The Pension Schemes Bill 2025 makes changes so that more trustees of well-funded schemes have the flexibility to share their scheme surplus with employers, subject to strict funding safeguards for members.

Scheme trustees are required to act in the interest of scheme beneficiaries. Working with sponsoring employers, they will be responsible for decisions around surplus release. Together they will agree how members can benefit from any release of surplus, which could include discretionary benefit increases.

The Pensions Regulator already expects that trustees should be aware of members who would benefit from any decision to award a discretionary increase and whether the scheme has a history of making such awards.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_47

Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether guidance has been issued to officials in her Department to reduce support levels under the Access to Work scheme. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No.

In the past, some restrictions in the guidance have not always been implemented. The guidance is now being more consistently applied. For the last year, work has been underway to improve Scheme decision-making by applying the guidance with greater consistency, to provide a fairer process. This may mean that some awards change at the point of renewal, but there has been no change in Scheme policy, or instruction to reduce support levels.

The support that a customer will receive from Access to Work is dependent upon their needs and circumstances at the time they make an application. Case managers will use the current guidance to ensure Access to Work principles are considered when making a decision on support.

No changes have been made to Access to Work policy. We will be reviewing all aspects of the Scheme now that the consultation has closed. Any changes will be announced before being implemented. Any updates to operational guidance are reflected through the published version available online at GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_48

Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review the recruitment of under 18s into the armed forces. \p Luke Pollard: Young people from the age of 16 are eligible to join our Armed Forces and we are immensely proud of the apprenticeship and education opportunities available to those who choose a career in Defence. The Armed Forces provide a positive career choice (with ongoing trade training) for those leaving school at 16. As part of our duty of care to our recruits no young person under the age of 18 years may join our Armed Forces without the formal written consent of their parent or guardian, nor do they deploy on operations until they reach 18 years of age. The Armed Forces do not intend to phase out the recruitment of personnel who are under the age of 18. Our policies on under-18s in Service are robust and comply with national and international law.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_49
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_49

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the Royal Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July 2025 was cancelled. \p Maria Eagle: The Royal Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail successfully conducted a flypast at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on Saturday 19 July 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_50

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will report based on a cost envelope of (a) 2.5%, (b) 3% or (c) 3.5% of GDP on defence expenditure. \p Maria Eagle: The Defence Investment Plan will set out how the MOD will deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review within the MOD's share of the Government's commitment to spending 2.6% of GDP on defence by 2027, and 3% of GDP in the next Parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_51

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Defence Investment Plan will report based on a cost envelope in relation to (a) his Department's budget or (b) NATO qualifying defence expenditure. \p Maria Eagle: The Defence Investment Plan will set out the Department's spending plans to deliver the vision of the Strategic Defence Review against its forecast budget. This will be based on the Department's Spending Review settlement, and the MOD's projected share of the Government's ambition to spending 3% of GDP on defence in the next Parliament as and when fiscal and economic conditions allow.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_52

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of adopting the (a) L403A1-AIW, (b) the L119A1/A2 and (c) the Sig Sauer MCX as the replacement for the L85A3. \p Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 28 April 2025 to Question 45196.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_53

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, column 633, whether the annual increase in defence spending will include the Single Intelligence Account. \p Maria Eagle: The Prime Minister has been clear about the contribution our intelligence and security services make to the defence of our nation. The commitment to spend 2.6% on defence from 2027 will include all spend relating the Single Intelligence Account.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_54

Gavin Robinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 63307 on Ministry of Defence: Belfast, if he will provide a timeline for a decision being made on his Department's site at Dunmore. \p Maria Eagle: Decisions on future modernisation and optimisation of the Volunteer Estate are subject to the Defence Investment Plan which is currently under consideration.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_55

Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces personnel have been convicted of (a) violent and (b) sexual offences against other personnel since 2000; how many received custodial sentences; and how many returned to service following release. \p Al Carns: Official statistics produced by the MOD from 2015 show information on the prosecution of sexual offending, and murder and manslaughter from 2021. However, they do not show which cases relate to other personnel. The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Court Martial results from the Military Court Service are available back to 2010 in a searchable format at the following website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-martial-results-from-the-military-court-centres
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_56

Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate his Department has made of the numbers of Afghan (a) interpreters and (b) other personnel, who assisted UK armed forces and remain at risk from the Taliban whilst stranded in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) neighbouring countries, following the closure of UK resettlement schemes; and what legal routes will continue to exist for such individuals to seek safety. \p Luke Pollard: The Government does not hold an estimate of the total number of people who may have been eligible for ARAP but did not apply. ARAP is a well-known scheme amongst the Afghan communities and has seen over 190,000 applications since it was opened in April 2021. Our assessment that the majority of those likely to be found eligible had already applied has been deduced from the fact that over the past two years, 95% of applications to the ARAP scheme have been found ineligible. The period following the first 12 months after Operation PITTING in Aug 2021 saw ineligible decisions begin to significantly overtake eligible ones. This trend has continued consistently to July 2025, when the ARAP scheme was shut to new applications.

Individuals wishing to relocate to the UK can find further information online.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/illegal-migration-bill-factsheets/safe-and-legal-routes#what-safe-and-legal-routes-does-the-uk-offer
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_57

Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help support service personnel to obtain education, health and care plans for dependent children. \p Al Carns: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) established, operates and chairs the MOD Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP) principally consisting of those Authorities with the highest numbers of Service children. MODLAP has developed a number of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) related initiatives, which include the SEND Principles. These focus on supporting Service children that require provisions typically contained within Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

In recognition of the unique circumstances of Service children, the SEND Principles enhance provisions already contained within the SEND Code of Practice. These Principles also include measures to ease the conversion of MOD issued Service Children’s Assessment of Needs (SCAN) documentation (MOD equivalent of EHCPs) to EHCPs, following Service children’s return to England after attendance at MOD schools overseas.

In addition, in February of this year, MODLAP issued an advisory note to every Director of Children’s Services in England. This provided advice to Local Authorities and schools in regard to how SEND services may meet the unique needs of Service children with SEND, in keeping with their Armed Forces Covenant statutory duties.

The MOD also provides Service Personnel with access to SEND information, advice and guidance via its Education Advisory Team, based within Defence Children’s Services. This team is staffed with specialists who are qualified teachers and include backgrounds within SEND services and as school SEN Coordinators. This support, combined with their intimate knowledge of Service-related challenges, means our Service Personnel receive an expert support package.

Alongside ongoing Grant in Aid funding provided to the Armed Forces Families Federations, the MOD also delivers grant programmes focused on education issues, including a specific funding theme for SEND. Over the course of the last two funding cycles, the MOD has provided over £2M in SEND grants to Local Authorities and schools to deliver projects and activities that provide added value to support Service children’s SEND needs.
wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_58

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of GDP will be spent on (a) NATO qualifying defence spend and (b) the MOD budget in financial year (i) 2025-26, (ii) 2026-27, (iii) 2027-28 and (iv) 2028-29. \p Luke Pollard: The estimated percentage GDP figures are set out below:

Financial Year

2025-26

2026-27

2027-28

2028-29

MOD budget (as set out in Spending Review 2025)

2.08%

2.11%

2.20%

2.20%

Total Expected Defence Spending

2.36%

2.52%

2.60%

2.60%

The future years defence spending figures are based on current OBR GDP.

Under NATO guidance Government expenditure can be counted towards defence spending, provided it is specifically to meet the needs of its armed forces, those of Allies or of the Alliance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-03 conversation_59

Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to respond to Question 62175 on Ajax Vehicles: Journalism, tabled by the hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford on 24 June 2025. \p Maria Eagle: I responded to the right hon. Member on 1 September 2025.