Every parliamentary written question tabled by Laurence Turner this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 356 · this parliament
When the maximum penalty for railway trespass was set at £1,000; and what the maximum penalty was previously.
The maximum penalty of £1,000 for railway trespass was set with effect from 1 October 1992, following amendments to the standard scale of fines made under the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Prior to October 1992, the maximum penalty at level 3 on the standard scale was £400.
What information her Department holds on the levels of public awareness of the 29 January 2022 revisions to the Highway Code.
Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. Injuries and fatalities from road collisions caused by driving are unacceptable, and this Government will work hard to prevent these tragedies for all road users. That is why on 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. Following updates to the Highway Code in 2022, the department ran large-scale THINK! advertising campaigns to raise awareness of the changes. Via the THINK! campaign, we are also running year-round radio filler adverts encouraging compliance with the guidance to improve safety for those walking, cycling and horse riding. The Department has assessed public understanding of the 2022 Highway Code changes through survey research which tracks levels of awareness and self‑reported understanding and compliance over time. · The percentage of road users reporting to know either a little or a lot about the changes increased from 36% in January 2022 to over 50% in August 2022 and up to 70% in September 2023, with 86% of road users having heard of the changes by that time. · Understanding of pedestrian priority at junctions increased from 52% to 72%, and cyclists riding 2 abreast rising from 30% to 46%. · Following the second phase of the campaign in summer 2023, 81% of drivers claimed to leave a gap of 1.5metres when passing a cyclist all or most of the time. 79% of drivers claimed to pass horse riders and horse drawn vehicles with at least 2metres distance and at under 10mph all or most of the time. ·Of the respondents that recognised the campaign advert, nine in ten said they had taken action as a result. · More recent figures show a sustained increase in those saying it is unacceptable to not leave enough space for cyclists and horse riders, from 60% in March 2024 to 68% in April 2025. However, as set out in the strategy, more work is needed to continue embedding these changes and overall awareness of the Highway Code. We are considering options in this area, and further details will be shared in due course. As our road environment and technologies evolve, providing education for all road users throughout their lifetime is vital to improving road safety. Although failure to comply with the advisory rules of the Highway Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, contraventions of these rules may be used as evidence in court to establish liability for a road traffic offence. Advisory rules include those which begin ‘should/should not’ and ‘do/do not’.
What the sum of penalties for railway trespass has been in each of the last ten years.
Information on the number of financial penalties imposed by the courts is held by the Ministry of Justice, from sentencing data recorded by HM Courts & Tribunals Service. The Department for Transport does not record the sum of penalties for railway trespass.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 in preventing unlicenced use of glue traps.
This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. No formal assessment of the effectiveness of the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 in preventing unlicensed use of glue traps has been made. The Act aims to improve animal welfare by reducing the use of glue traps in England. Since 2022, market-leading suppliers have been removing glue traps from sale and promoting more humane alternatives; and since 2024, professional pest controllers have only been able to use glue traps in exceptional circumstances under licence. Defra has confidence that the number of these devices deployed across England has been significantly reducing.
When Glenart Castle Mess in Longbridge, Birmingham will reopen.
Glenart Castle Mess is anticipated to reopen in Summer 2026. The closure of the Mess has no impact on Defence’s ability to meet its contractual obligations with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where the majority of personnel based at Glenart Castle routinely work.
Whether banking hubs are obliged to accept cheque deposits.
