theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the answer of 4 November 2025 to question UIN 86627, has the Minister convened the roundtable together with with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the Post Office and key banks on potentially expanding the range of banking services available at post offices. \p Blair McDougall: Together with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, I plan to co-chair a roundtable with the Post Office and key banks. Due to diary constraints this has not been possible yet but will happen in due course.

Exploring opportunities for further collaboration between Post Office and the banking sector remains a priority and I plan to continue raising the issue at all appropriate opportunities, including the upcoming roundtable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to respond to the Putting Fans First consultation, which closed on 4 April 2025. \p Kate Dearden: The government response to "Putting fans first: consultation on the resale of live events tickets" was published on 19 November. The government response sets out new measures to end the scourge of ticket touting and put fans back at the heart of live events - including a resale price cap which will make it illegal to resell a ticket for more than it was originally purchased for.

A copy of the government response can be found at: Putting fans first: consultation on the resale of live events tickets - GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support UK car manufacturers in developing and commercialising solid-state battery technology. \p Chris McDonald: The Government has made the UK's largest single commitment to battery R&D of £452 million to 2030 in the new Battery Innovation Programme (BIP). This programme builds on the Faraday Battery Challenge to drive cross-sector innovation in emerging and next generation technologies, including Solid-State Batteries. BIP will target technical skills gaps to develop engineers and scientists of the future, connect academic researchers with UK industry, and fund investor partnerships that improve access to investment for innovative battery companies ready to commercialise and scale in the UK.

This sits alongside DRIVE35, our long-term £2.5 billion commitment to zero emission vehicle manufacturing which provides capital support and additional R&D funding for strategic vehicle technologies, accelerating their commercial scale-up.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing double summer time. \p Kate Dearden: The government believes the current daylight-saving arrangements represent the optimal use of the available daylight across the UK. The government believes now would not be the time to make changes that would require considerable planning and action by business. Since the government does not currently intend to make changes to the existing system, we will not be conducting an assessment of the potential merits of introducing double summer time.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the number of people employed a) by UK bus manufacturers and b) UK companies within the bus manufacturing supply chain; and what steps he is taking to increase jobs in this sector. \p Chris McDonald: According to industry estimates, the UK Bus Manufacturing sector employs around 4,300 people directly with approximately 13,000 in the supply chain. HMG is committed to boosting the UK bus manufacturing sector’s competitiveness, accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles and increasing jobs. This includes the £2.5bn DRIVE35, to support R&D in strategic vehicle technologies, accelerate their commercial scale-up, and unlock investment across zero emission vehicle manufacturing, including buses. In addition, HMG announced £15.6 billion for Transport for City Regions alongside a Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel bringing local leaders together to translate funding and reform plans into a steady and growing pipeline of manufacturing orders.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what financial support his Department provides to the recycled plastic industry. \p Chris McDonald: Government is committed to improving the business environment for the recycled plastic industry. This includes support for eligible firms through the Energy Intensive Industry relief schemes, depending on scheme eligibility criteria and firm levels of electricity usage. Other mechanisms include the market-based Packaging Waste Recycling Notes (PRN) system that provides direct funding to the reprocessing sector.

DEFRA’s collection and packaging reforms will also stimulate investment in recycling services and provide feedstock certainty, and while we cannot endorse individual technologies, Government have a range of funding sources available to support innovative and emerging technologies within this space through Innovate UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of how imported plastic from Saudi Arabia might impact on the viability of domestic recycled plastic production. \p Chris McDonald: The Department for Business and Trade has not made any specific assessment of the impact of plastic imports from Saudi Arabia on domestic recycled plastic production.

We are, however, working to ensure the viability of domestic production. This year marks the start of DEFRA’s collection and packaging reforms and a Deposit Return Scheme which will provide feedstock certainty through guaranteeing supply of materials for recycling, whilst also stimulating private investment in infrastructure. Government departments also continue to work closely together to identify interventions necessary to stabilise the sector and set it up for success.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Gurinder Singh Josan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to increase levels of housebuilding. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is taking concerted action to significantly boost housing supply in England including undertaking the biggest overhaul of the planning system in decades; speeding up the delivery of stalled sites through our New Homes Accelerator; and making the biggest boost to social and affordable grant funding in a generation.
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Dawn Butler:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of devolving powers to Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities to allow them to introduce overnight accommodation levies. \p Alison McGovern: Tax policy is a matter for fiscal events.

