Sarah Gibson Portrait

Sarah Gibson

Liberal Democrat - Chippenham

8,138 (16.4%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Business)

(since September 2024)

Sarah Gibson is not a member of any APPGs
Employment Rights Bill
13th Nov 2024 - 16th Jan 2025


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Sarah Gibson has voted in 106 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Sarah Gibson voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 38 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 41
View All Sarah Gibson Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Greg Smith (Conservative)
Opposition Whip (Commons)
(22 debate interactions)
Justin Madders (Labour)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
(16 debate interactions)
Laurence Turner (Labour)
(10 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Business and Trade
(49 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(18 debate contributions)
Wales Office
(9 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Employment Rights Bill 2024-26
(10,145 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Sarah Gibson's debates

Chippenham Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Sarah Gibson has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Sarah Gibson

29th April 2025
Sarah Gibson signed this EDM on Wednesday 30th April 2025

Public Hearts defibrillator campaign

Tabled by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham)
That this House congratulates Clare Seed and everyone at the Public Hearts campaign for their work in installing 100 lifesaving defibrillator machines in Cheltenham; notes that the Public Hearts campaign is a leading example of how the charity, private and public sectors can work together on lifesaving health initiatives; applauds …
16 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 15
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
11th November 2024
Sarah Gibson signed this EDM on Monday 28th April 2025

Humanitarian situation in Sudan

Tabled by: Monica Harding (Liberal Democrat - Esher and Walton)
That this House notes that some 25 million people are facing acute hunger and urgently need humanitarian assistance in Sudan, that 14 regions are on the brink of famine and famine conditions have already been confirmed in ZamZam Camp in North Darfur and that more than 10 million have been …
39 signatures
(Most recent: 28 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 24
Plaid Cymru: 4
Labour: 4
Green Party: 3
Conservative: 1
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
View All Sarah Gibson's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Sarah Gibson, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Sarah Gibson has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Sarah Gibson

Tuesday 5th November 2024

Sarah Gibson has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Sarah Gibson has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a minerals trade deal between the US and Ukraine on the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy.

A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK's economic growth and security, Industrial Strategy, and clean energy transition. The Department for Business and Trade will publish a new Critical Minerals Strategy this year that will set out the Government’s refined approach including on international partnerships.

The UK is committed to collaborating with Ukraine on critical minerals through our 100 Year Partnership agreement to support the development of a Ukrainian Critical Minerals Strategy.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of a minerals trade deal between the US and Ukraine.

A secure supply of critical minerals is vital for the UK's economic growth and security, Industrial Strategy, and clean energy transition. The Department for Business and Trade will publish a new Critical Minerals Strategy this year that will set out the Government’s refined approach including on international partnerships.

The UK is committed to collaborating with Ukraine on critical minerals through our 100 Year Partnership agreement to support the development of a Ukrainian Critical Minerals Strategy.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the comparative merits of (a) air-to-air and (b) other heat pump technologies eligible under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme does not currently support air-to-air heat pumps, as heat pump installations must provide both space heating and hot water heating, using liquid as a medium for delivering that heat. We want to target support at technologies that offer the greatest potential to decarbonise our buildings.

The Government is committed to incentivising moves to cleaner, more affordable heating, and will keep its position on alternative heating technologies under review and make further assessments as the supporting evidence base develops.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has considered providing free (a) insulation and (b) heat pumps to low-income households; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of such provision on (i) fuel poverty and (ii) carbon emissions.

Government energy efficiency schemes such as the Energy Company Obligation, Great British Insulation Scheme, Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant are targeted at low-income households to tackle fuel poverty.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant provides capital support for property owners to install a low carbon heating system.

Home energy efficiency improvements and upgraded heating systems under these schemes look to reduce carbon emissions, overall energy demand and energy bills for consumers. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
3rd Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) further regulating gambling companies and (b) creating a Gambling Ombudsman.

The government is committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can continue to enjoy gambling, without the risks that can ensue from harmful gambling.

