theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_14

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Young Carers Covenant. \p Sir Stephen Timms: I have met young adult carers since taking up my current role last July and plan to do so again in future. I also work very closely with Ministerial colleagues in the Departments for Education and Health and Social Care, and we regularly discuss the help and support that young adult carers need and deserve and how the Government can meet the principles of the Young Carers Covenant.

The Department for Education (DfE) has oversight of Government support for young carers in England.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_15
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to review the eligibility rules for Carer’s Allowance for claimants receiving the State Pension. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Although there is no upper age limit to claiming Carer’s Allowance, it cannot normally be paid with the State Pension. It has been a long-held feature of the GB benefit system, under successive Governments, that where someone is entitled to two benefits for the same contingency, then whilst there may be entitlement to both benefits, only one will be paid to avoid duplication for the same need. Although entitlement to State Pension and Carer’s Allowance arise in different circumstances they are nevertheless designed for the same contingency – as an income replacement. Carer’s Allowance replaces income where the carer has given up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to care for a severely disabled person and is unable to undertake full time employment due to their caring responsibilities, while State Pension replaces income in retirement. For this reason, social security rules operate to prevent them being paid together, to avoid duplicate provision for the same need.

However, if a carer’s State Pension is less than Carer's Allowance, State Pension is paid and topped up with Carer's Allowance to the basic weekly rate of Carer's Allowance which is currently £83.30.

Where Carer’s Allowance cannot be paid, the person will keep underlying entitlement to the benefit. This gives access to the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit of £46.40 a week and potentially other means-tested support. Around 100,000 people are receiving the Carer Premium with their Pension Credit. And even if a pensioner’s income is above the limit for Pension Credit, they may still be able to receive Housing Benefit.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_16
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of PIP decisions for people with MS have been overturned on appeal in the last five years, by region. \p Sir Stephen Timms: For the proportion of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) New Claim and DLA reassessment decisions, for claimants with MS as main medical condition, overturned at appeal stage by region for the last five Financial Years, see Table 1 below.

Table 1: the percentage of PIP New Claim and DLA reassessment decisions, for claimants with MS as main medical condition, overturned at appeal stage by region for the last five Financial Years

Region of Initial New Claim or DLA reassessment decision

Financial Year of Initial Decision

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

East Midlands

9%

6%

10%

6%

6%

East of England

6%

6%

8%

9%

5%

London

9%

7%

10%

8%

5%

North East

5%

3%

8%

6%

6%

North West

7%

8%

8%

11%

6%

South East

7%

7%

8%

9%

4%

South West

7%

7%

11%

8%

4%

West Midlands

7%

3%

5%

10%

6%

Yorkshire and The Humber

8%

7%

6%

7%

6%

Total England

7%

6%

8%

8%

5%

Wales

8%

3%

12%

7%

7%

For the proportion of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Award Review and Change of Circumstances decisions, for claimants with MS as main medical condition, overturned at appeal stage by region for the last five Financial Years, see Table 2 below.

Table 2: the percentage of PIP Award Review and Change of Circumstances decisions, for claimants with MS as main medical condition, overturned at appeal stage by region for the last five Financial Years

Region of Initial Award Review and Change of Circumstances decision

Financial Year of Initial Decision

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

East Midlands

4%

2%

2%

3%

5%

East of England

3%

2%

2%

2%

2%

London

6%

2%

3%

3%

5%

North East

3%

1%

1%

1%

3%

North West

3%

2%

2%

3%

3%

South East

5%

3%

2%

2%

4%

South West

4%

3%

3%

3%

4%

West Midlands

5%

3%

1%

4%

6%

Yorkshire and The Humber

3%

2%

2%

3%

4%

Total England

4%

2%

2%

3%

4%

Wales

4%

2%

2%

5%

4%

Source(s): PIP Administrative Data

Notes:
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_17
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Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people with multiple sclerosis who are expected to lose eligibility for Personal Independence Payment under the proposed reforms to the assessment criteria. \p Sir Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 58296 on 16th June 2025.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) health-related and (b) disability benefits in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire from 2025-26 to 2029-30 inclusive. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Department does not produce forecasts of benefit expenditure at parliamentary constituency, county, or local authority level. Forecasts for health-related and disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Universal Credit (UC) are produced at a national level and are published every Autumn and Spring in our Benefit Expenditure and Caseload Tables.

