theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_482
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_482

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will list the titles of all the events organised by Civil Service networks in her Department since 2023. \p Ian Murray: We do not manage Civil Service Staff Networks and do not hold any records or information about their events.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_483
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_483

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many (a) single sex and (b) gender neutral bathroom facilities her Department provides in its Whitehall premises. \p Ian Murray: The Department is a customer of the Government Property Agency in its office locations, and does not hold a record of the number of single-sex or gender-neutral bathroom facilities provided there.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_484
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_484

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department has to undertake a Data Protection Impact Assessment on the integration of the digital Veteran Card with GOV.UK One Login. \p Ian Murray: The Department has undertaken a full Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for the digital Veteran Card service, which has been signed off by the One Login Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Data Protection Officer (DPO). Further to this, the DPIA has been reviewed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_485
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_485

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Data Protection Act 2018 and Article 5 of the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the safeguards to ensure that personal data gathered through the digital Veteran Card service is not shared across Government departments without the explicit consent of the veteran. \p Ian Murray: The Department has conducted a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) for the digital Veteran Card, approved by the One Login Senior Responsible Officer and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Data Protection Officer, in consultation with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). A Data Sharing Agreement governs processing between the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and ensures that data is only used for its intended and agreed purpose.

Personal data is stored locally on the veteran’s mobile device and is only shared when the veteran actively chooses to present their digital card. There is no automatic cross-government data sharing. Veterans retain full control of their data and can delete their card at any time.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_486
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_486

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department will assess the potential merits of allowing non-digital verification routes for veterans who do not wish to use GOV.UK One Login in order to obtain a digital Veteran Card. \p Ian Murray: Individuals must prove their identity through GOV.UK One Login if they would like a digital Veteran Card. They can do this by verifying their identity via the GOV.UK One Login app, web, or at the Post Office. There are currently no plans to introduce a fully non-digital verification route for obtaining a digital Veteran Card because this is designed to be a digital service. For those who do not wish to use or are unable to verify their identity with GOV.UK One Login, it remains possible to apply for a physical Veteran Card by completing a paper application form and submitting it by post.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_487
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_487

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) increases in costs and (b) recent trends in levels of economic uncertainty on the ability of (i) small and micro-businesses and (ii) other businesses to invest in cybersecurity measures. \p Kanishka Narayan: Improving the cyber security of our nation’s small and micro organisations is critical to the resilience of our wider economy. We recognise many smaller organisations lack the resources to invest in their cyber security. As such, the government has developed a wide range of free tools, guidance and training to help SMEs implement cyber security measures, including the recently launched Cyber Action Toolkit which provides SMEs with tailored advice.

NCSC-certified Cyber Advisors are available to provide advice and guidance on commercial terms. Additionally, the government’s Cyber Essentials scheme helps all organisations, including SMEs, implement critical cyber security controls, protecting them from most common cyber attacks. We recently completed a funding programme supporting over 1,000 SMEs to get certified to the scheme.

Early next year, the Government will publish a new National Cyber Action Plan which will set out further work to help protect our nation’s smallest organisations.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_488
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_488

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department taking to help tackle digital exclusion among elderly people. \p Kanishka Narayan: We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and some demographics are more likely to be digitally excluded than others, including older people.

That’s why in February; we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan which outlines the immediate actions we are taking on digital inclusion. One of these actions was to launch the £9.5mn Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online, which we did in August. All funded projects will support at least one of the focus demographic groups, which includes older people.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_489
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_489

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help reduce public exposure to (a) fraud and (b) scams on social media platforms. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Online Safety Act (OSA) lists fraud as a priority offence; requiring companies prevent and mitigate scams on their platforms. The OSA also requires large social media companies (‘Category 1’) to have transparent routes for users to complain about fraud, and swift procedures to address those complaints.

Ofcom have robust powers to hold companies to account, including issuing fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying global revenue (whichever is higher).