The previous government published its gambling white paper in April 2023. The white paper set out the future of regulation and legislation in the gambling sector. This included a broad package of evidence-led proposals which aim to prevent harm as early as possible, and we have delivered on the introduction of the statutory levy and online slots stake limits. We will continue to monitor the best available evidence in taking decisions on future gambling reform, and the Minister for Gambling will outline further steps in due course, including on the ombudsman.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to funding for Level 7 apprenticeships from the Growth and Skills Levy on the availability of talent in professions such as architecture.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system.

This government had a dire fiscal inheritance which has made tough choices necessary to fix the foundations of our economy and prioritise in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers. The department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund Level 7 apprenticeships, outside of the levy-funded growth and skills offer.

The department will take advice from Skills England, who have been engaging with employers on this, and expects to make a final decision on affected apprenticeships in the new year.

Learners who have started these apprenticeships will be funded through to completion.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether all Level 7 apprenticeships will be included within the scope of the Growth and Skills Levy.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system.

This government had a dire fiscal inheritance which has made tough choices necessary to fix the foundations of our economy and prioritise in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers. The department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund Level 7 apprenticeships, outside of the levy-funded growth and skills offer.

The department will take advice from Skills England, who have been engaging with employers on this, and expects to make a final decision on affected apprenticeships in the new year.

Learners who have started these apprenticeships will be funded through to completion.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to continue funding for apprentices undertaking a Level 7 apprenticeship.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system.

This government had a dire fiscal inheritance which has made tough choices necessary to fix the foundations of our economy and prioritise in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers. The department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund Level 7 apprenticeships, outside of the levy-funded growth and skills offer.

The department will take advice from Skills England, who have been engaging with employers on this, and expects to make a final decision on affected apprenticeships in the new year.

Learners who have started these apprenticeships will be funded through to completion.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
17th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the reduction in the Rural England Prosperity Fund for 2025/26 on rural businesses.

The Department announced on 4 March that it would be providing an additional £33 million for the Rural England Prosperity Fund in financial year 2025-26. This announcement continues funding beyond the lifetime of the original scheme providing new money for new projects in rural areas.

The Autumn Statement on 30 October confirmed Defra’s budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Funding allocations for individual programmes have been determined through the departments business planning exercise. Future funding decisions remain subject to the Government spending review.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of adopting World Health Organisation Air Standards.

The Government is committed to meeting current legal targets for air quality, including the targets recently set under the Environment Act 2021, and will review the policy measures needed to achieve them. We will deliver a comprehensive Clean Air Strategy, including a series of interventions to reduce emissions so that everyone’s exposure to air pollution is reduced.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines are intended to inform the setting of air quality standards and are not ready-made targets for direct adoption as they do not consider achievability or individual countries’ circumstances. However, we will consider WHO guidelines as part of an evidence led process when considering future targets.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the (a) effectiveness of the Pfand recycling system in Germany and (b) potential merits of adopting a similar approach in the UK.

Defra officials have worked closely with international partners to learn lessons and consider best practice when developing the scheme design of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in the UK. This includes teach-ins with the German scheme administrator, as well as a visit earlier this year to observe the recycling system in Germany.

This Government remains committed to delivering the DRS for drinks containers in October 2027, as agreed with the devolved Governments of the UK, and in accordance with the Joint Policy Statement published in April 2024.

Defra intends to lay the DRS regulations for England and Northern Ireland before Parliament later this year, assuming Parliamentary time allows. The regulations would come into force in early 2025 before the Deposit Management Organisation, who will run the scheme, would be appointed in April 2025.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to investigate the cause of floods in (a) Calne and (b) other areas that have not experienced flooding for decades.

Over 300 properties flooded across 50 communities in Wiltshire alone during the winter of 2023/24, which was the wettest since records began 1871. These same areas of Wiltshire also experienced heavy rainfall in September 2024. The rural catchments that have seen numerous floods during this period are sensitive to both rainfall intensities and durations. It is understood that it has been a combination of both high intensity and prolonged durations during these storm events combined with saturated catchments resulting in localised flooding.

