Written answers

Friday, 5 December 2025

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

    • Personal Care Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025, to Question 90709, on Shops: Planning Permission, and the Answer of 7...

    • Regional Planning and Development: South West

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to allocate funding to support the Great South West Partnership from April 2026.

      National Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning Service

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what governance arrangements his Department has considered for the future Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in...

      Lord Case

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 88283 on Simon Case, what his remuneration is; and whether it...

      Public Spaces: Political Activities

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2025, to Question 84947, on Public Spaces: Access, if he will make it his policy...

      Road Works

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued guidance on the application of pavement licence caps in the Levelling Up and...

      Community Relations: Expenditure

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87322 on Community Relations: Expenditure, if he will place the...

      Parking: Fines

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of the compliance of private parking companies using contract breach...

      Travellers: Caravan Sites

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to devolve the District Council power to evict travellers and illegal encampments from council-owned...

      Devolution: South West

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of a devolution deal for Wessex on the economy of Wessex.

      Green Belt: Planning Permission

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his written statement of 20 November 2025 on a more active use of ministerial call-in and recovery...

      Green Belt: Planning Permission

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the Chief Planner newsletter of 24 November 2025, whether an (a) Impact Assessment, (b) Equality Impact...

      Housing: Construction

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 24 July 2025 to Question 68405 on Housing: Construction, whether he is on course to meet the...

      Affordable Housing: Expenditure

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2025 to Question 87323 on Affordable Housing: Expenditure, how much funding was...

      Farms: Planning Permission

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the government intends to review planning laws to increase support for farming business diversification in...

      Supported Housing: Older People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the use of contract-based tenures in older people's...

      Green Belt: Planning Permission

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish an assessment of the cumulative impact on the protection of Green Belt land of reducing the number...

      Social Rented Housing: Energy

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to the consultations on (a) ​​improving the Energy Efficiency of Socially Rented...

      Multiple Occupation: Planning Permission

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to review planning regulations for houses in multiple occupation.

      Land Use: Greater London

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 23 October 2025, HCWS991, on Housing Delivery, and pursuant to the Answer...

      Housing: Older People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to ban exit fees on retirement flats.

      New Towns

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2024 to Question 90424 on New Towns, in which sections of the New Towns...

      Members: Correspondence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, When he plans to respond to the letter of 16 September 2025 from the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton on Tower...

  • Department for Education

    • Childcare: Pay

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what response she has to the recommendation of the October 2025 final report of the Poverty Strategy Commission for Government to consult with parents...

    • Pupils: Mobile Phones

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will ban the use of smart phones in schools.

      Students: Loans

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, to provide a breakdown in the total value of student loan repayments received by (i) non-UK nationals and (ii) UK nationals in each of the last five...

      Schools: Offensive Weapons

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many knives and other weapons were confiscated in schools in England in the most recent year for which data is available.

      Pre-school Education: Career Development

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that early years educators can have long, fulfilling and fairly-paid careers in the early years sector.

      Nurseries: Schools

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether maintained nursery schools will be eligible for capital funding in Phase 3 of the School-based Nurseries programme.

      Pupils: Attendance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on school attendance rates in Fylde constituency.

      School Meals

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Department has conducted or plans to conduct an equality impact assessment to examine the impact of universal school meal programmes on...

      Schools: Food

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools have raised concerns with her Department regarding a) the adequacy of funding for free school meals and breakfast clubs where pupils...

      Children: Internet

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using evidence-based parenting programmes, like Triple P and Incredible Years, to ensure more...

      Pupils: Attendance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on school attendance rates in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in the last five years.

      Department for Education: Disclosure of Information

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her contribution of 4 November 2024, official report column 46, and to WPQ UIN 53062, (a) on what date the leak inquiry commenced,...

      Veterinary Medicine

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of adding veterinary medicine to the list of second-degree courses eligible for tuition fee...

      Overseas Students: Fees and Charges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ringfencing receipts from the international student levy for funding in higher education and...

      Schools: Artificial Intelligence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding hi Department provided for programmes that promote the use of artificial intelligence in schools.

      Confucius Institutes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions have (a) ministers, and (b) officials had with the Office for Students on the presence of Confucius Institutes in the UK.

      Pupils: Absenteeism

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps her Department has taken alongside local authorities to help tackle persistent absence in schools in Slough constituency.

      Special Educational Needs: Breakfast Clubs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of flat-rate per-pupil funding for breakfast clubs in mainstream schools on the accessibility of...

