Every parliamentary written question tabled by Graham Leadbitter this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 231 · this parliament
How many times has the Government rejected recommendations for compensation made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman following a finding of maladministration since 2010.
The Government does not centrally record information regarding Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman recommendations.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of State Pension age changes for 1950s-born women living in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.
All women born since 6 April 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age. Estimates can be made with ONS 2022 Census Data of how many women born in the 1950s were resident in each constituency in that year.
Innovation and Technology, if she will include Scotland in her department’s consultation entitled “Legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats”.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30th January 2026 to question UIN 107897.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of Open Doors’ report entitled World Watch List 2026.
The UK continues to champion Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, including in the countries on the Open Doors' World Watch List where Christians face persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Last July, the UK's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, the G7 and the Article 18 Alliance.
Whether her Department plans to change or extend eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment.
Bereavement Support Payment is available to those who are married, in a cohabiting relationship with dependent children, or in a civil partnership. It supports working age people through the immediate period following the death of a spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner. The Government keeps the eligibility of all benefits including Bereavement Support Payments, under review.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on road safety, the environment and consumers of requiring vehicle manufacturers to offer all-season or winter-rated tyres as a standard or selectable factory-fit option on new vehicles sold in the UK, particularly for use in colder and rural regions; and whether he plans to review current regulations or guidance in this area.
Manufacturers are free to offer any tyre they choose but all new tyres, before they are permitted for sale in the UK, must demonstrate that they achieve a minimum wet grip performance. They are also required to display certain performance attributes at the point of sale to enable the consumer to make an informed choice. The government’s view is that the relatively low frequency of heavy snow and ice experienced in the UK and the known disadvantages of using winter tyres - and to some extent all-season tyres - in warmer temperatures does not support a detailed assessment being conducted at this time.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.
As set out in our response from 4th December 2025, budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles. Departmental expenditure can be reviewed in the Cabinet Office’s published Annual Report and Accounts.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by her department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.
The Wales Office does not provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.
The title of Minister for the Union has been held by the Prime Minister since its creation in 2019. Responsibility for Union policy has sat across departments (including MHCLG) and currently sits within the Cabinet Office. The Department does not currently provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.
The Northern Ireland Office does not provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95787 on the Prime Minister, what is the estimated total departmental spend by his department to supporting the Minister for the Union in their role since the office was established.
The Scotland Office does not provide any direct financial support to the Minister for the Union.
Innovation and Technology, if she will review the adequacy her policy of not including Scotland for participation in her Department’s consultation titled Legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats.
The proposals in the consultation are based on leasehold law which is applicable in England and Wales but does not apply in Scotland.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the joint publication by the AI Security Institute and Thorn entitled Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention, published in December 2025, if she will make the recommendations mandatory for all AI developers to prevent the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
The Government recognises the importance of tackling AI-generated CSAM. Creating, possessing, or distributing CSAM, including AI Generated CSAM, is illegal. The Online Safety Act requires services to proactively identify and remove this content. We are taking further action in the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise CSAM image generators, and to ensure AI developers can directly test for and address vulnerabilities in their models which enable the production of CSAM.The AISI / Thorn joint publication guidance (Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention) sets out practical steps that AI developers, model hosting services and others in the AI ecosystem can take to reduce the risk that their systems are misused to generate CSAM. This guidance is informed by input from industry and child protection organisations, and many of the world’s leading AI developers (including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Meta) have signed up to the principles of earlier forms of this guidance.The Government is clear: no option is off the table when it comes to protecting the online safety of users in the UK, and we will not hesitate to act where evidence suggests that further action is necessary.
With reference to the press release entitled Armed forces to launch ‘Gap Year’ scheme for young people to bolster skills and leadership, published on 27 December 2025, how many positions will be available in (a) Scotland and (b) Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.
The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘gap year’) is a response to the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options included offering shorter commitments that appeal to more of society. We anticipate that Foundation Year placements will be allocated to Defence locations based on the roles participants conduct. These details have not yet been finalised. There will be flexibility for the Services to provide the most appropriate employment, experiences and skills that offer most value to both participants and Defence.
What contracts Elbit Systems has with the Government; and which defence contracts it is being considered for.
The Ministry of Defence is unable to confirm what contracts Elbit Systems has with wider Government. It would also not be appropriate to comment on any future ongoing competitions.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how her Department has responded to aid requests from representatives of Palestine; and how much direct aid the UK Government has provided to Palestine since October 2023.
Data on Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend for the requested period is published in the Statistics on International Development on GOV.UK, including breakdowns by country and region. Further information and annual reviews on specific programmes can be found on GOV.UK's Development Tracker.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 December 2025 on Question 95783 on Visas: Scotland, whether she has received representations from Anas Sarwar MSP on the potential merits of introducing a Scottish visa since 4 July 2024.
We have no plans to devolve immigration policy, introduce a Scottish visa scheme, nor to discuss such ideas further.Previously suggested schemes would restrict movement and rights and create internal UK borders. Adding different rules for different locations would introduce complexity and create frictions where workers move locations.
Whether she has had recent discussions with Anas Sarwar MSP on the higher rate of the Energy Profits Levy since 30 October 2024.
The Chancellor regularly meets different stakeholders, including those from Scottish Labour, to discuss a range of policy issues.
How much funding has been allocated to the Minister for the Union every year since the office was established.
The title of Minister for the Union has been held by the Prime Minister since its creation in 2019. Departmental responsibility for the delivery of union policy has been split between the Cabinet Office and MHCLG during that period. The Scotland Office, Wales Office, and Northern Ireland Office also have responsibility for ensuring the government delivers for every nation in the UK. Budgets are allocated to departments, rather than specific ministerial roles.
Whether she has had recent discussions with Anas Sarwar MSP the potential merits of introducing a Scottish visa.
We have no plans to devolve immigration policy, introduce a Scottish visa scheme, nor to discuss such ideas further.Previously suggested schemes would restrict movement and rights and create internal UK borders. Adding different rules for different locations would introduce complexity and create frictions where workers move locations.