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 61–80 of 319 · this parliament
With reference to section 48(1) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994, how many times HMRC exercised the power to direct a non-established taxable person to appoint a UK-based VAT representative in each of the last five financial years.
HMRC does not routinely record the requested information and therefore is unable to provide data on the number of directions made to non‑established taxable persons to appoint a VAT representative.
When the UK National Screening Committee will complete its review of its recommendation not to screen children for lead poisoning.
The Government recognises how concerning lead exposure can be for parents and carers and remains committed to reducing the risk to children. Lead levels are therefore kept under stringent control, and exposures to lead in water, air, and/or food are reduced to the lowest practical level to minimise any risk to health.The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) will only make a positive recommendation to screen where it is confident there is robust evidence that screening provides more good than harm. In 2018, the committee reviewed the evidence for screening children for lead poisoning and recommended not to screen at that time because:- treatments for children with mild symptoms have not been proven to be effective and may also cause harm;- the number of children affected in the United Kingdom is currently not known; and- the test was not reliable enough. The UK NSC is planning to review the evidence for screening children for lead poisoning and will undertake an evidence map, which is the first step in the evidence review process. This work is on the UK NSC’s 2026/27 workplan.Anyone who is worried that they or their child may have been exposed to a high level of lead is advised to speak to their doctor. The local public health team can also offer advice, including practical steps to avoid further lead exposure and information on any treatment that may be needed.
Innovation and Technology, what estimate Department estimate of the total number of households in (a) Ceredigion Preseli constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK without access to good mobile signal strength as defined by Ofcom.
Ofcom publishes mobile coverage data in its Connected Nations reports at the premises level, but this does not distinguish between premises type. This means there is no differentiation between households and places of work for example.Following the launch of the Map Your Mobile tool in June 2025, Ofcom’s threshold for good mobile coverage, combining 4G and 5G, is a predicted received signal strength of −95dBm. Predicted coverage at this threshold is also now included in Ofcom’s Connected Nations report.Our estimated number of premises without access to good mobile coverage for each area is provided in the table below. Data for total number of premises and the percentage of premises with good mobile coverage is presented as in Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report 2025.AreaTotal number of premisesPercentage of premises with access to good mobile coverage from any mobile network operatorEstimated number of premises without access to good mobile coverage from any mobile network operatorCeredigion Preseli51,74195.31%2,427Wales1,569,27599.08%14,437UK32,355,39799.64%116,479
What assessment the UK Health Security Agency has made of the levels of lead exposure of populations living near historic lead mines.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not specifically assessed exposures to lead in communities living near historic lead mines in England. This is because the UKHSA advises regulators and other stakeholders on the overall health risk assessment process but does not have a statutory role in relation to contaminated land.The UKHSA is a partner in the Elevated Childhood Lead Interagency Prevalence Study, which was set up to determine the prevalence of elevated levels of lead in children in Leeds. It is envisaged that this study may inform the feasibility of a lead screening programme in children.The UKHSA is also evaluating current background exposure to lead and other environmental pollutants. A human biomonitoring module was implemented into the NHS Health Survey for England 2022 to 2023 programme. Data on background levels of heavy metals, including lead, in the population samples are expected to be published in Autumn 2026. These data may allow us to determine if there are areas of England where exposures are above average.
What is the total number of import declarations made by express operators for consignments with a value of a) £135 or less and b) greater than £135 in each year since 2021.
The information requested is not available.
What discussions his Department has had with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding opening a strategic market status investigation into Microsoft and its software licensing practices.
The Department for Business and Trade engages regularly with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on competition issues. The CMA is independent of Government, and decisions on initiating strategic market status investigations (SMS) are a matter for the CMA Board. The CMA has announced that it will open a SMS investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, expected to launch in May 2026.
How much of the £2.5 billion fund to develop the steel industry as set out under the UK Steel Strategy will be spent in Wales.
The steel strategy reaffirms the government’s intention to spend up to £2.5 billion on the steel sector. This is in addition to the £500 million for Port Talbot. Building on the direct financial support the government has provided to the sector so far, the National Wealth Fund will be the UK government’s main mechanism for providing financing for investment in the steel sector. Investment decisions are made by the National Wealth Fund on a case-by-case basis and it supports promising projects across the United Kingdom Specifically for Wales, the Secretary of State for Wales will convene the National Wealth Fund and the private sector in a new initiative to help attract investment to Welsh steel projects, to support communities across Wales that rely on the industry.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of safeguards implemented by the telecoms sector to ensure that risks arising from the migration of the Public Switched Telephone Network to Voice over Internet Protocol are mitigated for people, including rural communities.
The Government is committed to ensuring that any risks from the industry-led migration of the copper based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for everyone across the UK, including rural communities. In 2024/25, there were over 2,600 major incidents on the PSTN, each affecting 500 or more customers.In November 2024, the Government secured additional safeguards from the telecoms industry. These include the provision of free battery back-ups for vulnerable and landline dependent customers to ensure access to emergency services for at least one hour in a power outage. Many communication providers have gone further, providing battery back-ups of 4-7 hours.In March 2026, the Government and industry agreed a new Fixed Telecoms Charter to extend these safeguards to all future fixed telecoms modernisation programmes.
Whether he has considered the potential merits of extending the range of offences that can be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
The Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme is an exceptional power. It includes all indictable-only offences (e.g. murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery) and certain triable-either way offences sentenced in the Crown Court (e.g. threats to kill, stalking, most child sex offences).Parliament intended this to be an exceptional power, and any expansion of the scheme must be carefully considered. While we understand calls for expansion, it is important for both victims and offenders that there is finality in sentencing. The general rule is that a person should expect to serve the sentence a judge has imposed upon them.The Law Commission is undertaking a review of criminal appeals and it held a public consultation inviting views on a range of reforms to the ULS scheme, including offences in scope. The consultation closed on 27 June 2025 and the Law Commission is expected to publish its report in 2026.The Government will carefully and holistically consider the Law Commission review’s final recommendations on the wider reforms to the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme in due course.