The OSA is reducing public exposure to scams, but there is more to do. DSIT is working with the Home Office to deliver a new fraud strategy.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_490
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_490

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate accountability measures for telecom providers that help facilitate fraud. \p Kanishka Narayan: Tackling fraud is a priority for the government and we recognise the impact that being a victim of fraud has on people. The Government works closely with Ofcom and industry and recently published the second Telecommunications Fraud Sector Charter – actions in the charter include collaborative data sharing to tackle fraud and raising customer awareness.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator for telecoms, is also taking steps to ensure providers are taking the necessary steps to protect consumers from fraud. This includes a current consultation on protecting customers from international numbers which imitate UK mobile numbers.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_491
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_491

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the new false communication offence in the Online Safety Act 2023 from stifling freedom of speech. \p Kanishka Narayan: The false communications offence within the Online Safety Act captures communications where the individual knows the information to be false but sends it intending to cause harm to a likely audience, without reasonable excuse.

Protecting freedom of expression is important to this government, and is taken into account throughout the Online Safety Act. For example, the Act requires in-scope services to give particular regard to protecting users’ freedom of expression and privacy rights when implementing safety measures.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_492
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_492

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether Northern Ireland will be subject to the EU's AI legislation or the UK's AI legislation. \p Kanishka Narayan: The UK is committed to a proportionate AI regulatory approach which is grounded in science and supports growth and innovation.

As we develop our approach to AI, we recognise the need to engage with a range of stakeholders. This includes engaging with the EU, and other international partners, to discuss our respective regulatory approaches and ensure they are effective.

The European Council has published its proposal for a decision to apply the EU AI Act to a limited extent in Northern Ireland under Article 13(4) of the Windsor Framework. The Act would only apply following an agreement at a Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee, which will be subject to the mechanisms in Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The EU AI Act is complex and requires further dialogue and consideration as to its interaction with the Windsor Framework. The UK Government is assessing the proposal and will continue to engage closely with the EU on it.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_493
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_493

Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the phasing out of landlines in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset on residents. \p Kanishka Narayan: Landlines are not being phased out. The analogue technology underpinning the landline network, the Public Switched Telephone Network, is being upgraded to digital Voice over Internet Protocol, which is more reliable and resilient. We want to ensure that all customers, including those in Yeovil and Somerset, are migrated safely.

A voluntary charter, agreed in December 2023, committed communications providers to protecting vulnerable consumers during the migration. The Government secured new safeguards from providers in November 2024, as set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_494
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_494

Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 to protect internet users from (a) suicide and (b) self-harm content on artificial intelligence platforms. \p Kanishka Narayan: Every death by suicide is a tragedy, and the government is deeply concerned about the role that online content can play in facilitating suicide and self-harm. This government is committed to keeping people safe online. For the first time, platforms now have a legal duty to ensure that they are protecting users from illegal content and, in particular, safeguarding children from harmful content. But we have gone further still. We have made self-harm and cyber-flashing, and now strangulation, priority offences. We will go further still by backing Ofcom to make sure that enforcement is robust too.

Some chatbots, including live search and user-to-user engagement, are in scope of the Online Safety Act 2023, and we want to ensure that enforcement against them, where relevant, is robust. The Secretary of State has commissioned work to make sure that, if there are any gaps in the legislation, they will be looked at fully and robust action will be taken too.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_495
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_495

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what criteria will be used to determine eligibility for funding under the scheme for the repair and conservation of local war memorials. \p Ian Murray: The Government announced on 9 November 2025 the new £2 million fund for the repair and maintenance of war memorials. Further details, including criteria, will be announced in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_496
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_496

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department has taken to assess the (a) adequacy of levels of swimming pool provision and (b) long-term factors that might impact future levels of swimming pool provision. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government is committed to ensuring that communities across the UK benefit from high-quality sport facilities to help enable people to get active and build pride in place in local communities. We are aware that factors including pressures around energy costs and ageing facilities may impact the future provision of sports facilities, including swimming pools. That is why at least £400 million is to be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities across the UK over the next four years. This investment will fund projects that promote health, wellbeing and community cohesion, while removing the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, such as women and girls, people with disabilities, and ethnic minority communities.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_497
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_497

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 71483 on MHCLG: Government Art Collection, if she will provide this information. \p Ian Murray: The Government Art Collection is a working collection, used across government buildings in the UK and the global estate, which means that artworks may change their display location from time to time in response to new display steers and requests.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_498
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_498

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to support community libraries. \p Ian Murray: Local authorities are responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources, including how community libraries may form a part of that.

