Every parliamentary written question tabled by Neil Coyle this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 291 · this parliament
What steps he is taking to ensure that households connected to heat networks are not disadvantaged compared to those using individual gas boilers as part of the transition to a low-carbon ene
The Government is committed to heat network consumers receiving a fair deal as we transition to a low-carbon energy system. WwWe have therefore introduced heat network regulation, including price protections, consumer standards and access to redress. The ...
How many (a) police forces and (b) individual officers are now trained in specialist Counter Terrorism support for Hong Kongers (i) with bounties placed on them and (ii) experiencing transnational sup
The Government is committed to ensuring the police are trained to deal with transnational repression. Since launching new training and guidance in July 2024, nearly 50,000 officers and staff from police forces across the UK and Northern Ireland have compl...
Whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure that former arrests of BNO status holders (a) under Hong Kong's National Security Law and (b) for engaging in protests do not delay or prevent Bri
Adults and children aged ten or over applying for British citizenship must meet the good character requirement in the British Nationality Act 1981.The good character policy is clear that it will normally be appropriate to disregard a criminal conviction f...
What the average waiting time is for her Department to reach a decision on British citizenship applications for people from Hong Kong.
The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate costImmigration statistics for the last 10 years are p...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze in Housing Benefit subsidy rates for temporary accommodation since January 2011 on local authority finances in London; and if he will ta
DWP pays local authorities a Housing Benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation cases, but this is subject to limits to incentivise local authorities to find settled accommodation for residents and to ensure good value for money for the taxpayer. The rul...
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the impact of delays in processing business rates relief applications on affected businesses; and what steps he is taking to speed up processing ti
Local authorities are responsible for the administration of business rates including the calculation and issuing of rates bills. This includes the assessment for and application of any reliefs that a business may be eligible for. If ratepayers have any qu...
How many officials in her Department are trained in (a) Hong Kong laws and (b) processing applications to settle in the UK.
Home Officials are fully trained in all aspects of the policy on deciding applications made under the British National (Overseas) immigration route. The BNO visa allows status holders and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK. Th...
Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department will finish consulting on banning collars which harm animals, including e-collars.
As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, Defra will consult on whether to ban the use of electric shock collars later in this Parliament. Next steps on the consultation will be announced in due course.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has considered, in the context of current and future regulatory frameworks, introducing measures to ensure that leaseholders are able to access the full details of heating and energy supply contracts, and that managing agents or freeholders are required to provide a comprehensive and transparent breakdown of all associated costs.
On 4 July 2025, the government published a consultation, jointly with the Welsh Government, on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. The consultation included proposals to increase transparency over service charges and enhance access to redress through the relevant provisions in the Act. It also proposed new reforms to the section 20 ‘major works’ procedure. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. It closed on 26 September 2025, and we are analysing responses with a view to bringing the relevant measures into force as quickly as possible.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) imposing fines on companies that do not register beneficial owners under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and (b) hypothecating those revenues for local authorities.
The Economic Crime Acts 2022 and 2023 established and enhanced the Register of Overseas Entities. Financial penalties are used where entities fail to comply. Alongside restrictions on property transactions, this helps protect the integrity of the UK property market by enhancing transparency about who owns and controls overseas entities.As with other fines, revenues are paid into the Consolidated Fund. Government does not generally support the hypothecation of fine revenue, as this can reduce flexibility in public finances and risk weakening the deterrent purpose of penalties. Core funding for local authorities is set through the Local Government Finance Settlement.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023 on the offshore ownership of property in the UK to conceal money laundering and other illegal activities.
The Economic Crime Acts 2022 and 2023 established and strengthened the UK’s Register of Overseas Entities, which requires overseas entities owning UK land to disclose their beneficial owners. Since launching in 2022, over 33,000 entities have registered. The Companies House Strategic Intelligence Assessment (2024) found it is almost certain that the register has reduced the ability to hide beneficial ownership of UK property and improve transparency for law enforcement. Non‑compliant entities are also prevented from selling, leasing or raising finance over UK land. The Government is currently reviewing the legislation’s impact and will publish findings once complete.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023 on the number of properties owned by offshore companies.
