Every parliamentary written question tabled by Martin Wrigley this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 741–760 of 1,723 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 59046 on Insulation: Housing, what recent discussions he has had with surveyors on spray foam insulation.
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Innovation and Technology, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to guarantee that individuals have a right to opt out of digital ID schemes.
The Government has no plans to introduce legislation on the right to opt out of using digital identities. Nor has the Government taken any steps to make their use mandatory.The digital verification services provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are designed to give people choice. They help both people and organisations to realise the benefits of secure digital identities with greater confidence, if they choose to use them.The Government also plans to introduce digital versions of existing government-issued documents through the GOV.UK Wallet, a secure digital service for storing government-issued credentials on users’ smartphones. However, people will still be able to prove their identity using physical documents if they prefer.
If he will bring forward legislative proposals to make the NHS Accessible Information Standard legally enforceable.
The revised Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was published on 1 July, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/NHS England is working to support implementation of the AIS with awareness raising, communication and engagement, and a review of the current e-learning modules on the AIS. The intention is to ensure that staff and organisations in the National Health Service are aware of the AIS and the importance of meeting the information and communication needs of disabled people using services.Since 2016, all NHS organisations and publicly funded social care providers are expected to meet the AIS, which details the recommended approach to supporting the information and communication support needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss.The responsibility for monitoring compliance with the AIS sits with the commissioner of the service.The revised standard requires those staff in relevant communication and information roles to be adequately trained. The AIS conformance criteria, published in 2016 and updated in June 2025, set out how organisations should comply with the AIS. NHS England is leading a system wide review of mandatory training which will include a new governance framework and a table of statutory obligations as well as a new competency framework setting out all nationally mandated subjects and learning outcomes.Following the commencement of regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022, mandatory information standards will be introduced in a staged process. NHS England will consider the case for developing a mandatory AIS standard, and the timing for this, along with the other existing standards.
If he will take steps to ensure that the NHS Accessible Information Standard is (a) prioritised and (b) fully implemented.
The revised Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was published on 1 July, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/NHS England is working to support implementation of the AIS with awareness raising, communication and engagement, and a review of the current e-learning modules on the AIS. The intention is to ensure that staff and organisations in the National Health Service are aware of the AIS and the importance of meeting the information and communication needs of disabled people using services.Since 2016, all NHS organisations and publicly funded social care providers are expected to meet the AIS, which details the recommended approach to supporting the information and communication support needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss.The responsibility for monitoring compliance with the AIS sits with the commissioner of the service.The revised standard requires those staff in relevant communication and information roles to be adequately trained. The AIS conformance criteria, published in 2016 and updated in June 2025, set out how organisations should comply with the AIS. NHS England is leading a system wide review of mandatory training which will include a new governance framework and a table of statutory obligations as well as a new competency framework setting out all nationally mandated subjects and learning outcomes.Following the commencement of regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022, mandatory information standards will be introduced in a staged process. NHS England will consider the case for developing a mandatory AIS standard, and the timing for this, along with the other existing standards.
If he will take steps to make (a) the NHS Accessible Information Standard and (b) deaf awareness training mandatory for NHS staff.
The revised Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was published on 1 July, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/NHS England is working to support implementation of the AIS with awareness raising, communication and engagement, and a review of the current e-learning modules on the AIS. The intention is to ensure that staff and organisations in the National Health Service are aware of the AIS and the importance of meeting the information and communication needs of disabled people using services.Since 2016, all NHS organisations and publicly funded social care providers are expected to meet the AIS, which details the recommended approach to supporting the information and communication support needs of patients and carers with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss.The responsibility for monitoring compliance with the AIS sits with the commissioner of the service.The revised standard requires those staff in relevant communication and information roles to be adequately trained. The AIS conformance criteria, published in 2016 and updated in June 2025, set out how organisations should comply with the AIS. NHS England is leading a system wide review of mandatory training which will include a new governance framework and a table of statutory obligations as well as a new competency framework setting out all nationally mandated subjects and learning outcomes.Following the commencement of regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022, mandatory information standards will be introduced in a staged process. NHS England will consider the case for developing a mandatory AIS standard, and the timing for this, along with the other existing standards.
If he will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Newton Abbot on the Company Directors (Duties) Bill.
I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member to discuss his Private Member’s Bill (the Company Directors (Duties) Bill) and the Government’s plans to publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill.
If he will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Newton Abbot on the Corporate Governance Bill.
I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member to discuss his Private Member’s Bill (the Company Directors (Duties) Bill) and the Government’s plans to publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill.
What recent meetings he has had with people who have had spray foam installation in their homes in Devon.
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner.
As the directly elected representative for policing in their area, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have an important local role acting as the voice of the public and victims in policing, holding Chief Constables to account and leading local partnerships to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.In her Written Ministerial Statement of 19 November 2024 (HCWS232), the Home Secretary announced her intention to present a White Paper to Parliament this year on reforms to deliver more effective and efficient policing, to rebuild public confidence and to deliver the Government’s Safer Streets mission. We will consider the role of PCCs in local accountability and preventing crime as part of wider reforms to the policing system and we will set out our plans in due course.
Pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57479 on Energy: Standing Charge and with reference to the OFGEM consultation entitled Introducing a zero standing charge energy price cap variant, what steps his Department is taking in response to this consultation.
It is for Ofgem to respond to its consultation on introducing a zero standing charge energy price cap variant. As part of their update on standing charges, Ofgem announced it will be undertaking a broad review of system costs considering how costs are allocated and recovered across domestic and non-domestic consumers. Ofgem's update can be found here - Standing charges: update on our review | Ofgem. The Government continues to work constructively with the regulator on the issue of standing charges.
Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57480 on Broadband: Newton Abbot, what his planned timetable is for supplying (a) data speeds of over 30Mbps to the remaining 2% of (i) homes and (ii) businesses and (b) gigabit capable broadband to the remaining 17% of (A) homes and (B) businesses.
The rollout of superfast and gigabit-capable broadband is primarily driven by the private sector, with government only intervening where commercial development will not suffice. The government plans for 99% of UK homes and businesses to have access to gigabit-capable broadband by 2032. In Newton Abbot, Openreach is delivering a Project Gigabit contract to premises that are unlikely to be reached by suppliers’ commercial rollout. This contract will disproportionately target premises currently without superfast speeds (>= 30Mbps).The first connections under this contract are expected to be made early next year, and the contract is currently expected to run until 2030.In the meantime, we expect superfast and gigabit-capable coverage to continue to steadily increase in Newton Abbot as a result of suppliers’ commercial rollout.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to PIP eligibility on Disabled pensioners.
No one over state pension age at the time any changes come in will be affected. Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper has been published here: Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill publications - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament.
Whether she plans to take steps to ensure support for low-income tenants provides value for money.
DWP works with Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to improve housing quality for benefit claimants and value for money for taxpayers. The Renters' Rights Bill, currently before Parliament, includes measures to strengthen landlord accountability. These include a requirement for all landlords to sign up to the new Private Rented Sector Database; a new independent Landlord Ombudsman which will provide binding resolutions for tenant complaints; the extension of the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS; and Awaab’s law, requiring swift action where damp and mould has been reported. In addition, DWP is currently testing how sharing UC data can support local authorities with the Rent Repayment Order (RRO) process, aiming to change landlord behaviours and achieve better quality homes where housing support has been in payment.
Innovation and Technology, if he will take legislative steps to require AI systems used by (a) government and (b) industry to disclose where their data searches are from.
Many existing rules apply to AI systems. When personal data is processed by AI systems, data protection law requires transparency from developers about how they collect and use personal data, and outline information in a privacy notice. The Online Safety Act regulates AI services which allow users to share content or search live websites to provide search results. They must assess and mitigate risks to users of illegal content and content harmful to children.The Government will introduce AI legislation, delivering on its manifesto commitment and preparing for AI’s opportunities and risks. It will consult on proposals later this year
Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the delay to the gigabit broadband target to 2032 in Newton Abbot constituency.
Openreach is delivering a Project Gigabit contract in the Newton Abbot constituency, that is expected to run until 2030. The first connections are expected to be made early next year.
Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing regulation to ensure consumers are aware if the legal advice they have sought is AI generated.
The Government believes that the vast majority of AI systems should be regulated at the point of use and that our existing expert regulators are best placed to do this. Oversight of this technology is distributed across several sectoral regulators and departments. Through delivery of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we are making sure regulation is well-designed and implemented, to fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI.
Innovation and Technology, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to regulate who is responsible in cases of defamation involving an AI model.
A range of existing rules already apply to AI systems, such as data protection, competition, equality legislation and other forms of sector regulation. The UK has well established defamation laws, and our data protection laws also apply to personal data processed in the context of AI. We continue to monitor developments in the common law in this area.The government is clear in its ambition to bring forward AI legislation which delivers on our manifesto commitment, making sure our statute book is ready for the age of AI. We will consult publicly on our wider legislative proposals later this year.
Whether his Department has considered mandating UK-based technology providers for the management of NHS data.
In accordance with United Kingdom procurement law, legally established and eligible suppliers cannot be excluded from bidding in a procurement to deliver a contract. Contracts may specify arrangements for how and where data can be stored. The Procurement Act 2023 has introduced a power for the Government to exclude suppliers from public sector contracts if they pose a national security risk.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to PIP eligibility on disabled people in the Newton Abbot constituency.
As I made clear in my statement to the House, Hansard, 1 July, col 219, any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, which I am leading, and which will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future. The review is expected to conclude in autumn 2026.
Whether the Department uses non‑deterministic systems.
The Ministry of Defence is exploiting AI across a broad spectrum of use cases from the frontline to the back office to make all parts of Defence more efficient and effective. This includes the use of 'non-deterministic' AI systems, such as Large Language Models, where they demonstrate operational benefit. Joint Service Publication 936 on Dependable AI provides a robust framework to address AI-related risks around human control and unpredictability as part of our existing risk management process. This ensures that our legal, ethical and safety obligations are always fulfilled for all AI use cases.