Bobby Dean Portrait

Bobby Dean

Liberal Democrat - Carshalton and Wallington

7,905 (16.9%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024


2 APPG memberships (as of 28 Mar 2025)
Hong Kong, Tamils
Bobby Dean has no previous appointments


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Bobby Dean has voted in 111 divisions, and 2 times against the majority of their Party.

26 Nov 2024 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Bobby Dean voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 47
26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Bobby Dean voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 41
View All Bobby Dean Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Nusrat Ghani (Conservative)
(6 debate interactions)
Nicholas Dakin (Labour)
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
(6 debate interactions)
Janet Daby (Labour)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
(5 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
HM Treasury
(9 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(8 debate contributions)
Department for Work and Pensions
(6 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Budget Responsibility Act 2024
(1,350 words contributed)
Finance Act 2025
(702 words contributed)
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025
(63 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Bobby Dean's debates

Carshalton and Wallington Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Bobby Dean has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Bobby Dean

Bobby Dean has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Bobby Dean, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Bobby Dean has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Bobby Dean has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Bobby Dean has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Bobby Dean has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
20th Mar 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, for what reason the National Security Council Economic Subcommittee has been abolished.

The National Security (Economic Security) committee existed under the previous administration. The Cabinet Committee list and membership is decided by the Prime Minister. GOV.UK is updated regularly with the list of Cabinet Committees, their terms of reference, and membership.

Since July 2024 the National Security Council itself considers economic security, as part of its broader strategic approach to national security including foreign policy, resilience, international relations, economic security, trade, development, defence and global issues.

Economic security is a priority for this Government, and we have taken a number of steps to coordinate economic security policy through the NSC and by embedding economic security into the Government’s Industrial Strategy to support long-term stability. Economic Security is a core concern of the Growth Mission Board and our work with international partners.

Abena Oppong-Asare
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
24th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has consulted the independent Task and Finish Group on its resilience strategy.

A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. The Government will work hand in hand with industry to publish a new Critical Minerals Strategy this year. The Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure our supply chains for the long term and drive forward the green industries of the future.

DBT regularly engages with industry and academia to inform policy development, including through the Critical Minerals Expert Committee. DBT also plans to reconvene the independent Task and Finish Group members following their 2023 report, informing development of the new Strategy.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
24th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the Government's policy is on future use of the Critical Imports and Supply Chain Strategy.

The Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy was a product of the previous government.

As part of our Growth Mission, this government is committed to assessing where supply chains critical to the UK's economic security and growth could be vulnerable to disruption and is working to build resilience. Our upcoming Industrial and Trade Strategies will set out further detail on the steps we are taking to ensure the UK’s growth is secure and resilient.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
24th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if the International Technology Strategy is still being followed.

The 2023 International Technology Strategy set out an international approach guided by four principles: Open; Responsible; Secure; and Resilient. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology remains supportive of such principles and continues to prioritise the five critical technologies first outlined in the UK Science and Technology Framework. Collaborating with international partners on technology allows us to access global expertise, accelerate innovation and drive economic growth. For example, Oracle, the US based tech firm, recently announced £3.8 billion of investment in the UK to create jobs, grow the economy, and spur on cloud/ AI development. The forthcoming Industrial Strategy will include more detail on how we are leveraging international partnerships and trade to support this growth driving sector.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is following The UK’s International Technology Strategy, published on 22 March 2023, CP 810.

The 2023 International Technology Strategy set out an international approach guided by four principles: Open; Responsible; Secure; and Resilient. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology remains supportive of such principles and continues to prioritise the five critical technologies first outlined in the UK Science and Technology Framework. Collaborating with international partners on technology allows us to access global expertise, accelerate innovation and drive economic growth. For example, Oracle, the US based tech firm, recently announced £3.8 billion of investment in the UK to create jobs, grow the economy, and spur on cloud/ AI development. The forthcoming Industrial Strategy will include more detail on how we are leveraging international partnerships and trade to support this growth driving sector.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is following the UK Science and Technology Framework, published on 6 March 2023; and whether he plans to implement the objectives of that framework by 2030.

The Science and Technology Framework is the integrated, systems-level approach to science and technology (S&T) with a holistic set of ten critical levers that the government can use to drive growth and improve the lives of citizens.

The government is committed to the Framework and to applying these levers to ensure S&T is at the heart of delivering our core priorities including the Plan for Change, the Five National Missions and the Industrial Strategy.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to (a) develop and (b) implement codes of practice for fraudulent advertising under the Online Safety Act 2023.

The duties related to fraudulent advertising apply to Category 1 and 2A services. Category 1 services will need to tackle paid-for fraudulent advertising on their platforms, and Category 2A search services will need to address paid-for fraudulent advertising in search results.

Ofcom is responsible for developing codes of practice. It expects to consult on the codes for these duties by early 2026. The codes will recommend how companies can comply with these duties. These duties will not come into force until the register of categorised services has been published by Ofcom and the final code has been approved by Parliament.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support students with EHCPs to access post-16 educational placements that support their (a) interests and (b) career goals.

