Luke Myer

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 30 January is attached.

This government recognises the importance of secure and resilient supply chains to the UK’s growth and economic security. DBT is strengthening the UK’s resilience both through sector programmes and the upcoming Trade and Industrial Strategies. These Strategies, which are unreservedly pro-business, will outline more on our plans for resilience-building, including in the growth and foundational sectors targeted by the Industrial Strategy.

In collaboration with business, we are already acting to bolster the resilience of key UK industries, for example reviewing all options to ensure a secure future for our domestic steel industry and building a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain through the Automotive Transformation Fund.

We support the Automotive sector via the Automotive Transformation Fund to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain, including gigafactories and their supply chains. The Budget committed over £2 billion of capital and R&D funding to 2030 for zero emission vehicle manufacturing and supply chains. We will set out more information on this in due course as part of the Industrial Strategy.

As the Prime Minister announced, the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce will be undertaking a review of nuclear regulation, and it would be inappropriate to comment further until that review has concluded.

The Government has published a refreshed planning framework for new nuclear reactors (EN-7), including small and advanced modular reactors, for consultation. The proposed planning framework provides a robust set of siting criteria to enable the identification of potentially suitable sites. Government would welcome private developer interest in identifying potentially suitable sites once EN-7 is designated.

The Government continually assesses online service providers’ duties to tackle harmful content and activity on their services, including content relating to sexual exploitation. Under the Online Safety Act, social media platforms need to assess the risk of their services being used to facilitate several kinds of priority illegal harms. These include sexual exploitation. Where there is a risk, platforms need to take steps to mitigate it. Ofcom is the regulator for this regime. It sets out steps that providers can take in codes of practice. This includes steps relating to the design and operation of their services, as well as content moderation steps.

UK product safety law is clear that all products placed on the market must be safe. However, the Government keeps regulatory frameworks under regular review. The Department for Business and Trade has recently introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to update the UK’s regulatory framework on product safety. It will support business and economic growth whilst providing greater protection for consumers.

Our consultation on the impact of AI on the copyright regime, which was published on 17 December and closed on 25 February, received over 10,000 responses. We will now consider the full range of responses we have received and will continue to develop our policy approach in partnership with creative industries, media and AI stakeholders. Addressing this is an urgent priority for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, but no decisions will be taken until we are absolutely confident we have a practical plan that delivers for the creative industries.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) also works closely with the Department for Education (DfE) on skills policy affecting the creative sector. This includes DfE’s work on the reformed growth and skills levy, which will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work, including digital skills, and create routes into good, skilled jobs in growing industries.

Many video games studios already use AI tools to streamline development processes and enhance game-play experience.

I routinely hold discussions with a range of stakeholders in the sector where we cover matters relevant to sports and television, including free-to-air access to sporting events.

The Government wants major sporting events to be made available on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. However, this must also be balanced with the ability of sporting organisations to generate revenues to invest in their sports, at all levels.

This government recognises the value of lifelong learning and creating opportunities for individuals across their working lives. That is why the department has committed to introducing the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), a transformation to the existing higher education student finance system. The LLE will launch in the 2026/27 academic year for learners studying courses starting on or after 1 January 2027.

Under the LLE, new learners will be able to access a full entitlement equal to four years of full-time tuition. This is currently equal to £38,140 based on the 2025/26 academic year fee rates.

Learners will be able to use this new entitlement more flexibly than ever before to fund individual modules as well as full courses at levels 4 to 6, regardless of whether they are provided in colleges, universities or independent providers.

Working closely with local and national employers to fully understand their needs is a key part of the successful delivery of the department’s ambition for the LLE. This is demonstrated through our existing piloting activity, the Modular acceleration programme, which is a two-year programme designed to accelerate the supply and delivery of individual modules of Higher Technical Qualifications. Through this programme, successful providers in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, seven colleges in the combined regions in this case, received funding to enable demand raising which included engagement with local employers.

Schools will also play a key part in the successful delivery of the LLE by communicating key messages about the programme to leaders, career-guidance practitioners, learners and their parents. This will be key in ensuring learners are well informed about the new flexibilities offered by the LLE.

In addition, local skills improvement plans, led by a designated employer representative body, are bringing together employers and providers across England to set out a clear articulation of employers’ skills needs and the priority changes required in the local area.

The department is investing over £7.5 billion in 16 to 19 funding during the 2024/25 academic year, and announced an additional £100 million investment in 16 to 19 education in the 2025/26 financial year on top of the £300 million announced at the Autumn Budget 2024. This £400 million spend will ensure enough funding is available given the very significant increase in student numbers and other pressures on the system and 16 to 19-year-olds in Teesside will benefit from this.

