Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 March to Question 33788 on Ministry of Defence: Written Questions, whether AI is used at any stage in the drafting of responses to parliamentary questions.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence is exploring various applications of AI to enhance corporate services and drive efficiency. Officials may use approved AI tools (such as large language models) when developing responses to parliamentary questions, but responsibility for finalising and approving drafts rest with officials.

All parliamentary questions remain reviewed and signed off by a Minister.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential financial impact of the Football Governance Bill on the (a) administrative and (b) compliance activities of English football clubs.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Regulator will work with clubs to ensure the new regulatory regime is light touch and streamlined. The government’s impact assessment estimates compliance costs to be between £22.8 million and £46.1million over ten years.

The largest clubs in scope are expected to experience an increase of between 0.5 full-time equivalents (FTE) and 2.5 FTE, depending on existing levels of compliance. We anticipate the smallest clubs in scope are expected to experience a total increase of between 0.1 FTE and 0.5 FTE, depending on existing levels of compliance.

Regulation will improve the financial sustainability of clubs and the same assessment estimated that the benefit of regulation would far offset the cost.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the VAT registration threshold on levels of growth of small and medium-sized businesses.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to introduce regulations for the use of solo carers for elderly people.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We have understood that the term solo carers refers to personal assistants. The Department has no current plans to introduce regulations for the use of solo carers for elderly people.

English local authorities have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to meet social care needs, and statutory guidance directs them to ensure that there is sufficient workforce in adult social care. Much of the responsibility of recruitment and retention of the workforce rests with adult social care employers, who are largely private providers.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of councils extending the right to be placed on the rent books of primary tenancies to adults with additional needs on (a) costs to and (b) the provision of social housing by local authorities.

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

The Department has not undertaken an assessment of potential impact of councils right to be placed on the rent books extension.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of green levies on domestic energy bills.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that the costs of the UK’s transition to Net Zero are fair and affordable for all energy consumers, and the potential impacts on policy costs on technologies and consumers are being fully considered. Policy costs, or levies, are added to energy bills to ensure a fair and transparent way to fund social and environmental policies, whilst easing the financial burden on taxpayers. By driving investment in renewables, they have significantly lowered the cost of renewable electricity production over time, leading to a more affordable and sustainable energy future.

Securing funding for these policies in this way helps to build a secure, affordable, and low-carbon energy system. This shift to renewables is making energy cleaner, more stable, and cheaper in the long run. Ofgem, the energy regulator in Great Britain, administers low-carbon energy and social schemes on behalf of the government and ensures that policy targets are met in an economical and consumer conscious way.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help maintain the level of return on savings in the context of her proposal to consolidate pension schemes that have under £25 billion of assets.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Increasing the returns on savings is a key priority of the Pensions Investment Review. Our proposals to consolidate schemes will improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and allow for more effective investment strategies. Together, the review and measures outlined in the King’s Speech, such as the Value for Money framework, are focussed on improving the levels of pension scheme performance and improving saver outcomes

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing income tax bands on economic productivity.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds.

This decision was reflected in the OBR’s spring 2025 forecast which can be found here: https://obr.uk/economic-and-fiscal-outlooks/.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of correcting cosmetic surgery undertaken by British Nationals abroad.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not have data on the overall costs to the National Health Service for treating complications from cosmetic procedures conducted overseas. We are exploring ways to improve our understanding of the scale of the cost to the NHS.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is taking steps to amend regulations on mechanisms for transferring pensions between scheme providers.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Following commitments made in response to the review, DWP has conducted extensive work with the FCA, HMT, The Pensions Regulator and the pensions industry to consider if the practical application of the transfer regulations could be improved, whilst retaining appropriate levels of protection for pension scheme members.

DWP Officials continue to develop this work and we will look to formally share the outcome as soon as is practical.

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 adequacy of mechanisms for transferring pensions.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Conditions for Transfers) Regulations 2021 were introduced to protect pension savers against the threat of scams by enabling trustees to pause or halt a transfer in certain circumstances.

DWP conducted a year long review of the regulations in 2022, as agreed with the Work and Pensions Select Committee.

The review concluded that the measures had been largely successful in delivering the policy intent, approximately 2000 potentially fraudulent transfers were blocked during the period considered and industry participants confirmed that there remained an ongoing need for the enhanced protection the regulations provide.

However, whilst feedback concerning the protections was positive, findings of the review also suggested that the practical application of some parts of the regulations may have caused administrative issues in certain areas.

DWP officials are conducting work with other government departments and industry representatives to consider if changes could be made to improve the transfer process whilst ensuring that appropriate protections remain in place.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the forthcoming Pensions Schemes Bill on the ability of Pension Scheme Administrators to support the the transfer of defined benefit pension schemes to insurance providers.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

An Impact Assessment will be published alongside the Pension Schemes Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Section 106 contributions paid to local authorities ahead of a development.

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

Local authorities are able to seek a section 106 planning obligation from a developer to mitigate the impact of a development in order to make it acceptable in planning terms. The obligation might, for example, specify the periods at which the required contributions must be provided by the developer. Local authorities have enforcement powers to ensure compliance with any such provisions.

The government does not collect data on section 106 contributions paid to local authorities ahead of a development taking place. However, any local authority that has received section 106 contributions is required to publish an infrastructure funding statement at least annually. Guidance recommends that authorities report on the delivery and provision of infrastructure, as well as estimated future income from developer contributions, where they are able to do so.