      Pupils: Mobile Phones

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evidence her Department has on the potential impact of banning smartphone use in schools.

      Academies: Security

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of levels of consistency of safeguarding protocols in multi-academy trusts in relation...

      Special Educational Needs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to help specialist independent SEND schools remain open in in response to independent school closures in the last year.

      Children: Musical Instruments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her department holds on musical instrument take up by secondary school children by social class in England.

      Supply Teachers: Employment Agencies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to reduce the use of large commercial agencies in the supply teaching sector.

      Construction: Technical Excellence Colleges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to monitor progress toward the target of training 40,000 construction learners by 2029 through the Construction...

      Construction: Technical Excellence Colleges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the Construction Technical Excellence Colleges will begin operating; and whether any are already in operation.

      Students: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her department are taking to help support university students living with (a) Chron's and (b) Colitis.

      Community Schools

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to increase capacity and resources in community schools, to accommodate pupils transferring from the private to...

      Children: Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the recommendations set out in the Law Commission's review of disabled children’s social care law, published on...

      Vocational Guidance: Children and Young People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the University of Manchester article entitled From aspirational thinking to strategic planning – breaking down the barriers of...

      Pupils: Undocumented Migrants

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not holding data on the number of pupils with irregular immigration status on school funding...

      Academies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of allowing academy trusts to prioritise feeder schools within their own trust on the...

      Special Educational Needs: Teachers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support SEND training for teachers.

      Reading: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Table 4.1 entitled Budget 2025 policy decisions in the Budget Red Book, line item 42, National Year of Reading: Fund state-funded...

      Extended Services: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education what analysis her Department has undertaken of the the potential economic and social benefits of sustained funding in school-aged wraparound childcare.

      Children's Play

      To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of (a) trends in the level of access to playtime between different schools and (b) the potential impact of variations...

  • Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

    • Broadband: Rural Areas

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has considered recommending changes to Ofcom’s Passive Infrastructure Access pricing structure...

    • Broadband: South Suffolk

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had recent discussions with Ofcom on the economic viability of rural broadband in South Suffolk using...

      Internet: West Dorset

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to keep people safe online in West Dorset.

      Broadband: Scotland

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the requirement to amend the Electronic...

      Animal Experiments: Fish

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative...

      Financial Services: Disadvantaged

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is working with the Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority on a strategy to help tackle digital...

      Broadband: Competition

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support fair competition in the broadband market between national ISPs and alternative...

      Electronic Government: Proof of Identity

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that the proposed digital verification process for the Government’s One Login system...

      Animal Experiments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will commit to introducing Herbie's Law.

      Broadband: Rural Areas

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the impact Physical Infrastructure Access costs have on the deployment of fibre...

      Animal Experiments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative...

      Broadband: South Suffolk

      To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support investment in rural gigabit broadband networks in South Suffolk.

  • Ministry of Defence

    • Armed Forces: Training

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November to Question 92321 on Armed Forces: Training, if he will list all other definitions of training outside of Phase 1...

    • Ministry of Defence: Alford

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Underwater robot could improve pipeline and cable security, published on 9 June 2025, which...

      Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress he has made on developing StormShroud.

      Unmanned Air Systems: Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Autonomous Collaborative Platforms are currently in development.

      Defence Equipment: Technology

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of his Department's equipment budget was spent on novel technologies in the last 12 months.

      Ajax Vehicles: Health and Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with references to the Written Statement on the Armoured Cavalry Programme (HCWS1099), published on 26th November 2025, by when does he intend to...

      Armed Forces: Empty Property

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unoccupied MoD housing stock on local communities.

      Armed Forces: Empty Property

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Ministry of Defence homes in Scotland have been unoccupied for (a) up to 3 months, (b) up to 6 months and (c) over a year.

      Sky Sabre: Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK jobs and air defences boost with purchase of new missile launchers, published on 22 August...

      Sky Sabre: Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK jobs and air defences boost with purchase of new missile launchers, published on 22 August...

      Indonesia: Shipbuilding

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister's press release entitled £4bn maritime deal with Indonesia set to boost British jobs and support Indo-Pacific...

      Australia and USA: Defence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has held a trilateral meeting with his US and Australian counterpart since 5 July 2024.

      Aukus

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how regularly he meets with the Special Representative on AUKUS.

      Unmanned Marine Systems: Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has placed an order for any Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles since 5 July 2024.

      F-35 Aircraft: Procurement

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18th March 2025 to question 37371 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, what progress has he made on securing delivery of the...

