Every parliamentary written question tabled by Kate Osborne this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 84 · this parliament
What assessment he has made of the efficiency of Capita plc in processing outstanding Civil Service pension cases; and if he will provide guidance on the expected timescales within which all outstanding pension
The Cabinet Office awarded Capita the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme in November 2023 under the previous government. The current delays facing scheme members are entirely unacceptable, and this Government has taken firm action to ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will take diplomatic steps to encourage the Government of Japan to (a) acknowledge the sinking of the SS Tilawa in 1942 and (b) provide goodwill closure to known survivors and victims.
Awaiting answer.
Media and Sport, what engagement the Government Equalities Office has had with rugby governing bodies regarding their inclusion policies for transgender and non-binary players.
Sport must be open to everyone. There is absolutely no place for homophobia, or discrimination of any kind, in sport or society.The Government expects sports bodies, including rugby governing bodies, to take robust action to tackle discrimination whenever and wherever it occurs. The Government will continue to work with National Governing Bodies and sector organisations to fight all forms of discrimination at all levels of sport.Through the Sports Council’s Equality Group, UK Sport and Sport England provide guidance on transgender inclusion in domestic sport to our National Governing Bodies. It makes clear that inclusion, fairness, and safety cannot always be balanced in gender-affected sport.Under the UK Sport and Sport England Code for Sports Governance, National Governing Bodies at Tier 3 are required to publish and maintain a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to receive public funding. This framework serves as the accountability mechanism to demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Media and Sport, how does the Government plan to support the development of inclusive frameworks that respect both participation rights and competitive fairness for the LGBTQ+ community in rugby union.
Sport must be open to everyone. There is absolutely no place for homophobia, or discrimination of any kind, in sport or society.The Government expects sports bodies, including rugby governing bodies, to take robust action to tackle discrimination whenever and wherever it occurs. The Government will continue to work with National Governing Bodies and sector organisations to fight all forms of discrimination at all levels of sport.Through the Sports Council’s Equality Group, UK Sport and Sport England provide guidance on transgender inclusion in domestic sport to our National Governing Bodies. It makes clear that inclusion, fairness, and safety cannot always be balanced in gender-affected sport.Under the UK Sport and Sport England Code for Sports Governance, National Governing Bodies at Tier 3 are required to publish and maintain a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to receive public funding. This framework serves as the accountability mechanism to demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion.
What steps are being taken to address reports of homophobic bullying and exclusionary cultures in school and youth rugby.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What guidance her Department provides to schools on ensuring that rugby programmes and school competitions are inclusive of LGBTQ+ pupils.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What discussions she has had with the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and the police on the adequacy of current hate crime reporting mechanisms within professional and grassroots rugby.
The Home Office has not held specific meetings with the rugby authorities on homophobic abuse. However, we work closely with the police and the College of Policing to promote consistent approaches to tackling hate crime, including accessible reporting and effective recording practices.The police are operationally independent and work in line with the College of Policing’s operational guidance to respond to hate crime. We expect the police to record and investigate offences motivated by hatred or hostility, and work with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice where criminal thresholds are met.
What discussions she has had with the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and the police regarding the recording and prosecution of homophobic abuse at rugby matches.
The Home Office has not held specific meetings with the rugby authorities on homophobic abuse. However, we work closely with the police and the College of Policing to promote consistent approaches to tackling hate crime, including accessible reporting and effective recording practices.The police are operationally independent and work in line with the College of Policing’s operational guidance to respond to hate crime. We expect the police to record and investigate offences motivated by hatred or hostility, and work with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice where criminal thresholds are met.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that UK Sport and Sport England's funding conditions require the Rugby Football Union and other rugby governing bodies to (a) demonstrate measurable progress in tackling homophobia and (b) creating inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ players, fans and staff.
Sport must be open to everyone. There is absolutely no place for homophobia, or discrimination of any kind, in sport or society.The Government expects sports bodies, including rugby governing bodies, to take robust action to tackle discrimination whenever and wherever it occurs. The Government will continue to work with National Governing Bodies and sector organisations to fight all forms of discrimination at all levels of sport.Through the Sports Council’s Equality Group, UK Sport and Sport England provide guidance on transgender inclusion in domestic sport to our National Governing Bodies. It makes clear that inclusion, fairness, and safety cannot always be balanced in gender-affected sport.Under the UK Sport and Sport England Code for Sports Governance, National Governing Bodies at Tier 3 are required to publish and maintain a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to receive public funding. This framework serves as the accountability mechanism to demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on public service exemptions for Earned Settlement proposals.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions with my Rt Hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, on a range of subjects, including immigration policy.The Home Office consultation on Earned Settlement closed in February 2026 and responses are currently being analysed. This analysis will inform the development of the final Earned Settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement. Following analysis of the consultation responses, the necessary impact assessments, including those relating to the National Health Service, will be undertaken. Once the final model has been agreed, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.
Whether he has made an estimate of the potential cost to the NHS from Earned Settlement proposals.
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions with my Rt Hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, on a range of subjects, including immigration policy.The Home Office consultation on Earned Settlement closed in February 2026 and responses are currently being analysed. This analysis will inform the development of the final Earned Settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures for those already on a pathway to settlement. Following analysis of the consultation responses, the necessary impact assessments, including those relating to the National Health Service, will be undertaken. Once the final model has been agreed, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations.
