10 Mar 2025·Department for Transport·Answered
AskedIf she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of increasing the permitted weight of electric HGVs on the construction sector.
ReplyThe Department keeps vehicle regulations, including maximum permitted weight limits, under review, to determine whether they remain appropriate during the transition towards zero emission HGVs. No assessment which focuses exclusively on vehicles used in the construction sector is planned.
10 Mar 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat the average waiting time is for dyslexia assessments in Lincolnshire.
ReplyData on waiting times for dyslexia assessments is not held centrally. Assessments for dyslexia in children are provided by an educational psychologist or an appropriately qualified specialist dyslexia teacher. If a parent thinks their child may be dyslexic, as a first step they should speak to their child’s teacher or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator about their concerns. The school may be able to offer additional support to help the child if necessary. The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Education on policies relating to children with Special Educational Needs and Disability.Adults who wish to be assessed for dyslexia are advised to contact a local or national dyslexia association for advice. Further information on dyslexia assessments is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/diagnosis/
10 Mar 2025·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedHow many RAF pilots have (a) retired or (b) left the profession for other reasons in each of the last ten years.
ReplyThe outflow of Regular Royal Air Force Pilots by Training Indicator and Exit Reason by Calendar Years 2015 to 2019 can be found in the table below: TrainedUntrainedCalendar YearEnd of EngagementAll Other OutflowAll Other Outflow20156092~20164984~20174181~20185457~201963616 Please note the following: Outflow includes outflow to Civil Life, transfers to another Service, transfers to a Reserve population, and movements within the RAF Regular population to different branches/trades.End of Engagement for Officer includes personnel opting to leave at an option point.Figures which are 5 or fewer are represented by ‘~’ due to the risk of individuals being identified. The outflow for Calendar Years 2020 to 2024 has been withheld as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness, or security of the Armed Forces. This withholding of data for later years reflects the continual review of information suitable for release and considers a variety of factors including the current threat and risk factors.
10 Mar 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedIf (a) his Department and (b) Ofgem will make an estimate of the cost of the construction of (i) National Grid's proposed Grimsby to Walpole pylon scheme and (ii) alternative schemes to transmitting electricity on the route including underground cabling.
ReplyThe Department cannot comment on specific projects which will come before the Secretary of State for a final planning decision. It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission - to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route. Ofgem reviews proposed project costs and ensures that network companies spend efficiently, protecting consumers from unduly high costs. In general, undergrounding costs an estimated 5 to 10 times more than overhead lines. The cost of building this infrastructure is borne by electricity bill payers so it is key we keep costs down.
10 Mar 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedHow many households used the radio teleswitch service for their energy meter connections in Lincolnshire in the latest period for which data is available.
ReplyThe Department does not hold unitary authority or county level data on the number of remaining RTS meters. However, we are regularly engaging with energy suppliers, Ofgem and the industry body Energy UK to review local plans for the switch-off. Energy suppliers have contacted all premises with RTS meters and Ofgem is encouraging customers to book an appointment to ensure they are provided with a replacement meter ahead of the switch-off.
10 Mar 2025·Home Office·Answered
AskedWhat steps she is taking to support police forces to prevent lead theft in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) other rural areas.
ReplyTheft, including the theft of lead, is a deeply damaging crime and this Government recognises the distress and disruption it can cause, not only to businesses, but also to local communities and critical infrastructure.The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced to reduce metal theft by strengthening regulation of the scrap metal industry. The Act requires scrap metal dealers to obtain a licence from their local authority and to verify the identity of those selling the scrap metal; it also bans dealers from paying cash.Following the introduction of the Act, there was an overall downward trend in metal-related theft offences. The latest figures for the year ending March 2024 are 64% lower than in the previous year.Furthermore, the sentencing guidelines on theft have been amended to highlight that where theft is of heritage assets or causes disruption to infrastructure, this should be taken into account when assessing the harm.Historic England is leading on a number of initiatives to tackle heritage crime, particularly theft from church roofs and other buildings primarily in rural locations, and the Home Office and National Police Chiefs’ Council are continuing to work closely with them.
