Every parliamentary written question tabled by Blake Stephenson this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,421–1,440 of 1,536 · this parliament
If she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of maintaining balancing ponds owned by National Highways.
Maintenance costs for the Strategic Road Network (SRN) are borne by National Highways and their financial systems do not categorise spending to the level of sub-asset class granularity. I, therefore, cannot provide a reliable estimate for the costs of maintaining balancing ponds.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the suitability for policy-making of existing measures of rural deprivation.
Defra has contributed funding to investigate rural deprivation as part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) work to update the English Indices of Deprivation. This collaborative work is considering what deprivation in rural areas is, data sources and methods to help quantify it and more formal guidance on the use of the Indices and their application to rural areas. A report on rural deprivation will be part of the updated English Indices of Deprivation anticipated in Autumn 2025.
What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the maintenance regime for balancing ponds owned by National Highways.
The maintenance requirements of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) are governed by a robust set of standards - the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) - and National Highways determines the maintenance works to be undertaken on all assets, based on the GM701 standard which details asset maintenance requirements. While no specific assessment has been made by the Department on the effectiveness of the standards for maintaining SRN balancing ponds, standards are continually evolving in line with best practice.
Communities and Local Government, if she will publish any advice her Department has provided to local authorities on development on flood plains since July 2024 .
The government is committed to building the homes the country needs while ensuring they are safe from flooding.The National Planning Policy Framework, which was revised in December 2024, is clear that new housing and most other forms of development should not be permitted in functional flood plains.Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built on flood plans, but development proposals would have to pass robust tests to proceed in such locations.December’s update to the National Planning Policy Framework clarified how the flood risk sequential test should be applied to new development, which is one of the policy tools to steer development away from areas of high flood risk.
If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the UK’s statistics authorities at identifying rural deprivation.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response from the Director General for Office for Statistics Regulation to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 24 January is attached.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of houses that may be build on flood plains between July 2024 and July 2029.
The government is committed to building the homes the country needs while ensuring they are safe from flooding.The National Planning Policy Framework, which was revised in December 2024, is clear that new housing and most other forms of development should not be permitted in functional flood plains.Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built on flood plans, but development proposals would have to pass robust tests to proceed in such locations.December’s update to the National Planning Policy Framework clarified how the flood risk sequential test should be applied to new development, which is one of the policy tools to steer development away from areas of high flood risk.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the impact of the current role of Internal Drainage Boards on the planning process.
The government recently declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Any further announcements will be subject to this review.Separately, an independent review of the water sector’s regulatory system was launched in October 2024, with the aim of enhancing water management and cross-border challenges. Findings are expected in early 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making Internal Drainage Boards a statutory consultee on planning applications.
The government recently declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Any further announcements will be subject to this review.Separately, an independent review of the water sector’s regulatory system was launched in October 2024, with the aim of enhancing water management and cross-border challenges. Findings are expected in early 2025.
If he will make an estimate of the number of new GP surgeries that are projected to open each year till July 2029.
The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone can access primary care when needed. At the Autumn Budget, a £102 million capital fund was announced for 2025/26 to deliver approximately 200 general practice (GP) surgery upgrades across England, improving existing facilities, boosting productivity, and enabling the delivery of more appointments. This funding represents a first step in delivering the additional capital the primary care sector needs.Decisions on new GP surgeries are made locally by commissioners based on the needs of their populations. Integrated care boards are responsible for planning and commissioning healthcare services to meet the reasonable needs of the people for whom they are responsible, including evaluating population needs and planning provision for GP services. Their annual commissioning plans consider requirements for new practices, such as those driven by population growth, contract expiries, or unplanned closures. Commissioners are expected to address gaps in service, and in the event of a closure, assess whether a replacement provider is needed before transferring patients to other local practices.
Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of inbound tourism visitors in 2025/26 if electronic travel authorisations cost (a) £10 and (b) £16.
DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.
If he will make an estimate of what the GP-to-patient ratio will be in Bedfordshire in July 2029.
There is no NHS England recommendation for how many patients a general practitioner (GP) should have assigned, or the ratio of GPs or other practice staff to patients.The demands that each patient places on their GP are different and can be affected by many different factors, including rurality and patient demographics. It is necessary to consider the workforce for each practice as a whole, not only GPs but also the range of health professionals available who are able to respond to the needs of their patients.
Media and Sport, if she will make a comparative assessment of the cost of tourism visas in (a) the UK and (b) international competitors.
DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.
What estimate she has made of the potential impact of the increased cost of electronic travel authorisations on the number of annual visitors to the United Kingdom.