The department is committed to ensuring that all learners, including learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life and supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

We want to ensure that impartial, lifelong careers guidance is available to everyone when they need it, regardless of age, circumstance or background. This will allow everyone to develop skills, progress into work or the next stage of their career, and boost long term economic prosperity.

The department has published statutory guidance on careers guidance to set out what is expected of schools and colleges, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools.

The National Careers Service offers free, up-to-date, impartial information, advice and guidance on careers, skills and the labour market in England. It helps people to achieve and thrive and supports social mobility by working with individuals to motivate them and develop their understanding of the full range of options open to them, whatever their background or circumstances. More information is available on the National Careers Service website, which can be found here: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/.

Preparing all children and young people with SEND for adulthood is a key part of the SEND system and should begin from the earliest point.

A wide range of training programmes are available to suit the needs of the individual and their aspirations. This includes academic or vocational courses such as supported internships and apprenticeships which provide experience of workplace activities. For those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, there must be a focus from year 9 onwards on preparing the young person for adulthood as part of their plan’s annual review. This focus must continue until the young person’s EHC plan ceases. Planning for the transition to adulthood should result in clear outcomes being agreed that are ambitious and stretching, and which are tailored to the needs and interests of the young person.

The department knows that with the right preparation and support, the overwhelming majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustained, paid employment. All professionals working with them should share that presumption and should provide the career advice and support that helps young people develop the skills and experience, and achieve the qualifications, that they need to succeed in their careers.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that students with EHCPs have access to a wide range of post-16 educational opportunities (a) within and (b) outside of their catchment area.

The department is committed to ensuring that all learners, including learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life and supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. High needs funding helps local authorities with the ongoing costs of post-16 education provision for students with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Local authorities must publish a local offer of services and provision for children and young people with SEND and keep it under review, including the sufficiency of provision. This must be co-produced with parents, young people and a wide range of education providers, both within and beyond the local authority area. The local offer must include provision within the local authority’s area alongside provision outside the local area that the local authority expects is likely to be used by children and young people with SEND for whom they are responsible.

Local authorities’ duties include securing enough suitable education and training provision to meet the reasonable needs of all young people in their area who are over compulsory school age but under 19, or aged 19 or over and for whom an EHC plan is maintained. This is a duty under section 15ZA of the Education Act 1996. To fulfil this, local authorities should have a strategic overview of the provision available in their area and identify and resolve gaps in provision.

If a local authority places students at a special post-16 institution (SPI) and would like the SPI to be considered for Education and Skills Funding Agency funding, the department will take the SPI through the due diligence process and award a funding agreement if successful.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to provide (a) funding and (b) resources for local authorities for the provision of comprehensive post-16 education options for students with EHCPs.

The department is committed to ensuring that all learners, including learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life and supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. High needs funding helps local authorities with the ongoing costs of post-16 education provision for students with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Local authorities must publish a local offer of services and provision for children and young people with SEND and keep it under review, including the sufficiency of provision. This must be co-produced with parents, young people and a wide range of education providers, both within and beyond the local authority area. The local offer must include provision within the local authority’s area alongside provision outside the local area that the local authority expects is likely to be used by children and young people with SEND for whom they are responsible.

Local authorities’ duties include securing enough suitable education and training provision to meet the reasonable needs of all young people in their area who are over compulsory school age but under 19, or aged 19 or over and for whom an EHC plan is maintained. This is a duty under section 15ZA of the Education Act 1996. To fulfil this, local authorities should have a strategic overview of the provision available in their area and identify and resolve gaps in provision.

If a local authority places students at a special post-16 institution (SPI) and would like the SPI to be considered for Education and Skills Funding Agency funding, the department will take the SPI through the due diligence process and award a funding agreement if successful.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the availability of specialist post-16 educational placements for students with Education, Health and Care Plans.

The department is committed to ensuring that all learners, including learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), have access to a world-class education that sets them up for life and supports them to achieve positive outcomes.

Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. High needs funding helps local authorities with the ongoing costs of post-16 education provision for students with education, health and care (EHC) plans.

Local authorities must publish a local offer of services and provision for children and young people with SEND and keep it under review, including the sufficiency of provision. This must be co-produced with parents, young people and a wide range of education providers, both within and beyond the local authority area. The local offer must include provision within the local authority’s area alongside provision outside the local area that the local authority expects is likely to be used by children and young people with SEND for whom they are responsible.

Local authorities’ duties include securing enough suitable education and training provision to meet the reasonable needs of all young people in their area who are over compulsory school age but under 19, or aged 19 or over and for whom an EHC plan is maintained. This is a duty under section 15ZA of the Education Act 1996. To fulfil this, local authorities should have a strategic overview of the provision available in their area and identify and resolve gaps in provision.

If a local authority places students at a special post-16 institution (SPI) and would like the SPI to be considered for Education and Skills Funding Agency funding, the department will take the SPI through the due diligence process and award a funding agreement if successful.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish further information on proposed Young Future Hubs.

