Every parliamentary written question tabled by Mary Glindon this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 321–340 of 347 · this parliament
What steps he is taking to help increase labour productivity in the North East.
Labour productivity in the UK has stagnated over the past fourteen years. It is essential that we act decisively to change this in all nations and regions, including in the North East of England.We are currently working closely with both the North East an...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help increase the amount of potable water in Gaza.
As part of the wider ask for greater aid access into Gaza, this government, including the Foreign Secretary, have consistently raised the need for greater access to water supplies, and the opening of vital water lines, with Israel. Through UK funding to h...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on the Israeli military's reported use of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza.
The FCDO is closely monitoring the impact of the conflict in Gaza on access to medical facilities and healthcare, and we remain deeply concerned by reports that many medical facilities are no longer in use. We call on all parties to abide by international...
What steps her Department is taking to increase the climate resilience of public transport systems.
The cross-government third National Adaptation Programme sets out plans to tackle the effects of climate change. For transport, this means working closely with transport infrastructure operators to take meaningful and measurable action to address risks po...
Whether his Department has plans to conduct further public consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
The Government is currently considering what steps may need to be taken in relation to the safety of the non-surgical cosmetics sector. The Government will set out its position at the earliest opportunity.
What steps he is taking to reduce waiting lists for talking therapies.
The latest data for July 2024 show 90.7% of people completing treatment for talking therapies waited less than 6 weeks for their first appointment, against a target of 75%.More broadly people with mental health issues are not getting the support or care t...
Whether he will include measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to ensure that vapes remain easily accessible as a smoking cessation tool.
Our position on vapes is clear, that they can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, but that they are not recommended for non-smokers or children, and there are legitimate concerns about the unknown long-term harms from vaping.Following the introduc...
If he will meet with the UK Vaping Industry Association to discuss the introduction of a Vape Licensing Scheme.
Since September 2023, the Department has not met with the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA). However, we have received and responded to several items of correspondence.The UKVIA, and other members of the vaping industry, did respond to the smoke-free...
What steps he is taking to consult with the vaping industry before the reintroduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Since September 2023, the Department has not met with the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA). However, we have received and responded to several items of correspondence.The UKVIA, and other members of the vaping industry, did respond to the smoke-free...
If he will meet the UK Vaping Industry Association to discuss work with the vaping industry on the Government’s smoke-free ambitions.
Since September 2023, the Department has not met with the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA). However, we have received and responded to several items of correspondence.The UKVIA, and other members of the vaping industry, did respond to the smoke-free...
What discussions his Department has had with the UK Vaping Industry Association since September 2023.
Since September 2023, the Department has not met with the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA). However, we have received and responded to several items of correspondence.The UKVIA, and other members of the vaping industry, did respond to the smoke-free...
How his proposed review into the implementation of unpaid carers' leave is to be conducted; and whether the review will be published.
The Government made a commitment to review carer’s leave in the Plan to Make Work Pay. We will provide an update on progress in this area in due course. The Plan to Make Work Pay also includes a number of measures which will help unpaid carers workers to ...
If he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to give worker status to foster carers.
As set out in our Plan to Make Work Pay, we will consult on a simpler two-tier employment status framework that differentiates between workers and the genuinely self-employed. We will confirm plans for this in due course.I pay tribute to the vital efforts...
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of means testing the winter fuel payment on levels of fuel poverty in the winter of 2024-25.
The Department has not made an assessment of the potential impact of means testing the Winter Fuel Payment on levels of fuel poverty in winter 2024-25. A statistical publication estimating the rate of fuel poverty for those in receipt of Winter Fuel Payment in 2023, and the proportion of households who would be in fuel poverty under new eligibility criteria, will be published in due course.
If she will make it her policy to ensure local housing allowance keeps pace with median rent prices.
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum housing support for tenants in the private rented sector. Households in similar circumstances living in the same area are entitled to the same maximum rent allowance regardless of the contractual rent paid. LHA rates do not cover all rents in all areas. Any decisions on LHA in 25/26 need to be taken in the context of the Government’s missions, housing priorities and the fiscal context. LHA rates were restored to the 30th percentile of local market rents from April 2024, at a cost of £1.2bn in 2024/25 and £7bn over five years. For those who need further support, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities.
What recent progress her Department has made on increasing the uptake of Pension Credit.
The latest available take-up estimates Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) cover the financial year 2021/2022 and suggest an overall Pension Credit take-up rate of 63%. The next take-up estimates covering the financial year 2022/2023 are due to be published in October. The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit. As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim. A national Pension Credit marketing campaign in the autumn will focus on encouraging pensioners to apply by 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.
What estimate her Department has made of the additional resources it will need to means test winter fuel payments.
The department will deliver this year’s Winter Fuel Payments within the existing planned headcount. This is due to linking eligibility to Winter Fuel Payments with existing means tested benefits rather than means testing Winter Fuel Payments separately.
With reference to page 9 of the policy paper entitled Fixing the foundations: Public spending audit 2024-25, published on 29 July 2024, what estimate her Department made of the level of uptake of Pension Credit in the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial year.
The estimate included within Fixing the Foundations assumed a 5 percentage point increase in the take-up of Pension Credit during 2024/25 as a behavioural response to the new link between Winter Fuel Payment entitlement and receipt of Pension Credit. The take-up of Pension Credit and benefits more generally can be affected by a range of factors. As a result, estimates of take-up will be subject to review at each Budget (including Autumn Budget 2024). The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim. From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply. Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment. We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of social housing waiting lists on the capacity of homelessness services.
We recognise England is in an acute housing crisis, with the social housing waiting list standing at 1.29 million in March 2023, and there is insufficient social housing to meet demand.This Government will deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, and has already set out a number of steps - Housing targets increased to get Britain building again - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We will be providing £450 million to enable councils to acquire and create homes for families at risk of homelessness and more widely we will develop a long-term strategy to put us back on track to ending homelessness.Local authorities are required by law to give priority to certain categories of people when allocating social housing, this includes people who are homeless.In addition, when designing their allocation scheme local authorities must consider their homelessness strategy. Where a Private Registered Provider has been requested by a local authority to assist them in the discharge of their homelessness functions, it must cooperate to such extent as is reasonable in the circumstances in offering accommodation to people with priority under the authority’s allocation scheme.
What information her Department holds on the number of foreign nationals living overseas who were in receipt of (a) non-means and (b) non-merits tested legal aid in 2023.
This information requested is not held centrally.In making decisions about who qualifies for legal aid, the Legal Aid Agency must apply the provisions of the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, and any regulations made under that Act. This legislation applies to any application for legal aid in connection with legal advice and proceedings in England and Wales. Where proceedings are before a court or tribunal in England or Wales, legal aid is available to individuals who qualify for services irrespective of their nationality or usual place of residence. As nationality is not a determinative factor in the availability of legal aid, it is not mandatory that this information is provided with an application for legal aid and nor is it specifically tracked or recorded by the Department.