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 1,281–1,300 of 1,723 · this parliament
If she will ensure that (a) Disability Living Allowance, (b) Personal Independence Payment, (c) SEND support funding and (d) other benefits for (i) children and (ii) their families are not reduced in the Spring Statement 2025.
The OBR’s spring forecast will take place on 26th March and be accompanied by a statement to Parliament from the Chancellor. Ahead of the statement responding to the forecast, the Government will not give a running commentary on economic developments.
Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of removing grassroots music venues from the business rates system.
As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including grassroots music venues with Rateable Values below £500,00, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. In the interim period, for 2025-26, we have prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40% up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee’s report on grassroots music venues recommended that RHL relief should not be wholly withdrawn in April 2025. The Committee’s report also highlighted the sector's desire for certainty and long-term stability. That is why the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street RHL properties from 2026-27.The Government’s full response to the CMS Committee’s report was published on 14 November 2024 and is available online: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8227/grassroots-music-venues/publications/.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with an early prostate cancer diagnosis can quickly access (a) treatment and (b) care.
Improving access to treatment and care are key priorities for the Government for all cancer types, including prostate cancer.To achieve this, we have delivered an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, during our first year in Government as the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and faster treatment. Additionally, we will spend £70 million on new radiotherapy machines, to ensure the most advanced treatment is available to patients who need it.Our forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as improving access to treatment and care.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of universal credit childcare support rules on families (a) who home-educate and (b) whose children attend educational settings registered on the early years register.
No such assessment has been made. Childcare cost claims should be relevant to the hours a customer is undertaking paid work, but allowances are made for reasonable travelling time. For school-age children, eligible childcare costs should be outside of school hours.Childcare support in Universal Credit is paid in respect of payments to registered childcare providers. This generally means the childcare provider is registered with OFSTED (or the equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), a child-minder that is registered with a Child-Minding Agency (CMA) or by a domiciliary care provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Childcare provided under the direction of the proprietor of a school, on school premises, out of school hours are also eligible.
Whether her Department has considered reviewing Universal Credit childcare rules to provide more support to home-educating families using registered educational settings.
No such assessment has been made. Childcare cost claims should be relevant to the hours a customer is undertaking paid work, but allowances are made for reasonable travelling time. For school-age children, eligible childcare costs should be outside of school hours.Childcare support in Universal Credit is paid in respect of payments to registered childcare providers. This generally means the childcare provider is registered with OFSTED (or the equivalent in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), a child-minder that is registered with a Child-Minding Agency (CMA) or by a domiciliary care provider registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Childcare provided under the direction of the proprietor of a school, on school premises, out of school hours are also eligible.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Business Rates Relief on grassroots music venues.
As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including grassroots music venues with Rateable Values below £500,00, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. In the interim period, for 2025-26, we have prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40% up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee’s report on grassroots music venues recommended that RHL relief should not be wholly withdrawn in April 2025. The Committee’s report also highlighted the sector's desire for certainty and long-term stability. That is why the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street RHL properties from 2026-27.The Government’s full response to the CMS Committee’s report was published on 14 November 2024 and is available online: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8227/grassroots-music-venues/publications/.
What the average length of time is for an appeal against a decision following an application for Universal Credit childcare support; and what steps her Department is taking to expedite cases in which the time taken to appeal those decisions is causing financial hardship for families.
DWP is not solely responsible for the wait time. Appeals are lodged by claimants with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), which the claimant may take up to 13 months to do. DWP have 28 days to respond to the appeal when notified by HMCTS, after which, the time taken to list the appeal is dependent on HMCTS, who administer tribunal hearings.
Whether he has plans to review the use of marginal-cost pricing for wholesale electricity.
The second REMA consultation, published in March 2024, considered a range of options related to reform the market. Among other things, the previous government decided to retain marginal pricing across the wholesale market and to proceed with the rapid rollout of renewable generation via a CfD-type scheme. We believe we can achieve this through Clean Power 2030, which represents the best way to decouple gas and electricity prices and enable efficient electricity system operation.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of protecting the title of nurse in law.
The Government recognises that the protection in law of certain professional titles is important for public safety. Protecting a title provides assurance to the public that someone using that title is competent and safe to practise Although ‘registered nurse’ is a protected title, ‘nurse’ is currently not a protected title. The Government is aware of the concerns which this generates, along with the complications associated with protecting the nurse title, given that it is used in multiple professions; for example, registered nurses, dental nurses, school nurses and veterinary nurses. The Government will continue to work with the professional regulators, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council, as it considers its priorities for professional regulation and will set out its position shortly.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the supply shortage of Quetiapine modified-release tablets on patients.