The government’s is committed to a Young Futures programme made up of Young Futures prevention partnerships and Young Futures Hubs.

Young Futures Hubs will bring together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling them to thrive.

To roll out Young Futures Hubs, the department will first establish early adopter hubs. These, and work with local areas, will inform the longer-term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs. Young Futures Hubs will build upon the successes of existing infrastructure and provision. We will set out more details in due course.

Young Futures Hubs are one part of delivering this within a much wider youth landscape. They will be designed to complement core services and wider initiatives spanning youth, education, employment, social care, mental health, youth justice and policing.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing financial support to specialist education colleges to help mitigate the increase in employer National Insurance contributions.

The department is receiving compensation in recognition of the increase in National Insurance contributions (NICs) paid by institutions it funds, including colleges, schools and other state-funded special education needs and disabilities provision. Work is in progress to determine how that funding will be distributed, and more information will be provided as soon as is practicable. This NICs funding will be in addition to the £300 million and £1 billion funding increases announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 for further education and young people with high needs respectively, in 2025/26.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of Climate Change education in schools.

The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) is currently reviewing the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose and that the curriculum is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative. The review group will publish an interim report early in 2025, setting out their interim findings and confirming the key areas for further work. The final report, with recommendations, will be published in autumn 2025.

Topics relating to climate change and the environment are currently included within geography, science and citizenship in the current national curriculum, with an environmental science A level also available. At a primary level, pupils are given a foundation of climate science which can be built on in secondary school. Teachers also have the flexibility to plan their own lessons, which enables them to adapt and consider new developments, societal changes, or topical issues. As a result, the department is seeing excellent work in climate education at all levels in many schools and multi-academy trusts.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of maladministration payments issued by her Department in the last 12 months.

The information requested is published within the DWP Annual Reports and Accounts. Data for April 2024 to March 2025 will be published in the 2024/25 DWP Annual Reports and Accounts in or around July 2025.

The latest published data is for the period April 2023 to March 2024. In the period April 2023 to March 2024, DWP made 10,567 ex-gratia payments totalling £1.3 million for maladministration.

Please note that the total amount of ex-gratia payments for maladministration presented in the DWP Annual Reports and Accounts excludes financial redress paid for loss of statutory entitlement because it is not an extra cost arising from maladministration, but payment of benefit that should have been made anyway.

The average value of maladministration payments in the period April 2023 to March 2024 was £120. This value has been calculated based on the unrounded total payments and unrounded number of payments, rounded to the nearest £10.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average value was of each maladministration payment made by her Department in the last 12 months.

The information requested is published within the DWP Annual Reports and Accounts. Data for April 2024 to March 2025 will be published in the 2024/25 DWP Annual Reports and Accounts in or around July 2025.

The latest published data is for the period April 2023 to March 2024. In the period April 2023 to March 2024, DWP made 10,567 ex-gratia payments totalling £1.3 million for maladministration.

Please note that the total amount of ex-gratia payments for maladministration presented in the DWP Annual Reports and Accounts excludes financial redress paid for loss of statutory entitlement because it is not an extra cost arising from maladministration, but payment of benefit that should have been made anyway.

The average value of maladministration payments in the period April 2023 to March 2024 was £120. This value has been calculated based on the unrounded total payments and unrounded number of payments, rounded to the nearest £10.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the number of payments her Department has issued as a result of maladministration in the last 12 months.

The information requested is published within the DWP Annual Reports and Accounts. Data for April 2024 to March 2025 will be published in the 2024/25 DWP Annual Reports and Accounts in or around July 2025.

The latest published data is for the period April 2023 to March 2024. In the period April 2023 to March 2024, DWP made 10,567 ex-gratia payments totalling £1.3 million for maladministration.

Please note that the total amount of ex-gratia payments for maladministration presented in the DWP Annual Reports and Accounts excludes financial redress paid for loss of statutory entitlement because it is not an extra cost arising from maladministration, but payment of benefit that should have been made anyway.

The average value of maladministration payments in the period April 2023 to March 2024 was £120. This value has been calculated based on the unrounded total payments and unrounded number of payments, rounded to the nearest £10.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has had a recruitment freeze on any roles in the last 12 months; and whether she plans to implement a recruitment freeze in the next 12 months.

The Department for Work and Pensions has not had a recruitment freeze on any roles in the last 12 months. There are no current plans in place to implement a recruitment freeze in the next 12 months, and the Department will continue to manage overall resourcing and meeting priorities through workforce plans.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support care leavers applying for Universal Credit for the first time.

We understand the challenges care leavers face and that is why the department works closely with Local Authorities’ Leaving Care teams and provides additional dedicated support through a series of safeguards and easements aimed at simplifying care leavers’ interaction with the benefit system.

This support includes care leaver’s Single Points of Contact in every jobcentre and an Advanced Claims Process where Local Authorities Leaving Care teams can assist care leavers to prepare their claim to Universal Credit up to 28 days before and including their 18th Birthday.

