The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 1,125 tabled · 1,069 answered

Written questions by Maguire.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Helen Maguire this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (1,125)Department of Health and Social Care (363)Ministry of Defence (169)Department for Education (68)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (67)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (66)Department for Transport (62)Home Office (59)Department for Work and Pensions (56)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (41)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (40)Treasury (34)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (25)

Showing 6180 of 1,125 · this parliament

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13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a pause between the order and delivery of alcohol from delivery apps when the order is over a certain amount.

Reply

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services.The Department for Health and Social Care, which has responsibility for policy on health harms, and the Home Office are looking at how current licensing rules apply to these services and monitoring emerging evidence on the impact they may be having on people’s health. I am clear that we will act where necessary to protect public safety.To this end, I will shortly hold a roundtable jointly with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to consider solutions with healthcare professionals and experts in the field.

13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

Whether her Department is taking steps to limit the hours that alcohol can be delivered directly to homes.

Reply

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services.The Department for Health and Social Care, which has responsibility for policy on health harms, and the Home Office are looking at how current licensing rules apply to these services and monitoring emerging evidence on the impact they may be having on people’s health. I am clear that we will act where necessary to protect public safety.To this end, I will shortly hold a roundtable jointly with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to consider solutions with healthcare professionals and experts in the field.

13 May 2026·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Answered
Asked

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing the recommendations from Ofcom's consultation on a new crisis measure under the Online Safety Act, including the expectation on social media platforms to conduct post-crisis analyses to improve transparency.

Reply

The Online Safety Act already places significant transparency duties on regulated services. We welcome Ofcom’s proposal to build on this with post-crisis analyses, and strengthen platforms’ coordinated approach during crisis periods.We look forward to receiving Ofcom’s final decision in June 2026. Ofcom is responsible for determining and implementing the final approach and, subject to the parliamentary process, we expect any new measures to come into effect in early autumn.In Protecting What Matters, the government’s plan to improve social cohesion, we have further committed to reviewing the Act’s crisis powers to ensure they are fit for purpose.

13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of implementing alcohol blocks on delivery service apps and supermarket accounts.

Reply

The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol. The Government recognises that consumer purchasing habits have evolved in recent years, particularly with a notable growth in alcohol sales made via online platforms and rapid delivery services.The Department for Health and Social Care, which has responsibility for policy on health harms, and the Home Office are looking at how current licensing rules apply to these services and monitoring emerging evidence on the impact they may be having on people’s health. I am clear that we will act where necessary to protect public safety.To this end, I will shortly hold a roundtable jointly with the Minister for Public Health and Prevention to consider solutions with healthcare professionals and experts in the field.

13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the risk of bowel cancer through encouraging higher fibre diets in schools and other public sector settings.

Reply

There is strong evidence that eating a diet high in fibre is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and bowel cancer. Government recommendations on fibre are reflected in the United Kingdom’s national food model, the Eatwell Guide, which is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guideThe guide shows that we should base our diets on foods which are sources of fibre, for instance vegetables, fruit, and wholegrain or higher fibre starchy carbohydrate foods, as well as beans and pulses. The principles of the guide are communicated through a variety of channels, including the NHS.UK website and the Department’s social marketing campaigns Better Health, Better Health Families, and Best Start in Life. The Eatwell Guide also underpins catering guidance and standards for school food and prisons, as well as the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services which apply to the Government and its agencies. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainable-procurement-the-gbs-for-food-and-catering-services/government-buying-standard-for-food-and-catering-servicesThe Department for Education is currently consulting on proposals for updating School Food Standards, bringing them in line with the latest dietary advice, including on fibre.

13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

How much funding has been allocated to the National Cancer Plan for a) 2027-2028, b) 2028-2029, c) 2029-2030 d) 2030-2031, e) 2031-2032.

Reply

The Department has announced that the National Cancer Plan, published in February 2026, is backed by significant funding committed by the Government at the Spending Review.Investment which will support the delivery of the National Cancer Plan includes £200 million in 2026/27 for cancer alliances to improve performance and early diagnosis as part of service development funding (SDF) with similar spending for each year across the rest of the Spending Review. £70 million has been provided to roll out new radiotherapy machines, and up to £10 million a year will be available so that children and young people with cancer don't face financial barriers travelling to treatment. £2.3 billion has been provided for diagnostics to deliver 9.5 million additional tests by 2029 and more than £650 million has been allocated to complete the roll out of lung cancer screening by 2030.A reformed National Cancer Board chaired jointly by the Department and an independent representative of the wider cancer community will track progress and provide regular updates to ministers. Ministers will publish an annual summary of progress, along with a more in-depth report after three years to assess where the plan needs updating and refreshing. The annual summary will be available publicly.