The Government keeps all tax policy under review.
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Dr Kieran Mullan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Planning Inspectorate has consulted Wealden District Council on the application to use the Crowborough Training Camp for asylum seeker accommodation. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Planning Inspectorate has no record of receiving an application or appeal in relation to the site in question.   I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 91420 on 20 November 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with landlord and tenant organisations on abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department engaged with a range of landlord and tenant organisations during development of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and looks forward to ongoing engagement with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation of this transformative Act.
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Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish guidance on the minimum time and notice period required under section 293B(7) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. \p Matthew Pennycook: Paragraph 60 of the government’s Planning Practice Guidance on Crown Development and Urgent Crown Development makes clear that once an application is ‘accepted’ under the Urgent Crown Development route the Secretary will notify the relevant local planning authority.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question HL10289 on England: Anniversaries, if he will make it his policy to support the recognition of the 1100th anniversary of England's establishment as a unified state. \p Samantha Dixon: Further to the response to HL10289 on 17 September 2025, MHCLG currently has no plans as we are not responsible for anniversaries of this type. All policy announcements will be made in the usual way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Derek Twigg:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, How many housing development applications refused by local authorities have had decisions subsequently been overturned by planning inspectors in each year since 2015. \p Matthew Pennycook: The table below shows housing development applications refused by local planning authorities and subsequently overturned on appeal, as well as total housing development appeal decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate between the years 2015 and 2025:

Year

Total overturned

Housing development decisions

2015

1,977

6,793

2016

2,621

9,063

2017

2,192

7,928

2018

2,018

7,256

2019

2,091

8,625

2020

1,466

6,618

2021

1,443

5,933

2022

1,392

5,492

2023

1,480

5,847

2024

1,561

6,353

2025

1,243

4,532
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has assessed the potential merits of introducing a statutory Code of Practice on the Sikh articles of faith to help prevent discrimination against (a) public sector workers and (b) users of public services. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: This Government attaches great importance of correctly applying equalities legislation in the public sector to avoid discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, one of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) regulates equality law across England, Wales and Scotland, and human rights across England and Wales, and is independent of government. It has published Code of Practice on Equal pay, Employment and Services, public functions and associations. These Codes of Practice provide individuals, businesses, employers and public authorities the information they need to understand the Act, exercise their rights, and meet their responsibilities, including on the basis of religion or belief.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85795 on MHCLG: Glenigan, what planning metrics are provided to his Department by Glenigan. \p Matthew Pennycook: Glenigan provide data on residential development sites and planning applications. Data fields include site dimensions, date application submitted, date application decided, decision outcome, number of proposed units, application type, site location, and planning authority, among other details.

My Department also receive a calculated metric on the number of homes granted planning permission at detailed and reserved matters stage each quarter. This is published in My Department’s quarterly planning applications statistics release.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to make it easier for local planning authorities to decline repeat applications for development that has already been refused. \p Matthew Pennycook: Under Sections 70A and 70B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, local planning authorities already have powers to decline to determine applications if they have previously refused permission for two or more substantially similar applications on the same site, or if a substantially similar application has been rejected by the Secretary of State on appeal or following call-in, within the past two years.
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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for requiring estate managers to join an approved redress scheme, under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).
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Steff Aquarone:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of rural exception site policy in securing affordable rented housing in perpetuity for local people in rural and coastal towns. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 57293 on 16 June 2025.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many Section 21 eviction notices were issued in each of the last five financial years, broken down by local authority. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department does not hold data on Section 21 evictions issued by landlords.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

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Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of consumer protections relating to private parking companies. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is aware of motorist concerns regarding poor practice from some private parking operators and is determined to raise standards.

In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government is preparing a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.

The government has recently consulted on its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators to follow. The consultation closed on 26 September, and the government will respond in due course.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85794 on Shops: Planning Permission, whether powers to block unwanted shops would apply to shops that are not otherwise long-term empty. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is introducing a number of powers to block unwanted shops that are not otherwise long-term empty.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will provide powers for ministers to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products to support legitimate businesses. The scheme will be subject to consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care before regulations are introduced.