These forecasts are based on national caseload trends, policy assumptions, and economic conditions. While constituency and county-level data is available for some benefits, it is not used to produce localised expenditure forecasts as numerous forecast assumptions would need to be made at these localised levels, requiring local intelligence and knowledge of local factors, vastly increasing the amount of resource needed to produce such forecasts.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_20
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to co-ordinate support for unpaid carers. \p Sir Stephen Timms: We recognise the tireless hard work and dedication of unpaid carers and young carers in this country. We know that unpaid carers do so much to look after their loved ones and that while many people wish to play a caring role, it can bring challenges. We are determined to provide carers with the recognition and support they deserve.

That is why Ministers from the Departments of Health and Social Care, Work and Pensions, Business and Trade, and Education have formed an unpaid carers ministerial group and will meet regularly.

We are determined to work together, so that carers are identified by health and care services and supported to provide care, where appropriate, and better manage their own health wellbeing; able to enter into, or stay in, paid work should they choose to do so and prevented from falling into poverty; and supported so that they do not face barriers to opportunities due to the impact of caring.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_21
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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to introduce reforms to the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments before the conclusion of her Department's review of the Personal Independence Payment assessment process. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Subject to Parliamentary approval, the proposed reforms will take effect only at the point of a claimant’s next scheduled award review after November 2026.

In parallel, we have launched a comprehensive review of the PIP assessment process, which I shall lead. The review aims to ensure the assessment remains fit for the future and continues to support those with the greatest needs. We are currently in the first phase of this work, engaging with disabled people, representative organisations, and other stakeholders to shape the scope, timings, and approach of the review. The Terms of Reference will be published once this initial engagement is complete.

We envisage the Review as the vehicle for any changes to be made to the assessment.
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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which organisations she plans to have discussions with during the review of the Personal Independence Payment assessment process. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Through the review of the PIP assessment, we want to make sure that the PIP assessment is fit for the future. We have now begun the first phase of this review, during which I am speaking to stakeholders to gather views on how best to approach the review.

We will work closely with disabled people, the organisations that support them and other experts, to ensure that the voices of those who go through the PIP assessment and those with expertise in the system are embedded in the review.

We are committed to listening to and learning from people with a range of expertise and experience. As part of the review process, we will be engaging extensively with a variety of stakeholders to input and shape the direction of the review.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_23
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_23

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58330 on Poverty: Children, what role local authorities will play in delivering the Child Poverty Strategy; and how she plans to ensure consistency in support across different regions. \p Alison McGovern: Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious child poverty strategy which we will publish in the Autumn. It is important we take the time to get it right to ensure we deliver fully funded measures which tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty.

As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund, supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. We also announced the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation and £13.2bn including Barnett impact across the Parliament for the Warm Homes Plan.

Our commitments at SR 2025 come on top of the existing action we have taken, including expanding free breakfast clubs, capping the number of branded school uniform items children are expected to wear, increasing the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions.

The UK Government is committed to tackling child poverty across the UK where progress is contingent on reserved, devolved, and local levers. The Child Poverty Taskforce is working with the Devolved Governments alongside strategic, combined and local authorities to develop a comprehensive Child Poverty Strategy. Local authorities have also been a key part of our approach to learning directly about the experience of poverty in different communities and solutions already underway.

The Taskforce recognises the distinct challenges of poverty faced by children living in rural and coastal areas, and we are considering all children across the UK in the development of the strategy. To shape and inform these plans, the Taskforce is listening to experts and campaigners and engaging with families, charities, and leading organisations across the UK, including rural and coastal communities.
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Yasmin Qureshi:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that Personal Independence Payment assessments make an adequate assessment of claimants’ (a) physical symptoms and (b) medical evidence and (c) other supporting evidence. \p Sir Stephen Timms: PIP assessors give due consideration to all available evidence when completing their advice to the Department. DWP decision makers also consider all available evidence when making entitlement decisions on PIP.

