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 1,481–1,500 of 1,536 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of her policies on (a) agricultural and (b) business property relief on ancient woodlands.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.
Whether she plans to produce a national kinship carers strategy.
The government is determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve, and kinship carers play a crucial role in delivering this.In November 2024, the government published ‘Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families Thrive’, which is available here...
Whether she plans to carry out kinship carers pilot trials in eight local authority areas.
Through the Autumn Budget 2024, this government announced a £40 million package to trial a new kinship allowance in up to 10 local authorities to test whether paying an allowance to cover the additional costs of supporting the child can help increase the ...
Communities and Local Government, how much she expects (a) Central Bedfordshire Council and (b) Bedford Borough Council to increase council tax in 2025/26.
Council tax levels are decided by each council. The local government finance policy statement 2025 to 2026 proposed a core council tax referendum limit of up to 3% and an adult social care precept of 2% for all local authorities responsible for adult soci...
If her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of train delays in (a) Q3 and (b) Q4 2024 on productivity.
Whilst the Department has not made an assessment of the impact of train delays on productivity, we recognise the inconvenience and costs felt by passengers, local communities and businesses arising from poor performance. Ministers have been clear that rai...
Communities and Local Government, how much she expects the non-Council Tax element of the core spending power of (a) Central Bedfordshire Council and (b) Bedford Borough Council to increase in 2025/26.
The government published a policy statement on 28 November 2024 that confirmed that local government will receive an around 3.2% real-terms increase overall in Core Spending Power as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement 2025-26.We will set out ...
Communities and Local Government, what changes she expects to make to governance arrangements in Bedfordshire through the English Devolution White Paper.
In July, the Deputy Prime Minister invited places without devolution agreements, including Bedfordshire, to come forward and submit devolution proposals for their areas. This process closed in September and the government is now working closely with local...
What steps she plans to take to improve the reliability of train services.
Improving railway performance and delivering reform is a top priority for the Department. Ministers continue to meet with Managing Directors of the worst performing train operators and their Network Rail counterparts to address poor performance and demand...
What discussions she has had with Thameslink on the performance of services on the Bedford Line.
Recent levels of disruption experienced on Thameslink due to delays and cancellations are clearly not acceptable and passengers deserve better. Ministers are meeting with the Managing Directors of all Train Operating Companies and their Network Rail count...
What information her Department holds on the number of delayed services on the Bedford Line in (a) Q3 and (b) Q4 2024.
Information relating to the number of delayed services on the Bedford line is not held by the department. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes quarterly statistics on punctuality and reliability for passenger trains in Great Britain at: https://da...
Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support people in areas of poor (a) broadband and (b) mobile phone signal during the switchover to digital alternatives to landlines.
For current landline-only customers it will be possible to order a VoIP landline without purchasing a general internet connection. Customers will only be offered VoIP if they live in an area with sufficient broadband connectivity. In areas with insufficie...
If he will ask local authorities to improve signposting of support groups for unpaid carers.
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have duties to support people caring for their family and friends. It is for local authorities to decide how best to support their local population, including how they signpost unpaid carers to support groups.The...
Whether his Department has had discussions with Stellantis on the phase-out timeline for petrol and diesel cars.
The Secretary of State met Stellantis on multiple occasions throughout the summer and more recently in relation to its manufacturing presence in the UK. The Department has close engagement with the vehicle industry and engages regularly on topics includin...
Whether he had discussions with Stellantis prior to the announcement of the closure of the Vauxhall site in Luton.
The Secretary of State has been in contact with Stellantis since July to discuss the pressures in their UK and global business and the future of the Luton plant. He met them again on 26 November where they regrettably shared their proposals to consult on ...
What steps her Department has taken to help the automotive industry meet the 2030 phase-out date for petrol and diesel cars.
We will continue to support industry and consumers to make the switch to zero emission vehicles, with over £300 million announced in the Budget to drive uptake of electric vehicles and £2 billion to support the transition of domestic manufacturing and sup...
Whether his Department plans to take steps to help Luton Borough Council secure the long-term future of employment at the Stellantis Vauxhall site in Luton.
Stellantis announced on 26 November that it was starting a consultation with staff on its plans to consolidate its two UK manufacturing sites into one plant at Ellesmere Port. The Department is actively engaging with the company and has asked them to shar...
If his Department will make an assessment of the impact of the closure of the Stellantis Vauxhall site in Luton on the economy of (a) Luton Borough and (b) Bedfordshire.
Stellantis announced on 26 November that it was starting a consultation with staff at its Luton plant on its plans for the future of its manufacturing there. The Department is actively engaging with the company and has asked them to share the full details...
If her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of financial support available to unpaid carers in Bedfordshire.
Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting elderly or disabled relatives or friends. Sometimes unpaid carers will need to turn to the benefit system for financial support, so it is right that we keep Carer’s Allowance under review, to see if it is meet...
What steps she is taking to help tackle dangerous driving in rural areas.
Any form of dangerous driving is a serious road safety issue. Dangerous driving is the offence of driving far below the standard that would be expected of a careful and competent driver. The maximum sentence for dangerous driving is an unlimited fine, dis...
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty for firefighters in England to respond to flooding.
Defra is the Lead Government Department for flooding, and they are responsible for the response to and prevention of flooding. Fire and Rescue Authorities have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) to prepare for emergencies, including major flo...