Furthermore, we will introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing, when parliamentary time allows. This will give councils greater control over the number of gambling outlets in their areas, helping to ensure a healthy mix of premises on their high streets.

Wider powers, such as streamlined compulsory purchase orders and community right to buy, will support local control and curation of high streets.
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Sadik Al-Hassan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support the provision of new Integrated Retirement Communities. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consumer protections for leaseholders undertaking informal lease extensions, in the context of the (a) absence of specialist qualification requirements for solicitors handling such transactions, (b) exclusion of lease extension advice from Financial Conduct Authority regulation and (c) lack of price controls in the informal extension process. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has considered the adequacy of consumer protections for leaseholders undertaking informal lease extensions as part of the wider package of leasehold reform.

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 already provides some protections by restricting the ground rent payable following a non-statutory lease extension. Given that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 will make the statutory route cheaper and easier, we expect more leaseholders to use it in future.

Solicitors must meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s strict education, training, and ethical standards and maintain competence throughout their careers. While there is no statutory requirement for specialist qualifications in lease-extension work, solicitors are professionally obliged to act only where competent and to provide a proper standard of service. Consumer protections include mandatory professional indemnity insurance, access to the Legal Ombudsman, and SRA enforcement powers.

The government and Parliament set the rules for financial services and decide which activities require official approval. These rules are detailed because financial products are varied and complex. The costs and benefits of bringing activities into the regulatory perimeter can be finely balanced, which is why the government is committed to regulating only where there is a clear case for doing so.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85784 on Local Government Finance, which local authorities have submitted disposal flexibility requests and had them approved since 4 July 2024. \p Alison McGovern: The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts general direction was introduced in 2016 by the previous government and remains substantively unchanged.

As set out in the general direction and guidance, local authorities intending to use the discretionary freedoms must provide the government with details of their planned use of the flexibility. This is to make sure that the government is adequately sighted on the use of the flexibility and can monitor how it is used. Government does not, however, approve the plans or any specific use of the flexibility. Local authorities remain responsible for appropriately complying with the direction and guidance, and ensuring their decisions are in the best interests of local residents.

Government does not publish details of the plans submitted by local authorities, but authorities should, in accordance with the guidance that accompanies the direction, make their strategies publicly available, and use of the flexibility should be reported in the annual statement of accounts.

The table below illustrates the total number of local authorities who submitted their strategies under the direction for the last three financial years:

2023-24

2024-25

2025-26

73

89

60
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with representatives of the build-to-rent sector on the effect of regulatory delays on property transactions and investment inflows. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department engages regularly with the sector on a range of issues.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's website entitled Make things right, published in October 2025, what was the cost to the public purse of the translation into six languages; and on what basis were those languages chosen. \p Matthew Pennycook: The cost of translations for the Make Things Right campaign website was £1,081.20. Translations were made of the languages social housing tenants who have English as a second language are most likely to speak.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to align the Construction Skills Mission Board to (a) training provision and (b) (i) local and (ii) regional labour needs. \p Andrew Western: To ensure employers can work collaboratively to secure the workforce needed to meet future demand, the Government is sponsoring a new Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB). Chaired by Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair of Mace, the Board will provide strategic leadership to the construction sector and develop an Industry led Construction Skills Action Plan.

The CSMB will work closely with Government to ensure that industry is well aligned to key initiatives within the Construction Skills Package, including Skills Bootcamps, apprenticeships, and industry placement development, ensuring these programmes reflect industry needs. It will work closely with training providers to align curricula with modern construction practices and sustainability standards.

The Board will work collaboratively with Mayoral Combined Authorities and local partners to support the effective use of devolved funding and ensure interventions reflect regional priorities. Skills England will take a national view of skills gaps and work with local partners including Mayoral Strategic Authorities to ensure provision meets the needs of learners and employers. This approach ensures national programmes remain responsive to local priorities while maintaining consistency in quality and outcomes.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87663, what first degree subjects have the lowest share of learners entering priority occupations; and what steps he is taking to improve alignment in those areas. \p Andrew Western: The proportion of first degree (level 6) higher education learners entering priority occupations by subject is published in the Accompanying tables for the Assessment of priority skills to 2030. This table is copied below.