Wiltshire Council are in the process of undertaking Flood & Water Management Act 2010 Section 19 flood reports investigating the flooding issues experienced across the county last winter. We will input information and evidence into these reports.

We are working with flood risk management authorities, through a Wiltshire Rural Runoff project, to improve understanding of the causes of flooding, and it will look for potential for interventions to reduce the impacts of these types of flood events. The Calne catchments is in one of the five focus areas, and the evidence and understanding is being gathered this winter with support of the Wildlife Trusts and local landowners and farmers.

As these types of rainfall events are expected to become more frequent with climate change, The Environment Agency are exploring how they can make our flood warning service more effective for these types of rural catchment, that respond quickly to heavy intensity rain.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that water companies reduce water bills; and what steps he is taking to ensure that water companies do not pass the costs of (a) any fines incurred, (b) debts and (c) infrastructure upgrades on to customers.

This Government has been clear that vital infrastructure investment is ringfenced and can only be spent on upgrades benefiting customers and the environment. When money for investment is not spent, companies must refund customers, with money never allowed to be diverted for bonuses, dividends or salary increases.

New infrastructure will need to be paid for, and while water companies can attract private investment, this will also need to come from customer bills. It is Ofwat's responsibility to independently scrutinise water company plans to ensure that the prices water companies charge their customers are fair and proportionate.

We have inherited a water system spilling record levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Water companies must take action to turn this around and Ofwat must ensure customers do not pay twice for upgrades.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to assess the potential impact of the extended £2 bus fare cap on residents' access to (a) essential services and (b) employment opportunities in Wiltshire.

The government is investing over £150 million to deliver the new £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London from 1 January until 31 December 2025 to help keep bus fares affordable. Under the plans of the previous administration, the £2 cap on bus fares had been due to expire on 31 December 2024, and prior to the Budget, there was no further funding available to maintain a cap on bus fares beyond this point.

The final monitoring and evaluation report into the impact of the £2 bus fare cap was published on 12 February. An evaluation of the £3 fare cap is due to be commissioned shortly.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to maintain the current number of driving test centres in rural communities.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is committed to providing its customers, including those in rural areas, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of driving test waits in Wiltshire; and what steps she is taking to help reduce the backlog.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

The table below shows the number of car practical driving tests booked and available in the 24-week booking window, as of 31 March 2025, for the driving test centres (DTCs) serving customers in Wiltshire:

DTC

Car practical driving tests booked

Car practical driving test available

Chippenham

2,721

138

Salisbury

1,795

84

Swindon

3,233

144

On the 18 December 2024, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA continues to recruit DEs DTCs serving customers in Wiltshire and is currently working through the recruitment process from recent campaigns. As part of this, DVSA has four potential new DEs booked on training programmes.

On 31 March 2025, DVSA launched its latest DE recruitment campaign and has two vacancies for the area as part of this.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 25 warnings, 4 suspensions, and closed 90 business accounts.

DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help tackle bots in the DVSA's online booking system for driving tests.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

The table below shows the number of car practical driving tests booked and available in the 24-week booking window, as of 31 March 2025, for the driving test centres (DTCs) serving customers in Wiltshire:

DTC

Car practical driving tests booked

Car practical driving test available

Chippenham

2,721

138

Salisbury

1,795

84

Swindon

3,233

144

On the 18 December 2024, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA continues to recruit DEs DTCs serving customers in Wiltshire and is currently working through the recruitment process from recent campaigns. As part of this, DVSA has four potential new DEs booked on training programmes.

On 31 March 2025, DVSA launched its latest DE recruitment campaign and has two vacancies for the area as part of this.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 25 warnings, 4 suspensions, and closed 90 business accounts.

DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Department has made of the merits of the bid for a railway station in Corsham.

