theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of the reviews by the Local Government Boundary Commission of (a) district council and (b) county council boundaries in two tier areas since 4 July 2024. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Local Government Boundary Commission for England typically starts 25 reviews a year. With each review taking approximately 15 months to complete, around 50 can be in progress at any time.

In February 2025, following the issuing of a statutory invitation to submit unitary proposals to all two-tier authorities, the Commission took the decision to pause all live reviews in those areas.

In the period between July 2024 and February 2025, 23 reviews of district councils were in progress. Based on the average cost per stage of a review of a district council, the Commission estimates that it spent up to £368,000 on these reviews during this period.

Additionally, six county council reviews were completed as planned within this timeframe. Based on the average cost per stage of a review of a county council, the Commission estimates that it spent up to £137,000 on these reviews during this period.
wrans/answers2025-10-15 conversation_220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-15)

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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission, what assessment the National Audit Office has made of the adequacy of local authority audit in (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland. \p Clive Efford: The National Audit Office has not assessed the adequacy of local authority audit in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The audit of such bodies is conducted under devolved audit arrangements in accordance with relevant statute, and the NAO has no remit to assess its adequacy.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether hon. Members serving a custodial sentence at His Majesty’s Pleasure are permitted by HM Prison & Probation Service to receive Parliamentary casework by post. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: All prisoners have a statutory entitlement to send and receive letters, this includes parliamentary casework by post where an Hon. Member is serving a custodial sentence.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Robert Jenrick:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 23 December 2024 to Question 20393 on Prisoners’ Release: Electronic Tagging, how many SDS40 releases did not have a prison tag in (a) Tranche one and (b) Tranche two. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Ministry of Justice published transparent data on Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 SDS40 releases on 7 November 2024. Whilst some of these releases would have had a tag as a licence condition, the data the Department holds on electronic monitoring does not delineate between SDS40 and SDS50 releases.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_3
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29394 on Mentally Disordered Offenders: Crimes of Violence, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of collecting data on the number and proportion of prisoners that had (a) paranoid schizophrenia and (b) other mental health illnesses when they convicted in each of the last five years. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Collecting mental health data at the point of conviction provides a limited snapshot in time. The diagnosis of physical and mental health conditions is a matter for medical professionals. NHS England, which is responsible for the commissioning and funding of healthcare services in all prisons in England, records at a national level how many prisoners have a diagnosis of severe and enduring mental health conditions. This does not detail when those diagnoses were made.

The Offender Assessment System (OASys), the core risk assessment tool used by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, already captures some psychological and emotional factors so practitioners can explore the impact of these on their offending behaviour, identify their need for specialist support or treatment and can refer or engage with relevant professionals to manage any risk of harm they may pose.

It is not possible to link medical records with justice datasets due to practical and legal issues.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_4
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many social media accounts her Department operates; and how much her Department spent on social media (a) subscriptions and (b) advertisements on each social media platform in each of the last three years. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The Government communicates across a range of media channels in order to reach its target audience effectively. Channels are selected based on whether they will reach the intended audience on a specific issue to have the most impact.

Social media is an essential part of Government communications and is used to inform the public directly about matters which may affect their lives or interests.

The Ministry of Justice Communications team oversees 33 social media accounts, for HQ and its executive agencies across various platforms as of 28 February 2025, we also support around 91 local Prison social media accounts across X and LinkedIn.

The Department's spending on social media platforms for the last three financial years is detailed below:

Social Media platforms

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

X

£69,765.00

£0.00

£0.00

Linked in

£119,616.73

£65,809.65

£150,846.07

YouTube

£0.00

£0.00

£19,957.00

Gaia

£0.00

£8,500.00

£26,472.10

GDN

£0.00

£463.00

£1,855.13

Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp Threads)

£420,388.00

£582,390.00

£1,138,059.44

Totals

£609,769.73

£657,162.65

£1,337,189.74

Across our Various digital subscription services, our departmental spend, broken down by year is:

FY2021/22 - £101,225

FY2022/23 - £103,636

FY2023/24 - £165,991*

* 2023/24 the Department started managing 91 local prison X accounts.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_5
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Dr Ben Spencer:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what performance metrics exist for the Civil National Business Centre; and whether those metrics are being met. \p Sarah Sackman: HM Courts & Tribunals Service publishes weekly performance metrics for the Civil National Business Centre. The target is 5 working days and 11 out of 15 workstreams are currently in target.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department is using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Ministry of Justice has not used AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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David Mundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding the Government has provided for nutrition research in each of the last five years. \p Feryal Clark: Ministers and official meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on a range of issues. UKRI funds a broad range of high-quality research relating to nutrition, spanning different research councils.