The EHRC revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following its consultation after the UK Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland, and submitted it to Government. The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, I will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the draft Code.
Pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to UIN 111208, whether tobacco duty increases since October 2024 and the application of the RPI+2% tobacco duty escalator will preserve the retail price differential between tobacco products and vaping products without the £2.20 one-off increase due to take effect on 1 October 2026.
To discourage non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping, and to raise revenue, the government is introducing Vaping Products Duty with effect from 1 October 2026. This will be accompanied by an equivalent one-off increase in Tobacco Duty, to preserve the price differential and maintain the financial incentive for existing smokers to switch from tobacco to vaping. Further information can be found in the Tax Information and Impact Note published at Budget which can be found here:Changes to tobacco duty rates from 26 November 2025 and 1 October 2026 - GOV.UK
Pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to UIN 111207, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of applying the £2.20 one-off tobacco duty increase in addition to the RPI+2% escalator on CPI inflation.
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) are responsible for estimating the impact of Government policies on inflation. The OBR did not include an assessment of the contribution of tobacco excise duty including the one-off increase to inflation in the November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Football Supporters Association regarding proposed changes to the Women’s FA Cup.
The Football Association (the national governing body for football) is independent of the Government and independently determines how they organise their competitions.Karen Carney’s 2023 Independent Review of Women’s Football made a series of recommendations for key stakeholders in the game to take forward which included a recommendation that the FA make a clear commitment to equalising FA Cup prize money as soon as is feasible. Following the review, the Minister for Sport has convened the Women’s Football Taskforce with industry stakeholders including the FA and Football Supporters’ Association, to drive forward the recommendations of Karen Carney’s review.
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to the Women’s FA Cup on (a) domestic women’s leagues, (b) player welfare and (c) fans.
The Football Association (the national governing body for football) is independent of the Government and independently determines how they organise their competitions.Karen Carney’s 2023 Independent Review of Women’s Football made a series of recommendations for key stakeholders in the game to take forward which included a recommendation that the FA make a clear commitment to equalising FA Cup prize money as soon as is feasible. Following the review, the Minister for Sport has convened the Women’s Football Taskforce with industry stakeholders including the FA and Football Supporters’ Association, to drive forward the recommendations of Karen Carney’s review.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the FA regarding proposed changes to the Women’s FA Cup.
The Football Association (the national governing body for football) is independent of the Government and independently determines how they organise their competitions.Karen Carney’s 2023 Independent Review of Women’s Football made a series of recommendations for key stakeholders in the game to take forward which included a recommendation that the FA make a clear commitment to equalising FA Cup prize money as soon as is feasible. Following the review, the Minister for Sport has convened the Women’s Football Taskforce with industry stakeholders including the FA and Football Supporters’ Association, to drive forward the recommendations of Karen Carney’s review.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s assessment of the impact of tobacco prices on CPI inflation in December 2025 on her (a) plan to apply an uprating of RPI+2% and a one-off tobacco duty increase on 1 October 2026 and (b) other tobacco duty policies.
At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government renewed the commitment to a tobacco duty escalator, which increases duty by 2 per cent above RPI inflation at each Budget, until the end of the current Parliament. Budget 2025 announced tobacco duty will rise in line with the escalator as well as an additional one-off increase alongside the introduction of Vaping Duty on 1 October 2026. This is to preserve the price differential between vaping and tobacco products to maintain the incentive to choose vaping over smoking. A Tax Information and Impact Note setting out the expected impacts was published at Budget and can be found here: Changes to tobacco duty rates from 26 November 2025 and 1 October 2026 - GOV.UK The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) are responsible for estimating the impact of Government policies on inflation. The OBR did not include an assessment of the contribution of tobacco excise duty to inflation in the November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of applying only one of the (a) RPI-linked uprating and (b) one-off tobacco duty increase scheduled to take effect from 1 October 2026 on inflation.
At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government renewed the commitment to a tobacco duty escalator, which increases duty by 2 per cent above RPI inflation at each Budget, until the end of the current Parliament. Budget 2025 announced tobacco duty will rise in line with the escalator as well as an additional one-off increase alongside the introduction of Vaping Duty on 1 October 2026. This is to preserve the price differential between vaping and tobacco products to maintain the incentive to choose vaping over smoking. A Tax Information and Impact Note setting out the expected impacts was published at Budget and can be found here: Changes to tobacco duty rates from 26 November 2025 and 1 October 2026 - GOV.UK The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) are responsible for estimating the impact of Government policies on inflation. The OBR did not include an assessment of the contribution of tobacco excise duty to inflation in the November 2025 Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Whether her Department plans to respond to the submission by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights to her and to parliamentary committees on the human rights situation of trans people in the UK; and what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that the (a) principles and (b) practicalities of the human rights of trans people are protected.
This Government supports dignity and respect for everyone. We are clear that there are laws in place to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment, and we proudly uphold a robust legislative framework, including the Gender Recognition Act and the Equality Act. We are considering the letter sent by the Commissioner, and we will follow up with his office on the points raised.