Mary Kelly Foy

Decisions over loudspeaker consent in Parliament Square are handled by the Serjeant at Arms. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis and takes into consideration the sitting of the House and Committees, other business planned for the day, the location of the loudspeaker equipment, noise level from equipment and other considerations pertinent to the particular case. The House authorities recognise the importance of legitimate protest to our democracy; they also have a responsibility to ensure that the House is able to transact its business effectively.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 created a ‘controlled area’ surrounding Parliament where the unauthorised use of loudspeakers, the erecting of tents and the use of ‘sleeping equipment’ is prohibited.

The Serjeant at Arms responded to a request from Westminster City Council for views on the use of a loudspeaker in Parliament Square for 30 October 2024. The Serjeant at Arms expressed objection because of the proximity to the Chamber and the significant noise this would cause whilst the Chamber is sitting.

Our Equality (Race and Disability) Bill will include a range of measures to tackle racial inequality

We will engage with a wide range of stakeholders while developing the Bill, and will ensure that Gypsy, Traveller and Roma civil society have the opportunity to share their views.

The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. Applications for visas to visit or stay for longer periods of time would be processed according to the rules of individual Member States. The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

UK nationals lawfully resident in the EU prior to 31 December 2020 are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement and enjoy certain rights, including the right of residence in their host state provided that they maintain continuity of residence.

The Government takes these rights extremely seriously and engages regularly with the European Commission and Member States to resolve difficulties UK nationals face in accessing their rights.

UK nationals not protected under the Withdrawal Agreement should ensure that they comply with the Schengen rules: these allow for certain third country nationals, including UK nationals, to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

The UK and the EU allow for visa-free short-term travel in line with their respective arrangements for third country nationals. The UK allows EU citizens short-term visa-free travel for up to six months. Meanwhile, the EU allows for travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period; this is standard for third countries travelling visa-free to the EU. UK nationals planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require a visa and/or permit.The UK Government will continue to listen to and advocate for UK nationals.

The Government is doing all it can to increase the pace of redress across all four Horizon compensation schemes. We are making upfront fixed offers and making interim and partial payments where possible. We continue to seek options to speed up redress in discussion with the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board.

Requests for information are intended to enable the Post Office and Department to increase its offers to claimants, including where there is a reasonable concern about the basis of calculation. We continue to work to ensure that requests are only issued where necessary, with communication of these requests handled sensitively and in the interests of claimants.

The current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established and accepted. The Government has no plans to change it.

Northern Ireland and Scotland have additional bank holidays for St Patrick’s Day and St Andrew’s Day respectively.

While an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday remains considerable. The latest analysis estimates the cost to the UK economy for a one-off bank holiday to be around £2bn.

Following the UK's Exit from the European Union, the process of transposition of EU Directives has ceased. The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (REUL Act) ended the supremacy of EU law over domestic UK law, as of January 1, 2024. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) will not directly apply to the UK and, as such, there are no immediate plans within His Majesty's Government (HMG) to transpose this EU legislation. However, UK companies offering in-scope products or services in the EU will need to comply with its provisions, demonstrating that their products/services are compliant with the provisions.

The Government is engaging with Ofgem to ensure that the distribution price control enable the required local infrastructure to power local communities. The current electricity distribution price control (RIIO-ED2 2023-2028) has allowed £22.2bn for upfront investment in low voltage networks, including £3.1bn for network upgrades. For the next price control ED3 (2028 to 2033), Ofgem will rely on Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) to inform distribution network investment plans and will accommodate forecasted electricity demand to ensure reliable local power grid fit for the net zero transition.

To achieve net zero at lowest cost, we must look at how to accelerate all low carbon technologies including geothermal. The mine water from coal mines shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks. The government is therefore supporting mine water schemes at Gateshead and Seaham Garden Village through the Heat Network Investment Project and the Green Heat Network Fund. Whilst no specific assessment has been made of the Durham Coalfield potential the Northeast Local Enterprise Partnership published a report in 2021, assessing options to increase deployment and the Mining Remediation Authority has released opportunity maps.