The government is committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions, including section 106 planning obligations, to ensure that new developments provide appropriate affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Football Governance Bill on the financial health of non premier league football clubs.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Clubs across the football pyramid have suffered from the consequences of reckless spending, unmanaged debts and poor ownership. That is why the government has introduced the Football Governance Bill which aims to improve the financial sustainability of all clubs in scope, including clubs outside the Premier League, by addressing these key issues, improving the systemic financial resilience of the whole football pyramid.

This Bill will take a proportionate and light touch approach to regulation to avoid undue burden and has been designed through extensive consultation with clubs across the football pyramid.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which hotels are being used to house asylum seekers in Mid Leicestershire constituency; and how many asylum seekers there are in each hotel.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer he received on the 14 January 2025 to UIN 22515.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to deport people who have been living in the UK illegally for more than five years.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

This government pledged to deliver the highest rate of removals since 2018 and this has been surpassed, with a surge in returns activity leading to over 24,000 people with no right to be in the UK being removed in the first nine months after the election.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing electronic voting for divisions in the House of Commons.

Answered by Lucy Powell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

This is a matter for the House to consider. The Hon. Member may wish to note that the Procedure Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into electronic voting. The Government recently submitted written evidence to that inquiry (available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8885/electronic-voting/publications/written-evidence/) and he may wish to respond directly to the Committee's call for evidence.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of mandating 60 per cent office-working by departmental staff by September 2025 on productivity within her Department.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Civil Service Heads of Departments across government have agreed that the Civil Service is best able to deliver for the people it serves by taking a consistent approach to in office working. Heads of Departments agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

The approach allows teams and departments to maximise the benefits of hybrid working and to get the best from being together. This also reflects the view of Civil Service leaders that there remain clear benefits to spending time working together face-to-face as the government delivers on the Missions commitments. The Civil Service approach is comparable to other large private and public sector employers.

Whilst this decision was not directly linked to productivity, the Department closely monitors performance and will continue to do so following implementation of the change. In DWP, around 35% of colleagues spend 100% of their time working in the office, delivering face-to-face services to customers. Other colleagues are able to work in a hybrid way, spending part of their time in the office and part of their time working from home.

Senior Civil Service colleagues are expected to work from the office (which includes face to face time with colleagues or partners on official business elsewhere) for more than 60% of their contracted hours, and the Department has now announced that colleagues at all other grades will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their contracted hours in the office from 1 September 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Money Claim Online in delivering civil remedies for small claims legal disputes.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Money Claim Online (MCOL) has provided claimants with an electronic means by which to make money claims online since 2002. Including claims made by bulk users, the system handles over 1 million claims per annum.

As part of HMCTS Reform programme, HMCTS has created a new digital service – Online Civil Money Claims (OCMC) – which enables users to issue, respond to and manage a claim digitally, including the ability to settle a claim without court intervention and uploading evidence for hearings. OCMC has been available since 2018 and handles around 120,000 claims per year. The OCMC service was recently evaluated with the findings published and available on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/case-studies/modern-justice-for-all-our-online-civil-money-claims-reformed-service-helps-more-people-settle-disputes-away-from-the-courtroom.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of District Judges in hearing civil litigation cases.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

I refer the honourable Member to the Department’s evidence to the Justice Select Committee into the work of the County Court, which explained the current capacity for civil cases: Work of the County Court - Committees - UK Parliament.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of requiring full-time office working in the civil service on public sector productivity.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

In October 2024, Heads of Departments across government announced that guidance on office attendance will remain in place, with most civil servants expected to spend at least 60% of their time at a Government building or on official business, such as visiting stakeholders. Senior managers will continue to be expected to be in the office more than 60% of the time. This is the same expectation on office attendance as was introduced under the previous administration.

The approach will allow teams and departments to maximise the benefits of hybrid working and getting the best from being together.

Imprisonment of Lucy Connolly

Protection of free expression and resistance to blasphemy laws

Upholding biological sex-based protections in single-sex spaces

Mass deportation of illegal migrants

Found: Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Chair) Johanna Baxter (Labour; Paisley and Renfrewshire South) Mr Peter Bedford

Found: Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Chair) Johanna Baxter (Labour; Paisley and Renfrewshire South) Mr Peter Bedford

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Debbie Abrahams (Chair); Johanna Baxter; Mr Peter Bedford; Damien

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Debbie Abrahams (Chair); Johanna Baxter; Mr Peter Bedford; Steve

Found: Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Chair) Johanna Baxter (Labour; Paisley and Renfrewshire South) Mr Peter Bedford

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the wage bill of the (a) Civil Service, (b) central Government Departments and (c) public sector was in (i) June 2024 and (ii) the latest period for which data is available.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Salary data for the Civil Service is published annually as part of Civil Service Statistics, an Accredited Official Statistics release, available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024. The most recent estimated salary cost figures as at 31st March 2024 were provided in response to Peter Bedford MP’s question on 16th October 2024. Civil Service Statistics 2025 is due to be published on 30 July 2025.

The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the wage bill for the wider public sector.

Found: Negatived on division_3 Robert Jenrick Dr Kieran Mullan Mike Wood Jack Rankin Mr Peter Bedford .