Where a community library is part of the Local Authority service statutory network it can benefit from wider government initiatives such as the improved Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26, and could also benefit from library specific funding such as the Libraries Improvement Fund.

The Secretary of State announced in February 2025 a further £5.5 million of this Libraries Improvement Fund for 2025-26 to councils across England to invest in their library service and fund a range of projects to upgrade buildings and technology. This can include bids to benefit community managed branches within the statutory network.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_499
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_499

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she plans to announce the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme after 31 March 2026. \p Ian Murray: The future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme after March 2026 will be announced when the outcome of the Spending Review and business planning processes have completed.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_500
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_500

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential merits of including public health officials in the gambling license process. \p Ian Murray: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has not had discussions on this matter with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

There are several ways that public health officials at local authorities contribute to the gambling licensing process. For example, as noted in the Gambling Commission’s Guidance to Licensing Authorities, public health teams can advise licensing authorities on their Licensing Statement of Policy for gambling, to help ensure it reflects current risks and knowledge. Public health teams can also contribute to the development of ‘local area profiles’. These can be used to identify higher-risk areas where gambling premises must implement mitigation measures to address risk, and the Gambling Commission and Local Government Association have encouraged licensing authorities to produce them.

We recognise some stakeholders have noted it is unclear whether the Gambling Act designates public health officials as a responsible authority in the licensing process. We will consider the best available evidence to inform any future decisions in this area.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_501
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_501

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of adult gaming centres on trends in the level of gambling harms in deprived areas . \p Ian Murray: We do not hold official data on the relationship between deprivation and participation in gambling at adult gaming centres.

As part of the Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to introducing cumulative impact assessments (CIAs) for gambling licensing when parliamentary time allows. The introduction of CIAs, alongside the broad range of powers already available to local authorities, will enable local authorities across England to take data-driven decisions on premises licences, particularly areas identified as vulnerable to gambling-related harms. It will allow authorities to take account of a range of factors, including deprivation, when making licensing decisions. This will empower local authorities to better shape their streets and neighbourhoods.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_502
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_502

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she will assess the potential merits of reviewing the aim to permit duty under the Gambling Act 2005 to strengthen the ability of local authorities to limit gambling harms. \p Ian Murray: Local authorities are vital partners in the regulation of gambling and have a range of powers to influence the operation of gambling premises and limit gambling harm. These include site inspections, restrictions on opening hours, and suspending or revoking a gambling premises licence if premises are found to be non-complaint with the licensing objectives.

While the Government does not have any plans to review the ‘aim to permit’ provision in the Gambling Act at this time, we recognise that some authorities do not always feel that the tools at their disposal are fully effective in shaping local areas. As outlined in the Pride in Place Strategy, the Government will boost local authorities’ existing powers to influence the location and density of gambling outlets by introducing Cumulative Impact Assessments, when parliamentary time allows. This will give licensing authorities powers to determine whether the cumulative impact of the number or density of gambling premises in a local area undermines the licensing objectives, particularly in areas that have been identified as vulnerable to gambling-related harms.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_503
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_503

Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports that Al-Ikhlas Education Centre in Willesden hosted Scout meetings. \p Stephanie Peacock: The promotion of extremist views or terrorism in charities is unacceptable. The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of hostile state threats to the charity sector, and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited. The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing and I am confident that it has the ability to do so effectively.

The Government takes the safeguarding of all children seriously and is committed to protecting them from harm across all settings, including out-of-school settings such as Scouts clubs. The Charity Commission has published guidance that explains in which circumstances a report about serious wrongdoing should be made, which details should be provided, and what it will do after receiving a report.

DCMS is planning to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers to tackle extremist abuse of charities. We will consult on measures to automatically ban individuals convicted of hate crimes from serving as charity trustees or senior managers, and make it easier for the Charity Commission to take action against people promoting terrorism, violence or hatred

Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_504
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_504

Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Impact 25 legacy programme. \p Stephanie Peacock: Since July 2024 the Government has invested £6.7m into the £14.5m Impact 25 programme which is pivotal in cementing rugby as a game for all. The programme has reached 850 clubs as more female-friendly facilities have been built all over the country encouraging female participation in rugby.