The Government recognises that cheques remain an important payment method for some people. Decisions on whether cheque deposits are accepted and processed through Post Office counters in banking hubs are commercial matters for individual banks, based on their arrangements with the Post Office and Cash Access UK, which operates banking hubs. Most retail banks currently accept cheque deposits at banking hubs and the Government expects firms to ensure that customers can continue to access the services they need. Where this service is not available at a banking hub counter, customers continue to have alternative options to pay in cheques, including at bank branches and by post, or digitally via mobile banking apps using cheque imaging technology. Any customers affected by changes to cheque depositing services offered through banking hubs are encouraged to contact their bank directly to request information about the bank’s plans to support them. The Government continues to engage with the banking industry banking industry, the Post Office and Cash Access UK to improve the consistency and level of services provided through banking hubs, so that they meet the needs of communities across the UK.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to policy S5 of the draft National Planning Policy Statement, if he will consider the potential merits of including bus interchanges in that policy.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, set out a number of proposals to support development in sustainable locations, including a “default yes” for suitable proposals that develop land around rail stations within existing settlements, and around ‘well-connected’ train stations outside settlements, including on Green Belt land.It makes clear that such development should be limited to land physically well-related to the station and within reasonable walking distance of it.Reasonable walking distance is not quantified in the consultation document itself but following the Oral Statement I made on 16 December 2025 I referenced 800 metres (approximately 10 minutes at moderate walking speed) as the government’s working assumption of how it might be defined. The consultation sought views on all aspects of the policy, including how reasonable walking distance should be defined.We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to policy S5 of the draft National Planning Policy Statement, how he will define reasonable walking distance.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, set out a number of proposals to support development in sustainable locations, including a “default yes” for suitable proposals that develop land around rail stations within existing settlements, and around ‘well-connected’ train stations outside settlements, including on Green Belt land.It makes clear that such development should be limited to land physically well-related to the station and within reasonable walking distance of it.Reasonable walking distance is not quantified in the consultation document itself but following the Oral Statement I made on 16 December 2025 I referenced 800 metres (approximately 10 minutes at moderate walking speed) as the government’s working assumption of how it might be defined. The consultation sought views on all aspects of the policy, including how reasonable walking distance should be defined.We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the (a) median and (b) mean full-time equivalent salary was for each staff job title in 2024-25 for hon. Members' staff (i) outside and (ii) inside London.
IPSA has provided the median and mean full-time equivalent salary for each MPs’ staff job family and job title in 2024-25 for both staff members employed outside and inside London in the table below. The data excludes cases where only one staff member holds a specific title, to avoid the risk of disclosing information about identifiable individuals.Mean and Median Salaries per job familyJob FamilyLocationNo in roleMean FTE SalaryMedian FTE SalaryAdmin 1Non-London13027495.3926579.15Admin 1London5530108.8030000.00Admin 2Non-London8233220.1732837.34Admin 2London1636655.2436190.00Admin 3Non-London40945593.6145113.41Admin 3London13149387.3450000.00Exec 1Non-London105429094.5729000.00Exec 1London25030688.1930000.00Exec 2Non-London60437370.2937000.00Exec 2London14740782.4340000.00Research 2Non-London10532051.6732000.00Research 2London37733150.4733000.00Research 3London38047800.7746000.00Research 3Non-London16145821.6546200.00
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2026 to Question 110890 on HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Grant Scheme, what schemes have been withdrawn by (a) location and (b) operator.
A total of 16 projects have been withdrawn by operators from the HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Grant Scheme. The regional distribution of withdrawn schemes is as follows:East Midlands: 7East of England: 5North West of England: 1South East of England: 1West Midlands: 2 The location and names of these operators are commercially sensitive.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the Answer of 09 March 2026 to Question 117392 on Staff, what the a) full-time equivalent median salary and b) full-time equivalent mean salary is for Members' staff.
The full-time equivalent median salary for Members’ staff as of 12 March 2026 is £35,000. The full-time equivalent mean salary for Members’ staff as of 12 March 2026 is £36,595.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the (a) sickness absence rate, (b) total number of days lost to sickness absence and (c) number of days lost to sickness absence per head was for Member's staff in each of the last three years.
This data is correct as of 12 March 2026, and it should be noted that this only includes sickness absence that has been reported to IPSA and excludes any pregnancy-related sickness. The sickness absence rate, based on an assumption of 228 working days per employee per year, for each of the past three calendar years, is as follows – 13.79% (2023), 11.86% (2024), and 8.28% (2025). Year-to-date in 2026, the figure is 5.7%. The total number of actual working days lost to sickness absence since 1 January 2023 is 32,152. The average number of actual working days lost to sickness per head of MPs’ staff in each of the past three calendar years is as follows – 8.18 (2023), 8.56 (2024), and 5.68 (2025). Year-to-date in 2026, the figure is 5.60 days.