Aside from Restoring Your Railway (RYR) projects currently at the delivery stage or in construction, all remaining RYR-originated projects, including the Corsham station proposal, will be reviewed as part of preparations for the upcoming Spending Review. Ministers have been clear that not all proposed transport projects will be able to proceed to delivery due to the challenging financial situation facing the Department.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of Carer’s Allowance overpayment cases identified by her Department in each of the last six years were subject to investigation prior to the commencement of debt recovery procedures.

The Department looks into every case where an overpayment is calculated before the overpayment is finalised and debt recovery commences.

Where overpayments do occur, the Department has a duty to the taxpayer to protect public funds and to ask for money to be paid back. We remain committed to working with anyone who is struggling with their repayment terms and will always look to negotiate sustainable and affordable repayment plans

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to review the structure of the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance to reduce the risk of significant overpayments resulting from minor threshold breaches.

The weekly earnings limit in Carer’s Allowance (CA) was increased to £196 net earnings in April 2025. This is the largest cash increase ever since CA was introduced in 1976 and the highest percentage increase since 2001. Over 60,000 additional people will be able to receive CA between 2025/26 and 2029/30 as a result. Going forward the earnings limit will be pegged to 16 hours work at National Living Wage (NLW) levels, and in future it will increase when the NLW increases. This will provide more certainty on the hours they can work for those unpaid carers with a job on the NLW.

As my Rt hon friend the member for Leeds West (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) said at the Autumn Budget, we also need to look at the current “cliff edge” earnings rules. A taper, for example, could further incentivise unpaid carers to do some work. It could also reduce the risk of significant overpayments. However, introducing a taper in CA is not without challenges and could significantly complicate the benefit as it currently stands and would mean a major rebuild of the CA computer system. DWP is undertaking some scoping work to see whether an earnings taper in CA might be a feasible option in the longer term. But any taper will be several years away.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of earnings threshold rules for Carer’s Allowance on unpaid carers engaged in part-time employment.

The weekly earnings limit in Carer’s Allowance (CA) was increased to £196 net earnings in April 2025. This is the largest cash increase ever since CA was introduced in 1976 and the highest percentage increase since 2001. Over 60,000 additional people will be able to receive CA between 2025/26 and 2029/30 as a result. Going forward the earnings limit will be pegged to 16 hours work at National Living Wage (NLW) levels, and in future it will increase when the NLW increases. This will provide more certainty on the hours they can work for those unpaid carers with a job on the NLW.

As my Rt hon friend the member for Leeds West (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) said at the Autumn Budget, we also need to look at the current “cliff edge” earnings rules. A taper, for example, could further incentivise unpaid carers to do some work. It could also reduce the risk of significant overpayments. However, introducing a taper in CA is not without challenges and could significantly complicate the benefit as it currently stands and would mean a major rebuild of the CA computer system. DWP is undertaking some scoping work to see whether an earnings taper in CA might be a feasible option in the longer term. But any taper will be several years away.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of four-weekly State Pension payments on the ability of pensioners to plan financially.

The current State Pension payment regime has been in place since 6 April 2010 for those people who reached pensionable age on or after that date.

However, to make the opportunity of being paid calendar monthly available, there would need to be significant and very costly system changes and not just to systems used by this Department – HMRC would also be affected. It is not something the Department is considering at this time, but it remains an option should there be a review of the method of payments in the future.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of paying the State Pension on a monthly basis.

The current State Pension payment regime has been in place since 6 April 2010 for those people who reached pensionable age on or after that date.

However, to make the opportunity of being paid calendar monthly available, there would need to be significant and very costly system changes and not just to systems used by this Department – HMRC would also be affected. It is not something the Department is considering at this time, but it remains an option should there be a review of the method of payments in the future.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of Universal Credit provisions for single parent families.

The Child Poverty Taskforce is working to publish a Child Poverty Strategy which will deliver lasting change. The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, including considering social security reforms, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years.

