Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jonathan Davies this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 130 · this parliament
Media and Sport, whether the forthcoming Places of Worship Renewal Fund will provide grants for adaptations, alteration and the addition of facilities alongside repairs.
Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in due course.
Media and Sport, whether the forthcoming Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be open to non-listed as well as listed buildings.
Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be published in due course.
What guidance her Department provides to opposite‑sex civil partners wishing to marry but unable to convert their civil partnership without first declaring an irretrievable breakdown of their relationship.
I refer the Hon. member back to the answer to PQ 32163, answered on 3rd March 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress her Department has made towards the introduction of a new China Fast Stream.
I refer the Hon. Member to the statement made to the House by the previous Foreign Secretary on 24 June 2025. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is enhancing the talent pipeline of China experts by creating a specialised China Pathway within the FCDO's Fast Stream programmes. Starting with the 2026 Fast Stream intake, the China Pathway will enable a small number of new entrants to undertake a structured programme of China-focused jobs and training, including in Mandarin Chinese.
What progress has been made on appointing people or groups to develop curriculum content following the recent tender process.
In light of the government’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the department has now completed a tender process for the procurement of suppliers who will draft the reformed Programmes of Study for the National Curriculum. The names of suppliers appointed to the framework and offered call off contracts will be confirmed in due course.
What steps his Department is taking to support NHS staff employed in Band 2 roles with pay and conditions.
On 22 May, the Department accepted the headline pay recommendations made by the independent NHS Pay Review Body. This means Agenda for Change (AfC) staff in England, including Band 2 staff, have received a 3.6% uplift, giving them an above forecast inflation pay rise for the second year in a row. The process for the 2026/27 pay round is already underway, with the Department publishing its evidence to the Pay Review Bodies on 30 October.We have also agreed to provide the NHS Staff Council with a funded mandate to negotiate changes to the AfC pay structure. We will work in partnership with the NHS Staff Council to implement these changes for 2026/27.We continue to work in partnership with stakeholders, including trade unions and employers, to implement a suite of non-pay measures to improve working conditions for National Health Service staff, such as tackling violence against NHS staff and improving the application of the Job Evaluation Scheme.
Whether he plans to support the continued (a) development and (b) implementation of NHS England’s elective toolkit for aortic dissection in the context of the planned abolition of NHS England.
The Department will continue to support the implementation of NHS England’s acute aortic dissection toolkit which was published in 2022 by NHS England.In collaboration with the ‘Earnest’ trial, NHS England will undertake a stocktake of implementation progress, the findings of which will be shared with regional commissioning teams and clinical networks to support further action as required.NHS England’s national team is also working with the vascular and cardiac professional societies to develop a type B, elective aortic dissection toolkit, which is anticipated for publication in 2026.
What proportion of secondary school music teachers left the profession in each year from 2010 to 2025; and how that proportion compares to those that joined in each of those same years.
Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers in state-funded schools and teacher entrants and leaver rates, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024. The department publishes secondary subject level entrant numbers and leaver rates as part of the ‘Postgraduate initial teacher training targets’ (PGITT) publication, the most recent version of which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets/2025-26.To note that the entrant and leaver rates included within this publication are calculated for a specific purpose which is to produce the primary and secondary PGITT targets and teachers that arrive from or leave to the special/pupil referral unit phase are counted within the rates. This is a different methodology than used to calculate the overall national and phase level teacher entrant and leaver rates in the school workforce census and so the rates are not directly comparable. These data will be updated when new targets are published in Spring 2026. The department collects and publishes data on the degree subjects held by primary school teachers. The number of primary school teachers who hold a music degree or degree in a music-related subject is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/1a4752ff-957f-4676-b1dd-08de39895a0e. This data has been available since 31 July 2025. 1.7% of secondary school music teachers were aged 60 or over in 2024/25. There is no single set retirement age for teachers. The department does not collect information on subjects taught in primary schools. The department does not collect curriculum data from primary schools on the subjects taught by individual teachers. Unlike secondary teachers, who specialise in individual subjects, primary school teachers typically instruct across the whole curriculum. Gathering detailed data on which subjects each teacher delivers would require extensive additional reporting, increasing administrative workload.
What assessment her Department has made of retention rates among secondary school music teachers compared to other subject teachers between 2015 and 2025.
Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers in state-funded schools and teacher entrants and leaver rates, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024. The department publishes secondary subject level entrant numbers and leaver rates as part of the ‘Postgraduate initial teacher training targets’ (PGITT) publication, the most recent version of which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets/2025-26.To note that the entrant and leaver rates included within this publication are calculated for a specific purpose which is to produce the primary and secondary PGITT targets and teachers that arrive from or leave to the special/pupil referral unit phase are counted within the rates. This is a different methodology than used to calculate the overall national and phase level teacher entrant and leaver rates in the school workforce census and so the rates are not directly comparable. These data will be updated when new targets are published in Spring 2026. The department collects and publishes data on the degree subjects held by primary school teachers. The number of primary school teachers who hold a music degree or degree in a music-related subject is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/1a4752ff-957f-4676-b1dd-08de39895a0e. This data has been available since 31 July 2025. 1.7% of secondary school music teachers were aged 60 or over in 2024/25. There is no single set retirement age for teachers. The department does not collect information on subjects taught in primary schools. The department does not collect curriculum data from primary schools on the subjects taught by individual teachers. Unlike secondary teachers, who specialise in individual subjects, primary school teachers typically instruct across the whole curriculum. Gathering detailed data on which subjects each teacher delivers would require extensive additional reporting, increasing administrative workload.
Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated timeframe is for the publication of the Department's TB eradication strategy.
The current plan is to publish a refreshed bovine TB strategy in 2026.
Food and Rural Affairs, when the results of the forthcoming badger population survey will be published.
The first major badger population survey in a decade began in February 2025 to estimate badger abundance and population recovery. Surveying work will take place over the next two winters and a report will be published once that has concluded.
Whether her Department collects data on the (a) degree subjects of primary school teachers and (b) number of primary school teachers who hold a music degree or degree in a music-related subject.
Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers in state-funded schools and teacher entrants and leaver rates, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024. The department publishes secondary subject level entrant numbers and leaver rates as part of the ‘Postgraduate initial teacher training targets’ (PGITT) publication, the most recent version of which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets/2025-26.To note that the entrant and leaver rates included within this publication are calculated for a specific purpose which is to produce the primary and secondary PGITT targets and teachers that arrive from or leave to the special/pupil referral unit phase are counted within the rates. This is a different methodology than used to calculate the overall national and phase level teacher entrant and leaver rates in the school workforce census and so the rates are not directly comparable. These data will be updated when new targets are published in Spring 2026. The department collects and publishes data on the degree subjects held by primary school teachers. The number of primary school teachers who hold a music degree or degree in a music-related subject is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/1a4752ff-957f-4676-b1dd-08de39895a0e. This data has been available since 31 July 2025. 1.7% of secondary school music teachers were aged 60 or over in 2024/25. There is no single set retirement age for teachers. The department does not collect information on subjects taught in primary schools. The department does not collect curriculum data from primary schools on the subjects taught by individual teachers. Unlike secondary teachers, who specialise in individual subjects, primary school teachers typically instruct across the whole curriculum. Gathering detailed data on which subjects each teacher delivers would require extensive additional reporting, increasing administrative workload.
Pursuant to the Answer of 14 February to Question 29521, on Teachers: Music, for what reason the Department does not collect curriculum data from primary schools on the subjects taught by individual teachers; and whether consideration has been given to collecting such data in order to identify the number of primary teachers specialising in music.
Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers in state-funded schools and teacher entrants and leaver rates, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024. The department publishes secondary subject level entrant numbers and leaver rates as part of the ‘Postgraduate initial teacher training targets’ (PGITT) publication, the most recent version of which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets/2025-26.To note that the entrant and leaver rates included within this publication are calculated for a specific purpose which is to produce the primary and secondary PGITT targets and teachers that arrive from or leave to the special/pupil referral unit phase are counted within the rates. This is a different methodology than used to calculate the overall national and phase level teacher entrant and leaver rates in the school workforce census and so the rates are not directly comparable. These data will be updated when new targets are published in Spring 2026. The department collects and publishes data on the degree subjects held by primary school teachers. The number of primary school teachers who hold a music degree or degree in a music-related subject is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/1a4752ff-957f-4676-b1dd-08de39895a0e. This data has been available since 31 July 2025. 1.7% of secondary school music teachers were aged 60 or over in 2024/25. There is no single set retirement age for teachers. The department does not collect information on subjects taught in primary schools. The department does not collect curriculum data from primary schools on the subjects taught by individual teachers. Unlike secondary teachers, who specialise in individual subjects, primary school teachers typically instruct across the whole curriculum. Gathering detailed data on which subjects each teacher delivers would require extensive additional reporting, increasing administrative workload.