The Government supports AI development in the UK and the economic growth it could bring. The Department is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in setting up the AI Energy Council that will have senior representatives from both the energy industry and the AI industry to look at where best to locate AI data centres and to ensure the growth of AI and data centres in the UK is done in a way that supports our clean power mission and longer-term decarbonisation goals. For example, looking to seize opportunities that support grid balancing, reduce network costs, and utilise excess renewable energy.

The Energy Price Cap is set by Ofgem and there are different costs included in the price cap, such as the wholesale cost of energy. Any changes to these costs will affect how much the price cap will be each time it is reviewed, and the main driver of the price cap increase for the period 1 October to 31 December 2024 was an increase in wholesale energy prices.

As such, the Government believes the only way to protect consumers permanently is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy and reduce our reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets.

Whilst we make this transition to clean power by 2030, the Government is committed to ensuring vulnerable households are supported with their energy bills. We are looking at all options on how to make energy bills more affordable for these households.

In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 annual rebate on energy bills for eligible low-income households. We are also working with energy suppliers to ensure they are providing additional support to vulnerable customers that are struggling with bills

Although standing charges are a commercial matter for suppliers, and are regulated by Ofgem, we know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on them. The Government has worked constructively with the regulator on the issue of standing charges, and we are committed to lowering the cost of them.

Ofgem’s proposal to move some operational costs from standing charges to unit rates would see low-income households’ overall bills reduced on average, but we are mindful of the distributional effects of changes to standing charges, particularly on vulnerable consumers.

Ofgem’s recently published discussion paper sets out the options for how standing charges could be reduced, including by moving some supplier operational costs off standing charges onto the unit rate, increasing the variety of tariffs available for consumer in the market, and in the longer term, reviewing how system costs are allocated. Ofgem's publication can be found here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/call-for-input/standing-charges-domestic-retail-options.

Ofcom reports that 4G is available across 96% of the City of Durham constituency from all four mobile operators, while 5G (standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 94% of premises in the constituency from at least one operator.

However, I know Ofcom data does not always reflect lived experience and I have raised my concern about this with Ofcom. I welcome their much improved online mobile coverage checker which went live on 26 June.

I am keen to strengthen the mobile infrastructure across the UK, which is primarily the responsibility of the mobile operators, so I would urge the honourable member to engage directly with the mobile operators to encourage improvements in her patch.

We continue to work closely with the mobile operators and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market.

Total government investment in research and development will amount to £20.4 billion in 2025-26, protecting the highest levels of public investment in the sector. UKRI has been allocated £8.8 billion, of which £6 billion has been allocated through research council R&D budgets. This includes £2.4 billion through Research England for strategic institutional research funding for higher education providers.

The government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy and has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. ‘Chemicals and plastics’ is one of the five priority sectors, and the Taskforce are extensively engaging with industry leaders and other key stakeholders within the sector. Through UK Research and Innovation, the government is also supporting chemical engineers through schemes such as the £22 million Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing hub and a £4.6 million Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Chemical Technologies, training new leaders in sustainable chemical technologies.

The Government recognises the importance of continued innovation and improvements in the efficiency of AI.

AI Growth Zones will help shift energy demand to areas with more capacity, reducing pressure on congested parts of the grid. DSIT are working closely with DESNZ and the National Energy System Operator to align AI energy demand with future energy planning and ensure long-term sustainability.

Through the AI Energy Council, we will also build on this progress by exploring bold, clean energy solutions to ensure our AI ambitions align with the UK’s net zero goals.

UK government and local authorities will actively seek to secure the best deal possible for local communities where AI Growth Zones are allocated.

The Online Safety Act’s illegal content and, where relevant, child safety duties, will apply to services of all sizes. In September 2024, a public exchange of letters between the Secretary of State and Ofcom CEO outlined information about the taskforce: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/public-correspondence/2024/letter-from-dame-melanie-dawes-to-the-secretary-of-state-11-september-2024.pdf?v=380026. The taskforce is developing and delivering a workplan focusing on high priority themes such as terror, hate and offences against women and girls. Should small but risky services choose not to engage and there is evidence of non-compliance, Ofcom will undertake enforcement action.