      Armed Forces: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to purchase new housing stock in communities where Ministry of Defence housing stock is unused.

      Armed Forces: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take take steps to ensure effective allocation of Ministry of Defence housing stock.

      Armed Forces: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the total number of occupied and unoccupied Ministry of Defence homes in Moray.

      Armed Forces: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the average number of Ministry of Defence housing stock in Scotland.

      Armed Forces: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time is for Ministry of Defence housing stock to be let (a) in the UK, (b) in Scotland and (c) Moray.

      Type 31 Frigates

      To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to promote UK Type 31 frigates to NATO allies considering funding for their fleets.

  • Department for Business and Trade

    • Stone: Trade Competitiveness

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential economic impact of foreign government subsidies on the competitiveness of UK natural stone...

    • Mikhail Fridman

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the likely costs of defending the arbitration being brought against the Government by Mikhail Fridman.

      Arms Trade: Pakistan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Government has authorised any export licences for military equipment or dual-use items to Pakistan that could be used in drone...

      Living Wage: North of England

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the need for a regional living wage reflecting higher cost of living pressures in major northern cities,...

      Minimum Wage: Artificial Intelligence

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the minimum wage increase on the number of entry level positions that could be...

      Fireworks: Noise

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of unpredictable firework noise on people with autism, sensory processing conditions,...

      Construction: Materials

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on the assessed domestic (a) brick (b) roof tile (c) steel (d) aggregate (e) plasterboard (f)...

      Mikhail Fridman

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 89908 on Trade Agreements: Dispute Resolution, what assessment has the Government made...

      Fireworks: Regulation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the capacity of police forces to enforce existing fireworks regulations; and what steps he is...

      Unite: Conference Centres and Hotels

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025, to Question 88690, on Unite: Conference Centres and Hotels, what steps (a) BDO, (b) the inspector...

      Fireworks: Regulation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the power, noise levels, and explosive force of consumer fireworks currently permitted for public sale...

      Jeffrey Epstein

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 88691 on Jeffrey Epstein, whether the records are searchable by keyword.

      Hospitality Industry: Surrey Heath

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the hospitality sector in Surrey Heath constituency.

      Trade Agreements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress his Department is making on negotiating free-trade agreements.

      NHS: Postal Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with Royal Mail to ensure that (a) the NHS barcode system is fully operational and that (b) NHS...

      Ukraine: Reconstruction

      To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he is taking steps to support the rebuilding of Ukraine through UK to Ukraine economic trade expansion.

  • Cabinet Office

    • Civil Servants: Workplace Pensions

      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 74665 on Civil Service: Workplace Pensions, whether civil servants who are members of Classic,...

    • Arms Length Bodies: Equality

      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2025, to Question 76829, on Arms Length Bodies: Equality, whether any assessment has been made of the level of...

      Government Departments: Aviation

      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to publish data relating to carbon offsetting for all government flights.

      Cybersecurity: Infrastructure

      To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of prioritising cyber security in public procurement contracts for national infrastructure projects.

  • Department for Work and Pensions

    • Personal Independence Payment Assessment Review

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how he will ensure that the Timms Review adequately takes account of the needs of people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

    • Social Security Benefits: Terminal Illnesses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support people with a terminal illness who are in poverty.

      Universal Credit: Parkinson's Disease

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with Parkinson's Disease listed as their primary condition are in receipt of the Universal Credit health element.

      Personal Independence Payment: Devon

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what are the current wait times for mandatory reconsideration claims over PIP decisions in Devon.

      Personal Independence Payment: Motability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in (a) the West of England Combined Authority, (b) the Sheffield City...

      Personal Independence Payment: Motability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many PIP claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in the (a) Birkenhead Central, Wirral, (b) Rhyl North, Denbighshire,...

      Personal Independence Payment: Motability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Personal Independence Payment claimants had active contracts with the Motability Scheme in (a) the North East, (b) the North West,...

      Personal Independence Payment: Motability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants in a contract with the Motability Scheme to receive a vehicle,...

      Employment: Chronic Illnesses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Taskforce will adequately factor in living with fluctuating conditions.

      Employment: Lone Parents

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2025 to Question 77776, whether his Department monitors the number of instances where work coaches (a)...

      Unemployment and Vacancies

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the ratio of unemployed people to job vacancies was in each of the last five years.

      Age Addition

      To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department are taking to review the state pension addition for individuals aged 80 and over; and whether the Department plans...

  • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

    • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Public Consultation and Reviews

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by her...

    • Farms and Slaughterhouses: Inspections

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of a) farms and b) slaughterhouses are inspected each year; and what assessment she has made of the...

      Forests: Northern Ireland

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the potential implications of the simplifications made by the EU to the EU Deforestation...

      Nick Joicey

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Further to the DEFRA 2024-25 annual report and accounts, HC 1388, 12 November 2025, p.147, whether Nick Joicey has...

      Waste Disposal: Birmingham

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential environmental impact of prolonged interruptions to refuse collection in...

      Waste Disposal: Industrial Disputes

      To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she intends to issue updated guidance to local councils on maintaining minimum service levels in waste operations...

  • Treasury

    • Roads: Freight

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of costs for the haulage industry.

    • Employers' Contributions: Tax Thresholds

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on people in East Grinstead and...

      Employers' Contributions: Tax Thresholds

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of freezing employer National Insurance contribution thresholds on women in full-time work.

      Fuels: Excise Duties

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to maintain the current 5 pence per litre fuel duty cut and freeze on Vehicle Excise Duty to support businesses operating in and around...

      Income Tax: Fylde

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of households in Fylde who will be brought into paying income tax or higher tax bands as a result of extending the...

      Council Tax: Sutton Coldfield

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will estimate the number of houses in Sutton Coldfield which will incur council tax surcharges from 2028.

      Public Houses: Business Rates

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rising rateable values from April 2026 on small community pubs currently exempt from Business Rates...

      Red Diesel: Agriculture

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of recent trends in levels of illegal agriculture red diesel use.

      Postal Services: Northern Ireland

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of parcels from Northern Ireland being incorrectly flagged for EU customs...

      Business Rates: Valuation

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the 2026 business rates revaluation is revenue neutral (i) in the first year, or (ii) over the valuation cycle.

      Public Houses: Business Rates

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to reduce business rates multipliers for pubs.

      Council Tax: Surcharges

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the valuation of the high value council tax surcharge will be undertaken through the use of the Valuation Office Agency’s Automated Valuation...

      Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Budget 2025: Strong Foundations, Secure Future, page 47, what is the breakdown of the £2.8billion efficiencies and savings...

      Assets: Reviews

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the (a) purpose and (b) remit of the Strategic Asset Review announced in the Autumn Budget 2025.

      Government Departments: Cost Effectiveness

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish what the new asset efficiency target will be broken down by department.

      Cost of Living

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is considering to address regional cost of living inequalities.

      Public Sector: Fees and Charges

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the (a) cost-recovery model for statutory fees and charges and (b) use of such fees and...

      Childcare: Taxation

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many families exceeded the tax-free childcare cap in each year since 2017.

      Low Incomes: Surrey Heath

      To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to help increase the incomes of lower income families in Surrey Heath constituency.

  • Department for Culture, Media and Sport

    • Youth Services: Finance

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the reduction in local authority spending on youth services since...

    • World Cup

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Women’s World Cup and other major events on participation rates...

      Sports: Public Participation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase participation in grassroots sports, including in communities with lower activity levels.

      Clubs and Leisure Centres

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support the long-term financial stability of local sports clubs and community leisure centres.

      Sports: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with sporting bodies about improving safeguarding across all levels of sport.

      Young Futures Hubs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what cross party work is taking place on the development of Young Futures Hubs.

      Young Futures Hubs: Mental Health

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that Young Futures Hubs deliver on their core purpose of early mental health support.

      Young Futures Hubs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is planning to take to ensure that lessons from the 24 early support hubs will feed into the Young Futures Hubs...

      Youth Organisations

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the social and educational value of uniformed youth groups such as cubs, scouts and cadet units; and...

      Young Futures Hubs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she expects the national rollout of Young Futures Hubs to begin.

      Arts: North East

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact of (a) cultural and (b) creative industries on regional...

      Arts: Curriculum

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans the Department has to expand opportunities for schools to access cultural and creative learning programmes.

      Music Venues

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Department is taking to ensure a safe and sustainable future for live music venues.

      Arts: Employment

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to encourage young people to pursue careers in the creative and digital sectors.

      Streaming: Pay

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions the Department has had with streaming platforms on ensuring adequate remuneration for artists and creators.

      Cricket: Clubs

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the provision of cricket clubs across local communities.

      Rugby: Young People

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support has government provided to grass roots rugby in encouraging the participation of young people.