What proportion of primary and secondary school music teachers are within 5 years of retirement age.
Information on the school workforce, including the number of teachers in state-funded schools and teacher entrants and leaver rates, is published in the ‘School workforce in England’ statistical publication, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england/2024. The department publishes secondary subject level entrant numbers and leaver rates as part of the ‘Postgraduate initial teacher training targets’ (PGITT) publication, the most recent version of which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/postgraduate-initial-teacher-training-targets/2025-26.To note that the entrant and leaver rates included within this publication are calculated for a specific purpose which is to produce the primary and secondary PGITT targets and teachers that arrive from or leave to the special/pupil referral unit phase are counted within the rates. This is a different methodology than used to calculate the overall national and phase level teacher entrant and leaver rates in the school workforce census and so the rates are not directly comparable. These data will be updated when new targets are published in Spring 2026. The department collects and publishes data on the degree subjects held by primary school teachers. The number of primary school teachers who hold a music degree or degree in a music-related subject is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/1a4752ff-957f-4676-b1dd-08de39895a0e. This data has been available since 31 July 2025. 1.7% of secondary school music teachers were aged 60 or over in 2024/25. There is no single set retirement age for teachers. The department does not collect information on subjects taught in primary schools. The department does not collect curriculum data from primary schools on the subjects taught by individual teachers. Unlike secondary teachers, who specialise in individual subjects, primary school teachers typically instruct across the whole curriculum. Gathering detailed data on which subjects each teacher delivers would require extensive additional reporting, increasing administrative workload.
Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department has to (a) make alternative forms of identification available as proof of age for venues and (b) work with industry partners to ensure acceptance of other forms of identification as age verification for people unable to obtain a driving license due to epilepsy or other health conditions.
The government has developed a set of requirements (under UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (UK DIATF)) for the creation and use of trusted digital verification services, underpinned by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. While use of these services is not mandated, it provides an alternative way of proving age for different use cases, including venues. The Home Office intends to bring forward legislation to enable the use of digital identities as proof of age for purchasing alcohol in England and Wales. This will provide individuals, should they choose, with the option to use a secure digital identity that meets Government standards as an alternative to physical identification. These standards, in the UK DIATF, facilitate private sector providers to use a range of credentials as evidence to create digital identities. Inclusion is one of the key principles in the UK DIATF, and we work closely with partners in the digital verification services industry on this issue. Digital identities, created through high-quality digital verification services, can be created from a range of documents and datasets, which means proving your age should not be reliant on individuals having a particular credential, like a driving licence.
Whether she plans to introduce a new valuation method for the business rates of grassroots music venues above the £500,000 rateable venue that (a) have restricted opening hours and (b) cannot make commercial use of their whole space.
Please see the response to UIN 22711 here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-01-08/22711
Whether she plans to introduce a new valuation method for the business rates of grassroots music venues.
Please see the response to UIN 22711 here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-01-08/22711
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reduction in business rate relief on grassroots music venues with a rateable value of over £500,000.
As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000, including grassroots music venues, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government is sustainably funding this by introducing a higher multiplier on properties with RVs of £500,000 and above. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements. The Government has met with a wide range of stakeholders on business rates reform. The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, brings together extensive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century.
Whether she had held discussions with grassroots music venues on business rates reform.
As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000, including grassroots music venues, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government is sustainably funding this by introducing a higher multiplier on properties with RVs of £500,000 and above. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements. The Government has met with a wide range of stakeholders on business rates reform. The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, brings together extensive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century.
What proportion of registered company directors had verified their identity on Companies House by 10 October 2025; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all directors have verified their identity by the time they file their next annual statement.
Over 700,000 individuals have successfully completed step 1 of the IDV process, thereby creating a verified identity. From 18 November, it will be possible to link this information with specific appointments, dependant on the due date of each company’s confirmation statement.Companies House has undertaken extensive communications to support compliance with the new requirements, including sending over 15 million emails since April 2025 to all active companies at their registered email address. Around 10 million emails have focused specifically on identity verification.Other communications activity includes a campaign site, paid for advertising, social media and working with various partners.