Although the claim can’t be submitted until the care leaver’s 18th birthday, they can be viewed and checked in advance of submission by making a pre-claim appointment with the Jobcentre to help ensure the care leaver has the required documents to make their claim and that all relevant support is in place as early as possible.

Under the new Youth Guarantee, all young people aged 18-21 years in England will be able to access support to enter employment, education and training opportunities. This includes care leavers who may benefit from more tailored support to ensure a smoother transition to independence as they leave the care provided by their Local Authority.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to ensure young people aged under 25 and live independently receive the same amount of Universal Credit as those aged over 25.

There are currently no plans to pay the higher rate of Universal Credit to those aged under 25.  The lower rate of Universal Credit for those aged under 25 reflects the fact that the majority of young people live in someone else’s household and are therefore likely to have lower living costs.

Younger workers also typically earn less as they are earlier in their careers, with the lower rate maintaining the incentive for younger people to find and progress in work.

Support is available to help those who live independently or have additional living costs. Depending on their circumstances, they may also be eligible for additional Universal Credit elements, including for housing, children, and disability.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of care leavers under the age of 25 receiving the higher rate of Universal Credit.

We understand the challenges care leavers face and that is why the department continues to provide additional dedicated support through a series of safeguards and easements aimed at simplifying their interaction with the benefit system.

This includes, for example, single care leavers being exempt from the lower, Shared Accommodation Rate and qualifying for the more generous one-bedroom Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate until their 25th birthday; an advanced claims process where Local Authorities’ Leaving Care teams can assist care leavers to prepare their claim for Universal Credit up to 28 days before and including their 18th birthday; and for those aged 18-21, access to Universal Credit and housing support if they wish to take up full-time study in non-advanced education.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when she plans to publish the feedback from the consultation on the Child Maintenance System.

A consultation on proposed reforms to the Child Maintenance System (CMS) was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. These proposed reforms included removing Direct Pay and managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster, as well as exploring how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported. This consultation followed the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act which received royal assent in July 2023.

The consultation was extended by this Government at the end of July and ran until 30 September 2024. We are currently analysing the responses we have received, and the Government will publish a response in due course.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the potential for the Child Maintenance System to be used as a tool of economic abuse.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) takes the issue of domestic and economic abuse extremely seriously and is committed to ensuring that victims of abuse get the help and support they need.

CMS Staff receive training to ensure they are able to respond appropriately to parents experiencing domestic abuse. The current Domestic Abuse training package was updated with input from external stakeholders. It includes an understanding of different types of abuse, including economic, and covers post separation abuse. It has been reviewed to ensure it reflects the Home Office’s updated statutory guidance on coercive and controlling behaviour, published in April 2023, to ensure CMS staff are equipped to recognise this form of domestic abuse and signpost parents appropriately.

The recent consultation on proposed reforms to CMS included managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster and explore how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported. This proposal would also reduce the ability for perpetrators of domestic abuse to inflict economic control and coercion through withholding child maintenance payments.  The consultation closed on 30 September 2024, and the Government will publish a response in due course.

Where a parent fails to pay on time or in full, the CMS will consider enforcement action as quickly as possible to get money flowing and collect any unpaid amounts that have accrued.

The CMS has a range of strong enforcement powers to ensure children get the financial support they deserve.  These powers include the ability to deduct directly from the paying parent’s earnings or bank accounts and disqualifications from holding or obtaining driving licenses and passports.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the qualifying criteria for (a) Ozempic and (b) Wegovy.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources. NICE evaluates medicines in accordance with their marketing authorisations, including any criteria set out in the summary of product characteristics, granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The National Health Service in England is legally required to fund medicines and treatments recommended by NICE under its technology appraisal and highly specialised technologies programmes. NICE develops its recommendations in line with its established methods and processes which include a careful consideration of the evidence and engagement with stakeholders.

NICE has published guidance that recommends the medicine semaglutide subject to specified clinical criteria for use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, for which it is marketed as Ozempic, and for use in weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults, for which it is marketed as Wegovy. NICE is currently planning a review of its guidance on the use of semaglutide in the treatment of weight loss and, subject to licensing, developing recommendations on its use for preventing major cardiovascular events in people with cardiovascular disease and living with overweight or obesity.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
21st Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the level of availability of Ozempic to NHS patients.

The Department has worked intensively with industry, NHS England, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and others in the supply chain to resolve the ongoing supply issues with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, including Ozempic. We continue to monitor the situation, ensuring medicines remain available for new patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as those unable to obtain their existing treatment. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
30th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the capacity of health care services in the England and Wales to provide take home Naloxone kits to people at risk of opioid overdose.

The Government has amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. This means that more professionals and services than ever before can give out take-home supplies of naloxone to those at-risk of overdose. This follows the Department’s public consultation, published on 24 January 2024, in which the responses were overwhelmingly supportive of our proposals. The legislation came into force on 2 December 2024.