      Independent Football Regulator: Public Appointments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her planned timetable is for the appointment of board members of the independent football regulator.

      Football: Facilities

      To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate has been made of the number of (1) grass and (2) artificial football pitches in (a) England (b) Greater Manchester and...

  • Home Office

    • Visas: China

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Chinese nationals have gained a visa through the Graduate Route in each year since 2021, broken down by (a) undergraduates, and (b)...

    • Inland Border Facilities

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the total capital cost to the government of customs check posts since the UK EU withdrawal.

      Delivery Services: Temporary Employment

      To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential security risks associated with rapid increases in temporary recruitment in the delivery sector...

  • Department for Transport

    • Driving Tests

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will publish a regional plan for expanding driving test capacity in areas with the longest waiting times.

    • Aviation: Disability

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will issue guidelines to airlines on the treatment of passengers with neurological disabilities, including standardised procedures...

      Driving Tests: ICT

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department made of the potential impacts of removing the ability for driving instructors to book driving tests on behalf of...

      Driving Tests

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to conduct an impact assessment of the DVSA’s policy to restrict driving instructors from booking test appointments.

      Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency: Standards

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to commission an investigation into the (a) internal governance, (b) operational effectiveness and (c) performance management of the...

      Ports: Electrification

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on prioritising access to the national grid for port...

      Roads: Schools

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve road safety outside schools.

      Great British Railways: Environment Protection

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025 to Question 92100 on Great British Railways: Environment Protection, if she will take legislative steps to...

      Road Traffic Offences

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions have taken place with highway authorities in England on the potential impact of yellow box enforcement on congestion and pollution on...

      Transport

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the transport adaptation strategy will be published.

      Aviation: Alternative Fuels

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many sustainable aviation fuel plants are currently operational.

      Motability: Electric Vehicles

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Motability Foundation on an accessible transition to EVs.

      Grand Central Rail Company: Rolling Stock

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Grand Central Rail services have been cancelled due to train faults in 2025 to date.

      Transport: Apprentices

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 90803 on Transport: Apprentices and Training, what discussions her Department has had with the...

      Taxis: Licensing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the pull and push factors driving taxi license holders from obtaining licenses out of their area of residence and...

      Railways: Safety

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s progress in (a) undertaking risk assessments for assets that do not comply with...

      Great British Railways

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92061 on Great British Railways, when the Department expects to publish the rollout plan for...

      Speed Limits: Cameras

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of average speed cameras on the number of accidents and casualties.

      Roads: Accidents

      To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the eCall system on the number of casualties or fatalities on the roads.

  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

    • Warm Homes Plan

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of setting the period of the Warm Homes Plan for at least 10 years to...

    • Energy: Conservation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to promote limestone insulation as an energy efficiency measure.

      Energy: Terminal Illnesses

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to support people suffering with a terminal illness with their energy bills.

      Energy: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what replacement scheme will support energy efficiency for low-income households after ECO4 ends on 31 March 2026.

      British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish a timeline for the transfer of the £2.3bn investment reserve to BCSSS members.

      Fuel Oil: Devon

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support people with oil heated homes in Devon.

      Offshore Industry: Licensing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, in the next two years, how many new oil and gas licences his Department will examine and what proportion he estimates will be...

      Environment Protection: Taxation

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of of green levies on utility bills.

      National Gas: Security

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what was the budget for a) security and b) cyber security in the National Gas business plan each year for the past five years.

      Heating

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of linking eligibility for (a) boiler replacement and (b) heating...

      Energy: Housing

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to review access to energy efficiency schemes for households in (a) properties over 100 years old and (b)...

      Climate Change Convention

      To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of international progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

  • Ministry of Justice

    • Prisoners: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the safeguarding implications for children who have a parent in prison; and whether he plans to introduce a...

    • Prisoners: Health

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the Chief Medical Officer’s report, Health of People in Prison, on Probation and in the Secure NHS Estate in...

      Prisoners' Release

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps has his department has taken to mitigate the financial impact of the mistaken release of prisoners.

      HM Prison and Probation Service: Staff

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that increased workloads among HMPPS Probation staff are matched by appropriate pay and support.

      Probation Service: Pay Settlements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delayed pay awards on staff morale, workload and retention in the Probation Service.

      HM Prison and Probation Service: Pay Settlements

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when staff working in HMPPS Probation Services will receive their pay award for 2025–26; and for what reason it has not been implemented.

      Detainees: Human Rights

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to ensure that its legal obligations under the Human Rights Act in relation to the detention of defendants are met.