The programme has trained 3,385 new female coaches and match officials, making coaching sessions and matches more accessible. Impact 25 has contributed to a 35% increase in female age grade registrations in England rising from 17,700 places in 2022 to 23,900 in 2025. To assess progress against Impact 25’s outcomes the RFU uses a range of data sources which are reported on as part of the programme. We will work with the RFU, Sport England and UK Sport to monitor progress against these outcomes and the RFU’s long term goal of having 100,000 female players in England.

The programme has provided over £5,000 of investment to Dartfordians RFC and Sidcup RFC in Old Bexley and Sidcup. Both clubs have received sanitary product packages which are made freely available in club restrooms as well as kits for their u12s team and access to coaching and match official courses for their members.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_505
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_505

Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure equitable levels of representation of Northern Ireland in UK (a) broadcasting and (b) public service media. \p Ian Murray: Public service media plays an important role in terms of providing news and other content which reflects the full diversity of people, communities and experiences across the nations and regions, including Northern Ireland.

Currently under their Operating Licence, the BBC has to produce 3% of its network programming output in Northern Ireland each year, by spend and hours. Meanwhile Channel 4’s nations quota for content spend and hours has recently been increased by Ofcom from 9% to 12% from 2030 which Channel 4 have committed to delivering by 2028.

Ofcom has overall responsibility for these quotas and monitoring compliance.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_506
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_506

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of capital funding schemes that exclude organisations without property holdings on community development. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises the importance of community spaces and buildings which offer vital resources for communities across the country.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has policy responsibility for community assets and community development. In September 2025 MHCLG launched the Common Ground Award to invest capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services. Organisations are not required to own the property from which they operate to be eligible for the Award.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not have policy responsibility for community ownership and has not conducted its own assessment of the eligibility criteria or impact of capital funding schemes.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_507
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_507

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support public libraries in Fylde constituency. \p Ian Murray: Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources. The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils' Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

The Secretary of State announced in February 2025 a further £5.5 million of the Libraries Improvement Fund for 2025-26 to enable library services across England to invest in a range of projects to upgrade buildings and technology.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_508
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_508

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department plans to spend on maintaining the Listed Places of Worship grant scheme in (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27. \p Ian Murray: For the 2025/26 financial year, the total budget for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme is £23 million. Of the £23 million, there is a remaining £10,986158 to distribute. The 2025/26 Scheme will close on 31 March 2026, or once the £23 million budget has been reached, whichever is earlier.

The future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme after March 2026 will be announced when the outcome of the Spending Review and business planning processes have completed.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_509
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_509

James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61223 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review. \p Ian Murray: At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, DCMS carried out a line by line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government’s commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_510
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_510

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) other reviews undertaken by her Department since 4 July 2024. \p Ian Murray: The information requested is not centrally held in an easily accessible form as there are no expenditure categories that just cover consultations or reviews.

Due to this any response could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_511
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_511

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that public procurement for heritage projects support the use of locally sourced stone appropriate to local architectural traditions. \p Ian Murray: Whilst DCMS does not have public procurement policies relating to the use of locally used stone, there are a number of ways in which the Government supports the use of stone appropriate to local architectural traditions.

If anyone wants to alter or extend a listed building in a way that affects its character or appearance as a building of special architectural or historic interest they must first apply for Listed Building Consent from the local planning authority. This process will typically consider whether appropriate materials are being used as the Government’s planning policy means Local Planning Authorities give particular attention to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and those features which make it special.

In addition, our arm's-length body, Historic England, takes steps to support applicants seeking approval for changes to heritage buildings. Historic England has published advice on how to obtain matching stone for repairing historic buildings and monuments. They have also made available the Building Stones Database for England which brings together information on local building stones, their uses and sources as an online interactive GIS (Geographical Information System) resource.

Working with the British Geological Survey (BGS), local geologists and historic buildings experts, Historic England has identified important building stones, where they came from and potential alternative sources for repairs and new construction.