The legislation also enables the development of a new registration service, which will further expand the number of professionals and services able to give out naloxone. This will take longer to implement, and work is ongoing across the devolved administrations to ensure alignment where appropriate.

This legislation is United Kingdom wide, and we will continue to work closely with colleagues in the devolved administrations to share learning and align our approaches where appropriate.

Health is a devolved issue, and as a result there are currently different existing arrangements for naloxone supply across the UK and each administration takes its own decisions on the provision and funding of naloxone. I have therefore not had discussions on UK wide Government-funded naloxone programmes.

These legislative changes are enabling only, meaning it will be a choice for individuals or organisations to decide whether they want to use this power and give out naloxone, which will be based on local need and capacity. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug treatment services as part of their public health responsibilities, and they provide funding for naloxone supplied through drug treatment services based on their assessment of local need.

30th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a programme of naloxone provision in the NHS.

The Government has amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. This means that more professionals and services than ever before can give out take-home supplies of naloxone to those at-risk of overdose. This follows the Department’s public consultation, published on 24 January 2024, in which the responses were overwhelmingly supportive of our proposals. The legislation came into force on 2 December 2024.

The legislation also enables the development of a new registration service, which will further expand the number of professionals and services able to give out naloxone. This will take longer to implement, and work is ongoing across the devolved administrations to ensure alignment where appropriate.

This legislation is United Kingdom wide, and we will continue to work closely with colleagues in the devolved administrations to share learning and align our approaches where appropriate.

Health is a devolved issue, and as a result there are currently different existing arrangements for naloxone supply across the UK and each administration takes its own decisions on the provision and funding of naloxone. I have therefore not had discussions on UK wide Government-funded naloxone programmes.

These legislative changes are enabling only, meaning it will be a choice for individuals or organisations to decide whether they want to use this power and give out naloxone, which will be based on local need and capacity. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug treatment services as part of their public health responsibilities, and they provide funding for naloxone supplied through drug treatment services based on their assessment of local need.

30th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the consultation outcome entitled Expanding access to naloxone, published on 24 January 2024, whether he plans to increase the number of organisations able to distribute Naloxone.

The Government has amended the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to expand access to naloxone. This means that more professionals and services than ever before can give out take-home supplies of naloxone to those at-risk of overdose. This follows the Department’s public consultation, published on 24 January 2024, in which the responses were overwhelmingly supportive of our proposals. The legislation came into force on 2 December 2024.

The legislation also enables the development of a new registration service, which will further expand the number of professionals and services able to give out naloxone. This will take longer to implement, and work is ongoing across the devolved administrations to ensure alignment where appropriate.

This legislation is United Kingdom wide, and we will continue to work closely with colleagues in the devolved administrations to share learning and align our approaches where appropriate.

Health is a devolved issue, and as a result there are currently different existing arrangements for naloxone supply across the UK and each administration takes its own decisions on the provision and funding of naloxone. I have therefore not had discussions on UK wide Government-funded naloxone programmes.

These legislative changes are enabling only, meaning it will be a choice for individuals or organisations to decide whether they want to use this power and give out naloxone, which will be based on local need and capacity. Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug treatment services as part of their public health responsibilities, and they provide funding for naloxone supplied through drug treatment services based on their assessment of local need.

30th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to expand Start for Life services to include Carshalton and Wallington constituency.

In 2025/26, £57 million will be made available to 75 local authorities with high levels of deprivation to provide a range of Start for Life services.

Due to the challenging fiscal context, we have had to make difficult decisions for 2025/26, and only those areas currently in the scheme will receive Start for Life funding. We will continue to evaluate the programme and assess evidence to support wider rollout in future financial years.

4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to extend opt-out HIV testing beyond emergency departments.

On 28 November 2024, the Prime Minister announced a further £27 million of funding for the continuation of the HIV Emergency Department opt-out testing programme for 2025/26. As part of the extension, more than 90 sites will be offered funding to continue or begin the roll out of HIV opt out testing until March 2026, including St George's, Epsom, and St Helier hospitals.

NHS England will evaluate the costs and feasibility of further extending this programme regarding hepatitis B and C opt-out testing, once budgets for 2025/26 are confirmed, and expects to provide an update on their decision in the early new year.

There are currently no plans to extend opt-out HIV testing beyond emergency departments. However, the Department, together with the UK Health and Security Agency, and NHS England are working together in the development of a new HIV Action Plan, which will include a focus on scaling up HIV testing, and which we aim to publish in summer 2025.

4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people with diagnosed HIV who are not currently in care; what research it has conducted into the reasons for disengagement from care; and what funding is available to support programmes aimed at re-engaging such people with HIV services.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has estimated that the number of people with diagnosed HIV who are not currently in care, which is defined as not attending care for at least 15 months, in 2023 was 4,960. This represents 5.3% of people diagnosed with HIV.