      Medomsley Detention Centre

      To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, What steps the Government has taken or plans to take to implement the recommendations of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report into abuse at...

  • Department of Health and Social Care

    • Health Professions: Migrant Workers

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of (i) nurses (ii) doctors (iii) midwives entering the NHS were (a) non-UK citizens (b) non-UK graduates in...

    • Humanitarian Aid: Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2025 to Question 86606, what steps he has taken to ensure that citizens of British Overseas...

      NHS: Staff

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the changes to the Certificates of Sponsorship minimum salary threshold on (a) international staff in...

      Department of Health and Social Care: Mental Health

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many staff in their Department have been on mental health leave for six months or more; and for what reason.

      Nursing and Midwifery Council: Complaints

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Nursing and Midwifery Council on wait times for (a) general cases and (b) cases before the case examiner.

      Gynaecology

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce gynaecology waiting lists.

      Maternity Services: Staff

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support retention within the maternity and neonatal workforce.

      IVF: Greater Manchester

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July 2025 to Question 67482 on IVF: Greater Manchester, If his Department will have discussions with NHS...

      IVF: Medical Treatments

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to address variation in access to NHS-funded IVF treatment between integrated care boards.

      Health Services: Women

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made to renew the Women’s Health Strategy.

      Ambulance Services: Training

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of suicide prevention training provided to ambulance staff.

      Health Services: Disadvantaged

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps are being taken to ensure the provision of a) surgical hubs and b) community diagnostics centres are aligned with areas with...

      NHS Trusts: Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has assessed the factors contributing to variation in intervention rates between NHS trusts.

      Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department provides on changes to locally commissioned health services.

      NHS: Staff

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will put in place (a) employment protections and (b) transition arrangements for long-serving NHS clinical staff being moved...

      Miscarriage

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to improve the recording of miscarriage in NHS services.

      Maternity Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of information on birth care choices for expectant parents.

      Endometriosis: Health Education

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase awareness of endometriosis amongst medical professionals.

      Baby Care Units and Maternity Services: Surrey Heath

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) maternity and (b) neonatal care in Surrey Heath constituency.

      Mechanical Thrombectomy: Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer to Question 85849 on Mechanical Thrombectomy: Health Services, what estimate he has made of the time taken for a...

      Mechanical Thrombectomy: Health Services

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer to Question 85849 on Mechanical Thrombectomy: Health Services, when he expects people to be able to access...

      Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many NHS penalty charges for incorrectly claimed free prescriptions have been issued to individuals who qualified for but did not...

      Drugs and Medical Equipment: Prescriptions

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to update the Wave 1 Part IX categorisation published by the NHS Business Services Authority: and what mechanisms are in...

      Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust: Public Inquiries

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the official set up date under section 5 of the Inquiries Act 2005 was for the public inquiry entitled Mid Staffordshire NHS...

      Ambulance Services: Suicide

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of collecting data on the number of attempted suicides attended by ambulance staff.

      Puberty Suppressing Hormones: Children

      To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commit to publishing the results of the Tavistock clinical trial into puberty blockers for children.

  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

    • Faroe Islands: Cetaceans

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with the Faroese Minister for Fisheries on cetacean hunts.

    • Myanmar: Rohingya

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps she has taken with her international counterparts to ensure the protection of...

      Devolution

      To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she had with the Scottish Government prior to the meeting between the First Minister of Scotland...

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

    • Housing: Construction

      To ask His Majesty's Government how many houses are planned to be built in the next five years in (1) Devon, (2) Essex, (3) Kent, (4) Lancashire, (5) Lincolnshire, and (6) Yorkshire.

    • Glenigan

      To ask His Majesty's Government what planning-related data they obtain from Glenigan.

      Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission

      To ask His Majesty's Government, following the guidance Holocaust Memorial: handling arrangements for planning casework, published on 5 November, and Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford:...

  • Home Office

    • West Yorkshire Police: Motor Vehicles

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether West Yorkshire Police has been supplied, or been wholly or partially funded for, any cars or light vehicles by His Majesty's Government directly,...

  • Department for Transport

    • Railways: West Yorkshire Police

      To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Department for Transport has directly, indirectly, or through agents or sub-contractors partially or wholly funded the supply of any cars or light...

What is this?

The parliamentary question is a great way for MPs and Peers to discover information which the government may not wish to reveal. Ministers reply via written answers, a list of which gets published daily.

We let you vote on whether or not the answer given is adequate.

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