Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the hospitality sector in providing accessible routes into employment, skills development and long-term careers for young people.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
With around one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
A central part of the Youth Guarantee is working with employers to create more opportunities for young people. DWP is working with UKHospitality and leading hospitality employers to create more opportunities for young people to enter employment and develop the skills and experience they need to progress in work. Hospitality businesses including Whitbread, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Marriott, Compass, Burger King and Wagamama have committed to providing over 100,000 jobs for 18 to 24-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training by the end of Parliament.
These opportunities will be delivered through direct recruitment and a hospitality training programme providing disadvantaged young people with sector-specific experience, a guaranteed interview and a Hospitality Skills Passport, which certifies that participants have the skills needed to succeed in the sector. Hospitality businesses will also offer learning opportunities through DWP’s work experience programme, providing two to four weeks of hands-on experience with hospitality employers, alongside workplace support and interview experience.
DWP also supports routes into the sector through hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which provide pre-employment training designed to equip jobseekers with the skills needed for hospitality roles, alongside work experience and a guaranteed job interview. In collaboration with UKHospitality, the Destination Hospitality SWAP pilot has been extended to 22 SWAPs in 16 areas across England and Scotland.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on supporting workforce participation among young people through entry-level roles in the hospitality sector.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
With around one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion by 2029 into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
A central part of the Youth Guarantee is working with employers to create more opportunities for young people. DWP is working with UKHospitality and leading hospitality employers to create more opportunities for young people to enter employment and develop the skills and experience they need to progress in work. Hospitality businesses including Whitbread, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Marriott, Compass, Burger King and Wagamama have committed to providing over 100,000 jobs for 18 to 24-year-olds who are not in employment, education or training by the end of Parliament.
These opportunities will be delivered through direct recruitment and a hospitality training programme providing disadvantaged young people with sector-specific experience, a guaranteed interview and a Hospitality Skills Passport, which certifies that participants have the skills needed to succeed in the sector. Hospitality businesses will also offer learning opportunities through DWP’s work experience programme, providing two to four weeks of hands-on experience with hospitality employers, alongside workplace support and interview experience.
DWP also supports routes into the sector through hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which provide pre-employment training designed to equip jobseekers with the skills needed for hospitality roles, alongside work experience and a guaranteed job interview. In collaboration with UKHospitality, the Destination Hospitality SWAP pilot has been extended to 22 SWAPs in 16 areas across England and Scotland.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
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 adequacy of Birmingham City Council’s existing powers to prevent the concentration of poorly managed supported exempt accommodation in residential neighbourhoods; and whether additional planning powers will be provided.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Supported housing provides a vital service, helping some of the most vulnerable people in society to live as independently as possible. The government is clear that all supported housing should be of good quality and provide the support residents need.
The management of supported exempt accommodation is not a material planning consideration. Where a material change of use is required to provide supported exempt accommodation, planning permission will be required. We continue to keep planning use classes under review.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions the Department has had with Birmingham City Council on safeguarding requirements for supported exempt accommodation, including (a) individual needs and risk assessments, (b) the suitability of shared placements for survivors of domestic abuse and (c) arrangements for reporting safeguarding concerns.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This government is implementing the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which will introduce licensing and national supported housing standards across England. The standards include the requirement for a needs assessment to be completed for each resident, for all staff to be trained in safeguarding including on domestic abuse, and for providers to have a clear and simple complaints procedure in place. Further information on the standards, which can be found here. My officials continue to work closely with Birmingham City Council to address concerns about supported exempt accommodation in the city.
Under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Tier 1 local authorities in England are required to assess local need and commission safe accommodation support for victims of domestic abuse and their children. To support delivery of this duty, the Department has provided £499 million over 2026-27 to 2028-29. Birmingham City Council has been allocated £4,251,985 in 2026-27 to support the provision of domestic abuse safe accommodation services.
Statutory guidance to local authorities is available here, providing further details on how the duty should be delivered. This makes clear that support in shared domestic abuse safe accommodation should be delivered in single-sex settings, with support tailored to victims’ safety and support needs.