During the last 5 years UKRI has spent £251 million on nutrition research, with £65 million spent during the most recent financial year for which full data is available (2023-24).

In addition to this, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funds research, including on nutrition, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

NIHR spent £11.8 million on nutrition research in the last year and £23.3 million in the last 5 years across a broad spectrum of areas related to nutrition to inform Government policy to improve patient care and help people stay well for longer.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of BTs move from copper wire landlines to mobile voice systems on weather resilience. \p Chris Bryant: The transition from the old analogue landline network, also known as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), to new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which delivers voice calls over an internet connection, is industry led. Importantly, landlines are not being withdrawn, but their underlying technology is changing from PSTN to VoIP.

VoIP is more resistant to severe weather as the cables used are waterproof, and less prone to damage during a storm or other severe weather events. The PSTN lines are often in the air and fail during storm weather.

The Government has received a number of representations from MPs enquiring about the steps been taken to improve mobile connectivity in rural areas because of concerns over the impact of the PSTN switch-off. As well as maintaining our commitment to our target of 95% of the UK geography being covered by 4G, our ambition is for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030.

The Government is engaging regularly with the telecoms industry to ensure consumers and sectors, including rural businesses, are protected and prepared for the upgrade process throughout the UK. A definition of vulnerable customers who may require additional support in the context of the PSTN switch-off was published in November 2024. It includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landline, including in rural communities.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_9
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Josh Fenton-Glynn:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many social media accounts his Department operates; and how much his Department spent on social media (a) subscriptions and (b) advertisements on each social media platform in each of the last three years. \p Feryal Clark: The Department is responsible for operating a total of 18 social media accounts. This includes a number of accounts currently under review and operated by the Government Digital Service, which recently became a part of the department.

The Department has spent £201.60 on (a) subscriptions – two payments of £100.80 in 2023 and 2024.

To date, the Department has spent £450,901.04 on (b) social media advertisements.

The Department spent £386,615.04 on LinkedIn and £64,286.00 on META in the financial year 24/25.

In addition, the Department has a shared HR function with DESNZ which has a contractual arrangement with LinkedIn Hiring Solutions for the period June 2023 to June 2025, for the amount of £425,123.31.

The Department holds no data prior to the financial year 23/24 due to DSIT only being formed in February 2023.

The Government communicates across a range of media channels in order to reach its target audience effectively. Channels are selected based on whether they will reach the intended audience on a specific issue to have the most impact.

Social media is an essential part of government communications and is used to inform the public directly about matters which may affect their lives or interests. The Government remains committed to scrutiny, transparency and best value for taxpayer money.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_10
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will that ensure Ofcom prioritises user verification in its Illegal Content Codes of Practice. \p Feryal Clark: Ofcom is the independent regulator for the Online Safety Act and it decides what measures go into its codes of practice. It issued its first codes of practice for the illegal content duties in December. These take effect on platforms in March. They will significantly improve online safety and incorporate measures in a wide range of areas, including user access. Ofcom will develop the codes iteratively and will launch a consultation in spring 2025 on further measures. In addition, Ofcom will issue its child safety codes of practice in the summer, and these will include age assurance measures.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) cyberbullying, (b) harassment by (i) fake and (ii) anonymous accounts and (c) other online harms on the economy. \p Feryal Clark: In October 2024, DSIT published an assessment of the social impact of some quantified harms including cyberstalking, hate crime, fraud facilitated by user generated content, and cyberbullying, as part of the Online Safety Act enactment impact assessment - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-enactment-impact-assessment#:~:text=The%20assessment%20estimates%20the%20Online,final%20stage%20Bill%20impact%20assessment.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_12
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to accelerate the implementation of user identity verification measures under the Online Safety Act 2023. \p Feryal Clark: The government is committed to ensuring the Online Safety Act is implemented as quickly as possible. Ofcom is taking a phased approach, focussing on the illegal and child safety duties first, as these have the broadest protections.