The Home Office has published an impact assessment for the recently proposed increases in maximum fees for certain immigration and nationality functions, which includes modelling for numbers of electronic travel authorisation (ETA) applications.ETAs are being introduced to enhance our ability to screen travellers upstream and stop those who pose a threat from travelling to the UK. ETAs will deliver a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through the UK border each year.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Secretary of State for the Home department on the potential impact of increasing the cost of electronic travel authorisations on her Department’s ambition to grow inbound tourism to 50 million visitors per year.
DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.
Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increasing the cost of electronic travel authorisations on inbound tourism.
DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.
What discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the increase in the cost of electronic travel authorisations.
I, in my capacity as Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, speak regularly with my counterpart Maroš Šefčovič on a range of issues relating to the EU-UK relationship. In addition, HMG officials engage regularly with counterparts across the EU and EU Member States to ensure they are kept abreast of any changes regarding UK travel policy. This includes engaging on ETA.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure there are sufficient school places to match trends in the level of housing growth.
Local authorities are responsible for providing enough school places for children in their area. We provide capital funding through the Basic Need grant to support local authorities to provide mainstream school places, based on their own pupil forecasts and school capacity data. Nearly £1.5 billion of allocations have been confirmed to support local authorities to create school places needed over the current and next two academic years, up to and including the 2026/27 academic year. Local authorities can use this funding to provide places in new schools or through expansions of existing schools. Financial contributions from housing developers are also an important way of helping to meet demand for new school places when housing developments are driving pupil numbers. It is for the local planning authority (LPA) to secure developer contributions through section 106 agreements or the Community Infrastructure Levy, and to decide on the local infrastructure needs that this contribution should support. The department encourages LPAs to secure significant contributions for new school places and work closely with colleagues planning school places in their area, including county councils when the local authority responsible for education is not the LPA. The department engages with local authorities on a regular basis to review their plans for creating additional places and to consider alternatives where necessary. When local authorities are experiencing difficulties, we offer support and advice.
Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the contribution of inbound tourism to the public purse.
Inbound tourism makes a significant contribution to the public purse. According to the latest available data from VisitBritain and the International Passenger Survey (IPS), inbound visitors spent a record £31.1bn during 2023; supporting jobs and businesses across the UK, and contributing to tax revenues through VAT, Air Passenger Duty, and other sources.DCMS continues to work closely with HM Treasury and the tourism sector to maximise the economic benefits of inbound tourism, including through VisitBritain’s international marketing campaigns and initiatives to enhance the visitor experience. These efforts play a vital role in driving economic growth, supporting public finances, and ensuring the UK remains a top global destination.
What steps her Department is taking through the immigration system to support the ambition of 50 million inbound tourism visitors by 2030.
The UK continues to welcome tourists from across the globe, who make an important contribution to the UK economy and enrich British culture. The UK Standard Visitor route offers individuals the ability to visit the UK for a temporary period, (usually for up to a maximum period of 6 months), for purposes such as tourism and visiting friends or family. Visitors may enter multiple times and regular travellers to the UK have the option of applying for longer term validity visas of 2-, 5- and 10-years duration.As part of our border transformation programme, we are creating a streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure for the millions of people who pass through each year and will enhance the security of the UK. This will include a digital approach to applying for permission to travel, proving identity and immigration status, crossing the border, and demonstrating entitlements in the UK. eVisas are a key part of this, enhancing applicants’ experience, delivering excellent value, and increasing security and efficiency.We are also introducing our Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme which applies to those passengers visiting the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays and do not have a valid UK immigration status prior to travelling. People providing their information in advance of travel paves the way for increased automation at the border, with security at the forefront.The ETA scheme currently applies to all eligible non-European non-visa nations. From 5 March, it will be extended to all eligible Europeans and will be a requirement for travel for this cohort from 2 April.Alongside British and Irish citizens, nationals of an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the USA, who are over the age of 10 are normally eligible to use eGates to enter the UK. Frequent travellers who are members of the Registered Traveller service are also eligible to use eGates. We encourage all eligible passengers to make use of our e Gates where possible as they provide a safe, secure and efficient way of crossing the UK border.We continue to keep our borders and immigration system under review to ensure that it works in the national interest.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the inclusion of Overseas Territories in the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
The Government believes the UN Special Committee on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee) is outdated, and that it no longer has a relevant role to play with respect to the UK Overseas Territories.For those Territories with permanent populations who wish it, the Government will continue to support requests for the removal of the Territory from the United Nations list of 'non-self-governing Territories'. Furthermore, the Government supports the right of the people of the Overseas Territories to address the Special Committee directly. In 2024, the UK supported representatives from the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and the British Virgin Islands to appear at the Special Committee's annual considerations of their respective Territories and stands ready to do the same in 2025.