When the Bryony House care home in Birmingham Northfield constituency will next be inspected by the CQC.
Bryony House Care Home was last inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May 2025 and was rated as Inadequate and placed into special measures.The CQC has advised that it continues to monitor the service closely and will carry out a further assessment, based on assessment priorities and the level of risk across the region. As this assessment will be unannounced, the CQC is unable to provide a timeframe for completion.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, with reference to page 68 of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24, whether any IPSA activity necessitated formal employee consultation during (a) 2024-25 or(b) 2025-26 to date.
There is no IPSA activity during 2024-25 or 2025-26 to date that necessitated formal empoyee consultation. However, IPSA collaborates effectively with the PCS trade union representative on matters such as the pay of IPSA's people or significant changes to terms and conditions. Ahead of structural changes made in autumn 2025, IPSA collaberated with its trade union representative who was able to raise concerns at that point. Pay data and recommendations are raised with a formal sub-committee of IPSA's board and ultimate decisions on the pay of IPSA's people are taken at Board level.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, with reference to page 68 of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24, whether IPSA recognises the PCS trade union for collective bargaining purposes.
IPSA does not recognise the PCS union for the purposes of collective bargaining. IPSA has established a long standing, trusted and collaborative arrangement with its PCS representatives over the years with whom it engages on significant matters that relate specifically to the small number of IPSA employees who are members of a trade union, as appropriate.
Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to make it easier for musicians to tour in the EU.
Supporting creative and cultural touring is a manifesto commitment for this Government and delivering on it requires coordinated action across Whitehall, given the range of policy areas involved, including mobility, customs and logistics. Enabling artists and their crews to tour more easily supports shared economic growth, job creation and artistic innovation across Europe.We recognise the practical challenges that current arrangements present for musicians and their crews, particularly smaller and emerging artists. Building on the Common Understanding Commitment reached at the inaugural UK-EU Summit, we are exploring with the EU Commission and EU Member States how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent.DCMS Ministers are working closely with Cabinet colleagues to ensure a coherent, cross-Government approach. We are also engaging regularly with the sector to understand the operational impacts and identify workable solutions. Engagement with the EU and Member States will continue in pursuit of practical and proportionate progress, whilst respecting regulatory frameworks on both sides.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 86092, how many claimants were awarded a payment under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme in each financial year since 2021-22.
The NHS Business Services Authority is the administrator of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS). The following table shows the total number of awarded claims in each financial year since 2021/22:YearTotal number of VDPS claims awarded2021/2212022/23722023/24992024/25552025/2634Total261Note: Data for 2025/26 figure is accurate as of 6 February 2026. The previous question, answered on 28 October 2025, covered the period up until 30 September 2025. Some claims may be paid in a different financial year to which they were awarded.
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 91715, how many claimants were awarded a payment under the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme in each financial year since 1993-94.
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
With reference to the Answer of 15 January to Question 101203, on Latex: Allergies, if he will place a copy of the Expert Advisory Group on Allergy's December 2025 minutes in the House of Commons Library.
The Terms of Reference for the Expert Advisory Group on Allergy, which is overseen and supported by external stakeholders, states that the meetings are confidential. Therefore, the meeting minutes are not shared publicly.
With reference to the oral contribution of the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury of 27 January 2026 on Business Rates, whether changes to the business rates for pubs will include social clubs.
All pubs and live music venues that meet the definitions set out in guidance will qualify for the business rates support announced on 27 January 2026. In keeping with the intent of this policy, the Government is working with Local Authorities to ensure this includes establishments that are open to wide sections of local communities. This includes social clubs, such as working men's clubs. I would like to thank my Honourable Friend for all his representations and engagement on this matter.