Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ellie Chowns this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 421–438 of 438 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the report by the Soil Association entitled Stop Killing our Rivers, published on 12 March
The levels of water pollution are unacceptable. Cleaning up England’s rivers, lakes and seas is a priority for the Government. Working with farmers to reduce agricultural pollution is key to delivering against this priority. We continue to work with farme...
To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make it her policy to restore school funding in real terms to the level provided in May 2010.
This government is increasing overall core revenue funding for schools to almost £61.8 billion this financial year (2024/25). In July, the department announced that it is providing schools with almost £1.1 billion of additional funding in the 2024/25 fin...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of implications for his policies of the points of action in the statement entitled Experts warn international order on a knife’s edge, urge States
We note the statement by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 18 September. The UK is fully committed to the international order, international law and the international rules based order. We continue to consider the ICJ's Advisory O...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2024 to Question 400 on British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies: Money Laundering and Tax Evasion, which jurisdictions (a) have
The Overseas Territories have committed to implement publicly accessible registers of company beneficial ownership, and set out timelines to do so, as outlined in a statement of 18 December 2023 (HCWS150).I have spoken with Overseas Territory leaders and ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken steps to integrate nutrition into wider humanitarian and development programming to maximise positive outcomes for nutrition.
The UK has made progress toward its 2021 Nutrition for Growth commitment to integrate nutrition objectives and interventions into multiple sectors across its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme portfolio. 12 per cent of FCDO programmes integra...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report entitled The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024, published by the FAO in August 2024, if his Department will take steps to ad
Tracking and reporting financing for food security and nutrition consistently is important, and we welcome the proposals in the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report. The UK reports on food security and nutrition finance using th...
Whether she is taking steps to (a) ensure that all rail stations are fully accessible and (b) implement step-free access to both platforms at Ledbury station.
We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition globally.
We are committed to addressing the causes of global food insecurity and malnutrition, leveraging UK expertise and investment to build greater resilience to shocks, help transform agrifood systems for greener, inclusive growth and nutritious and sustainable foods, support smallholder farmer livelihoods and tackle malnutrition, through initiatives like the Child Nutrition Fund and our support to the CGIAR, the world's leading agricultural science and innovation organisation. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to work in partnership to lift ambition and finance for long-term solutions.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2024 to Question 971 on Household Support Fund, what criteria she is using for her review of that Fund; and when she plans to (a) complete that review and (b) announce whether that Fund will continue beyond 30 September 2024.
DWP is conducting an evaluation of the fourth iteration of the Household Support Fund. This includes research with a selection of representative Local Authority case study areas, consisting of interviews with Local Authority officials and their delivery partners, and surveys and interviews with recipients of the HSF. This evaluation will provide key evidence on how Local Authorities are delivering the scheme, and their experiences of doing so, as well as the effectiveness of the funding for recipients. The Government has announced funding to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £500 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF, including funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual. As with previous HSF schemes, the Fund will be made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to provide discretionary support to those most in need. The HSF scheme guidance and individual Local Authority funding allocations for the forthcoming extension will be announced as soon as possible ahead of the scheme beginning on 1 October 2024.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the finding in the report entitled The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024, published by the FAO in August 2024, that 2.8 billion people could not afford a healthy diet in 2022.
The UK, the UN and other states use the findings of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report extensively. The persisting high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are concerning. We are committed to addressing these, working alongside partners to provide immediate humanitarian support, tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, and leverage UK-funded science and technology expertise for more climate-resilient food systems. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to lift ambition, ensure better international coordination, and unlock much-needed finance.
With reference to the report by R.E. Green, M.A. Taggart and D.J. Pain et al. entitled Outcomes from monitoring the fourth year of a five-year voluntary transition from hunting with lead to non-lead shotgun ammunition in Britain, Conservation Evidence Journal (2024) 21, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the findings in that report on the proportion of game birds that were shot with lead in 2023; and whether she plans to take steps to ban the use of lead shot in hunting.