The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 on the number of properties owned by offshore companies. The Register of Overseas Entities was established and further strengthened through the Economic Crime Acts 2022 and 2023. It was designed to tackle the misuse of overseas corporate structures to own UK property anonymously, rather than legitimate overseas investment. Companies House's strategic intelligence assessment indicates that the register has significantly reduced anonymity and increased transparency around higher risk ownership. The Government will keep the effectiveness of the regime under review.
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that new towns are built with adequate mobile connectivity infrastructure.
I refer the hon. Member to the public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications launched on 23 March 2026. This can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to make it a requirement for local planning authorities to take into account the need to replace or upgrade existing rooftop telecommunications equipment when determining planning applications.
Between 18 December 2025 and 26 February 2026, the government undertook a call for evidence in respect of reforming planning rules to accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure. It can be found on gov.uk here. We are currently analysing the feedback received with a view to determining next steps, which may include consulting on draft measures and, where appropriate, bringing forward necessary legislation.
Whether her Department has considered the potential merits of relaxing pub licensing hours in English pubs to also accommodate the World Cup football matches involving Scotland.
The Government recently announced plans to extend licensing hours on a national basis for the round of 32 and round of 16, quarter finals, semi-finals, bronze medal match and final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for matches that involve any of the home nations, including Scotland, and kick off between 8pm and 10pm UK time. This will apply in both England and Wales.
Innovation and Technology, whether she is considering using perceptual and cryptographic hash matching to prevent the spread of mis- and disinformation.
The government is not considering hash matching to address the spread of mis- and disinformation. We recognise concerns and continue to explore options, but there is no single solution. Tackling such content requires a mix of regulation, law enforcement, education and technical solutions, balanced with freedom of expression – a fundamental right.
How his department ensures GPs retain telephone and reception facilities to book appointments at GP clinics.
As part of our ambition to end the 8:00am scramble, we want patients to contact their practice by phone, online, or by walking in, and for people to have an equitable experience across these access modes. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a general practice (GP). Practice receptions should be open so that patients without access to telephone or online services are in no way disadvantaged.To support patients who depend on telephone bookings, the 2025/26 GP Contract includes a requirement for all GPs to offer online booking throughout core hours, from 8:00am to 6:30pm. This is designed to ease pressure on phone lines by allowing those who prefer online booking to do so at any time, freeing up phone lines, reducing long phone queues, and improving the experience for those reliant on telephone bookings.
How his Department monitors the different methods by which patients book appointments to see a GP in England.
NHS England publishes monthly data on submissions received via online consultation systems, including clinical and administrative requests, and the number of cloud-based telephony calls received by general practices (GPs). The annual General Practice Patient Survey and the monthly Office for National Statistics Health Insight Survey collect data on the methods patients use to contact their GP and the perceived ease of contact with each method.As part of our ambition to end the 8:00am scramble, we want patients to contact their practice by phone, online, or by walking in, and for people to have an equitable experience across these access modes. To ensure that patients are not digitally excluded, the GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP. Practice receptions should be open so that patients without access to telephone or online services are in no way disadvantaged.
If her Department will issue new guidance to police authorities to require that a) stopping suspected criminals fleeing is prioritised above the safety of the person being sought, b) bikes are stopped by officers even when it could cause injury to a fleeing suspect and c) officers do not face prosecution for the apprehension of suspects at crime scenes.
The safety of the public, including suspects, and police officers is paramount. Decisions on police operational tactics, including for pursuit, are a matter for the police who are required to act lawfully, proportionately.The Government has no plans to issue guidance for police officers on tactics as police have the knowledge, expertise and training to inform proportionate tactical decisions.
Whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of establishing a national register for foster parents.
Fostering services are required to maintain their own records and registers of approved foster carers in line with the National Minimum Standards and associated regulations.We recently published the ‘Renewing Fostering: Homes for 10,000 More Children’ action plan which sets out our ambitious plans to strengthen fostering. At the same time, we launched a call for evidence, which sought views on how to improve the foster care system, including questions on a national fostering register.We are currently analysing the responses to this call for evidence. These insights will help us consider the potential merits, benefits and practical implications of introducing a national register for foster carers as part of future policy development.