1-20 of 1,472 results for primarymember:"Nia Griffith"
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.274 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.006 seconds
- Search query
- primarymember:"Nia Griffith"
- We searched for
- primaryMember_ses:300925
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
More
Member
More
Primary member
Answering member
More
Legislative stage
Legislation
More
Subject
More
Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) financial and (b) administrative impact of differing mileage allowance rates for DWP and HMRC on self-employed people who are also in receipt of Universal Credit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) financial and (b) administrative impact of differing mileage allowance rates for DWP and HMRC on self-employed people who are also in receipt of Universal Credit.
No assessment is currently available.
While the Department’s permitted expenses framework is designed to align, wherever feasible, with the approach taken by HMRC, the tax and welfare systems serve different purposes and operate under different legislative frameworks so complete alignment is not always possible. The Department does routinely keep its policies under review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) annually uprating the Bereavement Support Payment in line with inflation and (b) extending the payment period for the Bereavement Support Payment beyond 18 months.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) annually uprating the Bereavement Support Payment in line with inflation and (b) extending the payment period for the Bereavement Support Payment beyond 18 months.
The level of Bereavement Support Pay (BSP) is reviewed annually as part of the uprating process, and Government keeps wider bereavement support under review to ensure it remains effective and sustainable. BSP was designed to provide support during the immediate period following a bereavement, rather than replace income over the longer term.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, what availability and resilience standard NATS is required to meet.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, what availability and resilience standard NATS is required to meet.
The Government apologises to passengers across the United Kingdom who faced significant disruption as a result of the issues that impacted NATS' operation on 8 September, resulting in delays and cancellations for a large number of passengers, as well as the disruption that it has caused for industry. Let me be clear that disruption of this kind is absolutely unacceptable.
NATS' primary objective is to provide a safe air traffic service, while also delivering a resilient and reliable operation that enables aircraft to move efficiently through UK airspace. Safety remains the overriding priority in all operational decisions, with system resilience and service continuity essential to maintaining public confidence in the aviation network.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides independent regulatory oversight of NATS' safety and operational performance, including monitoring performance against agreed targets and reviewing major incidents. The Department for Transport works closely with both the CAA and NATS to support a safe, resilient and effective air traffic system for passengers and the wider aviation sector.
The Department receives regular updates from NATS on the modernisation of its air traffic control systems, with technical changes closely monitored and overseen by the CAA as the independent regulator.
The Secretary of State asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Secretary of State has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This will provide an important opportunity to review existing arrangements, ensure lessons are learned, and identify any further measures required to enhance resilience.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of NATS’s regulated funding model and substantial capital investment, what assessment she has made of whether the recent technical failure is primarily a question of management and regulatory oversight rather than resources.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of NATS’s regulated funding model and substantial capital investment, what assessment she has made of whether the recent technical failure is primarily a question of management and regulatory oversight rather than resources.
The Government apologises to passengers across the United Kingdom who faced significant disruption as a result of the issues that impacted NATS’ operation on 8 September, resulting in delays and cancellations for a large number of passengers, as well as the disruption that it has caused for industry. Let me be clear that disruption of this kind is absolutely unacceptable.
NATS is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the CAA is required to investigate major incidents to establish their causes, identify remedial action and minimise the risk and impact of recurrence.
However, the Secretary of State has asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Secretary of State has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This is crucial to ensure that lessons are learned and that any necessary improvements are implemented to ensure that this cannot happen again.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, whether backup systems are genuinely independent, or vulnerable to the same underlying failure.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, whether backup systems are genuinely independent, or vulnerable to the same underlying failure.
The Secretary of State has asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Government has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This will provide an important opportunity to review existing arrangements, ensure lessons are learned, and identify any further measures required to enhance resilience.
The safety of UK airspace remains a crucial priority for UK Government, and we will continue to work closely with NATS, the CAA and industry partners to maintain the highest standards of safety and operational resilience.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, for what reason a single technical failure can cause widespread disruption.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the recent NATS technical failure, for what reason a single technical failure can cause widespread disruption.
The Government recognises that serious air traffic control incidents are rare, however when they do occur, they have a serious impact on passengers and aviation operations.
The Government apologises to passengers across the United Kingdom who faced significant disruption as a result of the issues that impacted NATS’ operation on 8 September, resulting in delays and cancellations for large numbers of passengers, as well as the disruption that it has caused for industry. Let me be clear that disruption of this kind is absolutely unacceptable.
It is therefore essential that the causes of the technical fault on the 8th September are identified by NATS so that any changes can be implemented swiftly.
