Every parliamentary written question tabled by James MacCleary this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 401–420 of 565 · this parliament
How many super-injunctions were in place on 15 August 2025.
The Government does not routinely publish or hold centralised data on the number of super-injunctions currently in place, due to the sensitive and often confidential nature of such orders.Where such orders are made, they are typically issued by the High Court under strict judicial oversight and may include provisions that prevent disclosure of their very existence.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS surgery waiting time information published on the NHS My Care Portal in the context of reports that these timeframes differ from those provided by NHS hospital trusts.
Patients in England can choose the hospital for their first outpatient appointments via the NHS e-Referral Service and the NHS App, allowing them to view and choose from available appointments across different hospitals within the same region.The National Health Service is a large, decentralized system, and individual NHS hospital trusts are responsible for managing their own patient portals, resulting in different systems and features. Each trust may set its own policies and internal delays before results are displayed in the portal, rather than linking them directly to the patient. A delay in displaying results is a common practice for sensitive test results linked to conditions such as cancer, to give doctors an opportunity to review them with the patient first.The NHS ensures adequate data for My Planned Care by employing a multi-faceted approach, including centralised data collection and curation, implementing shared records for better data integration across systems, establishing robust data quality checks and reporting, adhering to strict information governance and security standards, and actively working to link diverse data sources. These processes support the provision of timely and accurate information on the My Planned Care website to help patients and healthcare professionals.The NHS continues to invest heavily in the NHS App and in the past two years we have been implementing digital integration between acute hospitals and the NHS App, meaning that patients can now view their clinical pathway and appointments via the NHS App. We continue to work with hospital trusts to maximise the opportunities available to update patients via the NHS App, which is a key part of the 10-year plan to reform the NHS.The NHS App has now been adopted by 88% of acute trusts, up nearly 20% since July 2024, which enables patients to view and manage their hospital appointments.Analysis shows that hospitals that make the changes to plug their systems and processes into the NHS App key app features have improved elective care waiting times.
Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of enforcement mechanisms for small claim judgements.
The civil courts offer several different enforcement methods that a judgment creditor may apply for to recover money owed on a court judgment. The Government is committed to ensuring that these processes are effective and fair. The Government welcomes the Civil Justice Council’s report about enforcement processes, which made a number of recommendations to make them more accessible and streamlined. The Government is considering these findings and will respond in due course.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the digital tax system on small businesses.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) modernises the tax system and will help businesses and landlords keep on top of their tax affairs. It places small businesses on a more digital footing, with digital tools helping to reduce errors and making annual tax returns easier. Through a diverse market of accessible, intuitive software, MTD encourages businesses to embrace digital solutions boosting productivity, streamlining operations, and supporting sustainable growth. The latest published assessment of MTD for Income Tax impacts is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/extension-of-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-self-assessment-to-sole-traders-and-landlords
What steps his Department is taking to support people with Niemann-Pick disease type B.
The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Niemann-Pick disease type B. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community. These include: helping patients get a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We published the annual England Rare Diseases Action Plan in February 2025, where we report on the steps we have taken to advance these priorities.
What guidance her Department provides to police forces on the treatment of fuel theft incidents under the Theft Act 1978; and what steps she is taking to ensure that small independent retailers in the Lewes constituency receive appropriate police support in response to such offences.
This Government is committed to tackling the theft of fuel from forecourts.A new service has been developed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) allowing fuel retailers and their agents to request information to allow civil recovery of costs when motorists drive away from fuel stations without paying for the fuel taken.The service will allow the contact details of the registered keeper of the vehicle concerned to be provided via secure electronic links. This offers improvements over the existing manual service, providing a quicker and more efficient service to help recover costs. This change has been driven by the police-led National Business Crime Centre and Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI), working closely with the DVLA.The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will ensure that every community in England and Wales will have named and contactable officers dealing with local issues, and that neighbourhood teams spend the majority of their time in their communities providing visible patrols and engaging with local communities and businesses. This will be supported by the delivery of up to an additional 3000 officers into neighbourhood teams by Spring next year, as part of our ambition to deliver 13,000 neighbourhood officers into police forces across England and Wales by the end of this parliament.Chief Constables have operational independence to tackle the crimes that matter most to their communities.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing Part 6 paragraph 6.2 of the Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax manual.
The VOA do not provide estimated Council Tax bands on request because it would need to undertake a full band assessment of a property to provide an accurate estimate, and because it does not have a statutory obligation to do so. As its policy on providing estimated Council Tax bands has not changed, and is accurately reflected in the Council Tax manual, it is not considering removing Part 6, paragraph 6.2
What steps her Department is taking alongside the Teachers' Pension Scheme to ensure retired teachers (a) receive their pensions in a timely manner and (b) are informed of the timeline for this.
As part of the Transitional Protection (McCloud) remedy, affected members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) have the option to choose either final salary or career average benefits for the remedy period (April 2015 to March 2022). Members who had not taken TPS benefits before the remedy took effect on 1 October 2023 make that choice immediately before retirement. As calculations of the options are complex, TPS members are advised to apply six months before their intended retirement date to ensure there is sufficient time to receive and respond to their Remediable Service Statement which will set out that choice.The need to apply six months in advance is clearly set out on the Teachers’ Pensions website and in related member guidance, which can be found here: www.teacherspensions.co.uk/members/planning-retirement/how-to-apply.aspx.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable access to fibre broadband in older houses in rural areas.