With reference to the Welsh Government's written statement entitled Agreement to consult on devolution of powers for a Vacant Land Tax in Wales, published on 11 February 2026, when the consultation on the devolution of powers for a Vacant Land Tax in Wales will be launched.
To avoid the pre-election period, the public consultation will be launched at an appropriate point after the formation of the next Welsh administration.
Whether the actions under the Agenda for Change uplift and a fairer deal for nurses statement for NHS England published on on 12 February 2026 will lead to additional funding for the Welsh Government through the Barnett Formula.
The Department for Health and Social Care received funding to deliver the actions under the Agenda for Change uplift and a fairer deal for nurses statement at Spending Review 2025, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.
What proportion of i) truck stops and ii) Motorway service areas have received any non self-certified security accreditation.
The Government does not operate a mandated or voluntary lorry parking security accreditation system. Trucks stops and Motorway Service Areas set their own security standards unless they voluntarily join a private accreditation scheme. Therefore, the Department for Transport does not hold this information.
I) how much funding in total was granted to applicants to the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme ii) how much of this funding came directly from matched funding from the Department for Transport and iii) whether the department plans to re-open the scheme for further applications.
The total amount of government funding contractually committed to improvement projects for the HGV Parking Matched Funding Grant Scheme, as of 19 March 2026, is £13,599,303.45. The scheme held three application windows. The table below sets out awards and spending to date per window as of 19 March 2026. Projects that were cancelled by operators after notification of an award are not included in these figures. Application window openedTotal awardedTotal - spend to dateWindow 1 - Nov 2022£5,427,497.05£4,754,717.54Window 2 - Sept 2023£4,778,778.09£4,335,848.03Window 3 - May 2024£3,393,028.31£1,852,762.51Overall MFGS£13,599,303.45£10,943,328.08 There are no plans for further windows of the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Matched Funding Scheme. Funding for further lorry parking improvements is planned for the third road investment strategy (RIS3) as part of the Customer and Community Designated Funds, subject to confirmation of the National Highways RIS3 settlement.
What plans her department has to ensure that the road safety strategy includes provisions to support lorry driver welfare.
On 7 January 2026 the Department for Transport published the Government’s new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on British roads by 65% by 2035. The Government expects the employers or engagers of anyone driving or riding for work to ensure that they are as safe as possible on the roads. Working with industry we will pilot a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter for businesses that require people to drive or ride for them, including considering the use of HGVs. The Charter will aim to help employers to reduce work-related road risk and improve safety for all road users by promoting good practice, and to improve compliance with current legislation and guidance.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she intends to incorporate the Innate Health Assessment of dog breeds in future statutory licensing conditions for dog breeders.
The Innate Health Assessment tool has been created by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare to tackle suffering caused by extreme physical body shapes in dogs. This voluntary tool can be used by breeders, dog owners or prospective dog owners to check any dog’s innate health characteristics and their suitability to breed and/or acquire, regardless of breed or type. The Government published its Animal Welfare Strategy on 22 December 2025, outlining plans to take coordinated action to improve the welfare of pets. This includes the commitment to end the low welfare breeding of dogs and to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform. Defra recognises the importance of genetic health in dogs and supports education of owners and breeders to promote responsible breeding.
How much revenue has been raised through the domestic VAT charge on heating oil and liquid petroleum gas since the outbreak conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran on 28 February 2026.
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services, including VAT on heating oil and liquid petroleum gas. This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden. VAT is chargeable at the reduced rate of 5% on domestic fuel and power.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including household Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) data in the methodology used to allocate support funding to each UK nation for heating oil and LPG‑heated properties announced on 16 March 2026.
The government has acted quickly to provide timely, targeted support to those households struggling with the rising price of heating oil. In England, Crisis Payments can be provided by local authorities to support the purchase of any form of fuel that is used for domestic heating, cooking or lighting. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is for the relevant devolved government to deliver support as they see fit.
What consultations were had with the (a) fuel distribution industry and the (b) Welsh government on the development of the support package for households in Wales using heating oil and Liquid Petroleum gas as heating methods announced on 16 March 2026.
The government has acted quickly to provide timely, targeted support for those households struggling with the rising price of heating oil. Officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have coordinated closely with industry since the conflict in the Middle East began, and continue to do so. I have discussed this support with all devolved government Finance Ministers. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is for the relevant devolved government to deliver support as they see fit.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of further income tax power devolution to Wales following her announcement on 17 March 2026 to pursue devolution of income tax powers in England.
The Chancellor announced on 17th March that she will set out a roadmap at Budget for giving English regional leaders a share of some national taxes. This will include looking at income tax, alongside other taxes. It is not about new taxes or higher tax rates. The Welsh Senedd already has significant income tax powers. This was the product of a lengthy process of debate and development, including the Silk Commission’s first report, the Wales Act 2014, and the Wales Act 2017. Consideration of any further income tax devolution would be a matter for discussion between the Welsh and UK Governments and be subject to consensus in Wales and the agreement of both the UK Parliament and the Senedd.
What estimate his Department has made of the number of domestic properties which use (a) oil and (b) liquefied petroleum gas for heating purposes by parliamentary constituency.
The Department does not produce bespoke estimates of the number of domestic properties using oil or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for heating by parliamentary constituency. Information on the heating fuels used by households is published by the Office for National Statistics and the devolved administrations.