Subject

Share of employed learners entering priority occupations (%)

Nursing and midwifery

97

Medicine and dentistry

96

Medical sciences

81

Architecture, building and planning

79

Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy

78

Allied health

73

Computing

70

Engineering

68

Economics

65

Physics and astronomy

60

Mathematical sciences

57

Chemistry

56

Business and management

53

Health and social care

51

Languages and area studies

49

Biosciences

48

Geography, earth and environmental studies

48

Politics

48

Law

47

Media, journalism and communications

46

General, applied and forensic sciences

44

Materials and technology

44

History and archaeology

44

Combined and general studies

43

Psychology

42

Philosophy and religious studies

42

English studies

39

Creative arts and design

35

Sociology, social policy and anthropology

33

Agriculture, food and related studies

32

Performing arts

31

Sport and exercise sciences

25

Education and teaching

10

Veterinary sciences

8

The DfE and Skills England are working closely together to publish labour market information and support informed student choice, helping provision respond to economic demand and maintaining the breadth of provision needed for a strong and flexible workforce. Many jobs outside the priority occupations are highly productive and needed for the wider economy.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the health of the labour market, in light of the number of unemployed people and job vacancies. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Economic growth is a priority for this Government. Building a thriving and inclusive labour market and increasing the number of people in work is central to achieving the Government’s number one mission to grow the economy, and delivering our missions to spread opportunity and improve the health of the nation.

In November 2024, we set out our plan in the Get Britain Working White Paper, with three main pillars:

Since the start of the year, over 329,000 more people have moved into employment. Rising employment and falling inactivity have also contributed to there now being a record number (34.3 million) of working-aged people who are economically active. The UK has the 3rd highest employment rate in the G7 and had the fastest growing economy in the G7 in the first half the year. Since July 2024, real wages have risen more than in the first ten years of the previous government.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department holds data on the number of (a) starts, (b) completions and (c) licences obtained from the HGV providers (i) System Group and (ii) Qube. \p Andrew Western: The government carries out assurance and financial reconciliation exercises of Skills Bootcamps across all sectors, including the HGV sector.

The department publishes data on Skills Bootcamps starts, completions and outcomes by sector. This can be found here; Skills bootcamps starts, completions and outcomes, Financial year 2023-24 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK. The department does not publish this information by provider.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 86589 on Construction: Apprentices and Training, how the Construction Support Package is being allocated by (a) region and (b) type of training. \p Andrew Western: On 23 March 2025, the Government announced a construction support package worth £625 million to tackle the acute shortage of skilled workers in the construction sector.

(a) By Region Construction Skills Package funding for initiatives including Industry Placement Support, FE Teacher Industry Exchange, and capital support to Construction Technical Excellence Colleges will be devolved to Mayoral Combined Authorities where they exist. Skills Bootcamps are delivered nationally through provider contracts.

(b) By Type of Training The package includes a range of interventions, including:
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2024 to Question 88403 on Social Security Benefits: Foreign Nationals and with reference to the Universal Credit statistics, 29 April 2013 to 12 June 2025, published on 15 July 2025, what progress his Department has made on producing Immigration and Nationality statistics for (a) Universal Credit and b) other benefits. \p Andrew Western: Since first publishing the Universal Credit statistics by immigration status and nationality group on 15 July 2025, the Department has published regular updates, with the latest, published on 11 November 2025, covering statistics to October 2025.

The Department checks immigration status when assessing eligibility for benefits, but this information is not collated centrally across all benefit lines and hence is not readily available.
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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that paying parents who owe child maintenance are held responsible; and that enforcement action is taken to recover arrears and support children in separated families. \p Andrew Western: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring separated parents support their children financially, taking robust enforcement action against those who do not.

If paying parents fail to meet their financial obligation to their children, the CMS has a range of strong enforcement powers including deduction from earnings orders and bank accounts, removing a parent’s passport or driving license and commitment to prison.

In the past year to June 2025, CMS collected £202m through administrative and legal enforcement actions (including deduction from earnings orders and requests) which is increasing year on year and is the highest amount collected through the administration of robust collection and enforcement powers.

We are working to introduce administrative liability orders (ALOs) which will replace the current requirement for the CMS to apply to the court for a liability order. Introducing a simpler administrative process will enable the CMS to take faster action against those paying parents who actively avoid their responsibilities and will get money to children more quickly.