The department will provide approximately £1.4 billion in funding for the adult skills fund (ASF) in the 2025/26 academic year and will have devolved 68% of the ASF to mayoral strategic authorities. These authorities, including Tees Valley Combined Authority which covers Teesside, have autonomy in deciding how to use their funding to make decisions that are best for their areas.

This government also wants to support more young people to benefit from apprenticeship training. Future spending will be subject to the outcome of the spending review.

As part of the new Growth and Skills offer, the department is introducing foundation apprenticeships to provide young people with clear progression pathways into further work-based training and employment. Construction will be one of the key sectors that will benefit from this new offer, launching in August 2025, and employers will be provided with £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they take on and retain in construction.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE.

The Review’s interim report sets out that rapid social, environmental and technological change necessitates that the curriculum keep pace, including a greater focus on sustainability and climate science. The report can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-interim-report. New opportunities and challenges, including those relating to climate change, will require particular knowledge and skills to address. The Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of these within subjects, and how content can remain relevant and support young people to thrive in a fast-changing world. This could involve further embedding various knowledge and skills across different parts of the curriculum. The Review is looking at all subjects, including subjects that currently contain content on climate science and sustainability, such as science, geography and citizenship.

The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn with the government’s response.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland to the answer of 25 February 2025 to Question 31239.

The consultation on the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 closed on 23 December 2024. Many organisations have called for the Regulations to be updated to reflect the modern ways in which the public uses bathing waters so that they continue to support public health outcomes.

This Government published our formal response on 12 March 2025. The consultation results show a large majority in favour of the two wider reforms to expand the definition of a ‘bather’ and introducing the use of multiple monitoring points at designated bathing sites.

We are now progressing policy development and research to determine how best to implement the wider reforms. We will consider any potential environmental, societal, and access Impacts. We will work closely with local and national stakeholders, seeking their views on these reforms.

Private drinking water supplies are regulated by local authorities, who receive scientific and technical advice from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). To ensure water is safe to drink, local authorities sample and identify water quality risks, can serve notices to correct any issues identified, and have remedial powers if those responsible for the supply do not comply with the notice.

To secure a reliable and sufficient supply, legislation allows a water company to charge for the cost of making a new connection. As the independent economic regulator, Ofwat ensures companies are acting responsibly and transparently in the services they provide and set charges that reflect the cost of undertaking the work.

The DWI regularly publishes research on private water supplies, which helps local authorities to conduct risk assessments and to fulfil their regulatory responsibilities. Defra also works closely with DWI to ensure the provision of safe, clean drinking water.

Investment in the North’s transport infrastructure continues to be a priority for this government and has a key role to play in unlocking regional growth. The Government has already committed £310m in capital grants to Tees Valley in the current financial year, via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS). We are currently examining all future spending commitments through a Spending Review, and any future funding will be confirmed in due course.

Good reliable and affordable local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. The Government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England, including in rural parts of Teesside.

In addition, the Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent, protect crucial bus routes or introduce initiatives to reduce fares for local communities.  Tees Valley Combined Authority has been allocated £7.2 million of this funding.

The Revenue Certainty Mechanism is intended to support both greenhouse gas reductions and UK production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by providing revenue certainty to encourage investment in the construction of SAF plants. The SAF Mandate will need c1.2 million tonnes of SAF and reduce aviation emissions by 2.7MtCO2e annually in 2030. A UK supply of SAF will help fulfil the SAF Mandate, delivering carbon savings.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides a range of specific support for people with asbestos-related conditions.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) provides a non-contributory, “no-fault”, weekly benefit for disablement because of an accident at work, or because of one of over 70 prescribed diseases known to be a risk from certain jobs. DWP also provides one-off lump-sum compensation payments under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 (the ‘1979 Act scheme’) to individuals who suffer from one of the dust-related diseases covered by the scheme, subject to the wider eligibility criteria being satisfied. This scheme is designed to cover people who are unable to claim damages from any relevant employers because they have gone out of business.

Asbestos-related diseases covered by IIDB and the 1979 Act scheme include pneumoconiosis (including asbestosis), diffuse mesothelioma, unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening and asbestos-related primary carcinoma of the lung.

Eligible individuals with diffuse mesothelioma who are not entitled under the 1979 Act scheme, for example those whose exposure was not work-related, may instead be entitled to a one-off lump-sum compensation payment under Part 4 of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 (“the 2008 Act Scheme”).

The value of weekly IIDB awards were uprated by 1.7 per cent from April this year. Awards under the 1979 and 2008 Act Schemes were also uprated by 1.7 per cent and new rates apply to those who first become entitled to a payment on or after 1 April 2025. The Department recognises the importance of providing support to customers with asbestos-related conditions and we continue to work with stakeholders to identify improvements where possible.

