18 May 2026·Department for Business and Trade·Answered
AskedWhat steps he has taken to encourage the growth of small and medium sized enterprises.
ReplyThe government is committed to supporting all small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through the Small Business Plan - the most comprehensive support package in a generation. The plan features the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years to tac...
18 May 2026·Treasury·Answered
AskedWhat steps she has taken to support growth in the North Sea oil industry.
ReplyThe government recognises the economic importance of the North Sea. Oil and gas production has played, and will continue to play, a role in the UK’s energy mix as we move to a lower carbon economy.Our North Sea Future Plan, published alongside the Budget,...
18 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat steps she has taken to support state school pupils with developmental language disorder.
ReplyWe recognise the challenges that children and young people with speech, language and communication needs, including those with developmental language disorder (DLD). Our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms will ensure every child get...
18 May 2026·Cabinet Office·Answered
AskedHow many small and medium sized businesses have ceased trading in a) England and b) the parliamentary constituency of Romford since 2024.
ReplyThe information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18th May is attached.
14 May 2026·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support traditional English markets.
ReplyThe Government recognises the important economic and social contribution that markets make to our high streets and town centres. Local authorities are empowered to make decisions on running, supporting and investing in local markets in their areas. Howeve...
14 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to expand cooperation on delivering global energy security with the United Arab Emirates.
ReplyIn April we formally agreed to a framework for enhanced cooperation between the UK and UAE, which covers foreign affairs, defence, energy, trade and investment, artificial intelligence, judicial cooperation, and illicit finance. This framework will provid...
13 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhat assessment she has made of the potential merits of a review of access policies in relation to the Home Office Atlas immigration database in the context of the recent guilty verdict in the Peter W
ReplyThe Home Office has a robust Identity and access management policy that sets out how all staff should access Home Office systems, assets and data, specifically outlining how only appropriately authorised and ‘identified’ individuals should have the abilit...
13 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhat (a) data protection and (b) privacy safeguards are in place to ensure the security of (i) home addresses and (ii) other personal information belonging to individuals considered vulnerable to targ
ReplyIt is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational, intelligence or security matters. However, we continually assess potential threats to individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK and are front foote...
13 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedHow many investigations are currently underway into potential foreign interference activities linked to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.
ReplyIt is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational, intelligence or security matters.The verdicts in the recent trial represent the first convictions under the National Security Act related to China and send a...
13 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhat additional resources have been allocated to (a) Cantonese and (b) Mandarin translation and linguistic capabilities for investigations conducted under the National Security Act 2023.
ReplyCounter Terrorism Policing continues to maintain the technological tools and translation capabilities necessary to meet legislative and evidential requirements.CTP are strengthening this capacity, including through the development and deployment of enhanc...
13 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhat assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of reports that nine suspects arrested under the National Security Act 2023 in relation to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office tri
ReplyWhile it would not be appropriate to comment on decisions on whether or not to charge individuals in specific cases. Counter Terrorism Policing continues to maintain the technological tools and translation capabilities necessary to meet legislative and ev...
13 May 2026·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, if he will make it his Department’s policy to accelerate the implementation of the Leasehold Reform Act 2024.
ReplyBalancing speed with care, the government continues to implement the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
13 May 2026·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, what steps he has taken to reduce instances of youth homelessness.
ReplyI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124201 on 14 April 2026.
13 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to repeal the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996.
ReplyI refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May in response to Questions 724 and 725.
13 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhether she plans further to regulate home schooling.
ReplyThe new Children Not in School measures of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, when implemented, will require local authorities to maintain registers of children who are not in school, including home-educated children, require parents of eligib...
13 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat steps she has taken to increase sign language fluency in English state schools.
ReplyThe department supports British Sign Language (BSL) as an important part of our inclusive education strategy. While BSL is not currently part of the national curriculum, schools are free to teach it if they wish, and many already do to meet the needs and ...
13 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans she has to (a) review and (b) revoke the privileges and immunities currently afforded to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London under the Hong Kong Econ
ReplyI refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 21 May in response to Questions 724 and 725.
13 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat steps she has taken to improve access to early years childcare support.
ReplyThrough our Best Start in Life strategy we are focused on reforming the childcare system to increase affordability, accessibility and improve the quality of early education and care that families receive.In 2026/27, we expect to provide over £9.5 billion ...
13 May 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of recent progress in meeting the UK’s formal obligations under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) for the
ReplyDefra works with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Governments of the South Atlantic Overseas Territories (SAOT) to report annually on progress towards meeting UK obligations under ACAP. The SAOT ACAP implementation plans are included...
13 May 2026·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat steps she has taken to ensure the safety of children with allergies in English state schools.
ReplyThe government is committed to improving allergy safety in schools.The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act introduces a new duty requiring all schools in England to put allergy safety measures into place. Schools will be required to have allergy safety p...