10 Mar 2025·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedHow many people began RAF pilot training in each of the last 10 years.
ReplyI hope the hon. Member will understand that his question engages national security considerations. I can reassure him that the RAF has a plan to recruit and retain pilots and a program is being made against this plan.
10 Mar 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhat assessment he has made of the potential impact of Great British Energy on household energy bills in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.
ReplyIn an unstable world, the only way to guarantee energy security and protect billpayers is to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. That is why government has a mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. We have a sustainable, long-term plan to protect all UK billpayers, including households in South Hollands and the Deepings, and in Lincolnshire more widely, from volatile international gas markets. Backed by £8.3 billion, Great British Energy is part of this plan, driving the deployment of the clean, homegrown energy we need to boost our energy independence. As a publicly-owned company, Great British Energy will ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, and communities reap the benefits of this.
10 Mar 2025·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, how many properties received Farming Recovery Payments in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in (i) 2023 and (ii) 2024.
ReplyThe Rural Payments Agency (RPA) can confirm that no payments were made to properties under the Farming Recovery payments in a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in (i) 2023 RPA can confirm that 1889 payments were made to properties under the Farming Recovery payments in a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire in (ii) 2024.
10 Mar 2025·Department for Education·Answered
AskedWhat information her Department holds on the number of exclusions from schools in South Holland and the Deepings constituency in the (a) 2022-23 and (b) 2023-24 academic years.
ReplyInformation on suspensions and permanent exclusions is published at local authority level in the ‘Suspension and permanent exclusion in England’ statistics publication. The publication is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/suspensions-and-permanent-exclusions-in-england/2022-23.The number and rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions in Lincolnshire for the 2022/23 academic year can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/f3101754-5b43-45c4-f1c2-08dd5cc661f7.The number and rates of suspensions and permanent exclusions in Lincolnshire for the autumn term 2023/24 can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/3293a161-d7dd-414d-0e59-08dd5ccbf23a. Data for the full 2023/24 academic year will be published in July 2025.Suspensions and permanent exclusions data is also published at school level. This can be combined with information from ‘Get Information About School’ (GIAS) to identify Parliamentary constituency. GIAS currently reflects the changes made following the general election parliamentary constituency changes. GIAS is available at the following link: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/.
7 Mar 2025·Department for Work and Pensions·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of food procured by her Department is sourced in the UK.
ReplyTo date the Government has not held information on where publicly procured food is sourced from. Starting right away, for the first time ever, this government will review the food currently bought in the public sector to determine the standards that it is meeting, where it is bought from and look to introduce monitoring for transparency and accountability within those supply chains to ultimately get the best food for the consumer. This work will be a significant first step to inform any future changes to public sector food procurement policies as we want to help make it an equal playing field for British producers to bid into the £5 billion spent each year on public sector catering contracts.
7 Mar 2025·Ministry of Justice·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of food procured by her Department is sourced in the UK.
ReplyTo date, the Government has not held information on where publicly procured food is sourced from.Starting right away, for the first time ever, this Government will review the food currently bought in the public sector to determine the standards that it is meeting, where it is bought from and look to introduce monitoring for transparency and accountability within those supply chains to ultimately get the best food for the consumer.This work will be a significant first step to inform any future changes to public sector food procurement policies as we want to help make it an equal playing field for British producers to bid into the £5 billion spend each year on public sector catering contracts.
7 Mar 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of food procured by his Department is sourced in the UK.
ReplyDuring 2023/24, 72% of the food procured by the Department was produced in the United Kingdom.