Benefit rates are reviewed each year, increasing by 6.7% in April 2024 and by a further 1.7% from April 2025, in line with inflation. We have recently announced a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions will be introduced from April 2025, helping approximately 1.2 million households benefit by an average of £420 a year.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many calls to the Pension Service helpline (a) were not answered, (b) involved the caller being on hold for more than 10 minutes and (c) were terminated by the Pension Service following the caller being on hold for more than 10 minutes in each of the last 12 months.

Response:

Part (a)

The table below shows the total number of unanswered calls (Calls Abandoned from Agent Queue) for The Pension Service, for each of the last 12 calendar months.

Month Year

Directorate

Calls Abandoned from Agent Queue

Feb-2024

Pension Service

60,495

Mar-2024

Pension Service

56,400

Apr-2024

Pension Service

72,485

May-2024

Pension Service

36,733

Jun-2024

Pension Service

24,900

Jul-2024

Pension Service

23,709

Aug-2024

Pension Service

25,554

Sep-2024

Pension Service

36,407

Oct-2024

Pension Service

36,412

Nov-2024

Pension Service

31,481

Dec-2024

Pension Service

23,077

Jan-2025

Pension Service

34,704

Part (b) The department does not hold data that enables us to answer this question.

Part (c) The department does not hold data that enables us to answer this question.

There are many reasons why calls to a service line can attract a high call abandonment rate which can include but is not limited to increased hold times. The abandonment of calls is an area that we are unable to fully analyse as there is no data to tell us exactly why a specific customer terminates a call. We are continuously monitoring the service and reviewing our approach to ensure we are able to deliver for our customers.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this information is derived from the Department’s management information, designed solely for the purpose of helping the Department to manage its business. As such, it has not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance checks applied to our published official statistics. As DWP holds the information internally, we have released it. However, it is possible information held by DWP may change due to operational reasons and we recommend that caution be applied when using it.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many calls to the Disability Service Centre helpline (a) were not answered, (b) involved the caller being on hold for more than 10 minutes and (c) were terminated by the Disability Service Centre following the caller being on hold for more than 10 minutes in each of the last 12 months.

Part (a)

The table below shows the total number of unanswered calls (Calls Abandoned from Agent Queue) for Disability Services, for each of the last 12 calendar months.

Month Year

Directorate

Calls Abandoned from Agent Queue

Feb-2024

Disability Services

189,821

Mar-2024

Disability Services

199,623

Apr-2024

Disability Services

268,374

May-2024

Disability Services

191,549

Jun-2024

Disability Services

133,799

Jul-2024

Disability Services

151,056

Aug-2024

Disability Services

152,973

Sep-2024

Disability Services

162,451

Oct-2024

Disability Services

157,661

Nov-2024

Disability Services

158,028

Dec-2024

Disability Services

118,581

Jan-2025

Disability Services

264,966

Part (b) The department does not hold data that enables us to answer this question.

Part (c) The department does not hold data that enables us to answer this question.

There are many reasons why calls to a service line can attract a high call abandonment rate which can include but is not limited to increased hold times. The abandonment of calls is an area that we are unable to fully analyse as there is no data to tell us exactly why a specific customer terminates a call. We are continuously monitoring the service and reviewing our approach to ensure we are able to deliver for our customers.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this information is derived from the Department’s management information, designed solely for the purpose of helping the Department to manage its business. As such, it has not been subjected to the rigorous quality assurance checks applied to our published official statistics. As DWP holds the information internally, we have released it. However, it is possible information held by DWP may change due to operational reasons and we recommend that caution be applied when using it.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints submitted to the Pension Ombudsman Service are awaiting adjudication; and whether she plans to provide additional resources to the Pension Ombudsman Service to reduce the backlog.

Currently there are approximately 1,700 cases with The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) awaiting adjudication. Recently we agreed the TPO budget for 2025/26 which includes ongoing funding for additional staff to reduce backlogs.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the timeframe for PIP award reviews; whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of waiting times for appeal on PIP applicants; and what steps she is taking to tackle PIP appeal backlogs.