A retention and re-engagement in HIV care task and finish group was established in 2023, that considered the available research and evidence. This included the UKHSA Positive Voices survey, which presents key indicators for HIV stigma, which are closely linked to retention and disengagement from care. This work is being considered as part of the development of the new HIV Action Plan, which we plan to publish in summer 2025.

As part of the HIV Action Plan, NHS England invested £20 million for the roll out of the Blood Borne Viruses opt-out Emergency Department testing programme in extremely high HIV prevalence areas, which helped identify and re-engage more than 1,300 individuals with HIV services during its first 28 months. A further investment of £20 million was provided by the Department to evaluate the expansion of the programme to 46 high prevalence emergency departments in England.

On 28 November 2024 the Prime Minister announced further funding of £27 million for the extension of the HIV Opt-Out Testing Programme in 2025/26. 10% of this funding and of the second £20 million is assigned to peer support, delivered by the voluntary and community sector, and is aimed at linking and retaining people in care.

4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department are taking to tackle changes in rates of HIV diagnoses among heterosexual men and women.

HIV is a priority for the Government, and we have commissioned a new HIV Action Plan for 2025 to 2030, to achieve no new HIV transmissions within England by 2030, which we aim to publish in summer 2025.

The new action plan will include a focus on ensuring equitable access to HIV prevention programmes, and scaling up HIV testing with a particular focus on heterosexual men and women.

4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of shortages of building inspectors on (a) repairs and (b) maintenance projects across the NHS Estate.

Building inspectors working on National Health Service estate repairs or maintenance projects may be employed by NHS trusts, local councils, private companies, or contractors working on behalf of the NHS. Their work ensures that buildings are safe for use, accessible, and in good condition.

While the Department has not made any specific assessment of the potential impact of shortages of building inspectors, NHS England is taking forward implementation of the Estates and Facilities Workforce Action Plan, which aims to strengthen the NHS estates workforce and its governance.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the prior consultation on the Down Syndrome Act 2022; and when he plans to publish the statutory guidance.

The Down Syndrome Act 2022 started as a Private Members Bill, introduced into the House of Commons in summer 2021. As such, this specific assessment has not been made.

A national call for evidence was launched on 19 July 2022 to inform the development of the statutory guidance required under the Down Syndrome Act. The call for evidence remained open for 16 weeks and received over 1,500 responses, including responses from people with Down syndrome, their families and carers, professionals, organisations, and stakeholder groups representing people with genetic conditions.

Officials are taking forward, as a priority, development of the Down Syndrome guidance. We expect to publish the draft guidance for public consultation as soon as possible in the new year.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of facilities staff are on Agenda For Change contracts.

Facilities staff in the National Health Service may be employed both directly by NHS bodies but also by separate companies who are contracted to deliver services. The Department does not hold information on the number of staff who are employed by companies contracted from outside the NHS to provide services.

Information is held on staff directly employed by NHS trusts and other core organisations in England. From this we can see that as of August 2024, there were 66,597 full time equivalent staff providing hotel, property, and estates functions in NHS trusts and other core organisations. Of these, 4,770, or 7.2%, where not on Agenda For Change pay bands. This staff group will include people employed in roles such as housekeepers, cleaners, porters, catering staff, maintenance roles, and other estates works.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to continue funding for the opt-out blood-borne virus testing programme at (a) St George's, Epsom and (b) St Helier Hospitals and Health Group beyond March 2025.

On 28 November 2024, the Prime Minister announced a further £27 million of funding for the continuation of the HIV Emergency Department opt-out testing programme for 2025/26. As part of the extension, more than 90 sites will be offered funding to continue or begin the roll out of HIV opt out testing until March 2026, including St George's, Epsom, and St Helier hospitals.

NHS England will evaluate the costs and feasibility of further extending this programme regarding hepatitis B and C opt-out testing, once budgets for 2025/26 are confirmed, and expects to provide an update on their decision in the early new year.

There are currently no plans to extend opt-out HIV testing beyond emergency departments. However, the Department, together with the UK Health and Security Agency, and NHS England are working together in the development of a new HIV Action Plan, which will include a focus on scaling up HIV testing, and which we aim to publish in summer 2025.

24th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK-Canadian Critical Mineral Dialogue is still on-going.

The UK and Canada are the closest of allies. We have shared values and are committed to ensuring critical mineral markets are diverse, ethical, fair and transparent. We continue to engage with Canada including through the Critical Minerals Dialogue, the Minerals Security Partnership, the International Energy Agency, and the G7.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
24th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has plans to take steps to help facilitate closer economic cooperation with Japan.

The Government has already taken action to strengthen UK-Japan economic cooperation. In early March 2025, the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Business and Trade travelled to Japan, meeting their Japanese counterparts for the UK's first 'Economic 2+2'. As likeminded nations, we agreed new areas of collaboration in support of rules-based international trade, economic security, energy security, and engagement with Global South countries. The Government is taking forward work on a new Industrial Strategy Partnership and furthering our economic security partnership with Japan in support of growth, jobs and access to essential goods and services needed for the UK's future prosperity. The Government also plans to work closely with Japan to shape the future of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and ensure it remains a modern, high-standards agreement.

