Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Evans this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 501–520 of 868 · this parliament
Whether he has had recent discussions with the Royal Pharmaceutical society on reducing overprescribing.
The Department has had no recent discussions with either the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on reducing overprescribing.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with (a) animal sanctuaries and (b) rescue and rehoming centres on the challenges faced in providing for the welfare needs of animals.
Defra regularly engages with a range of stakeholders with an interest in animal welfare, including charities and regulatory agencies. We continue to explore opportunities to improve coordination and information sharing where appropriate.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the enforcement powers available to enable local authorities to tackle fly-tipping.
We have committed to forcing fly-tippers to clean up the mess they have created as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. This will build on the sanctions already available which include fixed penalty notices of up to £1000, seizing and crushing of vehicles and prosecution which can lead to a significant fine, community sentence or even imprisonment. Sentencing is a matter for the courts. The Defra chaired National Fly-tipping Prevention Group has produced a guide on how local authorities, and others, can present robust cases to court. This is available at https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/national-fly-tipping-prevention-group. We encourage councils to make good use of their enforcement powers, and we are currently seeking powers to provide statutory guidance on fly-tipping enforcement. We have also announced a review of their powers to seize and crush vehicles of suspected fly-tippers, to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool.
What progress her Department has made on improving the UK's international train connectivity.
The Government fully supports thriving and competitive international rail passenger services and freight markets, given the benefits this can bring, including potentially greater choice, new service offers and lower fares for passengers and more sustainable option for the movement of freight. DfT Officials are actively engaging with relevant international partners and industry counterparts, including prospective operators, to help facilitate new routes or services where possible, particularly where there is a commercial proposition to do so.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing enforcement powers for tackling fly-tipping.
We have committed to forcing fly-tippers to clean up the mess they have created as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour. This will build on the sanctions already available which include fixed penalty notices of up to £1000, seizing and crushing of vehicles and prosecution which can lead to a significant fine, community sentence or even imprisonment. Sentencing is a matter for the courts. The Defra chaired National Fly-tipping Prevention Group has produced a guide on how local authorities, and others, can present robust cases to court. This is available at https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/national-fly-tipping-prevention-group. We encourage councils to make good use of their enforcement powers, and we are currently seeking powers to provide statutory guidance on fly-tipping enforcement. We have also announced a review of their powers to seize and crush vehicles of suspected fly-tippers, to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool.
Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on ensuring the continued transportation of milling wheat for food production; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of collaboration with industry and other government departments on this.
Defra maintains regular engagement with industry and other Government departments to monitor potential risks to the food supply. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. In addition, Defra works closely with the Department for Transport’s Road Haulage team to ensure transport policies fully consider the needs of the food sector, including the critical movement of milling wheat.
Food and Rural Affairs, which organisations from the food and drink sector has he met to discuss the Food Labelling Consultation since July 2024; and what the dates were of those meetings.
I regularly meet with key food and drink sector stakeholders such as the Food and Drink Federation, the National Farmers' Union, UK Hospitality, and the British Retail Consortium to discuss food system issues including relevant Government consultations such as the Fairer Food Consultation. Defra officials also engage regularly with a range of key food and drink stakeholders, including as part of the ongoing development of the Government's food and animal welfare strategies. Additionally, I am pleased to let the Hon. Member know that the Summary of Responses and Government Response to the consultation have now been published.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54607 on Anti-social Behaviour: North East Somerset and Hanham, what steps she is taking to help ensure that intelligence gained by the dedicated lead officer for anti-social behaviour is not lost if the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour move between force areas.
On 10 April, the Prime Minister announced the details of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million has been allocated to forces for 2025/26 to support the Government’s commitment to deliver additional personnel into neighbourhood policing.This includes ensuring that every force area will have a dedicated lead officer for anti-social behaviour who will work with communities to develop an action plan to reduce and prevent ASB. I am closely monitoring the delivery of this commitment across the 43 police forces in England and Wales.Forces are expected to engage with communities to develop their action plan which should cover the entire force area. Larger forces may decide to have more than one Action Plan if they consider it appropriate for different geographical areas within the force.We will continue to work closely with forces once the dedicated lead officers commence their roles from July 2025, setting out further detail on expectations of their ASB Action Plans, including how they will ensure they work across force boundaries where necessary.
