Andrew George

Central data on Civil Service Headquarters (HQ) occupancy is collected and published quarterly on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-hq-occupancy-data) for all HQ buildings of Whitehall Departments, Office for Scotland, Office for Wales and Northern Ireland Office.

As was the case under the previous administration, no other information on workforce attendance is gathered centrally. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

The overseas business risk guidance, available on gov.uk, provides information for UK operators on how goods from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories should be labelled.

We had a Westminster Hall Debate last week, where a number of issues were raised, he will know that we are undertaking our fourth review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA). I would encourage him and other members to contribute to that. We are considering the other points that have been made in that debate, and we welcome comments in the review as well.

As the first step towards the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1 billion of this allocated to 2025/2026. The current iteration of the scheme, ECO4, runs from 2022 - 2026 with an increased value of £4 billion to accelerate our efforts to improve homes to meet fuel poverty targets.

Government does not specify which types of measures should be installed in any particular property, only that the installations should be carried out by TrustMark registered installers in accordance with the relevant standards and consumer protection requirements.

Deployment of measures under Government schemes are published monthly on Gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-home-grant-statistics, www.gov.uk/government/collections/household-energy-efficiency-national-statistics.

Fuel poverty policy is devolved with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero having responsibility for England. The Government has kickstarted delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, including an initial £1.8 billion to support fuel poverty schemes over the next 3 years.

There are multiple targeted schemes in place to deliver energy efficiency measures, low carbon heating and insulation measures to low income and fuel poor households in England. Schemes include the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the Great British Insulation Scheme, the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (formerly the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund), and the new Warm Homes: Local Grant.

The Government's review of the 2021 fuel poverty strategy confirms that a new plan is needed to accelerate progress to alleviate fuel poverty. We have therefore consulted on a revised fuel poverty strategy focusing on improving the energy performance of homes, supporting low-income households with energy affordability and protecting them from high prices. The consultation closed on 4 April and we are considering the responses received.

Decisions relating to the care and management of the museum's collections, including loaning objects from their collection, are a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum, in accordance with the British Museum Act 1963. The British Museum is operationally independent of the Government.

We are aware that the Chair of the Trustees, George Osborne, has had talks with Greek Ministers on the issue, seeking a constructive partnership. We value the work that the British Museum does internationally, and welcome the success of their partnerships, such as the recent collaboration between the British Museum, the V&A, and the Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana.

With regards to the legal title for the Parthenon Sculptures, the removal of the sculptures was lawful and well-documented. They were transferred to the British Museum in 1816 and have been the legal property of the British Museum, not the UK Government, since then.

Decisions relating to the care and management of the museum's collections, including loaning objects from their collection, are a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum, in accordance with the British Museum Act 1963. The British Museum is operationally independent of the Government.

We are aware that the Chair of the Trustees, George Osborne, has had talks with Greek Ministers on the issue, seeking a constructive partnership. We value the work that the British Museum does internationally, and welcome the success of their partnerships, such as the recent collaboration between the British Museum, the V&A, and the Manhyia Palace Museum in Ghana.

With regards to the legal title for the Parthenon Sculptures, the removal of the sculptures was lawful and well-documented. They were transferred to the British Museum in 1816 and have been the legal property of the British Museum, not the UK Government, since then.

The Office for Students (OfS) does not routinely collect or publish data on the number of registered higher education providers that disclose the quantity and type of contact hours for courses advertised to prospective students.

However, all registered providers are expected to comply with consumer protection law, including providing clear and accurate information to students about their courses. The Competition and Markets Authority has issued guidance to support providers in meeting these obligations, which includes transparency around contact hours and modes of delivery. The OfS expects providers to have due regard to this guidance as part of their registration conditions.

Where students believe that information provided has been misleading or insufficient, they are encouraged to raise concerns through their provider’s complaints process and can escalate complaints to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education if necessary. Additionally, any students, staff or members of the public who feel a university is not meeting the OfS’ registration requirements may submit a notification to the OfS.

Higher education providers must be transparent in how they advertise and deliver their courses. The Competition and Market Authority has published advice for providers on complying with consumer law, including informing students about the quantity and type of contact hours. All registered providers must pay due regard to this guidance as part of their registration conditions with the Office for Students (OfS).

Online learning offers significant benefits to students, but it must support the quality of a student's learning experience. The OfS’s Blended Learning Review urges providers to clearly communicate course expectations and assess students’ blended learning experiences. Students dissatisfied with their university’s service should use their provider’s complaints process. If a provider is not meeting the OfS’s registration requirements, this can be raised to the OfS by submitting a notification.

