Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Lake this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 301–319 of 319 · this parliament
What recent assessment has she made of the potential impact of uprating mileage allowance scheme rates on the travel costs of people working in the voluntary sector.
Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee's expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle. These rates are also used by self-employed drivers to claim tax relief on business mileage (simplified mo...
If she will make an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing the mileage allowance scheme reduced rate for over 10,000 miles of travel in the tax year on the travel costs of people working in the voluntary sec
Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee's expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle. These rates are also used by self-employed drivers to claim tax relief on business mileage (simplified mo...
Whether he has had recent discussions with the Mineworkers Pension Scheme Trustees on potential reforms to the Mineworkers Pensions Scheme.
Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Israeli counterpart on violence against Palestinian civilians.
We are clear that International Humanitarian Law and the rules-based order must be upheld, and civilians protected. From the Prime Minister down, we have repeatedly urged Israel to improve aid access, minimise civilian casualties and engage seriously with...
What steps she is taking to support the implementation of UN General Assembly resolution A /RES/78/230 on the Promotion of inclusive and effective international tax cooperation at the United Nations adopted on 22 De
The UK has been an active participant in negotiations at the UN, as we are committed to working with others to ensure inclusive and effective international tax cooperation. We maintain the view that a UN Framework Convention will only be successful in del...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an estimate of the potential cost to farmers of dog attacks on farm animals in the last 12 months.
Defra does not collect its own data on the cost of dog attacks on farm animals to farmers. However, the National Farmers’ Union approximates that UK farm animals worth an estimated £2.4million were severely injured or killed by dogs in 2023. The Governmen...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle livestock worrying.
The Government recognises the distress livestock worrying can cause animals and their keepers. We are considering the most effective ways to deliver our commitments in this area to ensure that livestock are suitably protected. We will set out next steps i...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on livestock worrying.
The Government recognises the distress livestock worrying can cause animals and their keepers. We are considering the most effective ways to deliver our commitments in this area to ensure that livestock are suitably protected. We will set out next steps i...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his counterpart in the Welsh Government on taking steps to help tackle livestock worrying.
The Secretary of State has spoken to his Welsh counterpart on a range of issues. The Government recognises the distress livestock worrying can cause animals and their keepers. We are considering the most effective ways to deliver our commitments in this a...
How much the Welsh Government will receive in additional Barnett Formula consequential funding as a result of the most recent pay award for NHS staff in England.
The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL). When UK Government departmental budgets change, the Barnett formula will apply in the usual way. Any Barnett consequentials in 2024-25 resulting from the r...
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Crown Estate publishing the (a) asset value and (b) net revenue profit of the Crown Estate in Wales within its annual accounts.
To achieve efficiency in its operations, the Crown Estate runs many of its functions at a whole enterprise level. As a result, separate financial statements for Wales would not reflect the fact that expenditure is incurred for the benefit of the whole por...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN Security Council on giving the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara the legal mandate to (a) monitor and (b) report on human rights in Western Sahara.
The UK supports UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The UK continues to support the UN-led efforts and the work of Staffan de Mistura as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara. Officials regularly discuss Western Sahara with international partners, including the UN, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help prevent breaches of international law in Western Sahara.
The UK is committed to the promotion of respect for International Law worldwide. With regard to Western Sahara, we strongly support the work of Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahar, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN Security Council to send a fact finding mission to investigate the human rights of Saharawis in the (a) occupied territory of Western Sahara and (b) prisons in Morocco.
The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara and the Tindouf refugee camps. We have consistently supported language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. We strongly support the work of Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, and we continue to engage key partners to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN Security Council on unfettered media and humanitarian NGO access to the occupied territory of Western Sahara.
We have consistently supported language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. Officials regularly meet and consult with international partners to discuss the issue of Western Sahara, including those from the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, the UN, civil society and the broader international community.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to promote the right to self-government for the people of Western Sahara.
The UK supports UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The UK also supports the work of Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara. Officials regularly discuss Western Sahara with international partners, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, the UN and civil society. We will continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his counterpart in Morocco on the trade of natural resources originating in Western Sahara.
We do not consider commercial activity to be illegal in Western Sahara, providing it respects the interests of the Sahrawi people. The UK continues to support the UN-led efforts and the work of Staffan de Mistura as Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.
What the volume of trade was between Fishguard and the Republic of Ireland in the (a) latest period for which data is available and (b) corresponding period in 2021.
The volume of trade between Fishguard and the Republic of Ireland from May 2021 and May 2024 is as follows: Table 1: Republic of Ireland trade with Fishguard port, imports and exports trade value and net mass (1) Exports to Ireland Imports from Ireland (2) Statistical Value (£)Net Mass (kg) Statistical Value (£)Net Mass (kg)Fishguard May 202114,187,7553,870,278 --May 202419,796,2708,577,563 15,984,16513,047,190 Data Source: Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics HMRC(1) The data is based on customs declarations which have listed “Fishguard” as the port of departure/arrival. Where it has been left blank the movement is not assigned to a port. (2) HMRC trade data does not contain port data for 2021 imports as Staged Customs Controls (SCC) allowed an extended period for businesses to complete their declarations. During this period HMRC sourced intra-EU data from Intrastat declarations which do not collect port/location information.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the resumption of funding for UNRWA; and when he plans to reach a decision on the resumption of such funding.
As the Foreign Secretary announced in his speech on 19 July, UNRWA is absolutely central to humanitarian efforts in Gaza. It also plays a critical role in the wider region in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees, including healthcare and education. We are confident that UNRWA is taking robust action in response to Catherine Colonna's independent review. Britain is committed to supporting UNRWA's lifesaving work, and will resume funding, releasing £21 million for Gaza and the region.