Historic England's Repair Grants guidance advises that they expect any works that they fund to be carried out using traditional methods and materials appropriate to the history and condition of the building, monument, park or garden, stipulating that when replacement is necessary, it should normally be done on a like-for-like basis.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_512
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_512

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64204 on Parthenon Sculptures: Tourism, if she will make that estimate. \p Ian Murray: There are no plans to make such an estimate.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_513
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_513

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the annual budget was for the (a) Charity Commission and (b) Gambling Commission in each year since 2005. \p Stephanie Peacock: Information on the Charity Commission and Gambling Commission’s annual net expenditure is included in each public body’s annual report and accounts. These are published annually on GOV.UK.

As a non-governmental department, the Charity Commission receives its funding directly from the Treasury. The Gambling Commission is primarily funded by licence fees paid by gambling operators - fee levels are set by DCMS and approved by Parliament.

The total annual net expenditure for each public body since 2005 is detailed in the following table:

Financial Year

Charity Commission Net Expenditure (£m)

Gambling Commission Net Expenditure (£m)

2024-2025

32.0

31.9

2023-2024

32.2

13.9

2022-2023

32.1

14.5

2021-2022

28.8

25.0

2020-2021

28.0

19.3

2019-2020

27.0

37.5

2018-2019

25.7

27.6

2017-2018

22.6

23.2

2016-2017

24.9

20.9

2015-2016

23.7

19.6

2014-2015

20.9

18.3

2013-2014

22.8

15.9

2012-2013

25.7

13.8

2011-2012

26.9

13.3

2010-2011

28.8

13.4

2009-2010

31.4

13.9

2008-2009

31.7

15.3

2007-2008

32.6

16.7

2006-2007

30.7

14.4

2005-2006

31.3

10.2
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_514
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_514

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments, published on 16 December 2016. \p Stephanie Peacock: My department remains absolutely committed to the highest standards for all public appointments campaigns; DCMS is responsible for over 400 public appointment roles and has handled 80 appointments so far this year. The Department has recently reviewed all DCMS public appointments processes and systems in order to ensure that they are as robust as possible. This included confirming compliance with the revised Governance Code of Public Appointments published on 30 October 2025.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_515
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_515

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what processes were followed in the (a) longlisting and (b) shortlisting of candidates for the role of Independent Football Regulator Chair. \p Stephanie Peacock: All regulated public appointments roles follow the same processes as outlined in the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

A full account of the appointment process for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator is available in the recent report by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_516
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_516

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether she has made an assessment of the compatibility of (a) ‘Project Spire’ and (b) the ‘Fund for Healing, Repair, and Justice’ with the trustee obligations of the Board of Governors of the Church Commissioners. \p Marsha De Cordova: Yes, the Board of Governors of the Church Commissioners has made an assessment of its legal obligations so far as they relate to its response to its predecessor’s links with African chattel enslavement (known internally by the programme/project name ‘Spire’). In taking that assessment, the Board has taken into account all relevant factors, including the Charity Commission’s guidance on decision-making for trustees (CC27). The Board recognises that the discharge of its proposals will require the registration of a new charity (the proposed ‘Fund for Healing, Repair, and Justice’), along with appropriate regulatory authorisations. The Board has authorised the first such step.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_517
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_517

Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what meetings she has held with the victims and survivors of grooming gangs in Wales since January 2025. \p Jo Stevens: As the lead department, the Home Office leads on engagement with victims and survivors of grooming gangs across Wales and England. On 16 June 2025, the then Home Secretary made a statement to Parliament confirming that the Government has accepted all of the recommendations made in Baroness Casey’s national audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, including a recommendation to commission a national inquiry.

Baroness Casey specifically recommended that the national police operation and national inquiry should cover England and Wales. The Home Office has been working closely with partners to develop the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry, with early consultation already undertaken with victims and survivors. The National Working Group (NWG) charity has been coordinating the engagement with victims and survivors related to the inquiry set-up, including sessions attended by the Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG.
wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_518
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-19 conversation_518

Kerry McCarthy:To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will ensure that any forthcoming code of practice for (a) services, (b) public functions and (c) associations contains practical guidance on how small businesses can be inclusive towards transgender customers. \p Olivia Bailey: The Equality and Human Rights Commission - as the independent regulator - has submitted a draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations. This will provide guidance to relevant duty bearers on how they should comply with the Equality Act 2010 following the Supreme Court judgment.