What recent discussions she has with representative bodies to ensure that plans to provide protection from assault to front-line retail workers include (a) bank and (b) building society staff.
Through our Crime and Policing Bill, this Government has introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. My officials have met with UK Finance and Barclays Bank to discuss the issue of assaults on bank and building society staff, which is an issue we also take extremely seriously. Assaults against workers in the bank and building society sectors are already an offence (common assault) under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and are covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm. Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public, including public-facing roles in banks and building societies.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing the number of hyperbaric chambers on accessibility for patients.
NHS England is committed to ensuring equitably accessible, high-quality services, for anyone who requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We will meet our obligations to do so through implementing plans to deliver the commissioning intentions set out during the public consultation which took place last year. Further information on the public consultation is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/reviewing-hyperbaric-oxygen-services-consultation-guide/#:~:text=Background-,Background,Manual%20of%20Prescribed%20Specialised%20ServicesIt is proposed that the number of commissioned HBOT centres in England is reduced from eight centres to six centres. The geographical scope of these services will ensure that there is no more than four hours travelling time, by road, from coastal locations, the furthest borders, or between neighbouring commissioned HBOT centres, which is in line with good practice guidelines.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54607 on Anti-social Behaviour: North East Somerset and Hanham, whether she has had recent discussions with police forces on initiating the recruitment of a dedicated lead officer to develop local anti-social behaviour action plans.
On 10 April, the Prime Minister announced the details of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million has been allocated to forces for 2025/26 to support the Government’s commitment to deliver additional personnel into neighbourhood policing.This includes ensuring that every force area will have a dedicated lead officer for anti-social behaviour who will work with communities to develop an action plan to reduce and prevent ASB. I am closely monitoring the delivery of this commitment across the 43 police forces in England and Wales.Forces are expected to engage with communities to develop their action plan which should cover the entire force area. Larger forces may decide to have more than one Action Plan if they consider it appropriate for different geographical areas within the force.We will continue to work closely with forces once the dedicated lead officers commence their roles from July 2025, setting out further detail on expectations of their ASB Action Plans, including how they will ensure they work across force boundaries where necessary.
Whether she has had recent discussions with (a) local councils and (b) other local government bodies on using existing powers to (i) restrict and (ii) enforce restrictions on pavement parking.
The Secretary of State has not had discussions with local councils or other local government bodies on the issue of pavement parking. The Department held a consultation in 2020 and has been considering the responses to the consultation and working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. In so doing, the Department has been seeking to find an optimal solution to this complex issue which is consistent with the Government’s wider aims and objectives. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response shortly.
Pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2025 to Question 3431 on Parking: Pedestrian Areas, what aims and objectives her Department is considering in relation to its response to the pavement parking consultation.
The Secretary of State has not had discussions with local councils or other local government bodies on the issue of pavement parking. The Department held a consultation in 2020 and has been considering the responses to the consultation and working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. In so doing, the Department has been seeking to find an optimal solution to this complex issue which is consistent with the Government’s wider aims and objectives. We will announce the next steps and publish our formal response shortly.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54607 on Anti-social Behaviour: North East Somerset and Hanham, what geographical area would be covered by a local anti-social behaviour action plan.
On 10 April, the Prime Minister announced the details of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million has been allocated to forces for 2025/26 to support the Government’s commitment to deliver additional personnel into neighbourhood policing.This includes ensuring that every force area will have a dedicated lead officer for anti-social behaviour who will work with communities to develop an action plan to reduce and prevent ASB. I am closely monitoring the delivery of this commitment across the 43 police forces in England and Wales.Forces are expected to engage with communities to develop their action plan which should cover the entire force area. Larger forces may decide to have more than one Action Plan if they consider it appropriate for different geographical areas within the force.We will continue to work closely with forces once the dedicated lead officers commence their roles from July 2025, setting out further detail on expectations of their ASB Action Plans, including how they will ensure they work across force boundaries where necessary.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the number of hyperbaric chamber on divers based in the Midlands.
