Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has held discussions with the EU Commission on the potential establishment of a new forum to enable joint UK-EU decision making on the development of (a) a pan-European rearmament bank and (b) similar institution aimed at enabling financing for (i) the ReArm Europe programme and (ii) other defence programmes.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We need to work together to bolster the European defence industrial base, making sure that it can compete globally and deliver for our security and defence needs as well as contribute to growth and jobs. Officials and Ministers will continue to engage EU counterparts as we reset relations and explore opportunities for UK-EU defence and security cooperation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the EU Commission on the potential role of the UK in supporting the development of a (a) pan-European rearmament bank and (b) similar institution aimed at enabling financing for (i) the ReArm Europe programme and (ii) other defence programmes.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We need to work together to bolster the European defence industrial base, making sure that it can compete globally and deliver for our security and defence needs as well as contribute to growth and jobs. Officials and Ministers will continue to engage EU counterparts as we reset relations and explore opportunities for UK-EU defence and security cooperation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38925 on Chelsea Football Club: Sales, whether he has a timetable for when the proceeds from the sale will reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine. While it would not be appropriate to provide a running commentary on discussions, we are doing everything we can to make progress on this matter as quickly as possible.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38925 on Chelsea Football Club: Sales, what steps his Department has taken to secure access to the proceeds.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine. While it would not be appropriate to provide a running commentary on discussions, we are doing everything we can to make progress on this matter as quickly as possible.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 39293, when he plans to publish guidance relating to communities and onshore wind; when Solar Energy UK plans to publish its guidance; and whether the guidance will be binding.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We will publish updated community benefits guidance for onshore wind in England in spring 2025, to clearly set out our expectations on what effective community benefits for communities that host new onshore wind projects should look like.

Solar Energy UK plans to publish its community benefits guidance for solar PV later this year. It will apply on a voluntary basis and provide a benchmark for the solar energy sector.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the time taken to confirm Adoption Support Fund funding does not lead to gaps in therapy provision for adopted children with additional needs.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on the allocation of the department’s budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), including issues linked to inflation, are being considered as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible. We will always consider the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

To ensure there are no gaps in therapy, including for children with additional needs, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are approved, therapy which starts during March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken to confirm the Adoption Support Fund budget on children receiving therapy through that fund.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on the allocation of the department’s budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), including issues linked to inflation, are being considered as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible. We will always consider the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

To ensure there are no gaps in therapy, including for children with additional needs, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are approved, therapy which starts during March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of linking the Adoption Support Fund annual funding cap to inflation.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on the allocation of the department’s budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), including issues linked to inflation, are being considered as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible. We will always consider the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

To ensure there are no gaps in therapy, including for children with additional needs, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are approved, therapy which starts during March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has had legal advice on its powers to enforce the agreement with Roman Abramovich on the sale of Chelsea Football Club on the spending of proceeds in support of the victims of the war in Ukraine.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Minister has responsibility for ensuring that the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club are spent in support of humanitarian causes in Ukraine.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club remain in the UK.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent estimate he has made of when the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club will be disbursed to support victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This issue primarily involves responsibilities of Ministers in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, HM Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are frozen in a UK bank account. We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible. It is a complex issue with Ministers receiving advice from a range of officials and lawyers. The UK is working with international partners, has engaged with Abramovich's team, and is exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the press release entitled Households near new pylons to save hundreds on energy bills, published on 10 March 2025, if he will take steps to provide similar funding to communities affected by renewables schemes.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We have announced bill discounts for new transmission infrastructure projects because many communities will live close to this infrastructure without enjoying the direct, tangible benefits coming from other technologies, such as local jobs and investment.

However, in the Clean Power Action Plan, we made clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it. There are many options in this area including community funds and shared ownership, which we are exploring.

In the interim, we intend to publish guidance for onshore wind in England and Solar Energy UK has also committed to publishing guidance.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed welfare reforms on poverty levels among (a) disabled people and (b) their families.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As the Secretary of State announced on Tuesday 18th March 2025, the equality and poverty impact analysis will be published alongside the spring statement.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the cost to the public purse for PIP payments for people with mental health conditions.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 34908 on 10^th March 2025.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of her proposed welfare reforms on demand for social care services from people who may lose benefit eligibility.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will support the Casey Commission into adult social care – and work closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) – as we take forward the proposals in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper.

In the short term, up to £3.7 billion of additional funding will be made available for social care authorities in 2025/2026, including an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant.

For those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her oral statement on Welfare Reform on 18 March 2025, what proportion of the potential savings to the public purse identified by her Department is related to young people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The information is intended for publication at a future date.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to answer Questions (a) 36322, (b) 36323 and (c) 36324, tabled by the hon. Member for Bicester and Woodstock on 6 March 2025.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The answers to Written Parliamentary Questions 36322, 36323 and 36324 were published on 20 March 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish a timetable for the piloting of domestic violence specialists in every 999 control room; and when she plans to roll this out to (a) Thames Valley and (b) other constabularies not included in the pilot.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

In February we launched Raneem's Law, and embedded external domestic abuse specialists in the first five 999 control rooms. Learnings from the first five forces will inform plans for further national rollout. Exact timings will be announced in due course.

This Government is committed to rolling this out across all 43 forces in England and Wales as soon as possible. This is the first time the Government is delivering a national, coordinated approach to embedding specialism into 999 control rooms and this must be delivered to the highest standards.

Bank closures

Illegal modification of e-bikes and e-scooters

Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025

Increases in rail fares

Found: Negatived on division_490 Munira Wilson Mr Paul Kohler Gideon Amos Monica Harding Anna Dixon Calum Miller

Found: _490 Munira Wilson Mr Paul Kohler Gideon Amos Monica Harding Anna Dixon Calum Miller Rachael

Found: _490 Munira Wilson Mr Paul Kohler Gideon Amos Monica Harding Anna Dixon Calum Miller Rachael

Found: _490 Munira Wilson Mr Paul Kohler Gideon Amos Monica Harding Anna Dixon Calum Miller Rachael

Found: Thursday 20 March 2025 _490 Munira Wilson Mr Paul Kohler Gideon Amos Monica Harding Anna Dixon Calum Miller

Found: Slade Wera Hobhouse Mr Paul Kohler Mr Lee Dillon Manuela Perteghella John Milne Gideon Amos Calum Miller

Found: Antoniazzi Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck Ms Stella Creasy Mr Clive Betts Helen Maguire Chris Webb Calum Miller

Found: Slade Wera Hobhouse Mr Paul Kohler Mr Lee Dillon Manuela Perteghella John Milne Gideon Amos Calum Miller

Found: Antoniazzi Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck Ms Stella Creasy Mr Clive Betts Helen Maguire Chris Webb Calum Miller