The Department closely monitors all aspects of the process including the performance of the assessment providers and the quality of assessments. All providers work with the department on plans to continuously improve assessment quality through a range of measures including audit, clinical observations, tailored training and development plans, providing feedback and in the support available to assessors.

We set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper our intention to improve the experience for people who use the system of health and disability benefits. This includes exploring ways to improve PIP assessments through digitalising transfer of medical information.

We announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper that we will, in future, record assessments by default, unless the claimant asks that the assessment should not be recorded. This will give us the means to check what happened when an assessment is found later to have been incorrect, and, we expect, an effective lever for improvement
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to increase the effectiveness of the assessment process for Personal Independence Payments. \p Sir Stephen Timms: The Health Transformation Programme is transforming the entire Personal Independence Payment service, from finding out about benefits through to decisions, eligibility, and payments. It will modernise the service to improve efficiency and customer experience. This includes introducing new options to apply online, improving how we gather health information, and tailoring the process to the customer’s needs and circumstances.

We announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper that we will, in future, record assessments by default, unless the claimant asks that the assessment should not be recorded. This will give us the means to check what happened when an assessment is found later to have been incorrect, and, we expect, an effective lever for improvement

We have also launched a review of the PIP assessment, which I am leading. Through the review, we want to make sure the PIP assessment is fit for the future. We have now begun the first phase of this work which includes speaking to stakeholders to gather views on how best to approach the review.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_26
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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will issue guidance on how disabled people can maintain their national insurance contributions needed to qualify for full state pension if (a) their household income is above the Universal Credit threshold due to a partner’s income and (b) they can only claim the replacement for new style Employment and Support Allowance for 6-12 months. \p Sir Stephen Timms: As part of the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper published in March 2025 we are consulting on establishing a new “Unemployment Insurance” benefit through the reform of contributory working-age benefits. Unemployment Insurance would be a new non-means tested entitlement for people who have contributed into the system and replace existing NS JSA and NS ESA. Policy on the new Unemployment Insurance is being developed, and we will be considering the detailed contributory related entitlement conditions with further detail to be published in a White Paper in Autumn.

.
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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in receipt of Personal Independent Payment in Dulwich and West Norwood constituency scored (a) 8-11, (b) 12-15, (c) 15-18, (d) 18-21 and (e) more than 21 points for the daily living elements but did not score more than four in any single criteria in the most recent reporting year. \p Sir Stephen Timms: For information on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants who did not score 4 or more points in any daily living activity by aggregated point scores please see table 1 below.

Table 1: volume of PIP claimants who did not score 4 or more points in any one daily living activity by their total daily living point score for Dulwich and West Norwood Parliamentary Constituency

Total Daily Living Point Score

Volume of PIP claimants

Less than 8

150

8-11

1,710

12-15

-

16-18

-

19-21

330

21+

-

Notes:

There are 330 PIP claimants who scored more than 12 points in the daily living activities, but did not score more than 4 in any single criteria, in the Dulwich and West Norwood constituency.

The number of people currently on PIP who did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to lose PIP in future. It’s important to make a clear distinction between the two, not least because we don’t want constituents to be unnecessarily fearful about their situation, when we understand many are already anxious. Someone who did not score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment as conditions change over time.

No one will lose access to PIP immediately - and most people will not lose access at all. Our intention is that changes will start to come into effect from November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval and will only apply at a claimant’s next scheduled award review, which on average occurs every three years. At that point, a claimant will be reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional based on their individual needs and circumstances.

After accounting for behavioural changes, the OBR predicts that 9 out 10 PIP recipients at the time of policy implementation are expected to be unaffected by the PIP 4-point change in 2029/30. Despite the reforms, the overall number of people on PIP and DLA is expected to increase by 750,000 by the end of this Parliament and spending is projected to rise from £23 billion in 2024/25 to £31 billion in 2029/30.

We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including ensuring health and care needs are met. We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment to make it fair and fit for purpose, which I am leading. We are bringing together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this. We will provide further details as plans progress.
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Rachael Maskell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to assess the impact of losing PIP to people in employment. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Approximately 17% of current PIP claimants are in employment.

