Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Goldsborough this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 281–300 of 313 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, how many instances of fly tipping there were in South Norfolk constituency in each of the last five years.
Local authorities are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, which the department publishes annually, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/env24-fly-tipping-incidents-and-actions-taken-in-england. This data isn't available at a constituency level and excludes the majority of private-land incidents.
Whether she plans to amend the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published a Review of the Seasonal Worker route on 16 July. The Government will carefully consider the MAC’s recommendations and will announce a detailed response in due course.
How many families with a child with (a) special educational needs and (b) pathological demand avoidance have been issued with a (i) parenting order, (ii) education supervision order, (iii) school attendance order and (iv) fine for poor school attendance in each of the last five years.
The information requested is not held by this department. The department collects aggregate data on the use of parenting orders, education supervision orders and penalty notices from local authorities in England through the annual parental responsibility measures attendance census. No information is collected on characteristics of the children concerned. The available data is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/parental-responsibility-measures. The department collects aggregate data on school attendance orders issued and revoked from local authorities in England through the new collection on elective home education and children missing education. No information is collected on characteristics of the children concerned. The available data is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/elective-home-education.
How many families of children (a) have applied, (b) are waiting and (c) have been issued with a neurodevelopmental services assessment in each local authority area in each of the last five years.
The information is not available in the format requested.
If he will (a) make an assessment of the adequacy of the regulatory framework for ensuring public consultation on energy transmission projects and (b) take steps to ensure that statutory consultations on such projects include consultation on construction options.
For England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 sets out the consultation requirements that developers of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), including electricity transmission projects, are required to follow. In April 2024, new guidance was published for NSIPs which sets out the consultation milestone that requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with communities. The developer’s statutory consultation needs to show compliance with the energy National Policy Statements, including in relation to construction. In Scotland, the Scottish Government’s good practice guidance sets out the expectations and requirements for consultation.
If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing community benefit for electricity infrastructure projects in the local community of (a) £50,000 (b) £200,000 and (c) £500,000 per electrical substation.
The previous government’s response to the consultation on community benefits for transmission network infrastructure was published in November 2023. This document outlines that, when combined with bill discounts and additional benefits for underground cables and substations, these levels of wider benefits could lead to benefits to society with an estimated value between £1.5bn - £7.8bn if improved acceptability reduces delays to network build. These benefits come from reduced network constraint costs and emissions savings. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/community-benefits-for-electricity-transmission-network-infrastructure It is important for this Government that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should directly benefit from it. We are currently considering how to ensure communities benefit from living near new onshore electricity transmission infrastructure.
If her Department will review Border Force’s use of Police and Reporting Notebook Organiser.
Border Force is currently conducting a small-scale trial of electronic notebooks to better understand whether they will meet the future requirements of the organisation both operationally and legally as a simplified method of data capture and database checks to help secure our borders.
If she will review the police reporting and notebook organiser (PRONTO) system to ensure its effectiveness at recording questions that deviate from the list of pre-defined ones built into it.
Historically police forces and law enforcement organisations have made local commercial buying decisions through Chief Constables and PCCs for products such electronic notebook organisers. These organisers are used to increase efficiency whilst undertaking operational duties.In support of increasing efficiency and effectiveness of data, the Home Office maintains under active review all processes needed to support police and law enforcement partners with their operational data requirements. However, the functioning of electronic notebooks remains a primary consideration for operational partners in policing and law enforcement.
With reference to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s report entitled An inspection of the immigration system as it relates to the social care sector, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Skilled Worker route for social care workers; and whether she has plans to (a) review and (b) reform the Skilled Worker visa.
The previous government accepted the recommendations of the ICIBI report and we will continue to take this work forward. The Home Office has undertaken activity since 2023 to address issues in the sector including commissioning the Migration Advisory Committee to undertake a review of the Immigration Salary List and requiring those sponsoring care workers in England to be registered with the Care Quality Commission.The Government is committed to reducing historically high levels of legal migration and addressing the root causes. We recognise the need to cut reliance on international recruitment in sectors like social care.We will introduce measures to upskill workers and improve working conditions in the UK, ensuring quicker responses to labour market challenges and reducing the need for international recruitment.We will continue to work across government, and with the adult social care sector to develop an understanding of the sector to inform our policies and decision making in relation to cases from it.There are regular engagement sessions between the Home Office and the sector whereby clear examples of good practice are shared alongside the trial of a support process where providers are able to seek a letter of support from the local Director of Adult Social Services confirming any requests are proportionate to the business model.
If her Department will publish standardised best practice guides for Border Force Operational Support Officers.
The Operation Notification Form (ONF) is used by Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) teams outside the Metropolitan Police area Its purpose is to enable Immigration Enforcement (IE) to request local police assistance for an enforcement visit or notify the police of a planned enforcement visit where no additional local police assistance is required. It is used by IE to gather intelligence held by the police regarding the subjects and addresses they plan to visit. In addition, it enables local police to carry out an equalities and community impact assessment of the proposed visit and allows IE to notify police of the result of the visit using the intelligence feedback report Operational business assurance standards provide officers with guidance relating to the use of ONFs / equivalent police checks. Assurance checks for ONFs have been conducted in past operational assurance reviews Published guidance on the ONF can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powers-and-operational-procedure/enforcement-planning-assessments-accessible. The role of ‘Operational Support Officer’ is not a standard position within every operational team / unit within IE, therefore the department would not consider creating a standardised best practice guide for this position Guidance for officers dealing with immigration enforcement matters is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/enforcement-instructions-and-guidance.
What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Border Force Operational Notification forms.