13 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the treatment of Bahá’ís in Iran.

Reply

The UK strongly condemns the repression of religious minorities in Iran, including members of the Baha'i faith.We were integral to the UN Human Rights Council adopting a resolution on 23 January renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Fact-Finding Mission to monitor the situation of human rights in the country and investigate violations. This mission will also establish the facts, circumstances and structural causes of such violations, including discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.On 28 April, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), David Smith MP, made clear that the UK will continue to monitor and pursue accountability for the dire situation for religious minorities in Iran and highlighted the abhorrent reports that Baha'is have been subject to torture and mock execution. Last July, he also delivered a speech highlighting the acute vulnerability of Baha'is to scapegoating, incitement, and threats of violence from authorities, and met Baha'i International Community UN Representative, Simin Fahandej, to discuss the current and historic situation of Baha'is in Iran.

13 May 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Ordinance XX on the religious freedom of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan; and if she will make representations to her Pakistani counterpart on the repeal of Sections 298-B and 298-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Reply

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 29 October 2025 to Question 83844.

13 May 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy, published in December 2025, when she plans to begin consulting on the phasing out of the use of CO2 in animal slaughter.

Reply

As set out in this Government’s animal welfare strategy, Defra will consult on banning carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs and on possible timescales for phasing out this method. Further details will be set out later this year.

13 May 2026·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Pending
Asked

Innovation and Technology, what steps the Defending Democracy Taskforce is taking to tackle disinformation and misinformation online.

Reply

Awaiting answer.

13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Pending
Asked

What steps his Department is taking to help support (a) women on gynaecology waiting lists and (b) the workforce delivering that care.

Reply

Awaiting answer.

13 May 2026·Home Office·Answered
Asked

What steps her Department is taking to improve safety for Jews in Surrey.

Reply

The Government is committed to the safety and security of Jewish communities across the UK, including in Surrey, and to tackling antisemitism wherever it occurs. Everyone should feel safe to practise their faith and participate in public life free from intimidation or fear.On 30 April, the Government announced £25 million of immediate funding for 2026/27 to strengthen policing, protect Jewish communities, and provide reassurance following the terrorist attack in Golders Green and the recent increase in antisemitic incidents. Of this, £4 million was allocated to the Jewish Community Protective Security (JCPS) Grant, bringing the total funding for the Grant to £32.4 million. This represents a record level of investment in 2026/27 to support the protection of Jewish communities. The JCPS Grant funds protective security measures at synagogues, Jewish educational institutions, and other community sites. It is administered by the Community Security Trust (CST) on behalf of the Home Office.We continue to work closely with the police and CST to monitor threats and ensure that appropriate and proportionate protective measures are in place where they are needed.Alongside this, the Government is taking a broad, cross-government approach to tackling antisemitism in all its forms. This includes action to address online hate through the Online Safety Act, under which platforms must take steps against illegal content, as well as wider work to support communities and strengthen resilience, including through programmes such as the Common Ground, which has received a £1 million expansion to support communities and places facing the greatest risk of antisemitism.

13 May 2026·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with animal welfare charities on the use of CO2 in pig slaughter.

Reply

As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, Defra will consult on banning carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs. In developing the animal welfare strategy, Defra has held meetings with representatives of the farming sector and with animal welfare charities.

13 May 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Pending
Asked

What steps his Department is taking to use screening programmes to share information and boost prevention awareness of Bowel Cancer.

Reply

Awaiting answer.

27 Apr 2026·Department for Business and Trade·Answered
Asked

What alternatives are available for company directors unable to use One Login.

Reply

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

27 Apr 2026·Department for Education·Answered
Asked

How much of the revenue raised from VAT on independent school fees since its introduction was directly spent on state schools per school.

Reply

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

27 Apr 2026·Department for Education·Answered
Asked

What discussions she has had with exam boards on introducing a Romanian GCSE.

Reply

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

27 Apr 2026·Department for Education·Answered
Asked

What assessment she has made of the impact of changes to the National Curriculum on students wishing to study languages at university.

Reply

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

27 Apr 2026·Department for Business and Trade·Answered
Asked

Whether the One Login programme is compliant with the National Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Assessment Framework.

Reply

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

24 Apr 2026·Women and Equalities·Answered
Asked

What steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to combat misinformation and disinformation online after sexual assaults.

Reply

It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

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