The Secretary of State has asked NATS to provide a report by 16 September setting out the cause of the incident and the actions taken in response. The Government has also asked the CAA to conduct an independent review and will provide an update within 6 months. This will provide an important opportunity to review existing arrangements, ensure lessons are learned, and identify any further measures required to enhance resilience.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the NATS technical failure, what progress has been made against the 34 recommendations made by the CAA following the 2023 incident.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in the light of the NATS technical failure, what progress has been made against the 34 recommendations made by the CAA following the 2023 incident.
In the consultation on surplus flexibilities for defined pension schemes, the Pensions Minister explained that trustees could offer employers surplus extraction of pension funds on condition of restoring the value of pre-1997 pensions. In drawing up the regulations, will he ensure that trustees are required to commission an independent assessment of pre-1997 pension erosion, ringfence funds to restore full pension value, and restore pension value to members ahead of any surplus extraction by employers?
In the consultation on surplus flexibilities for defined pension schemes, the Pensions Minister explained that trustees could offer employers surplus extraction of pension funds on condition of restoring the value of pre-1997 pensions. In drawing up the regulations, will he ensure that trustees are required to commission an independent assessment of pre-1997 pension erosion, ringfence funds to restore full pension value, and restore pension value to members ahead of any surplus extraction by employers?
My hon. Friend and I have discussed this issue on a number of occasions, and she has been an important campaigner for pensioners in her constituency who have been affected by it. Although three quarters of schemes provide some degree of pre-1997 indexation, there is a very real impact on members of schemes that do not—indeed, we have discussed that with local pensioners in south Wales. The surplus reforms that this Government are bringing forward will make it easier for some trustees to negotiate for additional indexation. We launched a consultation on this issue on 10 June, and it runs until 2 September. I will take my hon. Friend’s comments as input for that consultation.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
With the news that the Stradey Park hotel has now gone into receivership, what assurances can the Minister give my constituents in Llanelli that his Department has no plans to use the premises for asylum seeker accommodation?
With the news that the Stradey Park hotel has now gone into receivership, what assurances can the Minister give my constituents in Llanelli that his Department has no plans to use the premises for asylum seeker accommodation?
I assure my hon. Friend and colleagues across the House that we are closing hotels, not opening them.
I very much appreciate the determination of this Government to get an SPS agreement with the EU. That will bring down costs both for our Welsh farmers exporting meat, and for our consumers. Llanelli has a long tradition of cockle gathering, but exports of unprocessed shellfish were stopped by the Tories’ ill-thought-through Brexit deal. Will the Secretary of State please update us on any progress on the export of shellfish?
I very much appreciate the determination of this Government to get an SPS agreement with the EU. That will bring down costs both for our Welsh farmers exporting meat, and for our consumers. Llanelli has a long tradition of cockle gathering, but exports of unprocessed shellfish were stopped by the Tories’ ill-thought-through Brexit deal. Will the Secretary of State please update us on any progress on the export of shellfish?
A successful SPS deal will bring huge benefits to the shellfish industry, which was, as my hon. Friend said, very badly affected by the botched Brexit deal that we inherited from the last Government.
Like the hon. Member for Tiverton and Minehead (Rachel Gilmour), I would like to note that my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests will be updated to reflect the support of the UK Friends of Ukraine for our visit last week.
It was very good to see the Foreign Secretary in Kyiv last Tuesday for the very sad commemoration of the fourth year of the full-scale invasion. As the Ukrainian people have reminded us time and again, it is not just about territory; it is about their very identity. On our visit, we heard about the appalling inhumane treatment of Ukrainians who have been taken as prisoners of war by Putin. There have been constant violations of the Geneva conventions, including reports of torture and near starvation. What talks has the Foreign Secretary had and what more can she do to raise this issue in international circles and put pressure on the Russian regime to treat prisoners more humanely?
Like the hon. Member for Tiverton and Minehead (Rachel Gilmour), I would like to note that my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests will be updated to reflect the support of the UK Friends of Ukraine for our visit last week.
It was very good to see the Foreign Secretary in Kyiv last Tuesday for the very sad commemoration of the fourth year of the full-scale invasion. As the Ukrainian people have reminded us time and again, it is not just about territory; it is about their very identity. On our visit, we heard about the appalling inhumane treatment of Ukrainians who have been taken as prisoners of war by Putin. There have been constant violations of the Geneva conventions, including reports of torture and near starvation. What talks has the Foreign Secretary had and what more can she do to raise this issue in international circles and put pressure on the Russian regime to treat prisoners more humanely?
I welcome my hon. Friend’s point. The fact that there was such a strong cross-party delegation to Ukraine for the fourth anniversary of the invasion showed the cross-party commitment to supporting Ukraine. Like her, I met those who had the most horrendous stories of having been held and detained during the war by Russian troops, and of having been tortured. We are providing support for survivors and to secure evidence that could be used in future prosecutions, because we must hold the perpetrators to account.