Phase three of the programme focuses on additional duties for categorised services, which includes those relating to user verification. Ofcom intends to publish the register of categorised services this Summer. Ofcom will publish draft proposals regarding additional duties on categorised services in early 2026.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_13
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many people are currently employed in the AI technology sector across the UK. \p Feryal Clark: We are committed to building an AI sector that can scale and win globally, ensuring AI companies want to call the UK home. Our 2024 AI Sector Study found that the UK AI sector employs over 64,000 people in the UK, up from just over 50,000 people in 2022, an increase of 29%.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions. \p Feryal Clark: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology does not have a specific policy on the use of AI for responding to written parliamentary questions. However, staff do have access to AI software tools to support the drafting process. All responses are reviewed by policy officials to ensure accuracy and consistency with government policy, and are signed off by Ministers.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department plans to allocate to scientific research projects in Antarctica. \p Feryal Clark: The British Antarctic Survey’s current allocation from UK Research and Innovation’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is £116 million for 2024/25.

DSIT's R&D budget is rising to £13.9 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. The Department will announce further details on the allocation of the budget in 2025/26 in due course. Last July, the Chancellor launched a multi-year spending review, which will conclude in June 2025, and will allow government to set out its spending plans for science and technology investment over the longer-term.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) enforce compliance with the checklist for communication providers; and how customers will be informed of their rights and the safeguards in place during the migration to Voice over Internet Protocol. \p Chris Bryant: The PSTN switch-off is an industry-led process. As per the checklist the Government is meeting with communications providers before they restart non-voluntary migrations to ensure they are meeting the checklist commitments. The Government is engaging regularly with the signatories of the PSTN Charter to monitor their PSTN switch-off plans and progress and compliance with the checklist.

The Government and Ofcom are engaging regularly with the industry to monitor their plans for raising awareness on the PSTN switch-off. Ofcom has placed an obligation on communications providers to engage in effective communication with customers about any change to their service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the migration of analogue phone lines to digital voice over internet protocol on elderly people in the Isle of Wight East constituency. \p Chris Bryant: The Government is determined to ensure that any risks arising from the industry-led migration of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated, for all customers across the UK.

A definition of vulnerable customers who may require additional support in the context of the PSTN switch-off was published in November 2024. It includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landline. Any customer, including the elderly, can also self-identify as requiring additional support.

Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, committing to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN switch-off. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist before restarting non-voluntary migration of customers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the UK copyright framework in tackling AI-generated content that infringes upon copyright protections. \p Feryal Clark: AI generated content will infringe copyright in the UK if it reproduces a substantial part of a protected work unless a copyright exception applies.

The Government’s consultation on Copyright and AI, which closed on 25th February, covered a range of topics including copyright enforcement for infringing AI outputs.

Our priority now is to review the evidence from the consultation which will inform the Government response
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to ensure that the responsibility for preventing intellectual property infringement by AI systems falls to AI companies rather than creators. \p Feryal Clark: The Government’s consultation on Copyright and AI, which sought views on proposals for a new regulatory model for text and data mining, has closed. Our priority now is to review the evidence from the consultation which will inform the Government response.

Copying material protected by copyright in the UK remains an infringement unless it is licensed or an exception to copyright applies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Alan Mak:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether Ministers have disappearing messages in use on WhatsApp for communication with (a) private offices, (b) departmental officials and (c) other communications related to departmental business. \p Feryal Clark: DSIT Ministers use Whatsapp in line with government and departmental policies. This may, occasionally, include the use of disappearing messages where this is in line with our obligations to maintain good recordkeeping and transparency responsibilities.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_21
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Andrew Mitchell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with (a) the West Midlands Combined Authority and (b) Birmingham city council on the AI Growth Zones scheme. \p Feryal Clark: The government recognises the critical role of AI infrastructure in supporting advanced AI technologies. The AI Opportunities Action Plan outlines how the UK can build the cutting-edge compute infrastructure needed to lead in AI development and deployment, securing long-term economic growth and staying at the forefront of AI innovation.

