John McDonnell

The government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

The government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

The government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

The government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.

The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding commitments on carbon and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.

Any changes to Ticket Office opening hours, in relation to regulated stations covered by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, must be made following the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement conditions and Secretary of State guidance. The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with Great Western Railway on changes related to Ticket Offices at any of its stations.

DWP has already taken steps to help ensure everyone living with health conditions or a disability is aware of benefits that they can claim, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP). There are no current plans to undertake further activity.

Comprehensive information is available on Gov.uk, which explains who PIP is for and how to claim. This includes a series of videos which provide information on PIP which helps people to understand whether PIP is right for them and to support them through the process if they decide to claim. Personal Independence Payment (PIP): What PIP is for - GOV.UK

We want to be more open about the work taken forward within the department. We will continue to look at what information can be shared to further increase transparency, taking into consideration constraints that we can’t ignore, such as protecting personal customer information, and policy development and other risks.

A great example of increasing transparency can be seen with the work the department is taking forward to continue building on the information it started publishing in its Annual Report and Accounts two years ago. Detailing the work of its Advanced Customer Support Teams, and the support for vulnerable customers.

To further increase transparency in this area we will soon be releasing two separate publications. One publication will see us release Internal Process Review information for the first time, showing the learning and improvements taken forward from the departments most serious cases. The second is a publication that highlights and explains how DWP, specifically through its Advanced Customer Support teams, is delivering support for vulnerable customers and the improvements that were delivered to help those who require additional support.

In the interim findings report of our Work Aspirations research, 62% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 36% with work-related activity requirements, felt they would never be able to work or work again. 28% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 38% with work-related activity requirements, felt they might be able to work in future if their health improved. 3% of ESA/UC customers with no work-related activity requirements, and 8% with work-related activity requirements, felt they could work right away if the right job or support was available.

The Work Capability Assessment is not working and needs to be reformed or replaced alongside a proper plan to help disabled people into work, which will help them, businesses and the economy.

We know that change is desperately needed but equally these sorts of changes shouldn’t be made in haste. So, alongside our Get Britain Working White Paper, we want to engage with disabled people, and others with expertise and experience on these issues, to consider how to address these challenges and build a better system.

We will reconsult on the WCA changes as part of our Green Paper in spring 2025 that will bring forward wider proposals to reform the health and disability benefits system.

The Courts have found the previous government failed to explain their proposals adequately. We felt, on balance that the consultation that was under challenge had provided people with sufficient information and time to respond intelligently to the proposals. However, we have accepted the judgment and do not intend to appeal.

As part of wider reforms that help people into work and ensure fiscal sustainability, the government will re-consult on WCA descriptor changes, addressing the shortcomings in the previous consultation, in light of the judgment. The government intends to deliver the full level of savings in the public finance forecasts.

Judgment was handed down in the Work Capability Assessment (WCA): Activities and Descriptors consultation Judicial Review on 16 January 2025.

DWP’s litigation costs between 1 November 2023 and 21 January 2025 were £211,345.42.

DWP has been ordered to pay the Claimant’s reasonable costs of the claim. The DWP will endeavour to agree those reasonable costs with the Claimant following the standard legal process where necessary. The DWP has been ordered to pay £254,458.63 as a payment on account of the Claimant’s costs representing 60% of an estimate of the costs she has incurred in bringing this claim.

We aim to publish the final delivery plan by the end of June. We have listened to key myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), stakeholders to allow for more time to develop the plan and help ensure we can be as ambitious as possible to make the most impact for those living with ME/CFS.

It will also enable the final delivery plan to align more closely with wider related Government strategies such as the forthcoming 10-Year Health Plan. The extension to the publication timeline will allow vital further engagement with the ME/CFS Task and Finish Group and those, across Government and beyond, responsible for actions in the final delivery plan. Through this engagement, we will further scope and develop new and stronger actions seeking to deliver meaningful change for the ME/CFS community.

The content of the myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), delivery plan has not yet been finalised. The responses to the 2023 interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the coming months. The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of people with this debilitating disease.

People with ME/CFS deserve the most appropriate treatment and to be confident that the National Health Service can offer that treatment. I recognise that care for people with ME/CFS has varied widely, and in the worst cases has left some people feeling that their illness is not recognised by the health and care system. We know that more research, better services, and a better understanding of the condition all have the potential to make a huge difference to the quality of life of people with ME/CFS.

Ensuring that the United Kingdom is prepared for a future pandemic is a top priority for the Government, and we are embedding lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in our approach to pandemic preparedness. We aim to have flexible, adaptable, and scalable capabilities that can respond to any infectious disease or other threat, rather than relying on plans for specific threats.

The Government’s response to module one of the COVID-19 inquiry sets out the changes we have made to risk planning and data management to help ensure that we are reducing any disproportionate impacts on any groups or individuals, and targeting support where it can be of best help in civil emergency planning and management. The response is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-government-response-to-the-covid-19-inquiry-module-1-report

The Government is committed to ensuring that there are quality services for people suffering with long COVID in every part of the country. NHS England has invested significantly in supporting people with long COVID. This includes setting up specialist post-COVID-19 services nationwide for adults, and children and young people, developing digital self-management tools, and investing in ensuring that general practice teams are equipped to support people affected by the condition.

The Government has also invested over £57 million into long COVID research. This aims to improve our understanding of the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of the disease and the effectiveness of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and interventions, and to evaluate clinical care.