Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the accessibility for disabled people of GOV.UK guidance on setting up a business; and what steps she plans to take to improve it.
Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to ensuring that digital services are accessible and inclusive to everyone, including disabled people.
GOV.UK guidance is owned and managed by government departments and organisations. They have a legal duty to consider everyone’s needs when designing and delivering information and services, and to meet the requirements of the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations and the Government Service Standard.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the level of the barriers faced by disabled people in accessing start up funding; and what steps he plans to take to reduce them.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department's work through the Lilac Review with Small Business Britain has supported research into the barriers faced by disabled people in accessing start up finance.
In response to this the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship (DFCE) was launched in December 2024 to improve access to finance and resources for disabled entrepreneurs. Its July 2026 Progress Report highlighted progress by founding signatories Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest.
The Department will continue to work with the wider financial sector to expand the Code’s reach, strengthen its impact, and help reduce financial barriers for disabled entrepreneurs across the UK.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the contract awarded by National Highways for the M49 junction 1 at Severnside was let on a fixed price basis or on a basis under which the final sum payable to the contractor could vary; and what the (a) original contract value and (b) final sum paid to the contractor were.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.
The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.
Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the contract awarded by National Highways for the construction of the M49 junction 1 at Severnside was let as a design and build contract or as a construction only contract; and whether responsibility for the design of that junction rested with National Highways or with the appointed contractor.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.
The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.
Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what provisions the contract for the M49 junction 1 at Severnside contained requiring the contractor to remedy defects at its own cost; and whether National Highways has sought to recover any sums from the contractor in respect of that junction.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.
The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.
Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether National Highways has referred, or intends to refer, the dispute over defects identified at the M49 Severnside junction 1 to adjudication under the dispute resolution provisions of its construction contract.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.
The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.
Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether sums have been paid to the contractor for the M49 junction 1 at Severnside in addition to the original contract value in respect of variations, compensation events or claims.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on increasing the availability of university undergraduate level qualifications in youth work.
Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Investing in youth services and youth work has a strong social benefit leading to decreased crime, improved health and increased employment for young people.
In the Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy we set out our commitment to developing and growing a skilled and sustainable paid and volunteer youth sector workforce. To achieve this, we are investing £15 million over the next 3 years in youth workers, volunteers, and other trusted adults to upskill the existing youth sector workforce and increase the number of trusted adults providing safe support to young people.
DCMS funds the National Youth Agency (NYA) to oversee professional standards, qualifications and workforce development for the sector. To ensure a sufficiently qualified and supported youth sector workforce, DCMS funding enables the NYA to maintain youth work qualifications, national standards and curriculum; conduct a youth work organisation census; and maintain a register of qualified youth workers.
The NYA is also leading reforms to youth work qualifications through the development of a new Standard Qualification Framework for Youth Work, due for launch in the autumn. These reforms will create more flexible and accessible routes into youth work, strengthen progression and access from Levels 1 to 6, including enhanced Level 3 more flexible entry pathways and routes into higher-level and degree-level qualifications.
To help remove financial barriers for individuals, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to gain accredited qualifications, DCMS is also continuing to fund the Youth Worker Bursary Fund during this financial year. Since 2019, DCMS has funded 4071 individuals to undertake a Level 2, 3 or 4 qualifications in youth work with 850 enrolled in courses due to complete by 2027.
DCMS does not hold empirical data to provide assured information on where those leaving youth work end up. The NYA collects limited workforce intelligence through its Youth Workforce Census and stakeholder engagement activities, although this does not provide comprehensive data on destinations for those leaving the profession.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the levels of social benefit obtained from investing in youth work provision.
Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Investing in youth services and youth work has a strong social benefit leading to decreased crime, improved health and increased employment for young people.
In the Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy we set out our commitment to developing and growing a skilled and sustainable paid and volunteer youth sector workforce. To achieve this, we are investing £15 million over the next 3 years in youth workers, volunteers, and other trusted adults to upskill the existing youth sector workforce and increase the number of trusted adults providing safe support to young people.
DCMS funds the National Youth Agency (NYA) to oversee professional standards, qualifications and workforce development for the sector. To ensure a sufficiently qualified and supported youth sector workforce, DCMS funding enables the NYA to maintain youth work qualifications, national standards and curriculum; conduct a youth work organisation census; and maintain a register of qualified youth workers.
The NYA is also leading reforms to youth work qualifications through the development of a new Standard Qualification Framework for Youth Work, due for launch in the autumn. These reforms will create more flexible and accessible routes into youth work, strengthen progression and access from Levels 1 to 6, including enhanced Level 3 more flexible entry pathways and routes into higher-level and degree-level qualifications.
To help remove financial barriers for individuals, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to gain accredited qualifications, DCMS is also continuing to fund the Youth Worker Bursary Fund during this financial year. Since 2019, DCMS has funded 4071 individuals to undertake a Level 2, 3 or 4 qualifications in youth work with 850 enrolled in courses due to complete by 2027.
DCMS does not hold empirical data to provide assured information on where those leaving youth work end up. The NYA collects limited workforce intelligence through its Youth Workforce Census and stakeholder engagement activities, although this does not provide comprehensive data on destinations for those leaving the profession.
Asked by: Claire Young (Liberal Democrat - Thornbury and Yate)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how rurality is taken into account when allocating funding for youth work.
Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Investing in youth services and youth work has a strong social benefit leading to decreased crime, improved health and increased employment for young people.
In the Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy we set out our commitment to developing and growing a skilled and sustainable paid and volunteer youth sector workforce. To achieve this, we are investing £15 million over the next 3 years in youth workers, volunteers, and other trusted adults to upskill the existing youth sector workforce and increase the number of trusted adults providing safe support to young people.
DCMS funds the National Youth Agency (NYA) to oversee professional standards, qualifications and workforce development for the sector. To ensure a sufficiently qualified and supported youth sector workforce, DCMS funding enables the NYA to maintain youth work qualifications, national standards and curriculum; conduct a youth work organisation census; and maintain a register of qualified youth workers.
The NYA is also leading reforms to youth work qualifications through the development of a new Standard Qualification Framework for Youth Work, due for launch in the autumn. These reforms will create more flexible and accessible routes into youth work, strengthen progression and access from Levels 1 to 6, including enhanced Level 3 more flexible entry pathways and routes into higher-level and degree-level qualifications.
To help remove financial barriers for individuals, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to gain accredited qualifications, DCMS is also continuing to fund the Youth Worker Bursary Fund during this financial year. Since 2019, DCMS has funded 4071 individuals to undertake a Level 2, 3 or 4 qualifications in youth work with 850 enrolled in courses due to complete by 2027.
DCMS does not hold empirical data to provide assured information on where those leaving youth work end up. The NYA collects limited workforce intelligence through its Youth Workforce Census and stakeholder engagement activities, although this does not provide comprehensive data on destinations for those leaving the profession.