Every parliamentary written question tabled by Bell Ribeiro-Addy this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 641–660 of 1,057 · this parliament
What assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the outcomes of national trials of Universal Basic Income conducted in the UK.
Universal Basic Income is not being considered as an alternative social security system by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Whether she has had discussions with her international counterparts in countries that have trialled Universal Basic Income on (a) their experiences and (b) key challenges.
Universal Basic Income is not being considered as an alternative social security system by the Department for Work and Pensions.
What comparative assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of (a) Universal Basic Income and (b) existing social security benefits in reducing poverty.
Universal Basic Income is not being considered as an alternative social security system by the Department for Work and Pensions.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Universal Basic Income on (a) job-seeking behaviour and (b) participation in the gig economy.
Universal Basic Income is not being considered as an alternative social security system by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of alleged misinformation from India on diaspora communities in the UK.
India and the UK have a broad and deep relationship. The unique Living Bridge, including a 1.9 million-strong Indian diaspora in the UK, connects our countries and people across culture, education, food, sport and more. The UK Government is committed to media freedom. An independent and responsible media is an essential feature of robust democracies. We are conscious that mis/disinformation overseas can be picked up by diaspora communities in the UK. This is one reason we support independent media reporting and engage with legitimate concerns in the UK and globally around the ramifications of online hate speech and polarisation. These are issues that we work alongside partners, including India, to address.
What steps she is taking to prevent companies sponsoring pensions from reducing pension indexation rates below promised levels.
Defined Benefit schemes are legally required to increase pensions in payment annually (for pension rights earned from April 1997 onwards) to provide pensioners with a measure of protection against the effects of inflation. Before April 1997, there was no statutory requirement on defined benefit schemes to increase pensions once in payment, apart from any Guaranteed Minimum Pension element (paid in place of the additional State Pension) earned between April 1988 and April 1997 which must be increased by inflation capped at 3 per cent. Defined Benefit schemes must meet the legal minimum requirements. However, schemes can and do make more generous arrangements through the scheme rules. If the scheme rules provide for increases above the legal requirements these increases must continue to be paid. If a member thinks the trustees or sponsoring employer have acted outside the scheme rules, they can take the matter up with the pension scheme through the Internal Dispute Resolution arrangement the scheme is required to have in place. If the Internal Dispute Resolution arrangement does not provide a satisfactory conclusion, they may wish to consider taking the case to the Pensions Ombudsman.
Whether she plans to introduce safeguards for pensions against future (a) sale and (b) transfer of pension funds to (i) insurance companies and (ii) other entities.
Insurance buyout is a long-established way of ensuring members get the full value of their promised defined benefit (DB) pensions from an insurer, backed by a 100 per cent compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This is widely regarded as a positive outcome for scheme beneficiaries. The Pension Schemes Bill 2025 introduces a regulatory framework for “superfunds”, which can consolidate closed DB schemes where buyout is unaffordable. Member security is at the heart of the new regime, which has rigorous safeguards and robust funding requirements. Superfunds will also continue to be overseen by the Pensions Regulator and underpinned by the Pensions Protection Fund. Trustees must be satisfied that transferring the liabilities of the scheme to an insurer, or to a superfund, is in the best interests of the members before any transfer can take place.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of the potential impact of air pollution from domestic wood burning on public health.
Following the publication of the Air Quality Information System (AQIS) review in March, we are working to increase awareness about air pollution and make air quality part of everyday conversations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on reported human rights violations in India.
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations very seriously. The UK Government has a broad, deep and respectful partnership with the Government of India. This includes sharing perspectives on human rights and minority issues and finding common ground, including at Ministerial level. In 2024, I held a roundtable with stakeholders to discuss Freedom of Religion in India.Our High Commission in New Delhi and our network across India monitor human rights across the country. This includes raising issues of concern where we have them.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote the protection of minority rights in India.
The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations very seriously. We have a broad, deep and respectful partnership with the Government of India. This includes sharing perspectives on human rights and minority issues and finding common ground. Our High Commission in New Delhi and our network across India monitor human rights across the country. We engage Indian stakeholders on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with civil society. This includes raising issues of concern where we have them.
What steps his Department has taken to track the final destination of military equipment transiting through UK airports.
Responsibility for the enforcement of UK export controls on military and dual use and sanctioned goods rests with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). HMRC works closely with Border Force, other government departments and international partners to assist in identifying high-risk movements, conduct customs checks, and where necessary, seize goods at the port.Military exports transiting the UK do not require a licence if they comply with certain handling conditions, do not include specific goods and are not for specific destinations, as set out in Article 17 of the Export Control Order 2008.
With reference to her Department’s report entitled Understanding asylum seeker and refugee vulnerabilities and needs, published on 22 May 2025, what was the methodology for the vulnerability identification framework: and how (a) gender and (b) sexual orientation fit this framework.
The report in question was produced under the previous government in 2022. Sections 2 and 3 of the report detail at length the methodologies and definitions underpinning the research.
How much compensation has been paid out to successful applicants under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme.
As of 9 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) had distributed £2.2 million in payments. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved.Payments made by the FRS are not compensation payments and do not seek to compensate for any pecuniary losses or attempt to place personnel in a financial position they could have been in, had the ban not existed.The Ministry of Defence is unable to confirm the number of eligible applicants for the FRS at this time; however, application data is being is being monitored and assessed now that the Scheme is live.
What estimate has he made of the number of veterans eligible for compensation under the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme.