We are committed to ensuring people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner. Reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the Department and we are working constantly to make improvements to our service, including through using a blend of phone, video and face-to-face assessments where an assessment is required and by increasing case manager and assessment provider health professional resource.

Where an existing award of PIP is subject to an award review, we aim to make a decision on that as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all available evidence, including that from the claimant. Where we can do so, we are also making decisions without referral to the Assessment Providers to speed up the process.

The Department understands the potential effect of waiting for a tribunal hearing, which is why our aim is to make the right decision as early as possible in the claim journey so that people can get the support they are entitled to, without the need for an appeal.

Appeals are lodged with, and administered by, HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). A variety of factors can affect the number of cases cleared by the Tribunal including the complexity of the issue in dispute; the availability of panel members assigned to a particular venue; and if an appeal is adjourned (which may be directed by the judge for a variety of reasons, such as to seek further medical evidence). Any increase to the live load is monitored, and investigated, locally.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many full-time equivalent GPs were employed (a) in the latest period for which data is available and (b) five years ago in Wiltshire.

The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) doctors in general practice (GP) in Wiltshire was:

  • 328.0 FTE in March 2025; and
  • 309.3 FTE in March 2020.

GPs employed through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme are not included as they are employed by primary care networks (PCNs), rather than directly by practices. PCNs’ work may occur across county borders, so it is not possible to say how many PCN employed staff work in Wiltshire.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the average number of patients per GP is in (a) Wiltshire (b) England.

As of 31 March 2025, the median number of full time equivalent doctors in general practice (GP) per 10,000 registered patients was:

  • 6.6 in Wiltshire; and
  • 5.6 in England.

GPs employed through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme are not included as they are employed by primary care networks (PCNs), rather than directly by practices. PCNs’ work may occur across county borders, so it is not possible to say how many PCN employed staff work in Wiltshire.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many GP practices there (a) are (b) were in 2019 in Wiltshire.

As of February 2025, there were 45 main practices and 28 branch practices in Wiltshire. This compares to 47 main practices and 27 branch practices in December 2019.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the number of high street pharmacies.

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system, and the Government recognises the integral role they play within our communities, as an easily accessible ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals.

Community pharmacies are private businesses that provide NHS funded services. Most pharmacies are not directly commissioned or contracted by the NHS, instead contractors apply to gain entry to the NHS pharmaceutical list and if an application is approved, a pharmacy can open and start providing services.

Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) every three years to assess whether their population is adequately served by local pharmacies, and must keep these assessments under review. Integrated care boards (ICBs) give regard to the PNAs when reviewing applications from new contractors. Contractors can also apply to open a new pharmacy to offer benefits to patients that were not foreseen by the PNA. If there is a need for a new local pharmacy to open and no contractors apply to open a pharmacy and fill the gap, ICBs can commission a new pharmacy to open outside of the market entry processes and fund the contract from the ICBs’ budgets.

The Pharmacy Access Scheme helps protect access to pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies and higher health needs, so that no area is left without access to local, physical NHS pharmaceutical services.

In general, despite a reduction in the number of pharmacies in recent years, patient access to pharmacies remains good, and continues to be better in the most deprived areas when compared with the least deprived.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he will take to (a) support and (b) expand the clinical role of community pharmacies.

We have concluded the most recent consultation on funding for 2024/25 and 2025/26 with the community pharmacy sector. This deal represents the largest uplift in funding of any part of the National Health Service, over 19% across 2024/25 and 2025/26, and will support community pharmacies in providing clinical services.

As part of this deal, we have increased the fees for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, the Pharmacy Contraception Service, Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways and Minor Illness, and the New Medicine Service, to support contractors offering these services. We will also expand the Pharmacy Contraception Service and the New Medicine Service.

The Government is committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, including by making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists. NHS England is currently testing how prescribing in community pharmacy could work to inform the commissioning of prescribing from community pharmacies in future.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is planning to take to support community pharmacies in the forthcoming 10-Year NHS Plan in Wiltshire.

The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and community pharmacies will have a big role to play in that shift.

