Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,521–2,540 of 3,503 · this parliament
What discussions he has had with Thurrock and Basildon councils on reducing serious and fatal road traffic collisions.
The Department has not had specific discussions with Thurrock or Basildon councils.This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.
What steps he is taking to reduce the number of road traffic fatalities in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
The Department has not had specific discussions with Thurrock or Basildon councils.This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.
What plans he has to improve road safety for young drivers in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
We absolutely recognise that young people are disproportionately victims of tragic incidents on our roads and continue to tackle this through our THINK! campaign. We are considering measures to address this problem and protect young drivers, as part of our upcoming strategy for road safety - the first in over a decade.
If she will take steps to increase the Personal Allowance for pensioners in line with the level of the State Pension.
The Government is committed to making sure older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of the support available to them. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently projected to go up by around £1,900 based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast. The Personal Allowance - the amount an individual can earn before paying tax - will continue to exceed the basic and full new State Pension in 2025/26. This means pensioners whose sole income is the full new State Pension or basic State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2025 to Question 69569 on Grasslands: Conservation, when she plans to start the review of irreplaceable habitats.
The Government intends to review the definition of irreplaceable habitats in due course, to ensure it remains robust.
What information her Department holds on the number of volumetric concrete mixers (a) currently operational and (b) that will be unusable when the weight limit is changed in 2028.
In the concrete delivery sector, the Department for Transport (DfT) estimates there are in the region of 1,000 VCMs in operation alongside approximately 20,000 barrel mixer vehicles that deliver pre-mixed concrete. Existing vehicles can continue to operate beyond the end of the temporary arrangement provided they are loaded to the lower weight limits (for example, up to 32 tonnes for 4 or more axle rigid vehicles).
Media and Sport, what her planned timetable is for distributing funding under the Better Futures Fund.
DCMS are currently in the policy development stages of the Fund; therefore, decisions on funding criteria and eligibility are yet to be confirmed, with an aim to publish policy guidance in 2026 which will indicate the overall fund timelines.As announced in July 2025, the fund will support up to 200,000 struggling children, young people and their families over ten years and will focus on innovative impact funding projects that seek to break down barriers to opportunity and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change. DCMS has already begun engagement with a range of stakeholders including local and central government, the impact economy, and representatives from the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.The funding will primarily be for the commissioning of Social Outcomes Partnerships, in which government payments are tied to the achievement of measurable improvements in people’s lives, such as school attainment, improved youth employment or reduced youth reoffending. Outcomes-based commissioning means that individual outcomes are monitored in order for payments from government to be released depending on these specific outcomes being achieved.The Better Futures Fund will be supported by a robust and comprehensive evaluation that will also assess cost effectiveness while monitoring that the objectives of the fund have been met.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department plans to take to (a) monitor and (b) report on the cost-effectiveness of the interventions funded by the Better Futures Fund.
DCMS are currently in the policy development stages of the Fund; therefore, decisions on funding criteria and eligibility are yet to be confirmed, with an aim to publish policy guidance in 2026 which will indicate the overall fund timelines.As announced in July 2025, the fund will support up to 200,000 struggling children, young people and their families over ten years and will focus on innovative impact funding projects that seek to break down barriers to opportunity and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change. DCMS has already begun engagement with a range of stakeholders including local and central government, the impact economy, and representatives from the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.The funding will primarily be for the commissioning of Social Outcomes Partnerships, in which government payments are tied to the achievement of measurable improvements in people’s lives, such as school attainment, improved youth employment or reduced youth reoffending. Outcomes-based commissioning means that individual outcomes are monitored in order for payments from government to be released depending on these specific outcomes being achieved.The Better Futures Fund will be supported by a robust and comprehensive evaluation that will also assess cost effectiveness while monitoring that the objectives of the fund have been met.
Media and Sport, what plans she has to ensure that the Better Futures Fund includes provision for disabled children and young people.
DCMS are currently in the policy development stages of the Fund; therefore, decisions on funding criteria and eligibility are yet to be confirmed, with an aim to publish policy guidance in 2026 which will indicate the overall fund timelines.As announced in July 2025, the fund will support up to 200,000 struggling children, young people and their families over ten years and will focus on innovative impact funding projects that seek to break down barriers to opportunity and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change. DCMS has already begun engagement with a range of stakeholders including local and central government, the impact economy, and representatives from the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.The funding will primarily be for the commissioning of Social Outcomes Partnerships, in which government payments are tied to the achievement of measurable improvements in people’s lives, such as school attainment, improved youth employment or reduced youth reoffending. Outcomes-based commissioning means that individual outcomes are monitored in order for payments from government to be released depending on these specific outcomes being achieved.The Better Futures Fund will be supported by a robust and comprehensive evaluation that will also assess cost effectiveness while monitoring that the objectives of the fund have been met.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people in Essex who have a shared ownership property which are subject to ground rent escalator clauses.
I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of maintaining two different types of state pension on the economy.
No recent assessment has been made. State Pensions are paid in accordance with the rules in place at the point the person reaches State Pension age. This Government is committed to supporting both current pensioners and future retirees and ensuring a decent standard of living for all. That is why the Government have recently launched the Pensions Commission to ensure our pensions system delivers this in the decades ahead. The Pensions Commission will consider what is required in the long term to deliver a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that family court proceedings are (a) transparent, (b) equitable and (c) free from bias against either parent in cases involving allegations of parental alienation.
