Every parliamentary written question tabled by Adam Jogee this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 281–300 of 926 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her Maltese counterpart.
The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will discuss the adequacy of financial contributions made by member states to the Commonwealth Secretariat with her South African counterpart.
The UK is the largest donor to Commonwealth institutions and their programmes. We support reform of the Commonwealth Secretariat to help place the organisation on a more sustainable financial footing and encourage member states to contribute as appropriate to support Commonwealth activity.
What steps she has taken to increase the number of available driving tests in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire since September 2025.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The agency is intensifying its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests that will break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change. On the 12 November, the Secretary of State for Transport, updated the Transport Select Committee on the government’s ongoing response to high driving test waiting times. In the coming months, DVSA will:Change the booking service to allow only learner car drivers to book and manage their testsIntroduce a limit on the number of times a learner car driver can move or swap a test to twice and also limit the area they can move a test to once booked.Make use of MOD driving examiners for up to 12 months to help tackle driving test waiting times. DVSA is continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire, to provide as many tests as possible. A full-time driving examiner (DE) can be expected to add approximately 1,200 tests per year to the booking system.DVSA currently has a recruitment campaign underway and has advertised DE vacancies for these areas.
Media and Sport, whether she has plans for a formal national memorial to the Duchess of Kent.
The Government does not have any plans for a formal national memorial for the late Duchess of Kent.
What steps he is taking to support the hospitality sector in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.
The Government recognises the importance of pubs and the wider hospitality sector, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across Staffordshire. We continue to support these vital local businesses through a range of measures designed to ease cost pressures and strengthen communities.The government has also introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. We’ve introduced permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a ratable value under £500,000, worth nearly £900 million annually, benefitting over 750,000 properties. The new relief rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap so all qualifying properties will benefit.The Chancellor announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of her budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.
What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the environmental condition of Lough Neagh.
The blue-green algae which we have seen develop over recent years in Lough Neagh is very worrying and has had a serious impact on the environmental health of the Lough. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State recently met with Northern Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, and discussed the environmental impact on Lough Neagh, the Lough Neagh Action Plan and where the UK Government can support the Department in tackling the pollution in Lough Neagh. Whilst the protection and conservation of the Lough is a devolved matter, this Government recognises the vital importance of Lough Neagh and will continue to engage with the Executive on this issue.
What recent steps he has taken to support the work of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Job Centre.
DWP ensures that all Jobcentre Plus staff receive comprehensive training and have access to up-to-date, modern systems. This includes clear diary management tools, enabling staff to support customers as effectively as possible. Where additional expertise is needed, staff can draw on a network of specialist roles such as Disability Employment Advisers and work psychologists or refer customers to local providers. DWP continues to work closely with local partners, employers, and training providers to ensure that Jobcentre services in Newcastle-under-Lyme remain responsive to the needs of the community. This includes signposting to training, apprenticeships, and employability programmes, as well as supporting local recruitment and skills initiatives. In addition, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work. The new service will be a locally tailored and embedded service, designed to meet the different needs of local labour markets, local people and local employers. It will be an active partner with key local stakeholders and providers of services and will be flexible, operating differently in different areas to reflect local systems and needs.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Myanmar.
The UK's security assessment for Myanmar is kept up-to-date on the FCDO Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/myanmar/safety-and-security.On the economic side, poverty rates, food insecurity and forced labour in the country remain significant concerns. Advice to UK business operating in Myanmar can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-myanmar-burma.
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero about the potential impact of increases in energy costs on farmers in Staffordshire.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.
Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that young people from a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire are able to see the Bayeux Tapestry.
The Bayeux Tapestry will be on display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027. The British Museum, which is operationally independent of the government, is eager to enable access to the exhibition for as many schoolchildren as possible, and as such is planning dedicated weekly entry slots for school visits. The Museum is also working closely with other organisations commemorating the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror in 2027, including developing special resources for teachers and activities across the UK.Entrance will be free for schoolchildren and for under 16s, as it is to all of the British Museum’s exhibitions. The Museum will also offer concessionary tickets for other relevant groups, including students, disabled visitors, seniors (over 60s), and jobseekers.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she will take to support farmers in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The Government has allocated £11.8 billion this parliament to sustainable farming and food production, targeting public money where it delivers most value, in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across the country. The Government is making supply chains fairer to ensure farmers, particularly smaller farmers who can be most exposed to market pressures, are protected in their contracts, while unlocking new markets for British produce. The department has published Baroness Batters’ independent Farming Profitability Review 2025. A 25-year Farming Roadmap setting out the long-term direction for farming will follow next year. Defra is establishing a farming and food partnership board to give farmers a stronger voice in Government. Changes to planning rules will place greater emphasis on food production, making it easier for farmers to develop infrastructure. We will take forward sector plans to build profitability in sectors with great potential, and we will seek to boost private finance into farming.
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of a rail connection to Belfast International Airport on economic growth across the United Kingdom.