The Office of Budget Responsibility has committed to produce an assessment of the labour market impacts of the proposals in the Pathways to Work Green Paper at the time of the autumn budget.

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’(opens in a new tab).

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_29
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Fred Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the level of Maternity Allowance. \p Andrew Western: The Secretary of State is required by law to undertake an annual review of benefits and the State Pension, including statutory pay. This is based on a review of trends in prices and earnings growth in the preceding year.

From April 2025 the standard rate of Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance increased by September 2024’s CPI figure of 1.7% from £184.03 to £187.18 per week.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_30
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David Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support young people into work in Hertfordshire. \p Alison McGovern: I thank the honourable Gentlemen for his question. Mr Speaker, as well as building our new Jobs and Careers service, which will help young people in Hertfordshire have access to better opportunities, DWP have now signed a Grant Funding Agreement of up to £19.7 million with Hertfordshire County Council for the delivery of their local Connect to Work programme, which will open for participants - including young people - at the beginning of July.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many customers claimed a mobility car in Telford constituency in each year for which data is available. \p Sir Stephen Timms: Information is not available centrally to identify which claimants claimed a car through the Motability Scheme.

However, data is available for the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants with an active Motability Scheme agreement in Telford constituency in each month and is provided in the attached table for December 2013 to January 2025.

Notes:

- The Motability Scheme enables anyone in receipt of a qualifying mobility allowance to use all or part of their mobility allowance to lease a vehicle. Vehicles include cars, wheelchair accessible vehicles, powered scooters, and powered wheelchairs.

- The Department for Work and Pensions facilitates a direct transfer to Motability of a claimant’s DLA, PIP or AFIP mobility allowance if they elect to join the Scheme.

- The data provided covers Motability Scheme agreements for PIP only. There may be agreements made on Daily Living Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, and War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement however data on such agreements is not held centrally for analysis.

- Volumes provided are rounded to the nearest 10.

Table 1 (xlsx, 18.5KB)
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_34
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that the annual uprating of benefits does not result in a net loss of income for vulnerable claimants who are subject to transitional protection following migration to Universal Credit. \p Sir Stephen Timms: There has been no assessment on the rules relating to Universal Credit’s Transitional Protection.

Transitional Protection protects benefit entitlement levels at the point of moving to Universal Credit. It is a temporary measure to maintain benefit entitlement levels so that customers will have time to adjust to the new benefit system.

Transitional Protection is not intended to provide indefinite financial protection. The Transitional Element will erode with increases in other UC elements, except childcare costs, so to gradually align the customers UC award with those of new UC customers who were not managed migrated, in the same circumstances. This includes increases due to the annual uprating of benefits, and DWP is not seeking to change this or weaken this key principle of Transitional Protection.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_35
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Steve Darling:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will provide an estimate of the number of people eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025-26 who did not receive it in 2024-25, broken down by constituency. \p Torsten Bell: The next release of Official Winter Fuel Payment statistics will cover this period and will be published on 16 September 2025.

The majority of pensioners in England and Wales – around 9 million individuals – will now benefit from Winter Fuel Payments, making it better targeted than the previous near-universal payment. This is in line with our wider welfare reforms – ensuring support is targeted and that it is a responsible use of taxpayers’ money.

Winter Fuel Payments are £200 for a household with someone of State Pension age and £300 for a household with someone aged 80 or over. They will be paid automatically to anyone who has not opted out. Individuals with a taxable income above £35,000 a year Winter Fuel Payments will be recouped via HMRC.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_36
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness in reducing levels of (a) fraud and (b) error in benefit awards. \p Andrew Western: The Department’s Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) sets out DWP’s approach to reducing fraud and error in the benefit system. The 2023/24 ARA can be found here:

ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2023-24 (publishing.service.gov.uk) and states that in 2023/24 DWP has estimated to have saved around £18 billion through preventative activity through frontline controls and detection by counter fraud teams. The 2024/25 ARA will be published shortly providing an up-to-date assessment including our progress in reducing the overall overpayment rate from 3.6% in 2023/24 to 3.3% in 2024/25, with the Universal Credit overpayment rate falling by 21% from 12.4% to 9.7% over the same period.