Information on the reason pupils board overnight at school is not held centrally by the department.

Information on the number of pupils who board is published in the ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ publication, which is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics.

The government is committed to providing high quality education to all young people, regardless of their background or where they live. The department understands the unique challenges students and families from the Isles of Scilly face in accessing study programmes on the mainland due to there being no post-16 education available on the Isles.

The department will provide funding to the Council to cover their predicted number of post-16 students in 2024/25 to meet the students’ travel and accommodation needs.

The government will keep all of its student financial support programmes under review, including considering what more can be done to support post-16 students from the Isles of Scilly, as part of the next Spending Review.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) allocates a boarding and accommodation allowance to the Isles of Scilly. This is a contribution of funding towards boarding, accommodation and travel costs for students who are permanent residents on the Isles of Scilly and who are eligible for 16 to 19 education. This is a special arrangement to support students with their full-time education on the mainland of England.

The funding values and unspent/returns funds are shown in the table below:

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa, on 28 March 2025, PQ 40170.

The Government concluded a rapid review of the existing Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23) and published a statement of the rapid review’s key findings on 30 January 2025.

Later in 2025 we will publish a revised EIP, to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery information to help meet the ambitious Environment Act targets. It will be a clearer, prioritised plan for achieving environmental outcomes such as reducing waste across the economy, planting more trees, improving air quality and halting the decline in species.

We have legally binding targets have been carefully designed to enable biodiversity recovery. These are:

• Halt the decline in species abundance by 2030, and then increase abundance by at least 10% to exceed 2022 levels by 2042.
• Restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042, - alongside our international commitment to protect 30% of our land and ocean by 2030.
• Increase tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% of total land area in England by 2050, and
• For 70% of designated features in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to be in favourable condition by 2042 with the remainder in recovering condition.

The Government concluded a rapid review of the existing Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP23), publishing a statement of its key findings on 30 January 2025. The revised EIP will be published later this year.

There were 3,466 incidents into a waterbody in the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (DCS) area over the last 5 years, of which 929 were related to untreated sewage:

Of these incidents, the following number of substantiated incidents were attributed to South West Water (SWW):

The EA’s area boundaries do not align exactly with water company catchments. This will mean that a small number of incidents will not be included in this analysis.

The use of “other polluting discharges” the EA have taken to mean all other types of pollution incidents into water.

Finally, the EA have included pollution incidents to all types of waterbodies including coastal waters and rivers.

For Part B and C of this question, we do not hold that information, the respective organisations would be best placed to answer.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

Several of Defra’s public bodies are Public Sector Research Establishments and form an integral part of the Defra group science system. They share, as part of their remit, a role in providing quality scientific evidence and expert advice to Government in their respective disciplines.

The Overseas Registration exam (ORE) is operated by the General Dental Council (GDC), which is independent of the Government. The Department does not hold data on exactly how many candidates are waiting to sit the GDC’s ORE, or their residency status.

We understand from the GDC that, in April 2025, there were approximately 5,000 candidates on the combined waiting lists for both Part 1 and Part 2 of the ORE exam.

In April 2025, there was one sitting of the ORE Part 1, with 600 places available, and three sittings of the ORE Part 2 between January and April 2025, with 144 places on each. Between August 2025 and April 2026, there will be three sittings of ORE Part 1, with 600 places available on each sitting, and four sittings of ORE Part 2, with 144 places available on each sitting. In total, this provides 2,400 places for ORE Part 1, and 1,008 places for ORE Part 2 between April 2025 and April 2026.

The GDC’s procurement of new ORE provider contracts is ongoing, and the GDC expects to be able to announce the new providers this autumn. Officials will continue to discuss the new arrangements with the GDC, with a focus on understanding how they will further increase the availability of the ORE exam.

Whilst the GDC holds contact details for candidates on the waiting list for the ORE, they do not hold data on residency. It is the role of the GDC to approve eligibility criteria for the ORE. There are no restrictions on accessing the exam based on the residency status of the candidate.

The regional incentive payments that were referenced in the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) fourth edition rules published on 29 June 2020 were not introduced, and therefore no payments have been made. The LSF scheme rules are reviewed annually ahead of each academic year.

To reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future, we have launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s five long-term missions.

The Government will publish a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again. We will ensure the NHS has the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the care patients need when they need it.

