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 61–80 of 455 · this parliament
What progress he has made on (a) Project Beehive, (b) MMCM program (Marine Mine Counter Measures), (c) SeaCat and (d) the repairs to HMS Bangor.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What estimate he has made of the number of (a) falsely-flagged and (b) non-flagged vessels that have passed through the English Channel and are linked to the Russian state since July 2024.
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 20 April 2026, to Question 125435.
What steps his her Department taking to ensure all driving licence applications are processed in a timely manner.
Specific information on the average time to process driving licence applications where the applicant is over the age of 70 and applied online is not available. The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process non-medical driving licence applications made online between January and 14 April 2026. Group 1 (car and motorcycle)Group 2 (lorry and bus)DateOnline ApplicationsOnline ApplicationsJan 20261.31.0Feb 20261.21.0Mar 20261.21.0Apr 2026(to 14 Apr)1.21.0 The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days following a successful online application. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated can take longer as in the interests of road safety the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. The DVLA has also launched a new digital medical services portal. These enhancements, along with the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.
What steps is her Department taking to ensure those renewing short-term medical driving licences are kept up to date with the progress of their application.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) writes to drivers to advise of any action taken on their case, for example where medical information has been requested from their healthcare professional or when a reminder has been issued and no response has been received. The DVLA is also enhancing its online service to provide clearer application progress updates via the driver and vehicles customer account. Details on how to sign up for an account can be found at www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account.
What is the average time a new licence is issued to those who are over 70 and have applied online.
Specific information on the average time to process driving licence applications where the applicant is over the age of 70 and applied online is not available. The table below shows the average number of working days taken to process non-medical driving licence applications made online between January and 14 April 2026. Group 1 (car and motorcycle)Group 2 (lorry and bus)DateOnline ApplicationsOnline ApplicationsJan 20261.31.0Feb 20261.21.0Mar 20261.21.0Apr 2026(to 14 Apr)1.21.0 The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days following a successful online application. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated can take longer as in the interests of road safety the DVLA must be satisfied that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued. The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. Unfortunately, this has led to longer waiting times for some customers. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and has launched a new casework system which will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. The DVLA has also launched a new digital medical services portal. These enhancements, along with the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.
(a) when he expects the Ministry of Defence to respond to Freedom of Information request FOI2026/00636, submitted by my office on the 9th January 2026, and (b) what the reasons are for the delay in issuing a response.
It has taken more time than expected to collate the information in scope of this request. I apologise for the delay and will aim to provide a substantive response as soon as possible.
How many (a) falsely-flagged and (b) non-flagged vessels have passed through the English Channel since July 2024.
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 20 April 2026, to Question 125435.
For what reason were urgent repairs requested for Service Family Accommodation from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.
Between 23 March and 6 April 2026, a total of 1,639 requests were logged as urgent repair requests for Service Family Accommodation properties across the UK Defence estate. A report that is detailing the breakdown of urgent repairs by their reason can be seen in the table below. CategoryNumber of requestsBRICKLAYER WORKS2ELECTRICAL ENGINEER288GROUNDWORKS4HANDYMAN5HEAT/AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WORKS5HEATING REPRESSURISE SYSTEM WORKS3GAS ENGINEER WORKS622HEAT AND OIL WORKS8JOINER WORKS181MOULD TREATMENT WORKS3PEST CONTROL WORKS15PLUMBING WORKS471ROOFER WORKS28SPECIALIST WORKS4Grand Total1,639
What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of using defence bonds as a way to finance capital-intensive commitments in the Strategic Defence Review.
The majority of government borrowing is financed through the issuance of UK government bonds (known as gilts) by the UK Debt Management Office (DMO). In addition, some of the government’s financing is raised in the retail savings market through products offered by National Savings and Investments (NS&I). Finance raised via gilts or NS&I products is generally not tied to specific areas of government spending, in order to offer the best value-for-money for taxpayers.The government keeps the introduction of new debt financing instruments under regular review.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using defence bonds as a way to finance capital-intensive commitments in the Strategic Defence Review.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
How many urgent repairs were requested for Service Family Accommodation from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.
