Every parliamentary written question tabled by Greg Smith this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 221–240 of 363 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues in MHCLG responsible for fire services regarding what further steps can be taken to prevent farm fires.
Defra Ministers and officials have regular discussions with their counterparts in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on a range of issues.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage farmers to develop detailed fire plans, as recommended by the NFU Mutual's Farm Fires Report 2025.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are the lead Department for wildfire. Defra work closely with MHCLG and support Natural England (NE) in delivering their responsibilities. This includes the recently published EIP commitment that by 2030 NE will conduct research on increasing the natural resilience of habitats to wildfires. This will develop our understanding of actions that can be taken to naturally reduce the risk of wildfires.
Food and Rural Affairs, what methodology was used to calculate the 4% impairment fee applied under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.
The impairment provision is based on the bad debt experience of Defra with charging schemes that are most similar to pEPR, whilst taking into consideration the large values of some of our Notice of Liabilities.
Food and Rural Affairs, what determination was made to assess the proportionality and fairness of the 4% impairment fee applied under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.
The impairment provision is based on the bad debt experience of Defra with charging schemes that are most similar to pEPR, whilst taking into consideration the large values of some of our Notice of Liabilities.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the risk of applying a 4% impairment fee on EPR on future impairment rates as a result of additional pressure on business finances.
Incorporating impairment provisions for bad debt in a cost recovery scheme is an expected consideration of Government, as detailed in Managing Public Money guidelines, and is common practice when setting fees. Whilst Notice of Liabilities issued under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme are due for payment after 50 calendar days, liable producers have the facility to pay in quarterly instalments. These impairment provisions can only be used for specific purposes and will be subject to regular scrutiny and review. To minimise impairment and provide transparency, PackUK intends to collect debt rigorously but fairly and will review the impairment provision at least quarterly. Where the impairment provision isn’t fully utilised liable producers will be given a refund.
Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Charity Commission on regulatory compliance cases into (a) Dar Alhekma and (b) the Abrar Islamic Foundation.
Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to charity regulation. As the Charity Commission is independent from the Government in its regulatory decision making, it will be for the Charity Commission to assess these matters further. The Charity Commission has live regulatory compliance cases into Dar Alhekma Trust and Abrar Islamic Foundation. These cases were temporarily paused at the request of the Metropolitan Police Service, to avoid prejudicing the police’s assessment of the concerns raised. The Charity Commission is now engaging with the trustees of both charities to assess the allegations.
Media and Sport, whether she plans to introduce an independent complaints system for the BBC.
The principle of BBC First - where the BBC has the opportunity to try and resolve complaints about its content before consideration by Ofcom - was formalised by the current Charter. If a complainant is not satisfied by the BBC’s initial response to their complaint, they have the option to escalate it for consideration by the independent regulator, Ofcom.The public expects and deserves the highest editorial standards from the BBC. The Secretary of State has been consistently clear that where these standards are not met, firm and transparent action must follow.The forthcoming Charter Review will look at how the BBC can remain independent and accountable to the public it serves and continue to provide trusted and truthful news to combat an era of growing disinformation.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on fuel duty.
At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned increase in line with inflation for 2025/26. The temporary 5p cut is scheduled to expire in March 2026. The Government considers representations from a wide variety of stakeholders, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on motor insurance tax.
We have established a cross-government motor insurance taskforce with a strategic remit to set the direction for UK government policy, identifying short- and long-term actions for departments that may contribute to stabilising or reducing car insurance premiums. The taskforce's final report will be published in the autumn. Insurance pricing is a decision which is affected by a wide range of factors, and the taxes that insurers pay are just one part of this. There is no guarantee that any reductions in Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) would be passed on to policy holders.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made that report's recommendations on road safety.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on ghost number plates.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on General Safety Regulation 2.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on headlight glare.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on an alcohol interlocks trial.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on requiring local authorities to allow at least two different payment methods for parking.
The Department for Transport have noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, including its recommendation on payment methods for parking, and is considering its recommendations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her US counterpart on reports of BBC Panorama editing President Trump's speech.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 17 November to Question 89121, which sets out the Government's position on this matter.
Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure that funding for newly licensed medicines results in improved patient outcomes.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to implement the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which seeks to improve patient outcomes by driving health innovation in England.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the NHS on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded based on an assessment of clinical and cost-effectiveness. This process ensures that new licensed medicines will only be routinely funded by the NHS where evidence demonstrates that their costs are justified by the benefits that they bring for NHS patients.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment he has made of that report's recommendations on the official Private parking code of practice.
This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and welcomes the support and views of the RAC, along with other motoring groups and parking industry representatives. In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government is preparing a code of practice that provides guidance on the operation and management of private parking facilities. The government has recently consulted on its proposals for the code and will respond in due course.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on yellow box junction enforcement by local authorities.
The Department will make an assessment on the report’s recommendations in due course.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on excessive speeding.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.