The Government recognises the social enterprise sector’s valuable contribution to local communities and society at large. This diverse sector is helping to meet some of the toughest challenges facing our society through delivering both social and economic value. We welcome collaboration between social enterprises and other forms of purpose-driven businesses who are working to achieve positive societal benefits.

The Government is committed to supporting social enterprises through finance, legislation, social value work and developing partnerships with the sector. That is why the Social Enterprise Boost Fund, originally scheduled to end in March 2025, was recently extended for a further 12 months until March 2026, with an additional £1 million in funding being made available. The Boost Fund is an up to £5.1 million package of funding designed to kick start and accelerate social enterprise activity in four disadvantaged areas of England, one of which is County Durham. A DCMS-commissioned independent evaluation of the programme’s achievement of its original objectives took place between March 2023 - March 2025 and the final report will be published on gov.uk in Spring 2025.

Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 requires the Secretary of State to “superintend and promote the improvement of the public library service provided by local authorities in England”. To assist this function the department regularly monitors and reviews changes to local authority library service provision, and engages with local authorities to discuss issues related to their respective library service.

I understand that as of 31 December 2023 the statutory library provision delivered by Durham County Council was 39 local authority-run static libraries and a mobile library service. Seven of these static libraries are located in the City of Durham constituency.

The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase on 2024-25.

This Government recognises that grassroots sports clubs are at the beating heart of communities up and down the country. High-quality, inclusive facilities help clubs to get more people active and, by backing these clubs, the Government will support more people to get onto the pitch wherever they live.

To mark the achievements of England’s senior men’s and women’s football teams, and inspire the next generation as we look ahead to hosting UEFA EURO 2028 across the UK and Ireland, we have set out plans to strengthen our support for grassroots clubs. This includes continuing delivery of funding to build and improve pitches and facilities through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme this year, and a commitment to work with the sector to develop a funding package that will support these plans in future years.

Currently in England, the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme is delivered through the Football Foundation. The Foundation is working with local authorities (and local football associations and other partners) to refresh Local Football Facility Plans that identify the specific needs of local areas. These are used to inform the pipeline of projects which will receive funding from the Foundation.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through our arm’s-length body, Sport England – which annually invests over £250 million of National Lottery and government money. Sport England’s newly established Movement Fund offers crowdfunding pledges, grants and resources to improve physical activity opportunities for the people and communities who need it the most.

​​I refer my hon. Friend the member for the City of Durham to the answer of 03 July 2025 to Question 62713.​

All higher education (HE) providers registered with the Office for Students (OfS) that intend to charge higher level tuition fees must have an access and participation plan approved by the OfS. Access and participation plans articulate how HE providers will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups.

The department wants providers to be more ambitious and play a stronger role in improving the access and outcomes for disadvantaged students.

The department made £281 million of funding available to providers for the 2024/25 academic year via the recurrent element of the Strategic Priorities Grant. This was in the form of student premiums and mental health support to support successful outcomes for students, including for disadvantaged students. Funding arrangements for the next academic year will be announced in due course.

The government is committed to supporting access to creative subjects, such as the arts, history and humanities, in higher education.

For the 2024/25 academic year, the department has allocated around £12.9 million in high-cost subject funding from the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) towards creative and performing arts courses to cover course costs.

The department has also maintained SPG funding for world-leading small and specialist providers at £58 million for the 2024/25 academic year. Of the 20 providers recognised in this way, 12 are creative and performing arts providers.

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The Office for Students (OfS), the independent regulator of English higher education (HE) providers, collects and analyses providers’ financial data to ensure they have an up to date understanding of the sustainability of the sector.

The OfS’ May 2024 report set out their assessment of the HE sector’s financial health for the 2022/23 financial year and forecasts for the next four financial years. On 15 November, the OfS published an update to this report, which found that the financial context for the HE sector has become more challenging since the May report. The government works closely with the OfS to understand the financial landscape in the sector.

While the sector is autonomous and independent, the government is determined to secure the future of our world-leading HE sector. That is why we have taken decisive action to support providers in moving towards a more stable financial footing.