The Department has committed to significant fraud, error and debt measures at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spring Statement 2025, which OBR has estimated will deliver an additional £9.6bn savings over the next five years.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_37
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support local authorities in receipt of exceptional financial support to resolve funding issues in the long term. \p Jim McMahon: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, which local authorities will be allocated additional funding for the Affordable Homes Programme; and how much each of those local authorities will receive. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_39
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's publication entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, what the goods or services commissioned from 23 Red Limited entitled (a) consultancy and (b) campaign creative production were. \p Alex Norris: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_40
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, CP 1336, whether the £39 billion for a new 10‑year Affordable Homes Programme is (a) in cash terms and (b) takes into account inflation. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the target number of jobs was for UK (a) freeports and (b) special economic zones; and how many jobs UK (i) freeports and (ii) special economic zones have delivered to date. \p Alex Norris: As policies developed in partnership with local partners, MHCLG has not set specific targets for job creation in Freeports, nor in Investment Zones, its other major economic zone policy.

However, Freeports have set out the economic impacts they expect to deliver through business cases, available on Freeports’ websites once approved by government. MHCLG-commissioned analysis projects that the 8 English Freeports alone will directly create 60,000 additional jobs and will support another 42,000 jobs across the supply chain. Local partners expect that Investment Zones across the UK will create over 90,000 jobs over the life cycle of the programme.

The Department will track job creation by Freeports and Investment Zones, as a key indicator of their economic impact. To date, Freeports have attracted £6.4 billion in private investment, which is expected to create at least 7,200 jobs.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_42
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help local authorities with the costs for the provision of temporary accommodation. \p Rushanara Ali: The Government has invested £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services in 2025/26, a £233 million increase on the previous year. The 2025 Spending Review has protected this record level of investment.

Where families do end up in temporary accommodation, it should be high quality and affordable for local authorities. The Government is providing £950 million of investment for the fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund – the largest investment in the fund to date - to support local authorities to increase the supply of good quality temporary accommodation and drive down the use of inappropriate and costly bed and breakfasts and hotels.
wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_43
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_43

Rebecca Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to answer Question 59537, tabled by the hon. Member for South West Devon on 12 June 2025. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59537 on 20 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_44

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of local authority planning decisions have been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate in the last 12 months. \p Matthew Pennycook: Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 the Planning Inspectorate overturned 4,747 planning decisions made by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).

These represent 31% of the 15,344 decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate on LPA planning cases in this period. Note these figures are taken from administrative data and so are subject to minor revisions.

The most recent published MHCLG statistics help put the 4,747 decisions in context (noting the different time periods covered). Between January to December 2024:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_45

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to make water companies statutory consultees in the planning system. \p Matthew Pennycook: As the hon. Member is aware, the government does not plan to make water companies statutory consultees in the planning system.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_46

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to expand schemes to help encourage downsizing in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) rural areas. \p Matthew Pennycook: Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_47

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not making water companies statutory consultees in planning consultations on new housing developments. \p Matthew Pennycook: Water companies are not statutory consultees on individual planning applications, but they are consulted as part of the preparation of local development plans.

The government recently declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth.

Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_48

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on introducing a new planning use class C5 for short-term lets in England; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including in it properties described by the landlord as guest houses but that are short-term lets within a house in multiple occupation. \p Matthew Pennycook: The previous government consulted on proposals for a new planning use class for short-term lets.

The consultation generated a wide range of responses and highlighted both the merits and various challenges associated with the proposal.

In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets, and what type of properties such powers might apply to.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_49

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure new homes in West Dorset constituency do not exceed local sewage treatment capacity. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 9948 on 23 October 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_50

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for making a decision on local government restructuring in Essex; when she plans to hold a formal consultation process on the number of new unitary councils to be created; when she plans to publish the proposed council (a) wards and (b) divisions for the new unitary councils; and whether the date of election for the new unitary councils will be in the (i) same year or (ii) different year from the election to the combined authority mayor for Greater Essex. \p Jim McMahon: On 5 February 2025 councils in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock were invited to submit proposals for unitary local government by 26 September 2025. Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute. The exact timings and detail will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence.