7 Mar 2025·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support all-weather sports facilities in Lincolnshire.
ReplyThe Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to and benefits from high-quality, inclusive sports facilities. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. We are also supporting more players in getting onto the pitch wherever they live via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, which has invested £123 million UK-wide throughout 2024/25. Projects funded through the programme include artificial grass pitches, new changing facilities, and floodlights, helping sites to improve availability and increase participation all year round. Funding from the Programme continues to be invested in England through our delivery partner, the Football Foundation. This funding is designed so that areas that need it most are prioritised, taking account of deprivation and inactivity rates on a local level. The Football Foundation plans their investment pipeline based on Local Football Facility Plans (LFFPs). These plans have been developed in partnership with local authorities and are in the process of being refreshed to reflect the current landscape. The LFFP for South Holland can be found here, and a full list of LFFPs covering Lincolnshire can be found on the Lincolnshire FA website. At Autumn Budget, the Government committed to continued support through future investment for elite and grassroots sport. Further details will be confirmed in due course.
7 Mar 2025·Wales Office·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of food procured by her Department is sourced in (a) the UK and (b) Wales.
ReplyThe Wales Office does not procure food directly.
7 Mar 2025·Scotland Office·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of food procured by his Department is sourced in (a) the UK and (b) Scotland.
ReplyThe Department does not operate any catering outlets. It holds a small number of official functions for which food is served. Catering for these is provided by third parties, who source and procure all supplies. The Department does not hold any data about the origin of any of the food procured or served by those third parties. The Department hosts trade promotional events supporting Brand Scotland, where Scottish food producers and suppliers serve their products to invited guests.
7 Mar 2025·Ministry of Defence·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of food procured by his Department is sourced in the UK.
ReplyUnder the terms of Ministry of Defences’ (MOD) food contracts, the procurement of all produce is the is the responsibility of the prime contractors. Although the contracts do not specify the use of British produce, the MOD encourages contractors to source locally wherever possible. All food procured for MOD personnel must comply with MOD food quality standards, which, in turn, comply with all UK and EU production standards, Farm Assurance or equivalent.
7 Mar 2025·Northern Ireland Office·Answered
AskedWhat proportion of food procured by his Department is sourced in (a) the UK and (b) Northern Ireland.
ReplyThe Northern Ireland Office does not operate any catering outlets, cafes or cafeterias within our office estate. Documentation provided by suppliers who cater official functions and events does not typically feature a proportional breakdown of food items per country of production.
7 Mar 2025·House of Commons Commission·Answered
AskedRepresenting the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of food procured by the Houses of Parliament is sourced in the UK.
ReplyThe Commission is unable to give the exact proportion of procured food that is sourced in the UK due to the size and volume of goods procured. However, when contracts are put out to tender, they stipulate that preference will be given to bidders with robust environmental and local sourcing policies, and those with strong links to British farming organisations such as the English Farming and Food Partnership, and the Red Tractor scheme.The vast majority of fresh products, such as meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, bread, ice cream, and most fruit and vegetables when in season are sourced from within the UK. This includes a commitment to ensure that menus showcase seasonal variation and that in-season produce be highlighted to customers, as well as championing local producers.
7 Mar 2025·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to support recycling (a) efforts and (b) infrastructure in Lincolnshire.
ReplyWe are improving recycling services across England through our upcoming Simpler Recycling reforms, which will ensure that across England, people will be able to recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school. From 1 January 2025 the cost of managing household packaging when it becomes waste was transferred from taxpayers to producers placing that packaging material on the market. PackUK will make payments to local authorities (Approximately £1.4 billion across the UK) to cover the cost of the efficient and effective management of household packaging waste. In England, these payments will help local authorities to fund improvements to household recycling collections, enabling the consistent collection of all dry materials from every household. Additionally, through Simpler Recycling we have disbursed around £318 million of transitional funding to local authorities to support roll out of weekly food waste collections across England. In February 2025, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) published a Recycling Infrastructure Capacity Analysis with anticipated waste arisings and associated infrastructure needs to 2035; this will support industry and decisions on investment in necessary infrastructure.