Local authorities have statutory safeguarding duties, providers and residents can raise concerns with the relevant local authority for appropriate action.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to ensure that public bodies placing people in supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham from outside the city (a) notify the receiving authority, (b) assess the suitability of the accommodation and support and (c) make arrangements for continuity of care.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Legislation and statutory guidance is clear that local authorities should, wherever possible, secure accommodation for homeless households within their own area. However, in some areas where there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation, it is sometimes necessary to find housing outside their local area. This should be as near as possible to the original placing local authority.
The Homelessness Code of Guidance sets out that accommodation must be suitable in relation to the applicant and all members of their household when accommodation is being secured. The Code of Guidance is also clear that legislation requires placing authorities to notify the receiving authority of the placement, and they should also ensure arrangements are in place to meet the household needs. This includes taking into account medical facilities and any other support provided to the household, including any health and wellbeing support to ensure they are accessible and available near any accommodation offered.
The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out our commitment to taking action on out of area placements and drive out unsuitable practice. We are actively engaging with stakeholders, including local authorities, to understand the challenges around out of area placements. We will use this to inform decisions on addressing poor practice and suitability and clarifying expectations on sending and receiving councils.
Since 2021, local authorities in England have a duty to assess local need and commission safe accommodation-based support for victims of domestic abuse and their children. Statutory guidance makes clear that this should include the needs of victims who come from outside their area. The Government is providing £499 million over 2026-27 to 2028-29 to support delivery of these duties.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what support is available to life sciences businesses to move from pilot-scale production to commercial manufacturing in the UK.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government supports life sciences businesses from early-stage development through to commercial manufacturing. UK Research and Innovation and the Catapult Network provide funding, expertise and specialist facilities to help businesses develop, test and demonstrate technologies at small and pilot scale.
For businesses ready to invest at commercial scale, the Government has committed up to £520 million for life sciences manufacturing through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund. The fund provides capital grants to support UK-wide investment in the manufacture of medicines, medical diagnostics and MedTech products. To date, £115m has been committed to 10 projects, unlocking £843m of private investment.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of Birmingham’s Health and Life Sciences District to employment, manufacturing investment and exports over the next five years.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The UK’s Life Sciences sector is a national strength with global reach which is powered by UK regions. The Life Science Sector Plan has the ambition of making the UK the world's third-leading life sciences economy by 2035, behind only the US and China. The West Midlands is a key contributor to this ambition with 16,700 people employed in the sector. The region is also supporting UK growth and health outcomes, attracting investment of over £25 million into Birmingham through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the long-term sustainability of specialist schools arising from future plans for the Music and Dance Scheme.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government has committed £37.8 million in the 2026/27 academic year for the Music and Dance Scheme.
The department recognises the financial pressures facing some providers. The £1.3 million increase for the 2026/27 academic year builds on the additional funding provided in 2025/26. This additional investment reflects the government’s continued commitment to maintaining access for students from lower income households.
The intention remains to confirm funding for the 2027/28 academic year before the end of this calendar year. Future funding from the 2028/29 academic year onwards will be subject to the forthcoming Spending Review.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what joint governance arrangements his Department has established with the Department of Health and Social Care to coordinate life sciences research funding, NHS adoption and manufacturing investment.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade works jointly with the Department of Health and Social Care through the Office for Life Sciences (OLS). The OLS is a cross-government unit that brings together health, science and business objectives to deliver improved health outcomes and economic growth by supporting innovation and unlocking investment across the UK life sciences sector.
The Life Sciences Sector Plan provides the overarching framework for life sciences research and development, NHS innovation and adoption, and manufacturing investment. Delivery is overseen through cross-government governance arrangements, including named accountable owners for key actions, regular performance monitoring and a Minister-led Delivery Board.
Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what discussions he has had with the West Midlands Combined Authority on linking the Clinical Commercial Catalyst to investment in manufacturing capacity and the development of local supply chains.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The government is working closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority and regional partners to support innovation-led growth. Through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, we are investing £50 million in the West Midlands, including £21 million for the Clinical Commercial Catalyst. The Catalyst will develop near-patient biomanufacturing capability and connect clinical trials, health data, manufacturing and scale-up support. Working with the region's advanced manufacturing partners, it will help local firms scale, attract investment and commercialise new health technologies.