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
If he will take steps to ensure Quetiapine modified-release tablets are not in shortage for long.
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
Whether he has had recent discussions with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of Quetiapine modified-release tablets.
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
If he will take steps to notify patients in need of Quetiapine modified-release tablets when the current shortage is expected to end.
The Department is aware of the supply issues affecting several brands and tablet strengths of quetiapine modified release tablets. Following the Department working with suppliers, there have been improvements in the supply through February and early March, with improvements in supply expected to continue through to May, and full resolution expected in October 2025. The Department continues to work with the suppliers of quetiapine modified release tablets to bring forward these future deliveries. Working with National Health Service specialists, we have provided comprehensive management advice for this supply issue, advising healthcare professionals on how to manage patients during this time, and are providing up to date information on the availability of the impacted medicines. The Department continues to engage with representatives from the pharmacy sector on the supply of quetiapine modified-release tablets. Any patient who is worried about their condition, or access to these medications, should speak to their clinician in the first instance.
If she will bring forward legislative proposals to enable the repurposing of assets seized from sanctions violations to fund reparations for victims of serious (a) human rights and humanitarian law violations and (b) corruption.
UK sanctions legislation does not provide powers to seize frozen assets. Assets owned or controlled by a designated person are frozen immediately by the person in possession or control of them. An asset freeze does not involve a change in ownership of the frozen funds or economic resources, nor are they transferred to HM Treasury.
Media and Sport, if her Department will promote engagement with Ukrainian youth organisations.
Under the ambitious 100 Year Partnership with Ukraine, signed by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy on 16 January 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) will assist in the engagement of UK and Ukrainian young people.DfE has launched the UK-Ukraine Schools Partnership Programme which aims to foster cross-cultural understanding, enhance English language skills, and promote collaboration and interaction between students and educators from both countries. Using digital platforms, it will create meaningful connections and facilitate knowledge exchange at a critical time in the relationship between our countries.DCMS will be working with the Ukrainian Government and partners over the coming months, and will increase opportunities for young Ukrainians residing in the UK through encouraging participation in youth-focused programmes.
What steps he is taking to help patients with a (a) history and (b) risk of addiction; and if he will take steps to identify that risk before addictive medication is prescribed.
The government is committed to supporting those most vulnerable to experiencing harms from drugs and alcohol, and ensure they are supported to live healthier lives for longer. We are committed to ensuring that anyone with an illicit drug or alcohol dependency can access the help and support they need through evidence-based and high-quality treatment and recovery services. The Department funds local authorities to deliver drug and alcohol treatment services through the Public Health Grant (PHG). In addition to the PHG, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. When prescribing medication, clinicians are expected to work with patients to make decisions about their care and treatment as part of shared decision-making, including discussing risks, benefits, and possible consequences of different options through information-sharing.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has plans to support endangered species breeding programmes in (a) zoos and (b) aquariums.
Defra recognises the work modern zoos and aquariums do in promoting conservation and biodiversity, including participating in breeding programmes for endangered species. Under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, all licensed zoos in Great Britain must undertake conservation measures. These measures could include the breeding of wild animals in captivity, or the repopulation of an area with, or the reintroduction into the wild of, wild animals. Defra works with other countries and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) to enable movements of endangered species where there are breeding concerns.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether the upcoming negotiation with the European Union on Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary arrangements will include zoo breeding programmes.
The Government is committed to resetting our EU relationship, including by seeking to negotiate a SPS agreement. We have been clear that an SPS agreement could boost trade and deliver significant benefits on both sides. It’s too early to discuss any specific areas in detail and we will not be providing a running commentary on discussions with the EU.
If his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions to 15% on (a) care provider employees, (b) the contribution of the care sector to the economy and (c) the future long-term funding settlement for adult social care.
The Government considered the cost pressures facing adult social care as part of the wider consideration of local government spending within the Spending Review process in 2024. To enable local authorities to deliver key services such as adult social care, the Government is making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26 which includes an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant.The Casey Commission will make longer-term recommendations for the transformation of adult social care, and how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will have discussions with international counterparts on changes to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agreement) to support (a) zoo animal transfers and (b) commercial farmers; and if he will have discussions with representatives from Shaldon Zoo to discuss the application of the SPS Agreement to the Zoo's work.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures sets the overarching international rules on food safety, animal and plant health. It does not contain specifics on the movement of live animals. For zoo animal transfers and commercial farm animal movements, Defra works with the officials in the importing country to ensure requirements are practical and achievable. Queries on animal movements can be sent to can be sent to imports@apha.gov.uk or exports@apha.gov.uk, as relevant.