The Government does not recognise the concept of “parental alienation” syndrome and does not believe it is capable of diagnosis. The family court is governed by the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) and associated Practice Directions. FPR 1.1 outlines the overall objective of these rules and makes clear that their purpose is to enable the court to ensure (amongst other things) that cases are dealt with “expeditiously and fairly” and that the “parties are on an equal footing” throughout proceedings. The Government is enhancing transparency in family court proceedings to provide greater accountability, de-mystify legal processes and increase public confidence in the family justice system. Officials have worked with the judiciary to roll out new provisions relating to Transparency Orders, now applicable to all children’s cases in England and Wales. They provide a clear framework for reporting where a journalist or legal blogger has attended a family court hearing to ensure the identities of children and families involved remain protected. The Family Justice Council published guidance on “responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour” in 2024. The guidance was endorsed by the President of the Family Division and makes clear that where there are findings of domestic abuse the victim cannot be found to have alienated the child from the other parent. Where an appropriate and justified reason cannot be found for a child’s rejection of the other parent the guidance provides a clear framework for assessing whether alienating behaviours are present. Cafcass practitioners receive mandatory training on alienating behaviours. Cafcass’ training programme includes training on the domestic abuse practice policy (introduced in 2024) and on indicators of understanding why a child does not want to spend family time with a parent guide. This training makes it clear that the first step in assessing the reasons for a child not wanting to see a parent is to consider whether domestic abuse is a factor and to explore the pattern of behaviours through a trauma-informed lens. The Government has not undertaken an analysis of the prevalence of “parental alienation” instances in the family court.
Whether his Department has provided guidance to (a) family court judges and (b) Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service officers on recognising and responding to psychological manipulation and coercive control in cases of parental alienation.
The Government does not recognise the concept of “parental alienation” syndrome and does not believe it is capable of diagnosis. The family court is governed by the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) and associated Practice Directions. FPR 1.1 outlines the overall objective of these rules and makes clear that their purpose is to enable the court to ensure (amongst other things) that cases are dealt with “expeditiously and fairly” and that the “parties are on an equal footing” throughout proceedings. The Government is enhancing transparency in family court proceedings to provide greater accountability, de-mystify legal processes and increase public confidence in the family justice system. Officials have worked with the judiciary to roll out new provisions relating to Transparency Orders, now applicable to all children’s cases in England and Wales. They provide a clear framework for reporting where a journalist or legal blogger has attended a family court hearing to ensure the identities of children and families involved remain protected. The Family Justice Council published guidance on “responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour” in 2024. The guidance was endorsed by the President of the Family Division and makes clear that where there are findings of domestic abuse the victim cannot be found to have alienated the child from the other parent. Where an appropriate and justified reason cannot be found for a child’s rejection of the other parent the guidance provides a clear framework for assessing whether alienating behaviours are present. Cafcass practitioners receive mandatory training on alienating behaviours. Cafcass’ training programme includes training on the domestic abuse practice policy (introduced in 2024) and on indicators of understanding why a child does not want to spend family time with a parent guide. This training makes it clear that the first step in assessing the reasons for a child not wanting to see a parent is to consider whether domestic abuse is a factor and to explore the pattern of behaviours through a trauma-informed lens. The Government has not undertaken an analysis of the prevalence of “parental alienation” instances in the family court.
What assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of parental alienation instances in family court cases in England and Wales.
The Government does not recognise the concept of “parental alienation” syndrome and does not believe it is capable of diagnosis. The family court is governed by the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) and associated Practice Directions. FPR 1.1 outlines the overall objective of these rules and makes clear that their purpose is to enable the court to ensure (amongst other things) that cases are dealt with “expeditiously and fairly” and that the “parties are on an equal footing” throughout proceedings. The Government is enhancing transparency in family court proceedings to provide greater accountability, de-mystify legal processes and increase public confidence in the family justice system. Officials have worked with the judiciary to roll out new provisions relating to Transparency Orders, now applicable to all children’s cases in England and Wales. They provide a clear framework for reporting where a journalist or legal blogger has attended a family court hearing to ensure the identities of children and families involved remain protected. The Family Justice Council published guidance on “responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour” in 2024. The guidance was endorsed by the President of the Family Division and makes clear that where there are findings of domestic abuse the victim cannot be found to have alienated the child from the other parent. Where an appropriate and justified reason cannot be found for a child’s rejection of the other parent the guidance provides a clear framework for assessing whether alienating behaviours are present. Cafcass practitioners receive mandatory training on alienating behaviours. Cafcass’ training programme includes training on the domestic abuse practice policy (introduced in 2024) and on indicators of understanding why a child does not want to spend family time with a parent guide. This training makes it clear that the first step in assessing the reasons for a child not wanting to see a parent is to consider whether domestic abuse is a factor and to explore the pattern of behaviours through a trauma-informed lens. The Government has not undertaken an analysis of the prevalence of “parental alienation” instances in the family court.
What comparative assessment his Department has made of rates of pensioner poverty between people receiving the (a) pre-2016 and (b) new state pension.
Estimates of the rates of pensioner poverty categorised by people receiving the pre-2016 State Pension or new State Pension are not available, as this categorisation is not recorded in the Family Resources Survey. Statistics on the number of individuals living in families where at least one member is in receipt of State Pension that are in Absolute and/or Relative Poverty in 2023/24 are published on Stat-Xplore (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/) in the Households Below Average Income dataset.
Whether he plans to review the uprating mechanism for the pre-2016 State Pension.
There are no current plans to review the uprating mechanism for the pre-2016 State Pension.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of homeowners in Essex unable to sell properties due to mortgage lenders refusing to lend to prospective buyers due to ground rent clauses.
I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of Essex homeowners in financial hardship due to escalating ground rent clauses.
I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of leaseholders who are affected by escalating ground rent clauses in (a) Essex and (b) the UK.
I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of first-time buyers in (a) Essex and (b) the UK unable to purchase homes due to ground rent escalator clauses.
I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.