Between 23 March and 6 April 2026, a total of 1,639 requests were logged as urgent repair requests for Service Family Accommodation properties across the UK Defence estate. A report that is detailing the breakdown of urgent repairs by their reason can be seen in the table below. CategoryNumber of requestsBRICKLAYER WORKS2ELECTRICAL ENGINEER288GROUNDWORKS4HANDYMAN5HEAT/AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP WORKS5HEATING REPRESSURISE SYSTEM WORKS3GAS ENGINEER WORKS622HEAT AND OIL WORKS8JOINER WORKS181MOULD TREATMENT WORKS3PEST CONTROL WORKS15PLUMBING WORKS471ROOFER WORKS28SPECIALIST WORKS4Grand Total1,639
How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Amey from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.
This information is not held in the format requested for Amey and VIVO. Complaints from families are received and managed by Pinnacle’s National Service Centre. Amey and VIVO do not record or manage these complaints from families. Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.
How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by VIVO from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.
This information is not held in the format requested for Amey and VIVO. Complaints from families are received and managed by Pinnacle’s National Service Centre. Amey and VIVO do not record or manage these complaints from families. Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.
What plans his Department has for the provision of simulation and training infrastructure to support the New Medium Helicopter programme.
The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract includes the provision of four Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs). These will be housed at RAF Benson, along with associated training infrastructure.
How many complaints relating to the speed of maintenance for urgent repairs were received by Pinnacle Service Families from 23/03/26 to 06/04/26.
Between 23 March 2026 and 06 April 2026, Pinnacle received 16 complaints concerning the length of time taken to complete an urgent repair task.
Communities and Local Government, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent parking regulator.
A parking regulator was considered as an option; however, it was dismissed as disproportionate.Establishing a regulator would have involved significant cost, complexity and even further delay, duplicating functions that can be delivered more efficiently through the introduction of a new government Code of Practice.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure spousal visa applications remain affordable in the context of the additional costs of the immigration healthcare surcharge.
The Home Office has always provided for exceptions to the need to pay application fees in a number of specific circumstances. These include affordability-based waivers for entry clearance and leave to remain on family and human rights routes. In such cases, where an application is made on a family or human rights route and supported by clear and compelling evidence of unaffordability, either the Immigration Health Surcharge or both the visa fee and Surcharge may be waived. A fee waiver application must be submitted in-time and prior to the immigration application. Information on eligibility for Fee Waiver applications can be found on GOV.UK at the link below:https://www.gov.uk/visa-fee-waiver-in-uk
Whether her Department has made an assessment on the impact of the changes to immigration rules on those currently in the visa renewal process.
In relation to the 2026 Spring Rules change, the Home Office has updated our identity requirements. The change to Rule 34(5)(a) will reduce the need for applicants to keep having to attend a Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS) centre every time they make an immigration application for further permission to stay in the UK. This change will enable applicants who have previously enrolled their biometrics under controlled conditions, such as at a VCAS centre, and who are making a new in-country immigration application, to have their identity reused. The change to facilitate the re-use of digital identity neither creates new powers nor extends identity reuse to applicants overseas but will have required one-off implementation costs to the public sector. While unquantified, these implementation costs are likely to be offset by ongoing efficiency savings from modernising, digitising and streamlining application processes, which improve the customer experience whilst maintaining public safety.In respect of wider Spring Rules changes, the Home Office has produced two impact assessments and two economic notes for the four Immigration Rules changes which met the threshold for requiring one. These are published alongside the Exploratory Memorandum and Statement of Changes on the GOV.UK website: Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1691, 5 March 2026 - GOV.UK.
How much his Department has provided in Bereavement Support Payments in the last 12 months.
The Department provided £208m in Bereavement Support Payments during financial year 2024/25 (the latest year for which figures are currently available). Full figures are available in the outturn & forecast tables, found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-expenditure-tables
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that embassies, high commissions and consulates provide adequate support to families when a family member dies when abroad temporarily.
In 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) assisted families of over 6,500 British nationals who died overseas, with extra support for those in vulnerable circumstances such as bereavement through murder, manslaughter, or suspicious death. Assistance includes providing country-specific guides, which inform families of local procedures and information on how to bring a loved one back to the UK. The FCDO always welcomes feedback on the service provided, and seeks to learn lessons from it, especially when a bereaved family feels that they have not had the support they would expect.