Written questions by Hall.

Innovation and Technology, whether the new GOV.UK website will allow for integration with services provided by (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies.

The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government sets out the government's vision for joined-up services that span the public sector, deliver a more satisfying user experience and reduce the bureaucratic burden on citizens.The GOV.UK website already helps users to move between GOV.UK and wider public services. Users can select their location to see information relevant to them, and follow embedded links to, for example, local government services and health-related content.The new GOV.UK App similarly enables people to tailor their experience based on their location; after inputting a UK postcode, the GOV.UK App directs users to the relevant local council. Future iterations of the GOV.UK App will provide more personalised and integrated access.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, published on 21 January 2025, what steps his Department is taking with the Government Digital Service to provide (a) funding, (b) specialist advice and (c) digital tools to support local authorities with implementation.

The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government set out the government’s vision for digital services across the whole of the public sector. Earlier this year, the Government Digital Service ran a sprint looking at how GDS should work with and support local authorities to achieve this vision.The sprint found the challenges that local authorities face in data sharing and the IT market and considered how GDS products, services and capabilities could support local government.Following the sprint, GDS is establishing a programme of collaboration with local government to support local transformation.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to partner with technology SMEs to deliver components of the Government's digital strategy.

The Government is committed to partnering with technology SMEs to deliver components of the Government’s digital strategy.To support this, the Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence in Government Digital Service is working closely with trade bodies that represent SME’s to ensure that the SME’s get regular opportunities to engage with officials and gain a detailed understanding of the digital strategy and how the SME community can help.These communities will be able to provide insights and provide feedback to GDS, noting that any commercial engagements will need to follow procurement regulations.

Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to (a) reduce duplication in digital services and (b) consolidate departmental platforms.

The Government is committed to delivering more joined up public services, reducing duplication, and developing modern digital public infrastructure that will make public organisations more integrated. Thousands of teams across the public sector are already using our world-leading digital components such as GOV.UK Notify, Pay and Design System.The Government will establish a ‘once only’ rule, so that if people have provided information to one service, it can be reused by others with appropriate safeguards. It will start with central government services and commonly reused data, but be designed to scale over time to the broader public sector and more information.The Government has also committed to introducing a Digital Backbone: the integration, orchestration and instrumentation technology needed to share capabilities and build true end-to-end journeys.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to develop safeguards to ensure algorithmic transparency in AI tools deployed by public sector bodies.

The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) offers a standardised method for public sector bodies to publish information on their use of algorithmic tools. Its use is mandatory for all government departments and for Arms Length Bodies providing public or frontline services, or directly engaging with the public. The ATRS applies to algorithmic tools which significantly influence public decision-making or directly interact with the general public. It is also recommended for algorithmic tools and public authorities outside this mandatory scope. Over 70 records have been published, ensuring safeguards for various algorithmic tool uses across government and the wider public sector.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, published on 21 January 2025, what plans he has to increase secure data sharing between departments and public bodies.

GDS is leading work to improve the way we share, govern and use data across government and the wider public sector. Strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure is one of six priorities identified in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government.This includes developing guidance, standards and tools for fast and secure data exchange, such as a mandate for the publication of a standard set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by public sector organisations, and the creation of a National Data Library to manage public sector data as a national strategic resource.We are also driving forward use of the data sharing provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2017 to target and improve public services to citizens as well as addressing barriers to data sharing more widely.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to pilot new (a) digital service models and (b) GOV.UK application functionality with local authorities prior to national rollout.

The GOV.UK app, which launched into public beta on 1 July 2025, embodies our vision of a government that provides a personalised and proactive experience which meets people where they are, bringing together access to central and local services into one secure place. The app’s local authority feature will allow you to input any UK postcode and add a shortcut to the relevant local council on your app home screen, including local councils in devolved nations. This content will develop over time.Officials continue to work closely with teams across government departments and local authorities to ensure joined up user journeys and consistent experiences across platforms.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he plans to take to help tackle public concerns on (a) surveillance and (b) the misuse of personal data as digital identity and service integration increases.

The Government plans to introduce digital versions of existing government-issued documents through the GOV.UK Wallet, a secure digital service for storing government-issued credentials on users’ smartphones. By design, Government will not be keeping a record of where credentials are used.GOV.UK One Login allows citizens to safely and securely prove their identity to access government services online. Privacy is at the core of its design; it is compliant with UK data protection and privacy laws.In addition, measures on digital verification services (‘DVS’) in the Data (Use and Access) Act create a legislative structure of standards (the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework), governance and oversight for DVS that wish to appear on a government register, so that people will know what a good digital identity looks like.The trust framework includes rules on privacy, data protection, and fraud management, building on existing industry standards and legislation where appropriate, to ensure user needs are put first.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help ensure that local government bodies adopt (a) common data standards and (b) open Application Programming Interfaces.

MHCLG are supporting data standards initiatives to ensure that local government bodies can effectively adopt common data standards and open APIs, to enhance service delivery and interoperability. This includes the Open Referral UK and SAVVI data standards for community services and vulnerable people. MHCLG’s Digital Planning Programme is working with local planning authorities to adopt common data standards; to provide better access to planning data, improve data quality and to make more data open, to achieve our digital ambitions and make the planning system more efficient. The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 includes planning data powers, and MHCLG will be introducing data standards for planning data via secondary legislation. MHCLG are supported by the Government Digital Service on the API programme, which publishes API technical and data standards for all public sector organisations to follow, including local authorities.