The use of lead shot in England and Wales is already prohibited in specific circumstances by existing legislation – including on all foreshores, and in or over specified sites of special scientific interest, predominantly wetlands. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is currently finalising its UK REACH opinion on further action to restrict the use of lead in ammunition. This work has included looking at information submitted to them with regard to possible options to control the use of lead ammunition. The previous study from the paper cited (also known as the SHOT-SWITCH study) has been considered and is referenced in the background document of evidence and opinion with respect to what can be inferred on a voluntary transition from lead shot to alternatives. HSE expects to issue its final restriction opinions in autumn 2024. The decision to apply any UK REACH restrictions as a further regulatory measure, or not to do so, will subsequently be made by the DEFRA Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the report by Oxfam entitled Water War Crimes, published 18 July 2024.
This Government is clear that International Humanitarian Law must be upheld, and civilians protected. Israel must take steps working with humanitarian agencies to fully restore water supplies and to significantly increase the flow of aid into and through Gaza. We have consistently raised water supplies and the opening of vital water lines with Israel throughout the conflictThe FCDO is monitoring the impact of the recent evacuation orders on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to examine alleged instances of damage to (a) water, (b) sanitation and (c) Hygiene infrastructure in Gaza when commissioning future legal advice on arms sales to Israel.
The Foreign Secretary has committed to keeping our position on suspension of around 30 export licenses to Israel for use in Gaza, over International Humanitarian Law (IHL) concerns under review. The UK assesses export licences against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC), which state that a licence will not be granted for an item if the Government determines there is a clear risk that it might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of IHL. When reviewing licensing decisions against these criteria in the context of the conflict in Gaza, the Government considers Israel's commitment and capability to comply with IHL, as well as aspects of its record of compliance. Those assessments are supported by a detailed evidence base, including analysis of the conflict from international bodies, NGOs and partner countries, as well as statements and reports by the Israeli Government and military representatives. The government has published a summary of the IHL process, decision and the factors taken into account [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-the-international-humanitarian-law-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account#:~:text=The%20government%20has%20conducted%20a%20thorough%20review%20of%20Israel%E2%80%99s%20compliance].
What assessment he has made of the potential (a) economic, (b) social and (c) environmental impact of poor home insulation; and if he will make it his policy to establish a local-authority-led street-by-street retrofit programme to insulate homes.
Energy efficiency improvements remain the best way to tackle fuel poverty in the long term, contributing to the reduction of energy bills, as well as reducing carbon emissions in line with Net Zero. The Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. We will announce further policy detail in due course.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the social care system on the performance of the NHS; and if he will hold discussions with his opposition counterparts on measures to improve the funding and delivery of social care.
The health and social care systems are facing significant challenges. The Government is committed to tackling the multiple factors contributing to delayed discharges. These include processes within hospitals and between hospitals and other health and care services, and the availability of appropriate care packages. These care packages are commissioned by both the National Health Service and by adult social care partners.By developing local working partnerships between the Government, the NHS, and social care, we will ensure that people are not stuck in hospital beds when they are well enough to go home.
If he will make it his policy to require landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties to a EPC C rating.
This government is committed to reducing the number of fuel poor households in England. We will require landlords to improve their properties to Energy Performance Certificate standard C by 2030. Ensuring warmer, healthier private rented homes will lift many families out of fuel poverty and reduce energy bills.
Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish her Department's response to the consultation entitled The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, published on 13 November 2023.
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024, and a Government response has not yet been issued. We fully support the need for low carbon homes, fit for a net zero future. We are reviewing proposals and feedback from the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation and will publish the Government response in due course.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential (a) impact of agricultural run off on and (b) merits of introducing a water protection zone for the river Wye.
The River Wye is one of Britain’s most important, iconic rivers. We share concerns about its declining condition and the impact of agricultural pollution. Cleaning up our rivers is one of this Government's top priorities. We are working closely with the Welsh Government to tackle agriculture pollution and restore the river's health.