The government's consultation on Devolution Priority Programme areas closed on 13 April. We are now carefully considering the evidence collected to decide whether to establish mayoral institutions in each of the areas, including Greater Essex.

It is expected that elections to new unitary authorities in Devolution Priority Programme areas undergoing local government reorganisation will take place in May 2027, with those new unitary authorities going live in April 2028. Legislation implementing a proposal for unitarisation will include provision for warding or divisional arrangements for the inaugural council elections.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_51

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, CP1336, of 11 June 2025, Table 5.17, what the average annual (a) cash and (b) real terms increase is in the central government grant to local government across the spending review period. \p Jim McMahon: This Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding which will be delivered through the Local Government Finance Settlement within financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29. The £3.4 billion, when taken together with a 3% core council tax referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept, results in an average overall real terms increase in local authority core spending power of 2.6% per year over the next multi-year settlement (2026-27 to 2028-29).

The additional £3.4billion on Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) budget means the estimated average annual real terms increase in grant funding between 2023-24 and 2028-29 will be 5.2%. Between 2025-26 and 2028-29, it will be 1.1% in real terms. This is set out in Table 5.17 of CP1336.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_52

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, CP1336, of 11 June 2025, Table 5.17, what the assumed increase is in the Greater London Authority precept over the spending review period. \p Jim McMahon: Projected overall local government spending from additional income is set out at table 5.17 of the Spending Review document. This includes estimated funding from council tax. However, this remains subject to final decisions on the referendum principles set by government with the approval of the House of Commons, and the council tax levels set by individual authorities. In the case of the GLA the council tax charge includes an additional element for the Metropolitan Police which will have its own principle. Referendum principles will be set out as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement in the usual way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_53

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether a dwelling subject to a Class G exemption on a second homes council tax premium can apply for a Class H exemption after 12 months of applying a Class G exemption; and whether the reverse is the case. \p Jim McMahon: Exceptions to council tax premiums may apply in succession where the dwelling meets the necessary criteria as set out in regulations. It is for individual councils to assess whether an exception applies to a dwelling
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_54

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that planning decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate account for local housing need in (a) areas where there is (i) acute demand for affordable homes and (ii) community opposition to retirement-only developments and (b) other areas. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Planning Inspectorate is an arm’s length body, responsible for examining local development plans impartially to ensure they are legally compliant and sound, and for considering appeals against planning decisions.

Inspectors will make decisions in light of the policies in the given adopted Plan, of relevant policy in the National Planning Policy Framework, and of all other factors material to a particular planning case and its location including the evidence and concerns of local people.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local authorities should assess the size, type, and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including those who require affordable housing (including Social Rent) and older people, and reflect this in their planning policies.

Plan making authorities should also set clear policies to address the housing needs of older people and, where there is an identified unmet need for specialist housing for older people, local authorities should take a positive approach to schemes that propose to meet this need.

The needs of different groups should be taken into account in making planning decisions. This includes an expectation that major development should provide the affordable housing required to meet identified local needs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_55

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to increase the number of disability-accessible houses in South Holland and the Deepings constituency. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 40122 on 26 March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_56

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure new housing developments are supported by (a) physical and (b) social infrastructure in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 26106 on 5 February 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_57

Esther McVey:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were. \p Georgia Gould: Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department. We are aware of the following events that these networks organised in May 2025.

LGBT+ Network

CO LGBT Network - Meeting, 13 May 11:30-11:55am

CO LGBT+ Network - Meeting, 20 May 3:30-4pm

CO LGBT+ Network - Meeting, 28 May 3-3:30pm

Carers Network

CO Carers Network - Virtual Coffee Session, 20 May 12-1pm

Menopause Network

Menopause - Support Group, 20 May 11-12pm

Menopause - Support Group, 27 May 11-12pm
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-23)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-23 conversation_58

Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many new instances of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in public buildings been identified since 1 January 2025. \p Georgia Gould: The Cabinet Office does not maintain a central record of RAAC cases. Each department maintains its own data and progress on RAAC on an individual basis. Some departments publish information about buildings with RAAC which can be found on GOV.UK