As part of the work to develop a 10-Year Health Plan, we have been carefully considering policies, with input from the public, patients, health staff, and our partners, including from the community pharmacy sector.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many GP practices have closed in Wiltshire in each of the last five years.

The following table shows the number of general practices in Wiltshire which have closed in each of the last five years:

Year

Number of practice closures

2020

2

2021

0

2022

0

2023

0

2024

0

Practices close for a variety of reasons, including mergers or retirement, and so this does not necessarily indicate a reduction in the quality of care. When a practice does close, patients are informed of the closure and advised to register at another local practice of their choice within their area.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) urban and (b) rural access to pharmacies.

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system, and the Government recognises the integral role they play within our communities, as an easily accessible ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals.

Community pharmacies are private businesses that provide NHS funded services. Most pharmacies are not directly commissioned or contracted by the NHS, instead contractors apply to gain entry to the NHS pharmaceutical list and if an application is approved, a pharmacy can open and start providing services.

Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) every three years to assess whether their population is adequately served by local pharmacies, and must keep these assessments under review. Integrated care boards (ICBs) give regard to the PNAs when reviewing applications from new contractors. Contractors can also apply to open a new pharmacy to offer benefits to patients that were not foreseen by the PNA. If there is a need for a new local pharmacy to open and no contractors apply to open a pharmacy and fill the gap, ICBs can commission a new pharmacy to open outside of the market entry processes and fund the contract from the ICBs’ budgets.

The Pharmacy Access Scheme helps protect access to pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies and higher health needs, so that no area is left without access to local, physical NHS pharmaceutical services.

In general, despite a reduction in the number of pharmacies in recent years, patient access to pharmacies remains good, and continues to be better in the most deprived areas when compared with the least deprived.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure that additional urgent dental appointments are distributed equitably across Integrated Care Boards; and what the target number is for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. The ICBs have been asked to start making extra urgent dental appointments available from April 2025. The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB is expected to deliver 13,990 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.

The methodology used to determine how to allocate the 700,000 appointments across the ICBs has considered factors including unmet need, population size, and projected contract delivery at an ICB level in 2024/25. Details can be found in the letter sent to the ICBs on 21 February 2025 in Annex A, which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/arrangements-for-nhs-urgent-primary-dental-care-during-2025-26-and-confirmation-of-the-closure-of-the-new-patient-premium-scheme/

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish regular updates on the progress of the implementation of NHS dental contract reforms.

To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of National Health Service dentists.

There are no perfect payment systems and careful consideration needs to be given to any potential changes to the complex dental system so that we deliver a system better for patients and the profession.

We continue to meet the British Dental Association and other representatives of the dental sector to discuss how we can best deliver our shared ambition to improve access for NHS dental patients.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to implement the supervised tooth-brushing scheme for children in Wiltshire; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the scheme is available in Chippenham.

On 7 March 2025, we confirmed plans to implement targeted supervised toothbrushing programme to reach up to 600,000 children between three and five years old in the most deprived areas of England. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/supervised-toothbrushing-for-children-to-prevent-tooth-decay

£11 million of additional funding for 2025/26 has been allocated to eligible local authorities, including Wiltshire Council, through the Public Health Grant. Full details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-health-grants-to-local-authorities-2025-to-2026/public-health-ring-fenced-grant-financial-year-2025-to-2026-local-authority-circular

Implementation will be led locally to ensure this targeted investment best meets local needs.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to increase the recruitment of dentists in (a) Chippenham and (b) Wiltshire; and how many dentists he plans to recruit in those areas by 31 December 2025.

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For Chippenham and Wiltshire, this is Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire ICB.

ICBs have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. As of 10 March 2025, in England, 45 dentists have commenced in post and a further 36 dentists have been recruited but are yet to start in post.

To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to (a) monitor and (b) assess the impact of the Dentistry Rescue Plan in (i) Wiltshire and (ii) Chippenham; and what criteria he uses to assess improved access to NHS dental services in those areas.