The Operation Notification Form (ONF) is used by Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement (ICE) teams outside the Metropolitan Police area Its purpose is to enable Immigration Enforcement (IE) to request local police assistance for an enforcement visit or notify the police of a planned enforcement visit where no additional local police assistance is required. It is used by IE to gather intelligence held by the police regarding the subjects and addresses they plan to visit. In addition, it enables local police to carry out an equalities and community impact assessment of the proposed visit and allows IE to notify police of the result of the visit using the intelligence feedback report Operational business assurance standards provide officers with guidance relating to the use of ONFs / equivalent police checks. Assurance checks for ONFs have been conducted in past operational assurance reviews Published guidance on the ONF can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powers-and-operational-procedure/enforcement-planning-assessments-accessible. The role of ‘Operational Support Officer’ is not a standard position within every operational team / unit within IE, therefore the department would not consider creating a standardised best practice guide for this position Guidance for officers dealing with immigration enforcement matters is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/enforcement-instructions-and-guidance.
With reference to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration’s report entitled An inspection of the immigration system as it relates to the social care sector, if her Department will undertake a review of the (a) sponsor licensing application and (b) decision-making process in collaboration with social care industry leads and sector experts.
Prior to the report from the ICIBI, work was underway between UKVI and the social care sector to improve and develop their processes. This focussed on both the development of the sponsor licencing application process, and improvement of decision-making processes in relation to adult social care cases.Regular engagement sessions between the Home Office and the sector also allow clear examples of good practice to be shared. This is happening alongside the trial of a support process whereby providers are able to seek a letter of support from the local Director of Adult Social Services confirming any requests are proportionate to the business model. We will continue to examine new ways to tackle exploitation in the immigration system, including in social care.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing a standardised procedure for recording debriefing records onto police reporting and notebook organisers (PRONTOs).
Historically police forces and law enforcement organisations have made local commercial buying decisions through Chief Constables and PCCs for products such electronic notebook organisers. These organisers are used to increase efficiency whilst undertaking operational duties.In support of increasing efficiency and effectiveness of data, the Home Office maintains under active review all processes needed to support police and law enforcement partners with their operational data requirements. However, the functioning of electronic notebooks remains a primary consideration for operational partners in policing and law enforcement.
If he is undertaking a review of the eligibility criteria for community benefits for electricity transmission.
It is the Government’s priority to build support for developments by ensuring communities directly benefit, as per the commitments set out in the election manifesto. As such we are reviewing how to most effectively deliver community benefits for communities living near new electricity transmission network infrastructure.
Whether she has had discussions with Network Rail on the status of the Wymondham train station accessibility upgrades.
Both the Rail Minister and I are early in our tenure as Transport Ministers. As such, he has yet to speak to Network Rail regarding the status of the Wymondham station accessibility project. The Department looks forward to discussing these proposals with Network Rail and other stakeholders in the near future.
What assessment his Department has made of of the potential merits of providing long-term financial compensation to communities which host the installation of pylons to improve the transmission of renewable energy.
The heart of the Government’s agenda is to make Britain a clean energy superpower, boost energy independence and reduce bills through clean power by 2030, and our electricity network is key to this success. It is important for this Government that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should directly benefit from it. We are currently considering ways that ensure communities benefit from living near new onshore electricity transmission infrastructure and are committed to ensuring fair and beneficial outcomes in alignment with our overall mission.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing (a) £10,000, (b) £40,000 and (c) £100,000 per kilometre of underground line to local authorities affected by new electricity infrastructure projects.
The previous government’s response to the consultation on community benefits for transmission network infrastructure was published in November 2023. This document outlines that, when combined with bill discounts and additional benefits for overhead cables and substations, these levels of wider benefits could lead to benefits to society with an estimated value between £1.5bn - £7.8bn if improved acceptability reduces delays to network build. These benefits come from reduced network constraint costs and emissions savings. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/community-benefits-for-electricity-transmission-network-infrastructure It is important for this Government that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should directly benefit from it. We are currently considering how to ensure communities benefit from living near new onshore electricity transmission infrastructure.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing (a) £50,000, (b) £200,000 and (c) £500,000 per kilometre of overhead line to local authorities affected by new electricity infrastructure projects.
The previous government’s response to the consultation on community benefits for transmission network infrastructure was published in November 2023. This document outlines that, when combined with bill discounts and additional benefits for underground cables and substations, these levels of wider benefits could lead to benefits to society with an estimated value between £1.5bn - £7.8bn if improved acceptability reduces delays to network build. These benefits come from reduced network constraint costs and emissions savings. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/community-benefits-for-electricity-transmission-network-infrastructure It is important for this Government that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should directly benefit from it. We are currently considering how to ensure communities benefit from living near new onshore electricity transmission infrastructure.
What steps he is taking to encourage communities to support renewable energy network connection infrastructure in their localities.
It is important for this Government that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should directly benefit from it. We are currently considering ways that ensure communities benefit from living near new onshore electricity transmission infrastructure. Strategic network planning will reduce the overall impact of infrastructure through coordination where appropriate. Networks plans take account of environmental and community impacts, alongside deliverability and economic cost, at every stage of network planning. National Grid Electricity System Operator is developing the Electricity Transmission Design Principles.
What discussions she has had with Network Rail on (a) the status of the Ely area capacity enhancement and (b) its potential impact on rail capacity for the Cambridge to Norwich route.
Both the Rail Minister and I are early in our tenure as Transport Ministers, and he is yet to speak to Network Rail regarding the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement. However, as Transport Ministers we recognise the benefits the scheme could bring for freight and passenger rail services in East Anglia, including the Cambridge to Norwich route. The Rail Minister looks forward to discussing these proposals with Network Rail and other stakeholders in due course.