We are interested in partnering with local and regional authorities and devolved administrations to establish AI Growth Zones, ensuring substantial regional and national benefits, such as upskilling and employment opportunities, are felt across the country.

On Monday 10 February, local and regional authorities, along with industry, were invited to come forward with potential sites suitable for hosting AI infrastructure as an early expression of interest. This was followed by a discussion about towns in the Birmingham area.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the UK Space Agency will renew funding to Goonhilly Earth Station for its bilateral pilot with the US when that funding runs out in March. \p Chris Bryant: The current contract between the UK Space Agency and Goonhilly Earth Station is worth up to £2 million this financial year (24/25) which includes £1.4million of funding towards the Deep Space Monitoring contract for Goonhilly to work with twelve unique missions operated by international partners. This is already delivering on the benefits of expanding existing UK capabilities, unlocking new and emerging markets and supporting the growing lunar economy. Decisions on future spend for Goonhilly Earth Station for its bilateral pilot with the US are being considered as part of the 2025 spending review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Paula Barker:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the independent hospitality sector with rising costs. \p Gareth Thomas: Independent hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_24
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports of 26 February 2025, Official Report, column 857, what his Department's timetable is for launching the business growth service. \p Gareth Thomas: We hope to launch the Business Growth Service (BGS) in the summer.

The BGS will, over time, simplify the government’s business support ecosystem, with locally led support underpinned by an improved online service. It will help realise the government’s Small Business Strategy, complementing the Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy and Make Work Pay plans as part of a comprehensive approach to our Growth Mission.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports of 26 February 2025, Official Report, column 857, whether his Department plans to undertake public consultation before bringing forward legislative proposals to reduce late payments. \p Gareth Thomas: In September 2024 we announced a package of measures to help ensure small businesses are paid promptly by the large businesses they supply.

This included launching a new Fair Payment Code and a commitment to including payment performance information in large companies’ annual reports, and the launch of a public consultation.

We will soon be launching our public consultation on further measures to address late payments and long payment terms, including new powers for the Small Business Commissioner to tackle large businesses who pay late.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_26
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports of 26 February 2025, Official Report, column 857, how many staff in his Department have been allocated to the working on the development of the new business growth service; and at what the total staff cost is for the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial years. \p Gareth Thomas: The Business Growth Service (BGS) and the broader plans for small business are a priority for the Department for Business and Trade. There is currently a flexible resourcing model in place to develop the Business Growth Service. As of March 2025, a small, full-time core team has been put in place dedicated to developing the BGS with a range of other teams supporting the programme in areas such as Digital, Communications, and Stakeholder Engagement. Final plans for 2025-26 are not yet available but, at launch, the BGS will encompass a much wider range of DBT staff delivering for businesses.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_27
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of Post Offices within (a) Slough and (b) Berkshire. \p Gareth Thomas: The Government protects the sustainability of the branch network by providing funding on the basis that the Post Office meets its minimum access criteria to ensure that, across the country, 99% of the population live within three miles of their nearest Post Office including those living in Slough and Berkshire. The Government works to ensure Post Office Limited maintains a minimum number of branches and a geographical spread of branches in line with published access criteria. Along with the annual £50 million subsidy, we are providing a further £37.5 million this year to safeguard services in the uncommercial parts of the network.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps he has taken to support high street businesses in Slough. \p Gareth Thomas: This government is committed to supporting businesses and communities that make our high streets, including those in Slough, successful.

This means addressing anti-social behaviour and crime, rolling out banking hubs, stamping out late payments, empowering communities to make the most of the vacant properties, strengthening the Post Office network, reforming the apprenticeship levy, and reforming business rates.

We will also use High Street Rental Auctions, to provide local authorities in England with a tool to tackle vacancy, promote minimum letting standards for commercial units and flexible rents.

DBT provides core funding for the Berkshire Growth Hub, which provides access to advice and support for local businesses. Slough council have also used UK Shared Prosperity Fund money to establish a new weekly market in Slough high street.

