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 1,461–1,480 of 1,723 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the student visa process on the international student experience.
An evaluation of the Student visa has been published on Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-visa-views-of-students-and-higher-education-institutions.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of financial pressures on (a) UK and (b) international students.
This government is clear that international students, who make a positive impact on UK higher education (HE), our economy and society as a whole, are welcome in the UK. They bring significant benefits, by enriching our university campuses, forging lifelong friendships with our domestic students and becoming global ambassadors for the UK.HE providers in the UK received an estimated £12.1 billion in tuition fee income from international students in the 2022/23 academic year, which supported the provision of places for domestic students and research and development.The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of English HE providers. In its most recent report on the financial health of the sector, published November 2024, the OfS assessed the risks to provider financial sustainability and overreliance on recruitment of students from particular countries was noted as a particular concern.The OfS emphasised that the HE sector should be cautious about depending too much on international student fee income in their recruitment forecasts and urged institutions to have strong contingency plans to mitigate the financial risks of over-recruiting from a single country.All providers must continue to adapt to financial risks and, as autonomous bodies independent of government, it is for them to decide on effective business models.
Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to commission a review into the potential merits of introducing a cap on political donations including (a) at what level a cap should be and (b) what the potential impact of such a cap would be.
Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections and, as stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will share details with Parliament in due course.Political parties play a vital role in our democracy, and it is important that they are able to fundraise effectively and communicate with the electorate. The law sets out that it is the responsibility of political parties to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a donor and whether they are permissible. The Government will take any necessary steps to ensure those requirements are tightened and abided by.
Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce legislation to regulate political donations made by foreign nationals via companies.
Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections and, as stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will share details with Parliament in due course.Political parties play a vital role in our democracy, and it is important that they are able to fundraise effectively and communicate with the electorate. The law sets out that it is the responsibility of political parties to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a donor and whether they are permissible. The Government will take any necessary steps to ensure those requirements are tightened and abided by.
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of cardiac services in (a) Torbay, (b) Teignbridge and (c) South Hams.
There is a concerted focus in Devon on improving cardiology services, with support from regional and national colleagues, after being identified by the system as an area for action.Work is under way to reduce cardiology waiting times and strengthen the quality of care for patients across the county, with all units, including Torbay, playing their full part. Clinicians are working closely together, taking advantage of capacity across the system, and sharing good practice. As a result, the number of cardiology patients waiting over a year in Devon has fallen from 930 to 577, representing a drop of 38%, in the past 18 months.Regional support for the cardiology work in Devon is being provided by the South West Cardiac Network, which brings together specialists from across the region.National support for the cardiology work in Devon is being provided by NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme, with advice from the National Clinical Director for Heart Disease.
If he will make an estimate of changes to the level of operating costs for (a) end-of-life nursing, (b) mental health support services, (c) home care, (d) assisted living facilities and (e) other social care and support services due to increases to employer National Insurance contributions and the forthcoming increase in the National Living Wage from April 2025 in Devon.
We took necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The Employer National Insurance rise will be implemented from April 2025. The Government will provide support for departments for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs for public sector employers only, and the level of funding will be confirmed at main estimates shortly. The approach to National Health Service commissioned end-of-life nursing, community and mental health support services has been set out in NHS Planning Guidance and will be subject to local negotiation with providers.For staff on Agenda for Change (AfC) dynamic contracts, as the 2025/26 pay round will not have concluded by 1 April 2025, it will be necessary to implement an increase to AfC entry pay from 1 April 2025 to maintain compliance with the National Minimum Wage. This will be an advance payment of the 2025/26 pay recommendations, and the final pay award will be given following the conclusion of the Pay Review Body process. This advance will apply to approximately 250,000 AfC staff across band 1 (closed grade), both pay points in band 2 and the entry point of band 3 to ensure NHS pay sits above the National Living Wage. These pay points will receive an advance pay uplift of 28p per hour, representing a temporary 2.3% pay uplift.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. The Government is making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26, which can be used to address the range of pressures facing the adult social care sector. Overall, core local government spending power will increase by 6.8% in cash terms in 2025/26.
Pursuant to the Answer of 13 February 2025 to Question 29255 on Immigration: Overseas Students, if she will take steps to promote UK universities to international students.