The Government is considering the updated draft Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Code will be laid before Parliament for a 40-day period.

We expect service providers to follow the law as clarified by this judgment and seek specialist legal advice where necessary.
wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_1

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to include diagnosis targets for myeloma in the national cancer plan for England. \p Ashley Dalton: Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan. It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancers such as myeloma, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes.

To tackle late diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS is implementing non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.

We will get the NHS diagnosing blood cancers earlier and treating them faster, and we will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment, including for magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.

The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates. Having consulted with key stakeholders and patient groups, the Plan will be published early in the new year.
wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_2
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_2

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of working with comparator countries to understand causal factors in trends of mental health disorders in children and young people. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Whilst there has not been a formal assessment of the trends in children and young people’s mental health problems in England compared to other countries, work continues with partners across the United Kingdom and internationally on a range of issues relating to mental health, including mental health disorders in children and young people.

Through resources such as the Global Burden of Disease study, we closely monitor international policy developments in mental health to harness insights. For example, the six new 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres being piloted across England are inspired by the community model of mental health care originally pioneered in Trieste, Italy.

Estimates of the rates and trends in the prevalence of adults’ and children and young people’s mental health problems are reported in the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey series and the Mental Health of Children and Young People Survey series.
wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_3

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that bereaved families are involved in the process for the consultation on secondary legislation to modernise regulatory frameworks. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: The Government is preparing draft legislation which will modernise the regulatory framework for the General Medical Council. This will be subject to a statutory three-month public consultation, which will be published on GOV.UK website, and which will act as a blueprint for reforms to other professional regulators’ legislation.

We welcome the views of anyone who has raised a concern about a healthcare professional, including individuals who have suffered harm or whose family members have suffered harm, through this consultation process.
wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_4

Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support trusts to reduce bed occupancy to below 80% ahead of winter 2025-26. \p Karin Smyth: The National Health Service is already preparing for winter this year with the development and testing of winter plans. This includes the surge capacity and escalation plans in place across all NHS and urgent care services.

The Urgent and Emergency Care Plan 2025/26 focuses on improvements that will see the biggest impact on urgent and emergency care performance this winter, including working to reduce bed occupancy by avoiding unnecessary admissions and reducing delays to discharge.

To help avoid unnecessary admissions, the NHS is expanding Same Day Emergency Care, virtual wards, and urgent community response services so patients can receive timely care closer to home.

Where people are admitted to hospital, trusts are asked to reduce the average length of stay for patients requiring an overnight emergency admission by at least 0.4 days. This includes reducing discharge delays, working with local authorities and integrated care boards to progressively eliminate the longest and most unacceptable discharge delays, starting with the 0.7% of patients who wait more than 21 days beyond their discharge ready date, and eliminating any internal delays to discharge of more than 48 hours.
wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_5

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will launch a public consultation before introducing legislation to abolish the statutory functions of local Healthwatch. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: Although there are no plans to carry out a direct public consultation on the abolition of local Healthwatch arrangements. Dr Dash’s report on patient safety across the health and care landscape was published in July 2025 and made nine recommendations which the Government have accepted in full. Dr Dash’s findings and recommendations have also fed into the 10-Year Health Plan which itself was devised on the basis of the widest ever public consultation on the future of the National Health Service.

Dr Dash’s review recommends bringing together the work of local Healthwatch organisations with the engagement functions of integrated care boards and providers to ensure patient and wider community input into the planning and design of services.

These changes will improve quality, including safety, by making it clear where responsibility and accountability sit at all levels of the system. The changes will make it easier for staff, patients and service users to feed directly into the system to improve quality of care. We believe after these changes that patients and users will have a stronger voice and one that is more easily heard inside the system.
wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_6
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-22 conversation_6

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to reply to the correspondence from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 27 August 2025. \p Dr Zubir Ahmed: I have received the hon. Member’s letter and I have responded.