Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Charters this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 121–136 of 136 · this parliament
How the Covid Corruption Commissioner will (a) work and (b) liaise with other Departments across Government.
The Commissioner, once appointed, will work closely with other Departments, such as DHSC, and will draw on additional expertise in the Public Sector Fraud Authority, Government Debt Management Function and Government Commercial Function to undertake their role.
Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on artificial intelligence planning.
As the centre for digital government, DSIT works closely with other departments to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving economic growth, transforming how we deliver public services, and boosting living standards. Last week, we launched AI Opportunities Action Plan, which will set out how the UK can reap the benefits of AI. We know this will require a whole-of-government approach, so we are working across departments to ensure the Government’s missions and priorities benefit from this transformative technology. We have also committed to introducing regulation, are collaborating with departments on the details of these proposals, before legislation is brought forward.
If she will meet (a) the hon. Member for York Outer and (b) the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education in City of York Council to discuss SEND provision in schools in York Outer constituency.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, is very keen to meet with stakeholders in the coming months. If you contact her office directly to request a meeting, they will gladly consider and respond to your request.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his international counterparts on helping to implement sanctions on Russian crude oil exports.
Sanctions are at their most effective when countries work together. We continue to work closely with G7 and other partners to ensure our sanctions have the maximum impact on Russia, including by restricting the energy revenues fuelling its war machine. The Government has already taken action to that end.At the recent European Political Community Summit, the UK secured the agreement of 44 European countries plus the European Union to work together to disrupt and deter Russia's 'shadow fleet', which is undermining our sanctions and poses environmental and security threats. We continue to explore a range of options to deepen our sanctions regime, and enforcement, including in the energy sector.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that SME suppliers are paid on time.
The Procurement Act 2023 introduces a range of reforms to make it easier for SMEs to access public sector supply-chains, and we will be ensuring that the powers in the Act are utilised to support the new government’s priorities. A new duty will require contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs, and to consider what can be done to overcome them. 30 day payment terms will apply throughout the public sector supply chain, regardless of whether they are written into the contract. Government must lead by example and pay their suppliers on time. The most recent published payment data for the Cabinet Office shows 97% of all invoices were paid within 30 days, and 88% of all invoices were paid within 5 days. Further, all bidders for large government contracts must demonstrate prompt payment to their suppliers within an average of 55 days, regardless of whether it’s in a public supply chain or not, or risk being excluded from the procurement.
If his Department will take steps to help SMEs access new Government procurement opportunities.
The Procurement Act 2023 introduces a range of reforms to make it easier for SMEs to access public sector supply-chains, and we will be ensuring that the powers in the Act are utilised to support the new government’s priorities. A new duty will require contracting authorities to have regard to the particular barriers facing SMEs, and to consider what can be done to overcome them. 30 day payment terms will apply throughout the public sector supply chain, regardless of whether they are written into the contract. Government must lead by example and pay their suppliers on time. The most recent published payment data for the Cabinet Office shows 97% of all invoices were paid within 30 days, and 88% of all invoices were paid within 5 days. Further, all bidders for large government contracts must demonstrate prompt payment to their suppliers within an average of 55 days, regardless of whether it’s in a public supply chain or not, or risk being excluded from the procurement.
What steps his Department plans to take to improve outcomes for patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The Department is working with NHS England to deliver interventions to improve outcomes for those with pancreatic cancer across England. Early diagnosis is imperative to improving outcomes for all types of cancer, especially pancreatic due to the non-spec...
What steps her Department is taking with the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation to enforce the UK’s sanctions regime.
The Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is responsible for civil enforcement of the UK’s financial sanctions regimes. OFSI is committed to ensuring that the UK has the strongest possible capability to implement and enforce the UK’s financial sanctions. OFSI has scaled up its enforcement capabilities through legislative changes and expanded its team, allowing it to progress a higher number of complex investigations. For example, in the financial year 2022 – 2023 OFSI increased resource in its enforcement team by 175%. OFSI expects to see the first monetary penalties resulting from breaches related to the 2022 Russia designations in 2024.
