Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capabilities of UK data centres to meet the energy usage required with the increasing use of AI.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government keeps UK data centre capability under review and works closely with energy regulators, network operators and industry.
Through the AI Energy Council, Government is assessing system‑wide impacts, promoting energy efficiency and clean power solutions, and ensuring that growth in AI compute supports economic growth without undermining energy security or climate objectives.
Through AI Growth Zones, the Government is streamlining planning, improving access to power and crowding in investment, while ensuring developments are located where energy system impacts can be managed effectively.
UK Data and AI infrastructure is subject to the UK’s environmental and planning frameworks, which require assessment of impacts such as energy use. Larger data centres, which will be able to apply through the recently introduced Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project route, will also be subject to these requirements.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of funding for domestic abuse services.
Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy committed to invest more than £1 billion over the next three years to support victims, including:
This sits alongside wider investments, across government, to support victims.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how does the Home Office learn of, or uncover, incidents of transnational repression.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
We continually assess potential threats in the UK and draw on a multisource model to build a comprehensive picture of that threat.
The Government works closely with law enforcement, government departments, international partners, civil society and affected individuals to strengthen our understanding of reporting trends and methodologies, identify patterns of behaviour, and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent transnational repression (TNR). A dedicated team has now been established within the Home Office to coordinate this work and act as a focal point across HMG.
The Government will continue to deepen its understanding of TNR and ensure that the systems used to detect, deter and counter this activity remain effective and proportionate.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of state-directed activity should report incidents or suspicious activity to the police via 101, at a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has held discussions with (a) Transport for London and (b) Hammersmith and Fulham Council on potential funding contributions for repairs for Hammersmith Bridge.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I wrote to you and members of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce, which includes Transport for London and Hammersmith and Fulham Council, on 27 February.
I set out in my letter that I consider Hammersmith Bridge to be a good candidate for investment from the Structures Fund, and my Department intends to consider the viability of future funding for the next stage of works via this route.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many sites has her Department shortlisted to potentially receive funding from the Structure Fund.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport surveyed local highway authorities and transport stakeholders on the assessment criteria for the Structures Fund in February 2026. We are currently considering the responses and will confirm the final prioritisation criteria in due course. Once these criteria are published, the Fund will be opened for investment proposals from local authorities, and the Department will then be able to confirm which, and how many, schemes are to receive funding from the Structures Fund.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria will be used to consider potential sites for funding via the Structures Fund.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport surveyed local highway authorities and other transport stakeholders on the criteria for prioritising structures for investment through the Structures Fund in February 2026. The Department is currently considering responses to the survey and will confirm the criteria that will be used to prioritise schemes for funding in due course.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are currently on the NHS Talking Therapy waiting list in the UK.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The latest published annual statistics for NHS Talking Therapies services in England for 2024/25 show that the mean average waiting time in days between the date the referral request was received and the date of first appointment, where the referral had a first attended appointment in the year, was 21.5 days.
As of 31 December 2025, there were 118,988 open referrals to NHS Talking Therapies services in England yet to have a first appointment.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what was the average waiting time in 2025 for an NHS Talking Therapy appointment following referral.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The latest published annual statistics for NHS Talking Therapies services in England for 2024/25 show that the mean average waiting time in days between the date the referral request was received and the date of first appointment, where the referral had a first attended appointment in the year, was 21.5 days.
As of 31 December 2025, there were 118,988 open referrals to NHS Talking Therapies services in England yet to have a first appointment.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many residents have been charged interest on late payments to HMRC in each year since 2015.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
We do not hold aggregated data on the total number of individuals who have paid late payment interest.Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will set the processes by which the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme collects data from individuals.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Those registering under FIRS do so through a dedicated IT platform. Comprehensive guidance on the scheme has been published on gov.uk. This includes guidance on what data needs to be registered and what data will appear on the public register.
In addition, the Home Office has published a Privacy Information Notice setting out how data provided under the scheme is handled (https://foreign-influence-registration-scheme.service.gov.uk/Privacy).
This includes how personal information inputted into registrations will be collected and stored securely in accordance with Home Office guidance and data policies.