Catherine West
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Q36 of the oral evidence given by the Office for Value for Money to the Treasury Select Committee on 11 December 2024, HC 521, which Departments have not (a) defined and (b) commenced their zero-based reviews.

Phase 2 of the Spending Review launched on the 10th December 2024. At launch, I asked each department to carry out a line-by-line review of existing day-to-day budgets to identify where spending is no longer aligned with this government’s priorities or is poor value for money.

Departments are working with HM Treasury on an ongoing basis to define and agree their zero-based reviews. The findings of these reviews will inform Departments’ Spending Review submissions and the allocation of departmental budgets in Phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will conclude later this year.

Darren Jones
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
10th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make it her policy to allow the police to be (a) trained and (b) equipped to administer Naloxone.

The Government is supportive of police carriage and administration of naloxone - a lifesaving medicine that reverses the effects of opioid overdose. As of February 2025, police officers in forces across the country are now trained to carry and administer naloxone. Through the cross-Government Synthetic Opioids Taskforce, we are continuing to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to support rollout of naloxone to police officers.

Ultimately, the provision of naloxone for police officers is an operational decision for Chief Constables and the Government expects individual police Chiefs’ to allocate resources appropriately with regard to the local area and need.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help reduce knife crime in Sutton.

Halving knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission and we are taking a range of steps to realise this ambition.

We have implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes approved by Parliament in April. The ban came in to force on 24 September 2024 and it is now illegal to sell or own these weapons.

We launched a consultation on 13 November 2024 seeking views on the legal description of a Ninja sword to help our plans for an effective ban.

We know that more needs to be done to tackle the sale of knives online which is why last October, the Home Secretary commissioned Commander Stephen Clayman, as the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, to carry out a full review into the online sale and delivery of knives. The report was received at the end of January and once we have considered the review in full, the Government will set out its next steps for strengthening the controls and processes around the online sale and delivery of knives.

Ahead of this, the Home Secretary has already announced that the Government intends to strengthen age verification controls and checks for all online sellers of knives at the point of purchase and on delivery.

We have also consulted on introducing personal liability measures on senior executives of online platforms or marketplaces who fail to take action to remove illegal content relating to knives and offensive weapons. The consultation closed on 11 December 2024, and we are carefully considering the responses as we plan our next steps.

Additionally, over £9.3m has been made available this financial year to the London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). VRUs bring together police, local government, health, community leaders and other key partners to tackle violent crime and its underlying causes. London VRU is using this funding to deliver a range of interventions across all 32 boroughs to divert young people from a life of crime. This includes intensive mentoring by YOUthink for children and young people in Sutton to reduce re-offending.

We have also created a new Young Futures programme, which will include the establishment of Young Futures Prevention Partnerships across England and Wales, bringing partners together to intervene earlier to stop young people being drawn into crime. It is vital we have a system that can identify and support those young people who need it most.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of knife bans on the level of knife-related incidents.

The legislation in this area is kept under review in the interests of public safety and in line with this we implemented a ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes on 24 September 2024 and it is now illegal to sell, supply, manufacture or own these weapons.

The Government is also committed to banning Ninja swords, and following a consultation between 13 November and 11 December 2014, we are working on plans for an effective ban.

The prohibition of certain types of knives and other bladed articles gives the police powers to seize the weapons and to prosecute offenders, a valuable tool in addressing knife crime and wider criminality.

Statistics on knife related offences do not record the level of detail necessary to assess the effectiveness of specific knife bans.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of potential merits of (a) enforcement and (b) early intervention in the prevention of knife crime.

Halving national levels of knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s mission to ensure the safety of our streets. Both early intervention and enforcement will be crucial in meeting this mission.

On enforcement, we have implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes approved by Parliament in April. The ban came in to force on 24 September 2024 and it is now illegal to sell or own these weapons.

We launched a consultation on 13 November 2024 seeking views on the legal description of a Ninja sword to help our plans for an effective ban.

We know that more needs to be done to tackle the sale of knives online which is why last October, the Home Secretary commissioned Commander Stephen Clayman, as the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, to carry out a full review into the online sale and delivery of knives. The report was received at the end of January and once we have considered the review in full, the Government will set out its next steps for strengthening the controls and processes around the online sale and delivery of knives.

Ahead of this, the Home Secretary has already announced that the Government intends to strengthen age verification controls and checks for all online sellers of knives at the point of purchase and on delivery.

We have also consulted on introducing personal liability measures on senior executives of online platforms or marketplaces who fail to take action to remove illegal content relating to knives and offensive weapons. The consultation closed on 11 December 2024, and we are carefully considering the responses as we plan our next steps.

Additionally, the Home Secretary and Policing Minister have set up a new Knife-Enabled Robbery Taskforce, which brings together Chief Constables and other criminal justice partners to take immediate operational action to tackle the fastest rising type of knife crime. Working with the College of Policing, the Taskforce has completed a Call for Practice to establish what the evidence tells us works when tackling knife-enabled robbery.