In March, Professor Edward Peck was appointed as substantive Chair of the OfS. Professor Peck will continue the work of interim Chair, Sir David Behan, focusing on the sector’s financial sustainability and increasing opportunities in HE.

Moreover, in November, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits in line with forecast inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535. In return for the increased investment we are asking students to make, the department expects the sector to deliver the very best outcomes, both for those students and for the country.

The department is clear that HE providers need to ensure their governance arrangements are robust and facilitate prudent, transparent and strategic financial planning. Providers must also ensure they are fit for purpose more widely, including upholding academic freedom, freedom of speech and ensuring good quality of provision. The OfS has recently consulted on proposals to strengthen the conditions related to management and governance for providers that wish to join its register.

The government also recognises the impact that financial pressures are having on the HE workforce. We are aware that some providers are making difficult decisions around staffing in order to safeguard their financial sustainability. Given universities are independent, they are responsible for pay and provision of staff and the government does not have a role in intervening. However, we expect providers to work with staff, using their knowledge and experience to help identify how best to operate efficiently. All efficiency measures taken by the sector should provide a better long-term future for staff, students and the country.

This government is determined to build a HE system fit for the future. Ministers and departmental officials remain dedicated to engaging with the OfS, the employer body, HE unions and the wider sector. Regular discussions are being held to gain a deeper understanding of the issues impacting HE providers, students and staff. This collaborative effort will contribute to the development of the department’s plan for HE reform, which we will publish in the summer.

The Office for Students (OfS), the independent regulator of English higher education (HE) providers, collects and analyses providers’ financial data to ensure they have an up to date understanding of the sustainability of the sector.

The OfS’ May 2024 report set out their assessment of the HE sector’s financial health for the 2022/23 financial year and forecasts for the next four financial years. On 15 November, the OfS published an update to this report, which found that the financial context for the HE sector has become more challenging since the May report. The government works closely with the OfS to understand the financial landscape in the sector.

While the sector is autonomous and independent, the government is determined to secure the future of our world-leading HE sector. That is why we have taken decisive action to support providers in moving towards a more stable financial footing.

In March, Professor Edward Peck was appointed as substantive Chair of the OfS. Professor Peck will continue the work of interim Chair, Sir David Behan, focusing on the sector’s financial sustainability and increasing opportunities in HE.

Moreover, in November, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education announced the difficult decision to increase tuition fee limits in line with forecast inflation. The maximum fee for a standard full-time undergraduate course in the 2025/26 academic year will increase by 3.1%, from £9,250 to £9,535. In return for the increased investment we are asking students to make, the department expects the sector to deliver the very best outcomes, both for those students and for the country.

The department is clear that HE providers need to ensure their governance arrangements are robust and facilitate prudent, transparent and strategic financial planning. Providers must also ensure they are fit for purpose more widely, including upholding academic freedom, freedom of speech and ensuring good quality of provision. The OfS has recently consulted on proposals to strengthen the conditions related to management and governance for providers that wish to join its register.

The government also recognises the impact that financial pressures are having on the HE workforce. We are aware that some providers are making difficult decisions around staffing in order to safeguard their financial sustainability. Given universities are independent, they are responsible for pay and provision of staff and the government does not have a role in intervening. However, we expect providers to work with staff, using their knowledge and experience to help identify how best to operate efficiently. All efficiency measures taken by the sector should provide a better long-term future for staff, students and the country.

This government is determined to build a HE system fit for the future. Ministers and departmental officials remain dedicated to engaging with the OfS, the employer body, HE unions and the wider sector. Regular discussions are being held to gain a deeper understanding of the issues impacting HE providers, students and staff. This collaborative effort will contribute to the development of the department’s plan for HE reform, which we will publish in the summer.

The Government’s first priority with regard to pesticides, including weed killers, is to ensure that they will not harm people or pose unacceptable risks to the environment. Pesticides are only authorised following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met.

We recently held a useful and informative roundtable event with some local authorities to discuss the work they had done to reduce the use of glyphosate and other weed killers in the urban environment.

Active substances used in pesticides are periodically reviewed to ensure they still meet safety standards and requirements set out in legislation. We will consider the GB position on glyphosate when its approval is next due for renewal.