This government has made clear that we welcome international students, who make a positive impact on the UK’s higher education (HE) sector and our economy and society as a whole.My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is leading our efforts to promote our great universities to international students. In her first speech, in July 2024, and in subsequent video messages, she has set out that the UK is an attractive overseas study destination with high quality education institutions that will support international students throughout their studies.The UK has a world-class HE sector with four universities in the world university rankings top 10, and 15 in the top 100, alongside a wide array of leading institutions which can offer a fulfilling and enjoyable experience to international students from around the world.International students enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK. That is why we offer them the opportunity to work or remain in the UK, and contribute to the society and economy, for two or three years after their studies.
Whether it remains her Department's policy to recognise existing visas under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme.
To provide future certainty, Ukrainians provided with temporary sanctuary in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes can apply for a further 18 months’ permission to remain in the UK through the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025.The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, uncapped and free of charge for Ukrainians in need of sanctuary to apply to come to the UK. Ukrainians granted under the Homes for Ukraine scheme can continue to travel to sanctuary in the UK while their visa remains valid.The Government keeps the Ukraine schemes under review and engages, where appropriate, with relevant stakeholders while closely monitoring developments in Ukraine.
Whether her Department has plans to improve the process for sending remittances to Ukraine.
His Majesty’s Government has no legislation which blocks the process for sending remittances to Ukraine. How remittances are sent to Ukraine is determined by individual UK banks. We appreciate the hardships citizens face as a result of the ongoing conflict and note that increasing financial regulation from the National Bank of Ukraine has made it difficult to provide remittances to the people of Ukraine, including via UK banks. The UK continues to reaffirm its unwavering support to Ukraine. The UK has committed £12.8bn in military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine since February 2022. The UK will continue to honour the PM’s commitment on 10 July 2024 which provides Ukraine with £3bn of military support per annum until 2030/31 or for as long as needed.
Whether her Department has plans to make changes to its policy on sending remittances to Ukraine.
There are no plans to change the policy on remittances to Ukraine. How remittances are sent to Ukraine is determined by individual UK banks. We appreciate the hardships citizens face as a result of the ongoing conflict and note that increasing financial regulation from the National Bank of Ukraine has made it difficult to provide remittances to the people of Ukraine, including via UK banks. The UK reaffirms its unwavering support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. We are facing a once in a generation moment for the collective security of Europe. Securing a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty for the long-term is essential if we are to deter Russia from further aggression in the future. Ukraine is paying the ultimate price in Russia’s illegal invasion – with the lives of its citizens – to defend the values and freedoms we hold dear.The UK has committed £12.8bn in military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine since February 2022. The UK will continue to honour the PM’s commitment on 10 July 2024 which provides Ukraine with £3bn of military support per annum until 2030/31 or for as long as needed.
Whether it remains her Department's policy to continue the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme.
To provide future certainty, Ukrainians provided with temporary sanctuary in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes can apply for a further 18 months’ permission to remain in the UK through the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025.The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, uncapped and free of charge for Ukrainians in need of sanctuary to apply to come to the UK. Ukrainians granted under the Homes for Ukraine scheme can continue to travel to sanctuary in the UK while their visa remains valid.The Government keeps the Ukraine schemes under review and engages, where appropriate, with relevant stakeholders while closely monitoring developments in Ukraine.
Pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2025 to Question 27894, whether her Department will pursue cases where they have no evidence.
Where DWP identifies suspected fraud that leads to a criminal investigation, the Department is obliged to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry, whether these point towards or away from a suspect. This is done in accordance with the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 and Code of Practice. What amounts to a reasonable line of enquiry will always involve considering the facts of, and the issues in, the case. An enquiry must be proportionate, reasonable, and necessary. The decision must be based on an objective belief grounded in facts, information, or intelligence and cannot be based on any personal factors about an individual suspect.
If he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Social Security Act 1973 to ensure pensioners who served in the armed forces prior to 6 April 1975 but did not meet the qualifying service threshold receive a pension.