Once in operation, we expect the new liability order process in the majority of cases to take around 6 weeks. Changes will mean the CMS can use its strong enforcement powers more quickly to go after those who wilfully avoid their financial obligations to their children.

We are working with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Government to establish a process for implementing ALOs and plan to introduce regulations to Parliament as soon as possible.
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Adam Thompson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) organisations delivering commercial flooring apprenticeships and (b) other independent specialist training providers can access funding and opportunities at parity with large further education colleges delivering for trades. \p Andrew Western: The funding band of each apprenticeship standard sets out the maximum amount that the government will contribute to the costs of apprenticeship training and assessment. This is irrespective of the type or size of funding provider.

New training providers can enter the apprenticeship training market under one of the three entry routes in place: where there is a legitimate gap in provision that is generated by unmet employer demand, where a levy paying employer wants to become an employer-provider to train its own workforce, or where the provider is in an area we want to grow or where we identify a capacity issue.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_468

Luke Akehurst:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department will introduce Access to Work Adjustment Passports for all claimants. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Health Adjustment Passports are voluntary and available to everyone with a health condition or disability.

The Health Adjustment Passport enables disabled people to move more easily into employment and between job roles and reduces the need to repeat personal information about their disability. The Passport supports transitions into employment by providing a tool to enable disabled people to have structured conversations with employers about disability. It acts as a transferable record of the adjustments needed, along with sign posts to available support including Access to Work (AtW).

If an individual chooses to share the passport with their employer, it can help to raise the visibility of adjustments and highlight support available, including AtW. In the event the user applies for AtW support, the passport can aid an assessment by providing health and disability information beforehand, enabling support to be put in place more quickly.

Further information on the Health Adjustments Passport can be found on: Health Adjustment Passport - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_469
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_469

Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the level of spending on health and disability benefits in 2030. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Forecast spending on disability and incapacity benefits in 2029-30 can be found in Table 4 of DWP’s Spring Statement 2025 Benefit Expenditure and Caseload publication.

Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2025 - GOV.UK
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_470
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_470

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Access to Work scheme in supporting disabled people into (a) sustained employment and (b) meaningful work experience. \p Sir Stephen Timms: No changes have been made to Access to Work policy. We will be reviewing all aspects of the Scheme now that the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation has closed. We are considering responses to the consultation and will set out our plans in due course.

We are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, and in particular disabled people and their representatives.
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_471
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_471

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the migration process for claimants transitioning from income-related Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit; and what measures are in place to ensure that vulnerable individuals are adequately supported during this transition. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reviews and amends its approach for migration to Universal Credit based on lessons learned from earlier migrations (Tax Credits, Income Support) and continues to refine support strategies for customers.

We recognise that many claimants making this transition have complex health conditions and additional needs, which can make the process particularly challenging. DWP is committed to ensuring that these individuals receive the support they need.

We have dedicated support mechanisms in place for customers with vulnerabilities. This includes clear communication, accessible guidance and personalised assistance where needed.

The Migration Notice itself signposts to our helpline, gov.uk website and ‘Help to Claim’, a service provided by Citizens Advice Bureau. Contact via these routes allows further support to be provided, based on individual need from the outset.

All Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) customers who have not made their claim to Universal Credit within two weeks of the deadline of their migration notice will automatically enter the Enhanced Support journey. This journey provides tailored and flexible assistance, including phone calls and home visits, to support the migration process.

We recognise that the digital nature of Universal Credit can pose significant challenges for claimants with learning disabilities, dyslexia, or limited digital literacy. To address this, we offer alternative access routes, including telephone support and face-to-face appointments, which can be arranged upon request. Additionally, Universal Credit statements and letters are written and formatted in plain English and undergo rigorous content design testing to ensure clarity and accessibility. DWP is regularly reviewing its correspondence templates to ensure that responses are concise, clear and free from unnecessary technical language while maintaining transparency and accuracy.

Furthermore, Jobcentre staff are trained to discuss complex needs and vulnerabilities. There is a facility in the Universal Credit account to record these, along with any agreed reasonable adjustments. Customers can request email communications, home visits, or support from an authorised representative (family member, friend, or adviser).