Time and again, small manufacturing firms in my constituency of Llanelli tell me that high energy costs are making it difficult for them to be competitive, and they feel that they are on the edge. Given the lack of investment by the previous Conservative Government and the fact that this Government are playing catch-up, when does the Minister think that enough new sources of energy will be generated to bring down prices? How soon will interim help arrive?
Time and again, small manufacturing firms in my constituency of Llanelli tell me that high energy costs are making it difficult for them to be competitive, and they feel that they are on the edge. Given the lack of investment by the previous Conservative Government and the fact that this Government are playing catch-up, when does the Minister think that enough new sources of energy will be generated to bring down prices? How soon will interim help arrive?
My hon. Friend is right to champion the small manufacturers in her constituency, which I know well from the time that I spent working in south Wales. It is important to note the announcement from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State this morning—it will shortly be the subject of a statement to the House—about allocation round 7. It demonstrates our commitment to putting on new solar farms, new onshore wind and new offshore wind. Every single one of those installations contributes to our energy security and to reducing the cost of energy for domestic consumers and industry alike.
I very much welcome the fact that Llanelli, along with the rest of Wales, will be in the pilot expansion of the victims’ right to review scheme. However, as the Minister will know, it is often very difficult for children who have suffered neglect and abuse, or adults who suffered it as children, to report such incidents. Will the Minister agree to meet me to look again at extending the six-month time limit for summary offences, which leaves survivors with no redress and allows abuse and neglect to go unpunished?
I very much welcome the fact that Llanelli, along with the rest of Wales, will be in the pilot expansion of the victims’ right to review scheme. However, as the Minister will know, it is often very difficult for children who have suffered neglect and abuse, or adults who suffered it as children, to report such incidents. Will the Minister agree to meet me to look again at extending the six-month time limit for summary offences, which leaves survivors with no redress and allows abuse and neglect to go unpunished?
I welcome this question from my hon. Friend, who is right to highlight the expansion of the victims’ right to review scheme throughout Wales so that Welsh victims have the right to review their cases. I would be delighted to meet her to discuss what more we can do for Welsh victims across the criminal justice system.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the latest allocation of contracts for off-shore wind electricity generation on domestic energy security.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the latest allocation of contracts for off-shore wind electricity generation on domestic energy security.
In the CfD AR7 offshore wind auction, we secured more OFW capacity than any offshore wind CfD round to date, with 8.4GW of new capacity. That supports our energy security by powering the equivalent of over 12 million homes, while protecting the country from volatile fossil fuel prices.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
I thank my right hon. Friend the Chancellor for bringing us record investment, financial stability and repeated interest rate cuts, but does she share my astonishment that Reform is not only welcoming treacherous Tories who did so much to wreck our economy and public services, but actually entrusting them with economic policy?
I thank my right hon. Friend the Chancellor for bringing us record investment, financial stability and repeated interest rate cuts, but does she share my astonishment that Reform is not only welcoming treacherous Tories who did so much to wreck our economy and public services, but actually entrusting them with economic policy?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage) is warmly welcoming people who spent 14 years undermining public services, who wrecked the economy, who botched Brexit, and who were booted out by the British people in 2024—and Reform’s latest recruit was so bad that she managed to get sacked by Liz Truss.
A constituent of mine disclosed full details of her change in circumstances to the Department, but although the Department admitted it was its mistake—it had received that information and had repeatedly failed to update its records—it still sent her a very threatening letter. Although I fully support the need to protect the public purse, would the appropriate Minister agree to meet me to discuss how the Department could improve its updating procedures, reduce the occurrence of overpayments, and treat claimants more considerately when they have received overpayments through no fault of their own?
A constituent of mine disclosed full details of her change in circumstances to the Department, but although the Department admitted it was its mistake—it had received that information and had repeatedly failed to update its records—it still sent her a very threatening letter. Although I fully support the need to protect the public purse, would the appropriate Minister agree to meet me to discuss how the Department could improve its updating procedures, reduce the occurrence of overpayments, and treat claimants more considerately when they have received overpayments through no fault of their own?
I would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend for that discussion.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support disabled people into work.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support disabled people into work.
This Government is committed to championing the rights of, and helping, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
Last week we announced the expansion of our groundbreaking programme WorkWell across England, up to 250,000 more people with health conditions will receive support to stay in or return to work. This builds on our Pathways to Work Guarantee and our Connect to Work supported employment programme.
what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Wales
what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Wales
The Government are absolutely determined to lower the cost of living for families across Wales and the whole UK. That is why we are benefiting 69,000 children in Wales by scrapping the two-child limit. It is why we are slashing household energy bills by an average of £150 a year, and why we are again increasing the national minimum and living wage, building on the previous increase, which boosted the incomes of up to 160,000 workers in Wales.