NHS England is committed to ensuring equitably accessible, high-quality services, for anyone who requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We will meet our obligations to do so through implementing plans to deliver the commissioning intentions set out during the public consultation which took place last year. Further information on the public consultation is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/reviewing-hyperbaric-oxygen-services-consultation-guide/#:~:text=Background-,Background,Manual%20of%20Prescribed%20Specialised%20ServicesIt is proposed that the number of commissioned HBOT centres in England is reduced from eight centres to six centres. The geographical scope of these services will ensure that there is no more than four hours travelling time, by road, from coastal locations, the furthest borders, or between neighbouring commissioned HBOT centres, which is in line with good practice guidelines.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54369 on Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Advertising, which bodies his Department has had discussions with on further regulation in the non-surgical cosmetic procedure sector.
In considering options for further regulation of the non-surgical cosmetics sector, the Department has had discussions with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes representatives from professional associations of practitioners operating in the sector, representatives from statutory professional regulatory bodies overseeing healthcare professionals, officials from the Care Quality Commission, representatives from the Professional Standards Authority accredited registers programme, and representatives from local government and legal professionals. The Department has also liaised with officials in the Devolved Administrations and other Government departments.The Government has considered how the current regulatory landscape of the cosmetics sector operates and what additional levers are available to increase safety in this area. This includes a consideration of the powers granted through the Health and Care Act 2022 to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England and the previous government’s proposals for licensing, which were consulted on in 2023.We will set out the details of what action we will take in the response to the consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, which we intend to publish in due course.
What his planned timetable is to respond to the consultation on potential further regulation in the non-surgical cosmetic procedure sector.
In considering options for further regulation of the non-surgical cosmetics sector, the Department has had discussions with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes representatives from professional associations of practitioners operating in the sector, representatives from statutory professional regulatory bodies overseeing healthcare professionals, officials from the Care Quality Commission, representatives from the Professional Standards Authority accredited registers programme, and representatives from local government and legal professionals. The Department has also liaised with officials in the Devolved Administrations and other Government departments.The Government has considered how the current regulatory landscape of the cosmetics sector operates and what additional levers are available to increase safety in this area. This includes a consideration of the powers granted through the Health and Care Act 2022 to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England and the previous government’s proposals for licensing, which were consulted on in 2023.We will set out the details of what action we will take in the response to the consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, which we intend to publish in due course.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54369 on Non-surgical Cosmetic Procedures: Advertising, what options he is considering for further regulation in the non-surgical cosmetic procedure sector.
In considering options for further regulation of the non-surgical cosmetics sector, the Department has had discussions with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes representatives from professional associations of practitioners operating in the sector, representatives from statutory professional regulatory bodies overseeing healthcare professionals, officials from the Care Quality Commission, representatives from the Professional Standards Authority accredited registers programme, and representatives from local government and legal professionals. The Department has also liaised with officials in the Devolved Administrations and other Government departments.The Government has considered how the current regulatory landscape of the cosmetics sector operates and what additional levers are available to increase safety in this area. This includes a consideration of the powers granted through the Health and Care Act 2022 to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England and the previous government’s proposals for licensing, which were consulted on in 2023.We will set out the details of what action we will take in the response to the consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, which we intend to publish in due course.
What discussions her Department has had with councils on the potential release of land previously allocated to the eastern leg of HS2 (Phase 2b).
The Department is thoroughly reviewing the position we have inherited on HS2 Phase 2b East, before setting out more detailed plans in the near future, including futureplans for HS2 Phase 2b safeguarding and a disposal programme for land and property acquired for HS2 that is no longer required. We expect to be able to provide further detail of our intended approach for Phase 2b safeguarding during the summer. Any land acquired for Phase 2 that is no longer required will be sold in line with Treasury rules through a disposal programme.
What discussions she has had with schools on ensuring that financial education for pupils includes (a) the impact of social media on managing money, (b) managing money in the context of accessible credit and (c) different types of (i) credit and (ii) debt.
Financial education forms a compulsory part of the national curriculum for mathematics at key stages 1 to 4, and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4. Together these cover personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt, and calculating interest. Statutory relationships, sex and health education and computing lessons equip pupils to be discerning in evaluating digital content, including content they see through social media.The interim report from the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review noted the consistent call from children and young people and their parents for more focus on the applied knowledge regarding financial education. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn with the government’s response.