In addition to this, we also offer:

DWP continues to review and iterate our services to optimise our services and any further feedback is welcomed.
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_472
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_472

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress his Department has made on working with expert stakeholders to review the impact of four-weekly employer pay cycles on Universal Credit payments. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We are committed to reviewing Universal Credit, to make sure it is doing the job we want it to, to make work pay and tackle poverty. As part of the review we have considered the impact that fluctuating incomes including those paid on a four-weekly cycle has on households including engaging with expert stakeholders and those with direct experience. The Department is considering this insight and will provide updates on the review in due course.
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_473
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_473

Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that sufficient entry-level employment opportunities are available for graduates; and to support employers in providing roles which enable graduates to gain the experience necessary to progress in their careers. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Whilst UK graduates continue to have strong and above-average employment rates, we recognise some face challenges in getting jobs. Starting out in the world of work is a pivotal moment for young people, where the right support at the right time can help jobseekers to access better opportunities and significantly improve labour market participation.

This is why Jobcentre Plus provides personalised support, from CV advice to interview coaching, and connects graduates to roles through partners like Milkround, Gradplus, and Prospects. Jobcentres also have strong links with universities and signpost graduates to specialist support. To support employers, Jobcentre District Employer & Partnership teams work with them to promote local opportunities and provide suitable employment and skills support, where appropriate.

We are working collaboratively with employers to shape the new Jobs and Careers Service to meet their diverse needs, including helping graduates find meaningful work and develop the skills to progress in their careers.
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_474
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_474

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to address the lack of growth in the 16-64 employment rate in the past year. \p Dame Diana Johnson: Our Get Britain Working White Paper set out ambitious plans to transform employment support, tackle rising levels of health-related economic inactivity and move towards an 80% employment rate .

Since publication we have made rapid progress delivering on our three key interconnected pillars which are driving change including;
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_475
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_475

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of levels of employment in the (a) software and (b) computer industries. \p Dame Diana Johnson: No assessment has been made of the levels of employment in (a) software and (b) computer industries.

However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) does publish employment by industry which includes the Information & Communication industrial sector here: EMP13: Employment by industry - Office for National Statistics and EMP14: Employees and self-employed by industry - Office for National Statistics.

The ONS also publishes employment estimates from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information by industry here: Earnings and employment from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information, seasonally adjusted - Office for National Statistics.
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_476
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_476

Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in (a) the East Midlands, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the East of England in March of each of the last five years up to 2025. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The information requested is provided in the table below as a snapshot of the PIP caseload with active Motability contracts in July of each of the last 5 years.

Jul-21

Jul-22

Jul-23

Jul-24

Jul-25

North East

21,500

22,400

25,100

30,300

34,500

North West

58,800

61,300

68,900

83,900

96,400

Yorkshire and The Humber

34,200

35,700

40,300

50,100

57,900

East Midlands

34,400

36,100

40,400

48,400

54,600

West Midlands

45,200

47,100

53,100

63,700

72,000

East of England

30,300

32,000

36,600

45,000

52,600

London

32,000

34,700

40,500

52,200

63,500

South East

36,500

38,700

44,300

54,900

65,000

South West

29,000

30,400

33,700

40,600

46,600

Wales

34,000

35,200

38,700

45,200

50,300

Notes

- Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.

- Figures include both Normal Rules and Special Rules for End of Life claimants.

- Yearly figures are a snapshot of the PIP caseload with an active Motability contract in July of each of the last 5 years.
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_477
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_477

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of (a) emissions and (b) environmental impacts associated with supply chains in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Michael Shanks: (a) Defra publishes statistics each year on the UK’s carbon footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chains of goods and services used by UK residents. These data are also available for England only. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uks-carbon-footprint

(b) In June the government consulted on a framework of policies to build the market for low-carbon industrial products, alongside the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan. The policies aim to deliver the guidance, tools, and levers to enable buyers to make informed choices through better information on the carbon content of industrial goods, with an initial focus on the steel, cement, and concrete sectors.
wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_478
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-24)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-24 conversation_478

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many applications for air-to-air heat pump grants have been received since the expansion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. \p Martin McCluskey: The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers grants of £7,500 for hydronic heat pumps only – air and ground source.

On 18 November, the Government published the response to the consultation, which closed on 11 June, on proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The Government will begin to provide grants with a value of £2,500, to support the installation of air-to-air heat pumps in domestic properties from next year.