What estimate his Department has made of the number of open dentistry practices in the York Outer constituency currently accepting (a) adult and (b) children NHS patients.
As of 10 July 2024, there were eight open dentistry practices in the York Outer constituency, none of which were showing as currently accepting new adult or child patients. This data is sourced from the Find a Dentist website, and is matched to constituencies based on the postcode data shown on the website, which is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist
What assessment her Department has made on the effectiveness of the system for applying for tax-free childcare.
Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) provides financial support for eligible working parents in paying their childcare costs. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the government adds £2. It takes around 20 minutes for an eligible customer to open an online account. Accounts can be opened at any time of the year and can be used straight away. Money can be deposited at any time and used when needed. Any unused money that is deposited can be simply withdrawn at any time. Approved or registered childcare providers can sign up online to accept TFC. The sign-up process takes around 10 minutes.
If she will make an assessment of the (a) access to and (b) availability of cash for (i) businesses and (ii) consumers in York Outer constituency.
The Government is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The most recent analysis undertaken by the FCA on cash access coverage across the UK found that in Q2 2023, over 99% of people in urban areas are within 1 mile of a cash access point offering withdrawals, and over 98% of people in rural areas are within 3 miles of a cash access point offering withdrawals. Further details of this analysis, including a breakdown of cash access coverage by Local Authority District is available on the FCA website: https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/data/access-cash-coverage-uk-2023-q2 The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator responsible for access to cash further to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, with powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for individuals and businesses, including free withdrawal services for individuals. The FCA has recently published its final rules setting out its regulatory approach to protecting access to cash. These can be found on the FCA's website: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/policy/ps24-8.pdf The Government also recognises the importance of banking to communities and high streets. The Government has therefore committed to work closely with banks to roll out at least 350 banking hubs, which provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.
Whether her Department plans to take further steps to tackle consumer fraud.
The Government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public from this devastating crime.We will tackle the criminals responsible for fraud at home and overseas, work with industry to make it much more difficult to commit fraud, and support victims across the UK.
If she will make an estimate of the number of businesses in the Yorkshire and the Humber region that experienced fraud in the last financial year.
Home Office does not hold data on the number of businesses in the Yorkshire and the Humber region that experienced fraud in the last financial year.The Economic Crime Survey 2024 is a representative survey of businesses, which is currently conducting fieldwork, and will build the evidence base on the incidents and nature of fraud against businesses in the UK.
What steps she plans to take to tackle business fraud.
The Government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is dedicated to protecting the public from this devastating crime. We will tackle the criminals responsible for fraud at home and overseas, work with industry to make it much more difficult to commit fraud, and support victims across the UK.
Whether her Department plans to implement the second bullet point of recommendation two in section seven of the report by the UK Commission on Bereavement entitled Bereavement is everyone's business, published in October 2022.
This recommendation concerns extending Bereavement Support Payment to 6 years or until completion of secondary education for the youngest child, from its current duration of 18 months. However, BSP is not a cost-of-living benefit but is intended to help with the immediate costs of bereavement. Where longer-term income support is needed, individuals can look to benefits such as Universal Credit, which have been specifically designed to provide ongoing assistance with living costs. Whilst we welcome the report, we have no current plans to change the duration of bereavement support payment.
What steps she plans to take to support the provision of bank hubs in local communities across the UK.
The Government is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The most recent analysis undertaken by the FCA on cash access coverage across the UK found that in Q2 2023, over 99% of people in urban areas are within 1 mile of a cash access point offering withdrawals, and over 98% of people in rural areas are within 3 miles of a cash access point offering withdrawals. Further details of this analysis, including a breakdown of cash access coverage by Local Authority District is available on the FCA website: https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/data/access-cash-coverage-uk-2023-q2 The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator responsible for access to cash further to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, with powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for individuals and businesses, including free withdrawal services for individuals. The FCA has recently published its final rules setting out its regulatory approach to protecting access to cash. These can be found on the FCA's website: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/policy/ps24-8.pdf The Government also recognises the importance of banking to communities and high streets. The Government has therefore committed to work closely with banks to roll out at least 350 banking hubs, which provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.