There are no plans to review the rules relating to competent states. The EU Regulation 883/2004 only applies to those in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. The role of these regulations is to coordinate the differing EU social security systems. The UK is bound by these international agreements and cannot change how the competent state is determined.

The Office for National Statistics estimate that 110 thousand working-age people in Tees Valley are economically inactive. This is similar to the pre-pandemic level. This government has ambitious plans to devolve more power to local areas to help more people get into work.

Tackling health inequalities is central to our Health Mission, which is why the Government has committed to halve the healthy life expectancy gap between the richest and poorest regions by addressing the social determinants of health. Work is currently underway across the Department and with NHS England and the regional Directors of Public Health to develop approaches to address regional health inequalities.

In line with the Health Mission, we will also be launching a 10-Year Health Plan with the core focus of addressing healthcare inequity, ensuring the National Health Service is there for anyone who needs it, whenever they need it.

Tackling the gap in healthy life expectancy is at the heart of our Health Mission, which is mobilising action across all parts of the Government to address the root causes of ill health and inequality, delivering targeted interventions at every stage of life to build a healthier society. We are considering a range of options to deliver this, including proposals for targeted interventions such as Health and Prosperity Improvement Zones.

The Government takes a zero-tolerance approach to any kind of abusive behaviour. All National Health Service staff, including those in clinical roles, should be able to care for patients without fear of verbal or physical abuse.

Individual employers are responsible for the health and safety of their staff and put in place many measures to do this including appropriate security, training and emotional support.

To support them, NHS England is leading work on violence prevention and reduction to provide better training and support for employers and their staff. In December 2024, NHS England published a refreshed Violence Prevention and Reduction Standard. The standard sets out guidance for trusts to help them identify risks, training requirements and crucially, what support must be made available to those staff affected.

Hospitals are responsible for ensuring that third-party service providers (e.g., cleaning, catering, maintenance staff) adhere to infection prevention and control (IPC) standards. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) evaluates whether hospitals have effective oversight of subcontractors and whether their services meet regulatory cleanliness and safety standards. More information on these CQC inspections is available at the following link:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/what-we-do/how-we-do-our-job/our-infection-prevention-control-inspections

Guidance for the cleaning of healthcare environments is contained in the NHS England national IPC manual. The manual is mandatory for all healthcare staff delivering services within the National Health Service in England. This includes the safe management of the care environment, linen and blood and body fluid spillages, and more information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/national-infection-prevention-and-control-manual-nipcm-for-england/chapter-1-standard-infection-control-precautions-sicps/#1-6

The Government recognises that pharmacies are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, as an easily accessible ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals.

The Government is committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and to better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists. To support these private contractors, NHS England is providing fully funded national training opportunities to help them deliver quality NHS services.

The Department and NHS England are working at pace with Community Pharmacy England to ensure that the funding we have available is used to support community pharmacy in the best way possible. Community Pharmacy England is recognised by the Government as the body that we consult on the community pharmacy contract and is formulated to represent the views of all pharmacy contractors including independent pharmacies.

Banking services fulfil a vital role for businesses across the UK.

I recently laid legislation before Parliament which will require banks and other providers to give customers a longer notice period of 90 days before closing accounts and to provide a sufficiently detailed and specific explanation.

This will give people and businesses the time and information they need to challenge decisions or find an alternative provider.

The rules for Class 3 voluntary National Insurance Contributions allow individuals to fill gaps in their National Insurance record for the past 6 tax years. There are no plans to change these rules.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government increased the main CGT rates to 18% and 24%. The new CGT rates strike the right balance between raising revenue to repair the public finances and improve public services, while remaining internationally competitive, with lower headline rates than France, Germany and Italy.

I refer my Hon Friend to the Statement made by the Home Secretary on 12 May accompanying publication of the Government’s Immigration White Paper.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

On 25 February 2025, the Crime and Policing Bill was introduced in Parliament. The Bill includes proposals to give the police greater powers to clamp down on off-road bikes and other vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing vehicles.

This will allow the police to quickly remove anti-social vehicles and send a clear message to antisocial drivers that their behaviour will not be tolerated.

We are aware of the pressures that football policing places on police force budgets. We agree that large, highly-profitable businesses should make a reasonable contribution to the costs of policing their events and we are considering options for how to manage this in a fair and proportionate way going forward.

Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will make sure national security and a high-growth economy are aligned to deliver the change we promised: cracking down on waste, building resilient supply chains and boosting Britain's defence industry.

By strengthening our relationship with industry, innovators and investors we will make it easier and more attractive to do business in Defence than ever before.