What recent progress she has made on closing contingency hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers in Warrington.

The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to fulfil our statutory obligations and deliver our commitment to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, including ending the use of hotels by the end of this Parliament.There are now fewer hotels open than there were before the election, with more due to close by the end of August.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that the transport system supports economic growth in Warrington South constituency.

The Government is committed to driving economic growth across all regions through a better-connected, more reliable and greener transport network. As part of our long-term plan for transport, Warrington Borough Council has been allocated over £33 million from the £2.3 billion Local Transport Grant between 2026/27 and 2029/30. This streamlined funding will support local priorities such as easing congestion, enhancing public transport, and expanding active travel options, helping to boost economic growth, improve access to jobs and support local development. Warrington is also in line to benefit from the Government’s £24 billion investment in road infrastructure during this period, supporting faster, safer and more resilient journeys across the country. The Department has also provided over £600,000 to support work on the regeneration and masterplanning of Warrington Bank Quay station, which will play a key role in unlocking housing and economic opportunities. We are continuing to work with stakeholders on this and, as announced by the Chancellor in Parliament, we will set out this government’s plans for taking forward our ambitions for Northern Powerhouse Rail in the coming weeks. Together, these investments reflect the Government’s commitment to improving local transport in Warrington South and supporting long-term economic growth.

What steps her Department is taking to help improve the (a) financial oversight and (b) delivery assurance of major infrastructure projects.

The government oversees some of the UK’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects. We are committed to enhancing the oversight and assurance of these projects through a series of reforms, including streamlining approvals and strengthening assurance. It will be better integrated and carried out by multi-disciplinary teams at critical stages of projects. For mega projects in particular, the government has announced new budgeting and governance arrangements to ensure better planning and transparency of our biggest, transformational projects, in line with recommendations from the Office for Value for Money. We are also improving transparency around investment decisions by publishing business cases for major projects and programmes. These changes, set out in the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy, will support better value for money and more consistent, reliable delivery across major infrastructure projects.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support capital funding for Broomfield's leisure centre in Warrington South constituency.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level with funding levels set by MHCLG as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.On 20 June 2025, the Culture Secretary announced that following the Spending Review, at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will now work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his international counterparts on the recognition of a Palestinian state.

We continue to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood on a regular basis.The people of the West Bank and Gaza must be given the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future. That is why this Government supports a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The Government agrees strongly on the importance of recognition, and that is why we will make sure the timing is right. UK bilateral recognition is the single most important action the UK can take regarding Palestinian statehood. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality, creates genuine momentum and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace. The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering.Palestinian statehood is the right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel.

If he will make an estimate of the number of people who have been admitted to hospital after losing their PIP in each month in the last three years.

The information requested is not collected centrally.

How many people on PIP are on (a) 4 points and (b) 3 points, by (i) local authority area and (ii) parliamentary constituency.

Under the current criteria a claimant to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) must score between eight and 11 points across the 10 daily living activities to get the standard rate of the daily living component, or 12 points or more for the enhanced rate. They also need to score between eight and 11 points across the two mobility activities for the standard rate of the mobility component and 12 points or more for the enhanced rate.  Anyone scoring below eight points for either component is not entitled to PIP.

What steps her Department is taking to support the expansion of (a) safe, (b) accessible and (c) integrated (i) cycling and (ii) walking infrastructure.

The Chancellor has recently announced £616 million for Active Travel England up to 2029-30 to support local authorities to build and maintain walking and cycling infrastructure. In addition, this Government will provide nearly £18 billion to local authorities through the Transport for City Region settlements and the Local Transport Grant, supporting them to invest in their local transport priorities, including walking and cycling. Active Travel England works with local authorities to help design and deliver high-quality networks. The forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy we will help to ensure that active travel is safe, accessible and integrated with other modes to encourage more people to cycle, walk and wheel.

What steps her Department is taking to strengthen the (a) legal rights and (b) financial protections of (i) survivors of domestic abuse and (ii) cohabiting partners; and when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals for reform in this area.

The financial difficulties that cohabitants, including survivors of domestic abuse, can face when their cohabiting relationships come to an end is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its manifesto to strengthening the rights and protections for women in cohabiting couples. We will launch a public consultation later this year to build public consensus on what form those cohabitation protections should take.The Government is also carefully considering the findings of the Law Commission’s scoping report on financial provision on divorce, including in relation to issues raised about domestic abuse. The Government will provide a response to this report in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to establish the National Care Service; and what his planned timeline is for (a) consultation with stakeholders and (b) implementation.

The Government has taken a critical first step towards a National Care Service by launching an independent commission into adult social care. The commission will build national consensus to create a National Care Service that is productive, preventative, and gives people who draw on care, and their families and carers, more power in the system. It will be for the independent commission to determine their approach, but we expect it will include engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience and unpaid carers, as well as building cross-party consensus. Further details will be set out by the commission in due course. In the short-term, we are laying the foundations for a National Care Service by introducing legislation for the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for the care workforce, expanding the first-ever national career structure for the adult social care workforce, digitising care providers, and setting new standards for care technologies.

With reference to the Law Commission’s report entitled Hate crime laws: Final report, published on 7 December 2021, whether her Department is taking steps to implement the recommendation to extend aggravated offence provisions to include hostility based on (a) sexual orientation and (b) gender identity.

We have a robust legislative framework in place to respond to hate crimes.The Government has committed to ensuring parity of protection for aggravated offences and will bring forward a suitable amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill at the Lords' Committee stage to give effect to that commitment.