Ensuring adequate staffing levels is the responsibility of National Health Service Trusts and commissioners, supported by national guidelines. The Government will prioritise patient safety to ensure that the NHS treats people with the high quality and safe care that they deserve.

We are committed to training the staff we need to get patients seen on time. The Government will make sure the NHS has the staff it needs to be there for everyone when they need it.

Services are commissioned either by integrated care boards or by NHS England. Commissioners have always worked with private providers to deliver primary and secondary services for the National Health Service, and make decisions based on the specifics of their areas and populations.

This government is committed to driving down waiting times for patients and will use all levers, including spare capacity in the system whether that is in independent or NHS providers, to ensure patients are treated faster. Our first step will be the delivery of 40,000 more appointments per week, and we will support the system to deliver these in the most productive and cost-efficient way.

There are currently no plans to amend, repeal or replace the Public Order Act 2023. Post legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023 will be carried out this year, beginning in May.

A memorandum will be submitted to the relevant departmental select committees in accordance with normal parliamentary practice.

The provision of training to a foreign military is assessed on a case-by-case basis and kept under review. This is underpinned by a robust process that considers strategic alignment, risks, opportunities, and compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

The UK has a long history of providing assistance to other nations in the security and justice fields and continues to do so around the world. In 2024-25 alone, that spanned 140 different partner nations, with similar levels of engagement across each of the past five years. In the interests of national security and upholding trust and confidentiality in our international partnerships, it is not appropriate for the Government to provide a full breakdown of countries that received military training from the UK over this period. All training is carried out in adherence to International Humanitarian Law.

As the Strategic Defence Review sets out, training forms a critical part of the UK’s support to Allies and partners, both globally and in the Euro-Atlantic. Our training offer consists of our globally renowned training institutions, including the Royal College of Defence Studies and the military academies, which continue to attract global leaders in their field, as well as bespoke activity to support Allies and partners.

The Department does not hold data on the amount of small business rates relief that has been granted to businesses that operate as holiday lets.

The Department for Business and Trade leads on Restart Grants, the Recovery Loan Scheme and Covid Grants.

The Council of Nations and Regions will bring together the Prime Minister, the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, the First and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, and the Mayors of Combined Authorities. On 16 July 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all areas that do not have a devolution deal to invite them to come forward with a proposal. New Mayors established through this process would be eligible to sit on the Council of Nations and Regions. The Government is committed to working productively with local government in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, including as part of regular, sustained engagement with councils across England.

Our manifesto committed to increasing the supply of affordable, including social rented, housing. It is up to local planning authorities to identify and evidence their affordable housing need at the plan-making stage. The Government publishes affordable housing statistics annually. In 2022/23, 30,048 affordable homes (completions) were delivered in England through section 106 (nil grant) agreements, which is 47% of the total affordable homes delivered, compared to 44% in the previous year.

Local authorities that receive developer contributions are required to publish Infrastructure Funding Statements annually. These report on what the authority has received and spent through developer contributions, including section 106 agreements. This provides transparency for communities and allows for scrutiny on how councils have chosen to spend funding.

The National Planning Policy Framework states that planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances in rural areas. This includes supporting housing developments that reflect local needs and going further with opportunities to bring forward small sites for affordable housing in rural areas, such as through rural exception sites. These sites should help meet the local housing needs of rural communities, enabling local people, those with a family connection or those with an employment connection, to live locally and help sustain thriving places.

We are working at pace on various revisions to the NPPF and will launch a public consultation on a new draft Framework, including those aspects that relate to rural housing.

The department does not hold data on the amount of small business rates relief that has been granted to businesses that operate as holiday homes.

The scale of violence against women and girls in our country is intolerable and this Government is treating it as the national emergency that it is. The Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. We are aiming to publish our new, cross-government strategy later this year.

We will use a wide variety of tools to target perpetrators and tackle the root causes of abuse and violence. The Ministry of Justice has already taken action by:

• Launching a pilot of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas, to strengthen protections for victims by consolidating the strongest elements of existing protective measures into a single, flexible order.

• Preparing for the introduction of free Independent Legal Advisors for victims of adult rape this year, to help victims understand and uphold their legal rights through the criminal justice process.

• Introducing new criminal offences which capture creating sexually explicit deepfakes, and spiking.

• Announcing family court reforms, such as expanding our Pathfinder programme in the family court, improving the experience of domestic abuse victims and their children at court.
• Commissioning the Independent Review of Criminal Courts to improve court timeliness - including for victims of VAWG.