Our Small Business Strategy Command Paper, to be published in 2025, will set out this government’s intentions on supporting small businesses across key areas, including thriving high streets.
wrans/answers2025-03-05 conversation_29
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Kanishka Narayan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support employee share ownership in venture capital-backed startups. \p Gareth Thomas: Venture capital-backed startups will frequently offer shares in the business to employees, as part of their remuneration. Most of these startups will be eligible to use the Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) scheme, which is open to firms with assets of £30 million or less and fewer than 250 employees. Using EMI firms may award share options up to a value of £250,000 in a 3-year period, free of Income Tax and National Insurance to the employee subject to certain conditions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had discussions with HM Treasury on the potential merits of re-introducing a 75% retail, hospitality and leisure relief rate. \p Gareth Thomas: Without any Government intervention, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief would have ended in April, creating a cliff-edge for businesses. We are providing support for retail, hospitality and leisure properties in the interim period leading up to the new permanent multiplier by providing 40% relief to RHL businesses on their business rates in 2025-26, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.  This is protecting the smallest properties by freezing the small business multiplier in 2025-26 and protecting over a million properties from inflationary bill increases.  We continue to work closely with HM Treasury on the challenges facing high streets and other businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of pre-pack administration procedures. \p Justin Madders: In 2021, the Government’s review of the effectiveness of the voluntary pre-pack sales in administration measures recognised that some improvements needed to be made. Regulations were subsequently made which provide for greater scrutiny to assure stakeholders that such sales are appropriate.

The regulations require connected parties to obtain an independent opinion on the purchase of a business and/or its assets where a pre-pack sale is proposed prior to its completion.

The Government keeps these regulations under regular review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions. \p Justin Madders: A small proportion of staff in the Department for Business and Trade have access to AI software tools at the moment. These tools may be used to support the drafting process for responding to written parliamentary questions. All responses are reviewed by policy officials to ensure accuracy and consistency with government policy, and are signed off personally by Ministers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Andrew Griffith:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports of 26 February 2025, Official Report, column 857, what progress his Department has made on creating the new business growth service. \p Gareth Thomas: We have begun engagement and consultation with SMEs, business representative bodies, the devolved governments, local government, the Growth Hubs network and other key stakeholders to determine further details on the design, development and implementation of the Business Growth Service before its launch date this summer.

The Business Growth Service will simplify the government’s business support ecosystem, with locally led support underpinned by an improved online service. It will help realise the government’s Small Business Strategy, complementing the Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy and Make Work Pay plans as part of a comprehensive approach to our Growth Mission.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Microsoft's increase in prices for Office 365. \p Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business and Trade has not conducted a formal assessment on Microsoft's price increase for Office 365.

Microsoft cites the addition of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities as the main reason for higher prices. Digital technologies, including AI, are an important way to improve business efficiency. We are exploring ways to boost uptake through the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce, Technology Adoption Review, and AI Opportunities Action Plan. We also provide a range of other support for small businesses, from the Business Support Service to local Growth Hubs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help improve the representation of women in senior leadership positions within large (a) public and (b) private companies. \p Justin Madders: Promoting equal opportunities for women is a key part of this Government's Plan for Change, ensuring fair access to the best jobs. To that end, the Department for Business and Trade sponsors the FTSE Women Leaders Review, which collaborates with the UK's top public and private companies to achieve at least 40% representation of women on boards and at senior management levels.

The 2025 report evidences real progress in representation of women leaders across the top of UK businesses. The Government will continue to work with UK business and the Review to ensure the continuation of this promising momentum.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has with Ofcom on Royal Mail's performance against their quality service targets. \p Justin Madders: Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues in relation to its role as the regulatory authority for the postal sector.

As an independent regulator, it is for Ofcom to decide how to respond should Royal Mail fail to meet its obligations. While the government does not have a role in Ofcom's regulatory decisions, in January, I met with representatives from Ofcom to discuss the proposed changes to the universal service obligation and the importance of Royal Mail's quality of service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of consolidating dental and veterinary practices into corporate chains on (a) pricing and (b) consumer access; and whether he plans to instruct the Competition and Markets Authority to review these trends. \p Justin Madders: Under competition law, responsibility for investigating individual and market-wide competition issues, including consolidation, falls to the Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA"), the UK's competition authority. The Government has ensured that the CMA has significant powers and expertise to investigate and take action against businesses that abuse dominant positions in markets by excluding competitors or exploiting consumers.