The Government is committed to ensuring at least 99% of premises receive gigabit broadband coverage by 2032.To ensure equitable broadband access, through Project Gigabit we are delivering broadband to UK premises (typically via fibre connections) that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. These premises predominantly fall in rural areas.To inform Project Gigabit delivery, we collect and analyse supplier information on completed and planned build to identify premises in need of public subsidy. Eligibility is based on this information rather than the age of the premises.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take legislative steps to ensure that all small (a) businesses and (b) charities can have commercial waste collection under the new Simpler Recycling legislation, allowing for waste collection by domestic waste narrow access vehicles where necessary.
We can confirm that all small businesses and charities are in scope of Simpler Recycling. The Simpler Recycling legislation does not specify the type of vehicles that must be used for collection, provided they comply with existing standards on waste vehicles. Where commercial services are provided by local authorities, they can utilise waste vehicles that serve household collection routes.
What steps her Department is taking to support (a) blind and (b) partially sighted young people to access Further Education.
Support for people with visual impairments in further education is guided by legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) code of practice, with tailored provisions depending on the needs of the individual.All education and training providers, have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, including those with visual impairments, so they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled students.Reasonable adjustments can include things such as adapting teaching methods (providing materials in accessible formats), using assistive technology (such as screen readers and magnifiers, speech synthesizers, accessible computers and tablets) modifying assessments (offering extra time or alternative formats), and offering personalised support services (including note-takers, interpreters, or mental health support).From year 9 it is mandatory for education, health and care plan reviews to support learners in preparing for the transitions to further education and/or employment.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help secure the safe return of Craig and Lindsay Foreman from Iran.
We are deeply concerned by Craig and Lindsay's detention in Iran. We are providing them with consular assistance and remain in close contact with their family members. We continue to raise the case directly with the Iranian authorities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to help secure the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah.
The Government is committed to securing Mr El-Fattah's release so he can be reunited with his family. We continue to engage actively in pressing for his release at the highest levels of the Egyptian government. The Prime Minister raised the case with President Sisi on 26 June. The former Foreign Secretary has also raised the case regularly, most recently in a call with Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 31 August. I most recently raised Mr El-Fattah's case with Foreign Minister Abdelatty on 28 July and with the Egyptian Ambassador to the UK on multiple occasions.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure adequate funding for children and families.
The Spending Review, announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 11 June 2025, ensures this government can drive forward progress on its mission to break the link between background and success.Children’s early years are crucial to their development, health and life chances. Through the government’s Plan for Change, we will ensure every child gets the best start in life, investing in the strongest evidence-based interventions to ensure a record proportion of five year-olds have a good level of development by 2028 and transforming outcomes for children and young people.The Spending Review includes an additional £1.6 billion a year by 2028/29 for childcare entitlements for working parents, giving children the best start in life and supporting more parents to balance family life and work. It also includes funding to expand a network of family hubs to support families when they need it and get a record proportion of children ready for school.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to respond to Question 66793 tabled on the 10 July 2025 by the hon. Member for Lewes.
I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member's written parliamentary question. I issued a response to the hon. Member on 21 July 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing aid to women and girls in Afghanistan who had their special immigration visas for resettlement removed by the US government.
The UK is committed to supporting the rights of all women and girls in Afghanistan. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used from 2026/27 onwards will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. In 2025/26 we have allocated up to £140 million to support those Afghans most in need, including marginalised and vulnerable groups. We also remain committed to ensuring at least 50 per cent of people reached by UK aid are women and girls.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable access to Xonvea for women with hyperemesis gravidarum.
The Department recognises that hyperemesis gravidarum is a debilitating condition that can have a devastating impact on women and their families.Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for that part of the patient’s care. Prescribers are accountable for their prescribing decisions.Prescribers must always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed and that they take account of appropriate national guidance on clinical effectiveness, as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guideline on antenatal care includes guidance on the advantages and disadvantages of different pharmacological treatments, including Xonvea, for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy to support shared decision making.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing national prescribing guidance to Integrated Care Boards to ensure the availability of Xonvea.
The Department recognises that hyperemesis gravidarum is a debilitating condition that can have a devastating impact on women and their families.Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for that part of the patient’s care. Prescribers are accountable for their prescribing decisions.Prescribers must always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed and that they take account of appropriate national guidance on clinical effectiveness, as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guideline on antenatal care includes guidance on the advantages and disadvantages of different pharmacological treatments, including Xonvea, for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy to support shared decision making.
With reference to the Answer of 16 May 2022 to Question 245 on Migrant Workers: Football, whether her Department considers football academies to be places of employment for children; and if she will take steps to ensure that children on dependent visas can participate in football academy non-professional developmental programmes.
The restriction on work as a ‘professional sportsperson’ is present in certain routes’ visa conditions, including for dependent children. The condition and associated definition have been established following extensive consultation with over 60 Home Office approved Sports Governing Bodies (SGBs), including the four home nations’ football associations (FAs). The restriction includes those registered at an academy of a professional or semi-professional sports team. The definition, and the visa condition restricting such activities, is currently being reviewed.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of (a) child psychologists and (b) other qualified specialists to assess severely disabled children for (i) ADHD and (ii) other neurodevelopmental conditions where (A) a lack of assessment prevents access to appropriate medication and support and (B) in other circumstances.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The government’s 10 Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future, recognising the need for early intervention and support, without the need for diagnosis.It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to ADHD and autism assessments and support, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is bringing together those with lived experience with experts from the NHS, education, charity and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June, with the final report expected to be published later in the year and we will carefully consider its recommendations.The Government is supporting inclusive environments for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) through the ‘Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools’ programme and earlier intervention through the ‘Early Language Support for Every Child’ programme. In addition, through local commissioning, the Government will ensure that Neighbourhood Health Services work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries and colleges to offer timely and joined-up support to children, young people and their families.