Belfast International Airport is vital not just for Northern Ireland’s connectivity but for economic growth across the whole of the UK. While civil aviation is a reserved matter, the development of airports in Northern Ireland, and the surface transport serving them, is devolved. It is therefore for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine their infrastructure investment priorities, including any potential rail connection, within the record funding settlement for Northern Ireland announced by the Chancellor at the spending review.
What recent steps he has taken to support veterans families in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.
This Government is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families are easily able to access support in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire and across the country, when and where it is needed. Late last year we launched a new Veterans Strategy which recognises veterans as a national asset and resets the nation’s relationship with those who have served. Alongside this, we launched the £50 million VALOUR programme, which will make it easier for veterans to access the care and support they deserve, and we confirmed £12 million for the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme. In addition, dedicated supported is available to veterans through Ops FORTITUDE, COURAGE, RESTORE, ASCEND and NOVA as well as through programmes such as the Career Transition Partnership.
How many children in Newcastle-under-Lyme have used the bikeability scheme in each of the last 5 years.
The Bikeability Trust, the national charity that manages the Bikeability programme in England on behalf of Government, provides targeted funding and support to local authorities to address barriers to engagement. Uptake of Bikeability can be limited by a variety of factors including low levels of access to cycles and parents choosing to opt out. In 2024/5 Staffordshire County Council (SCC) were allocated up to £575,990 funding for Bikeability. Of this available funding, SCC claimed £266,987. We do not hold information for funding allocations to Newcastle-under-Lyme as local training delivery allocations are managed by Staffordshire County Council.
Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure those seeking election to local authorities are provided with support in advance of election day.
The Government does not provide direct support to individuals seeking election. The Electoral Commission is the independent regulatory body responsible for providing guidance and support to candidates on how to comply with electoral law. This department funds the Local Government Association (LGA) to deliver a programme of sector support, including the LGA’s Be A Councillor Campaign which aims to raise awareness of the councillor role, help people to find out more about becoming a councillor and increase representation in local government of the communities it serves.
What steps she is taking to increase the number of young people in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire using the bikeability scheme.
The Bikeability Trust, the national charity that manages the Bikeability programme in England on behalf of Government, provides targeted funding and support to local authorities to address barriers to engagement. Uptake of Bikeability can be limited by a variety of factors including low levels of access to cycles and parents choosing to opt out. In 2024/5 Staffordshire County Council (SCC) were allocated up to £575,990 funding for Bikeability. Of this available funding, SCC claimed £266,987. We do not hold information for funding allocations to Newcastle-under-Lyme as local training delivery allocations are managed by Staffordshire County Council.
What recent discussions he has had with the Ulster Farmers’ Union.
My officials and I regularly meet with the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) to discuss the views of the farming community in Northern Ireland, the Government’s international trade policy and movements of agrifood products within the UK internal market. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I wrote to the UFU on 23 December setting out the Government’s changes to inheritance tax and Agricultural Property Relief. These changes will protect more farms and businesses, while maintaining the core principle that more valuable agricultural and business assets should not receive unlimited relief.
What recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential merits of a train connection to Belfast International Airport.
The Government recognises that connectivity is vital for supporting economic growth and opportunity across the United Kingdom. I note that the Northern Ireland Executive recently received the findings from the Translink feasibility study into the reopening of the Antrim-Lisburn line, which includes options for a connection to Belfast International Airport. The Executive also recently received the final report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which considers this project a priority. As transport is a devolved matter, it is for the Executive to determine their infrastructure investment priorities based on these findings and to allocate funding from the record financial settlement of £19.3 billion for 2025-26.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of a bespoke strategy to reduce energy costs for the ceramics industry.
The government recognises high energy prices as a significant pressure on UK industry, including ceramics. The only way to bring down bills for good is by ending the UK’s dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets, through the government’s Clean Power Mission. Around 10% of ceramics manufacturers currently qualify for the British Industry Supercharger discount on electricity network charges that will increase from 60% to 90% in 2026. From 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs for foundational manufacturing industries, such as ceramics, by c.£35-40/MWh.We will publish a renewed Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (IDP), setting out a refreshed, strategic approach to delivering a competitive and low-carbon future for UK industry, shaped in close collaboration with industrial stakeholders. The government also intends to consult on further policies to bring down electricity costs relative to gas for the non-domestic sector.
What plans the Government has to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on April 21 2026.
It is right that as a country we reflect on Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy to mark her centenary on 21 April 2026. For more than 70 years, she was our greatest public servant, an anchor of stability in an ever-changing and often uncertain world. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee was appointed by the Government and Royal Household to develop recommendations for the national commemoration of Queen Elizabeth, including a national memorial in St James’s Park, London and a UK-wide legacy programme. The Committee will announce the final design for the national memorial alongside plans for the legacy programme on 21 April 2026, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s birth. More information about this announcement and associated events will be shared in due course.