The CMA has discretion to intervene in markets that are not working well for consumers and it is currently conducting a market investigation into veterinary services for household pets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofcom on its decision to investigate Royal Mail on the quality of service performance targets. \p Justin Madders: Ministers and officials meet with Ofcom regularly to discuss a range of issues in relation to its role as the regulatory authority for the postal sector.

As an independent regulator, it is for Ofcom to decide how to respond should Royal Mail fail to meet its obligations. While the government does not have a role in Ofcom’s regulatory decisions, in January, I met with representatives from Ofcom to discuss the proposed changes to the universal service obligation and the importance of Royal Mail’s quality of service.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken towards deciding whether UK will align its regulations with the EU in certain sectors. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: A more cooperative relationship with the EU is in the UK’s national interest, as it will help grow the economy and boost living standards.

All decisions taken by the Government on regulation will be focused on supporting growth across the UK. The Government will draw on evidence gathered though our strong relationships with stakeholders, including industry, trade associations and consumer groups.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) financial incentives and (b) support mechanisms to encourage investment in UK-based sustainable aviation fuel production facilities. \p Sarah Jones: DBT works closely with the Department for Transport and industry to capitalise on the opportunity across the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market. It is estimated that by 2050, up to 15,000 jobs and £5bn GVA in the UK could be supported with future low carbon fuel production for the domestic and international markets. Government has already introduced strong incentives to support the SAF industry in the UK including: the SAF Mandate (effective 1 January 2025), the forthcoming Revenue Certainty Mechanism, and the Advanced Fuels Fund, which is extended for a further year with an additional £63m of funding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mel Stride:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it remains her Department's policy to begin the rollout of the abolition of the Work Capability Assessment and the categories of Limited Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work Related Activity from April 2026. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We’ve been clear that WCA isn’t working and needs to be reformed or replaced.

We are working to develop proposals for reform to the system of health and disability benefits and will set them out in a green paper in the spring.

As part of the Get Britain Working plan, we will support more disabled people and those with health conditions to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the needs of the people they serve.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Dame Caroline Dinenage:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Government's decision not to implement the recommendations of the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024, on the role of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. \p Torsten Bell: The basis for the Government’s decision has been set out by the Secretary of State, deposited in the House of Commons library and is available here: Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigation into Women's State Pension age and associated issues

The Ombudsman does important work, which we respect. We have taken this report seriously, considering the findings in detail. We consider the findings and recommendations of the Ombudsman on a case-by-case basis. Moving forward we will work with the Ombudsman to learn the lessons this investigation can teach us and DWP will develop an action plan that we will publish in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of housing poverty. \p Alison McGovern: Poverty statistics are published on both a before housing costs and after housing costs basis. An assessment can therefore be made on the impact of housing costs on poverty over time.

Statistics on the number of individuals living in absolute and relative poverty in the UK are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication at Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab). The latest available data can also be found on Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/. The latest statistics published on 21 March 2024 are for the financial period 2022/23.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of Universal Credit payments made to foreign nationals in 2024. \p Andrew Western: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. The Department is exploring the feasibility of developing suitable official statistics related to the immigration status of non-UK / Irish Universal Credit customers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mel Stride:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Tables in the document entitled Work Capability Assessment Reform: update to estimated number of claimants affected, dated 18 April 2024, what her Department's estimate is of the number of claimants moved into each of those categories in the 2029-30 financial year. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The figures requested can be found in the table below:

Note – This reform was planned and made by the previous Government, but the figures reflect the latest OBR forecasts and assumptions.

Number of claimants affected by Work Capability Assessment Reform, Great Britain

Moved from LCWRA to LCW

2029-30

Totals

448,000

Total moved due to removing the LCWRA ‘mobilising’ descriptor

282,000

Total moved due to amending the LCWRA ‘risk’ descriptor

136,000

Moved from LCW to IWS

2029-30

Total moved

34,000

Total moved due to amending the LCW ‘getting about’ descriptor

34,000

Source: Internal Work Capability Assessment Reform Policy Costing model

Notes to tables:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-05)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions. \p Andrew Western: DWP has access to AI software tools to support day-to-day workings such as the drafting process for responding to written parliamentary questions. The terms of use are clear that the license holder must review the content provided by the tool. All responses are drafted and reviewed by policy officials to ensure accuracy and consistency with government policy, and are signed off by Ministers.