Defence is not just a cornerstone of national security but also a powerful engine for growth. Defence spending already supports 239,000 UK jobs in industry, including around 8,000 apprenticeships, building the capabilities of the future. The Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Industrial Strategy will secure skilled, rewarding, exciting careers in Defence, that support families and communities across our nation.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to the health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces personnel. All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services.

For those personnel requiring medical intervention the Defence Medical Services (DMS) responsive, flexible, accessible and comprehensive treatment service. The DMS is reshaping mental health provision to reduce waiting lists, improve timelines for patient recovery and refocus on earlier intervention. There will be a single point of access for specialist mental health networks allowing quicker access to initial assessment and earlier allocation to the right treatment pathway. DMS is increasing access to resources and online therapy to improve the care offered by GPs.

Several non-medical interventions across Defence complement medical services, including key MOD initiatives such as the Defence Senior Leaders Mental Fitness and Resilience course (SLMFR), HeadFIT and the Annual Mental Fitness Brief (AMFB). Additionally, each of the single Services provide through career mental health and stress management training.

Where personnel leaving the Armed Forces have an enduring need for mental healthcare, the DMS works in partnership with the NHS to ensure continuation of care. Personnel who have been assessed and diagnosed with a mental health need are able to access Departments of Community Mental Health for up to six months after discharge to provide continuity of care during the transition period until appropriate handover to other services can be completed as required.

The Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Service deliver additional support to Service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, including facilitating access to NHS services. Wherever they live in UK, veterans can access bespoke services, including Op COURAGE in England.

Op COURAGE, the Veterans Mental Health, and Wellbeing Service, provides an integrated mental health care pathway for veterans. Op COURAGE has received over 35,000 referrals. In addition to these services, NHS Integrated Care Boards commission NHS talking therapies, which have received over 13,400 referrals over the same time period.

The government is committed to supporting communities. The Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, outlines plans for a new Community Right to Buy, allowing locals to acquire valued community spaces. The £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods will provide up to £20 million in funding over the next decade to 75 of the most deprived communities, partnering with residents, businesses, and local authorities to drive renewal.

On 25 March, we announced a £20 million support package for community-led housebuilding groups, including housing co-operatives and community land trusts. This investment, managed by Resonance Ltd, will support the construction of over 2,500 new homes in the next decade, addressing local needs. Following a consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework, we have also strengthened support for community-led housing by changing size limits on exception sites and broadening the definition of eligible organisations. Our Long-Term Housing Strategy will further support this sector's growth.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 22080 on 15 January 2025.

The liability of bereaved families of someone who may have been in receipt of Universal Credit will depend on whether they have entered into any legal agreements as a part of their relative's tenancy.

If individuals are unclear on whether they, or another family member, is liable for outstanding debts, they may wish to seek independent advice from organisations such as Citizens Advice.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will limit the liability of a guarantor of a tenancy agreement for rent in the tragic circumstance where a tenant related to them has died.

Units are likely to be reported as temporarily unavailable when works are being carried out as part of Private Registered Providers’ stock condition remediation and energy efficiency works.

This is set out in the Regulator of Social Housing’s “Private Registered Provider Social Housing Stock In England – Sector Characteristics and Stock Movement” report for 2023-24, available on gov.uk here.

Those reported as permanently unavailable may be scheduled for significant work, restructure, or demolition.

Variation in the number of permanently unavailable units will be driven by multiple factors such as re-development programmes and individual approaches by Private Registered Providers to asset management.

The government encourages social housing providers to develop solutions that make best use of the social housing stock and minimise void periods where possible.

Units are likely to be reported as temporarily unavailable when works are being carried out as part of Private Registered Providers’ stock condition remediation and energy efficiency works.

This is set out in the Regulator of Social Housing’s “Private Registered Provider Social Housing Stock In England – Sector Characteristics and Stock Movement” report for 2023-24, available on gov.uk here.

Those reported as permanently unavailable may be scheduled for significant work, restructure, or demolition.

Variation in the number of permanently unavailable units will be driven by multiple factors such as re-development programmes and individual approaches by Private Registered Providers to asset management.

The government encourages social housing providers to develop solutions that make best use of the social housing stock and minimise void periods where possible.

This Government has not made any specific assessment of the impact of jury service on jurors who receive compensation less than their usual income. However pursuant to my answer to PQ 36911, the Government will keep under review all support provided to jurors throughout their service. People who are not paid by their employer whilst they are on jury service can claim a loss of earnings allowance from the court. Self-employed people who lose earnings whilst doing jury service are also able to claim loss of earnings.

Jury service is an important civic duty, and we want to help jurors feel supported as they undertake this important job. The Government will keep under review all support provided to jurors throughout their service. People who are not paid by their employer whilst they are on jury service can claim a loss of earnings allowance from the court. Self-employed people who lose earnings whilst doing jury service are also able to claim loss of earnings.