The Government’s ambition is to make sure that everyone who needs dental treatment can access a dentist. The Government will tackle the immediate crisis with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most.

We are working with NHS England, the NHS Business Services Authority, and the integrated care boards to set out the requirements for monitoring and reporting progress against the 700,000 urgent appointments, which will enable us to identify where further support is needed. Data on the number of dentists recruited under the Golden Hello scheme is regularly collected by NHS England.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to end hospital parking fees for (a) National Health Service staff, (b) patients and (c) visitors; and provide additional funding to help offset lost revenue.

The Government has no plans to end car-parking fees for National Health Service patients, staff, or visitors, or to provide additional funding to help offset lost revenue.

All NHS trusts that charge for hospital car parking provide free parking for those in greatest need, which includes NHS staff working overnight, frequent outpatient attenders, disabled people, and parents of children staying overnight in hospital.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
1st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce ambulance waiting times in the South West.

The Government has committed to supporting the National Health Service to improve performance and achieve the standards set out in the NHS Constitution, including for ambulance response times.

As a first step, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care appointed Professor Lord Darzi to lead an independent investigation of the NHS’ performance. The investigation’s findings were published on 12 September and will feed into the Government’s work on a 10-Year Health Plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.

Ahead of this winter, NHS England has set out the priorities for the NHS to maintain and improve patient safety and experience, including actions to support patient flow and ensure ambulances are released in a timely way. NHS England’s winter letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/winter-and-h2-priorities/

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
29th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) financially support and (b) improve local access to NHS dental practices in South West England.

The Government plans to tackle the challenges patients face when trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

On 1 April 2023 responsibility for commissioning NHS dentistry was delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. The seven ICBs in the Southwest are supported by the NHS Southwest Collaborative Commissioning Hub to commission NHS dentistry in their area.

NHS England has provided guidance for ICBs that requires dental allocations to be ringfenced in 2024/25, with any unused resources re-directed to improve NHS dental access in the first instance, and not spent on other services. ICBs will decide how to use any forecast underspend in line with this guidance.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
8th Apr 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2025 on levels of electric vehicle adoption; and what impact these changes will have on owners of zero-emission vehicles registered between 2017 and 2025 which will move from a £0 rate to the standard rate of £190-£195 per year.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. As announced by the Government at Autumn Statement 2022, from April 2025, zero emission and hybrid cars, vans and motorcycles will begin to pay VED in a similar way to petrol and diesel vehicles. Revenue from motoring taxes helps ensure we can continue to fund the vital public services and infrastructure that people and families across the UK expect.

The Policy Costings document and Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside Autumn Statement 2022 when the change was announced both estimate the impact on zero emission vehicle take-up to be ‘minimal’.

The Tax Information and Impact Note also sets out expected economic, equalities and other impacts of the changes, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-vehicle-excise-duty-for-zero-emission-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-from-2025/introduction-of-vehicle-excise-duty-for-zero-emission-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-from-2025.

The Government is committed to supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles and announced a number of measures at Autumn Budget 2024 to support zero emission vehicle take-up. From 1 April 2025, VED First Year Rates have changed to apply higher rates to hybrid, petrol and diesel vehicles.

The Government has also maintained incentives for the purchase of zero emission vehicles within the Company Car Tax and Salary Sacrifice regimes until 2030, and extended the 100% First Year Allowances for businesses purchasing zero emission cars and installing chargepoint infrastructure.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on the trend in levels of economic growth

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact. The OBR published information about the costing in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 30 October 2024. The OBR published more detail on the costings on 22 January 2025. This material is all available on the OBR’s website.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on trends in levels of tax revenues.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact. The OBR published information about the costing in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 30 October 2024. The OBR published more detail on the costings on 22 January 2025. This material is all available on the OBR’s website.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on trends in levels of agricultural employment.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact. The OBR published information about the costing in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 30 October 2024. The OBR published more detail on the costings on 22 January 2025. This material is all available on the OBR’s website.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)