As of 9 June 2025, the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) had distributed £2.2 million in payments. We have been prioritising payment to the elderly and those with serious health conditions to ensure they receive support as quickly as possible, with the first payments issued as planned within 15 weeks of the scheme going live to these prioritised groups. Some cases are more complex and require additional time due to the unique and individual circumstances involved.Payments made by the FRS are not compensation payments and do not seek to compensate for any pecuniary losses or attempt to place personnel in a financial position they could have been in, had the ban not existed.The Ministry of Defence is unable to confirm the number of eligible applicants for the FRS at this time; however, application data is being is being monitored and assessed now that the Scheme is live.
What guidance her Department has issued to (a) universities and (b) students’ unions on (i) conducting and (ii) the oversight of risk assessments for student-led (A) extracurricular and (B) off-campus activities.
Risk assessments are a legal requirement, and it is crucial for higher education (HE) providers and their affiliated student groups to comply with existing legislation and relevant guidance. This includes adhering to the Health and Safety Executive's guidelines for schools and education settings, any National Union of Students guidance and HE provider policies. Ensuring that risk assessments are conducted appropriately is essential to managing risks associated with student-led activities. Each HE provider should establish its own guidance and procedures to ensure compliance with these requirements.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the legal framework on the duty of care owed by (a) higher education institutions and (b) associated students’ unions to students.
I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Clapham and Brixton Hill to the answer of 08 January 2025 to Question 21514.
What plans her Department has to provide sustainable funding for community-based support centres working with children and young adults (a) at risk of exclusion, (b) living in poverty and (c) experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing.
This government is committed to giving every child the best start in life. Our Plan for Change will strengthen and join up family services, including continuing to invest in the family hubs and start for life programmes.We are investing £126 million in 2025/26 to build up the family hubs and start for life programmes, to provide access to vital services to improve the health, education and wellbeing of children, young people, and their families.Family hubs are focussed on universal, preventative services, targeting disadvantaged families. They can also serve as a non-stigmatising gateway for more targeted, intensive, support delivered by local family help services and other interventions. 75 local authorities on the programme have opened more than 400 family hubs. These are based in some of the most deprived areas in the country.The government will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school by expanding Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), so every child and young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate. By April 2026, we estimate that 60% of pupils in schools and learners in further education in England will be covered by an MHST, up from 52% in April 2025. The government will also recruit 8,500 mental health staff to treat children and adults, and open new Young Futures hubs with access to mental health support workers.
What steps her Department is taking to provide financial support for children’s centres (a) in general and (b) serving (i) disadvantaged and (ii) minority ethnic communities.
Local authorities have a duty under Part 1 of the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure there are sufficient children’s centres to meet the needs of local families, including disadvantaged families and those from minority ethnic communities. Part 1 of the Act can be read in full here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/21/part/1.Funding for children’s centres is made available through the local government finance settlement. In addition, other government funding, including that for public health, may also be used locally to support services delivered wholly, or in part, through children’s centres.The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give every child the best start in life. Delivering this will require strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood. This includes continuing to invest in and build up Family Hubs and the Start for Life programme, which build on the lessons from Sure Start children’s centres.75 local authorities with some of the highest levels of deprivation have received funding through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, and there are now more than 400 Family Hubs open across those local authorities. The department is investing a further £126 million in the 2025/26 financial year to give every child the best start in life and deliver on the Plan for Change. Future funding decisions are subject to the multi-year Spending Review.There are three Family Hubs in the Clapham and Brixton Hill constituency that have been funded by the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme, as listed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-family-hub-sites.
What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the student loan system does not entrench socioeconomic disparities for (a) first-generation university students and (b) students from lower-income households.
This government is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university. The student finance system removes upfront financial barriers so that everyone with the ability and desire to enter higher education (HE) can do so.All eligible students, regardless of their household income, can apply for up-front fee loans to meet the full costs of their tuition. Unlike commercial loans, student loans carry significant protections for borrowers. Monthly repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed, and individuals are only required to make their contribution to the system when they are earning over the repayment threshold.The government has announced that maximum loans and grants for living and other costs will increase by 3.1% for the 2025/26 academic year, with the highest levels of support paid to students from the lowest income families. A 3.1% increase is in line with forecast inflation based on the RPIX inflation index.The department aims to publish our plans for HE reform as part of the Post-16 Education and Skills Strategy White Paper in the summer, and we will work with the sector and the Office for Students to deliver the change that the country needs.
Pursuant to the Answer of 30 May 2025 to Question 50912 on Students: Loans, what comparative assessment she has made of the number of borrowers with increasing loan balances in (a) financial year 2024-25 and (b) previous financial years.
The number of borrowers whose loan balance has increased between the start and end of the financial year for the most recent four years is:2024/25: 2,409,2552023/24: 2,317,6672022/23: 1,805,4262021/22: 1,313,137 These figures cover Student Finance England loan borrowers only, whereas the previous number provided to Question 50912 included borrowers from all UK funding bodies. These numbers include all borrowers whose loan balance has increased, regardless of the number of payments they have made across the financial year, whereas Question 50912 included only borrowers who made at least four payments across the financial year. These figures cover Plan 2, 5 and 3 undergraduate and postgraduate loan borrowers funded by Student Finance England. For each of the financial years provided, the figure was generated by comparing borrowers’ loan balances between 1 April at the start of the financial year and 31 March at the end of the financial year. At the end of a borrower’s loan term, any outstanding loan balance, including interest built up, will be written off. This write-off is a government subsidy and a deliberate investment in our people and the economy.