On early intervention, a new Young Futures programme has been created, which will include the establishment of Young Futures Prevention Partnerships across England and Wales, bringing partners together to intervene earlier to stop young people being drawn into crime. It is vital we have a system that can identify and support those young people who need it most.

Independent evaluation found that Violent Reduction Units, in combination with additional hotspot police patrols, have delivered a statistically significant reduction in hospital admissions for violent injuries since funding began in 2019 (an estimated 3,220 admissions have been prevented in areas where the programmes operate).

We recognise the valuable work and significant progress VRUs have made in understanding and preventing serious violence. The proposed Police Funding Settlement for 2025/26 includes £49.7m for the continuation of work to prevent serious violence, delivered via the VRU programme.

The Youth Endowment Fund, was established to learn ‘what works’ in preventing children and young people becoming involved in violence and crime, as well as transforming the local and national response to serious violence through disseminating new knowledge and best practice. The Home Office works closely with the Youth Endowment Fund to ensure that their findings are carefully considered to positively influence services for young people.

The Government will continue to draw on the best available evidence on both prevention and enforcement and will closely monitor trends in national and local levels of knife crime.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of existing knife crime prevention programmes.

Halving national levels of knife crime over the next decade is a key part of the Government’s mission to ensure the safety of our streets. Both early intervention and enforcement will be crucial in meeting this mission.

On enforcement, we have implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes approved by Parliament in April. The ban came in to force on 24 September 2024 and it is now illegal to sell or own these weapons.

We launched a consultation on 13 November 2024 seeking views on the legal description of a Ninja sword to help our plans for an effective ban.

We know that more needs to be done to tackle the sale of knives online which is why last October, the Home Secretary commissioned Commander Stephen Clayman, as the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, to carry out a full review into the online sale and delivery of knives. The report was received at the end of January and once we have considered the review in full, the Government will set out its next steps for strengthening the controls and processes around the online sale and delivery of knives.

Ahead of this, the Home Secretary has already announced that the Government intends to strengthen age verification controls and checks for all online sellers of knives at the point of purchase and on delivery.

We have also consulted on introducing personal liability measures on senior executives of online platforms or marketplaces who fail to take action to remove illegal content relating to knives and offensive weapons. The consultation closed on 11 December 2024, and we are carefully considering the responses as we plan our next steps.

Additionally, the Home Secretary and Policing Minister have set up a new Knife-Enabled Robbery Taskforce, which brings together Chief Constables and other criminal justice partners to take immediate operational action to tackle the fastest rising type of knife crime. Working with the College of Policing, the Taskforce has completed a Call for Practice to establish what the evidence tells us works when tackling knife-enabled robbery.

On early intervention, a new Young Futures programme has been created, which will include the establishment of Young Futures Prevention Partnerships across England and Wales, bringing partners together to intervene earlier to stop young people being drawn into crime. It is vital we have a system that can identify and support those young people who need it most.

Independent evaluation found that Violent Reduction Units, in combination with additional hotspot police patrols, have delivered a statistically significant reduction in hospital admissions for violent injuries since funding began in 2019 (an estimated 3,220 admissions have been prevented in areas where the programmes operate).

We recognise the valuable work and significant progress VRUs have made in understanding and preventing serious violence. The proposed Police Funding Settlement for 2025/26 includes £49.7m for the continuation of work to prevent serious violence, delivered via the VRU programme.

The Youth Endowment Fund, was established to learn ‘what works’ in preventing children and young people becoming involved in violence and crime, as well as transforming the local and national response to serious violence through disseminating new knowledge and best practice. The Home Office works closely with the Youth Endowment Fund to ensure that their findings are carefully considered to positively influence services for young people.

The Government will continue to draw on the best available evidence on both prevention and enforcement and will closely monitor trends in national and local levels of knife crime.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the strategic role of Taiwan on the UK’s defence.

The UK’s longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the provision of military support in the context of conflict in the Middle East.

We keep our military engagement in the Middle East under continuous review and any changes are discussed with relevant Departments as appropriate.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
10th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to require the removal of all combustible material from residential buildings over 18 metres in height.

On 29 November 2018, the Government banned the use of combustible materials in the external walls of new high-rise residential buildings over 18 metres in height. The ban also applies to new hospitals, residential care premises, dormitories in boarding schools, and student accommodation over 18 metres.

All building safety defects must be assessed and regulators must have the power to enforce where the risks identified are not quickly and appropriately addressed. The Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP), which was announced on 2 December 2024, is focused on addressing the immediate life safety fire risks associated with cladding.

The publication of the RAP announced targets around the pace of remediation in England for the first time, such that, by the end of 2029, all 18m+ buildings with unsafe cladding in a government funded scheme should be remediated, every 11m+ building with unsafe cladding will either have been remediated, have a date for completion, or its landlords liable for penalties.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)