Although the Ministry of Defence is unable to comment on possible changes to the Social Security Act 1973 as this legislation was introduced by the Department of Social Security, now the Department for Work and Pensions, I am leading work across Government and with civil society to look at the best ways to ensure all Veterans get access to the support and opportunities they need and deserve. This year, we will set out our plans for Veterans in our updated Veterans’ Strategy. This Government will always stand up for those who have served our country. Prior to 1975, there were no rights to preserved pensions in any public or private pension schemes. For instance, to qualify for a pension under the Civil Service arrangements, an individual had to be over age 50 and have served for ten or more years. Those who left voluntarily before meeting these criteria lost rights to pensions. For the Armed Forces, occupational pensions were awarded only if a member had completed at least 16 years reckonable service as an Officer or 22 years reckonable service as an Other Rank. Reckonable service is paid service after age 21 for officers or after age 18 for Other Ranks. Engagements for shorter periods were on non-pensionable terms. Gratuities (lump-sum payments) were awarded to those who did not serve long enough for a pension but had completed at least nine years reckonable service as an Officer or 12 years reckonable service as an Other Rank. Gratuities were not paid to compensate for lack of pension but rather to assist the individual to settle into civilian life. The Social Security Act 1973 brought about changes by requiring all occupational pension schemes to preserve pension rights for those who left service after 6 April 1975 having completed at least five years qualifying service and having attained the age of 26 (later Social Security Acts reduced the qualifying period from five years to two years and removed the age qualification requirement). These changes were not made retrospective. The legacy issues of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 1975 are replicated in other public sector schemes in existence prior to the Social Security Act 1973. Where legacy issues are common across public sector schemes, a retrospective change implemented for the Armed Forces would certainly result in pressure from others for similar treatment. To concede retrospection for one group would place great pressure on other public service schemes. Further, if retrospection were to be accepted, future meaningful improvements to pension schemes for current employees would be unaffordable. It is a principle of public service pensions policy, and one that has been upheld by successive Governments, that improvements to pension schemes are not made retrospective.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what kind of shipping trade (a) to and (b) from Russia is not covered by the sanctions regime.
In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UK has introduced an unprecedented package of sanctions. Sanctions have deprived Russia of over $400 billion since February 2022. Sanctions on trade to and from Russia are designed to undermine Russia's war effort by inflicting economic cost on the regime and denying it the equipment, services, and technology critical for its military development. Russian imports into the UK have fallen by more than 99 per cent, and UK exports to Russia are down by more than 75 per cent. Since July, the UK has sanctioned over 125 oil tankers, as well as a number of vessels carrying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and military goods.
What recent discussions she has had with Network rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon.
Department for Transport ministers have had no recent discussions with Network Rail on expanding rail electrification to Devon. To deliver the government’s Net Zero commitment, the Government’s stated approach will be to electrify additional rail lines and deploy alternative traction technologies such as battery and hybrid where it makes operational and economic sense. This whole track and train approach ensures that we find the best solution for each situation, with a particular emphasis on taxpayer Value for Money.
If she will take steps to open additional railway stations in Devon.
The Government is funding the construction of a new Okehampton Interchange station which is planned to open in 2026. Future rail infrastructure investment, including new stations, will be considered as part of the current Spending Review, which will be concluded in June 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will commit to increasing security guarantees for Ukraine.
As the Prime Minister has said, the UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees for Ukraine. This includes further support for Ukraine's military - where the UK has already committed £3 billion a year until at least 2030. It also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.
Media and Sport, if she will implement financial incentives to encourage media organisations to come within the remit of Impress, in the context of the Leveson Report.
The Government is committed to protecting press freedom, which is essential to a strong and functioning democracy. In the UK, there exists an independent, self-regulatory system for the press, which is crucial to maintain press freedom.For that reason, the Government currently has no plans to bring forward financial incentives to encourage media organisations to join Impress.
What goods and services are still traded between the UK and Russia.
The Department for Business & Trade publishes regular Trade and Investment Factsheets, which are available on gov.uk and contain the latest available data on goods and services traded between the UK and other countries, including Russia.
What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that rail fares are affordable in Devon.
We are committed to reforming the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying rail fares across the country. Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway. This year's 4.6 per cent increase will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and will support the Government's long-term plan to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.