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 161–180 of 291 · this parliament
What plans he has to improve the operations of the Certification Officer.
The Certification Officer (CO) is independent of Government and day-to-day operations are the remit of the Officer. The CO is required by statute to report their activities to the Department for Business and Trade, and ACAS, on an annual basis. This report is made available to Parliament and is deposited by the relevant minister in the House libraries.The next report is due Summer 2025.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to work with (a) international counterparts and (b) the government of Sierra Leone to help ensure the 2028 General Election will be free and fair.
The UK is committed to promoting good governance and democracy in Sierra Leone, including transparent and inclusive elections. On 15 May, the Minister for Africa met with the Sierra Leonean Chief Minister, David Sengeh, and discussed the importance of full implementation of the Agreement for National Unity (ANU). Our High Commission in Freetown regularly engages with the Government of Sierra Leone, the EU and UN, like-minded diplomatic missions, and civil society organisations, to promote democratic norms, electoral integrity and ANU implementation. We will continue to engage with these international partners and the Government of Sierra Leone ahead of the 2028 elections to highlight the importance of good governance, the rule of law and the importance of free, fair and peaceful elections.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of imposing sanctions against people in Sierra Leone who pose a threat to democracy in the country.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not comment on potential future sanctions designations. We will continue to monitor the situation in Sierra Leone in the lead up to the 2028 elections including any actions that may undermine democratic processes.
What steps he is taking to monitor the level of support provided to people working in franchised Post Offices.
While I regularly engage with the Post Office CEO about the direction of the company, Post Office has the freedom to operate the branch network within the parameters set by Government. Therefore, the level of support to people working in franchised branches is an operational matter for Post Office. Government subsidy funding goes to Post Office, not franchise operators of branches directly. Government has confirmed up to £83 million of network subsidy this financial year to support Post Office with the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, and provided £10.9 million of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the Transformation Plan, which aims to put postmasters’ interests at the heart of Post Office. Further multi-year funding for the Transformation Plan and network subsidy is being considered as part of the upcoming Spending Review.
What the value is of the subsidy offered by the (a) Government and (b) Post Office to franchise operators of Post Office branches; and how long that subsidy is available for.
While I regularly engage with the Post Office CEO about the direction of the company, Post Office has the freedom to operate the branch network within the parameters set by Government. Therefore, the level of support to people working in franchised branches is an operational matter for Post Office. Government subsidy funding goes to Post Office, not franchise operators of branches directly. Government has confirmed up to £83 million of network subsidy this financial year to support Post Office with the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, and provided £10.9 million of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the Transformation Plan, which aims to put postmasters’ interests at the heart of Post Office. Further multi-year funding for the Transformation Plan and network subsidy is being considered as part of the upcoming Spending Review.
What role neighbourhood mental health centre pilot schemes will play in improving (a) care and (b) support for people living with bipolar disorder; and whether these centres will provide specialist support to help reduce delays to diagnosis and treatment.
Adults with mild to severe mental health needs, including bipolar disorder, can receive open access and as you arrive support, signposting and treatment at Neighbourhood Mental Health Centres, which will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These centres will be in the heart of the community and are firmly connected to both primary and specialist services.Neighbourhood Mental Health Centres promote continuity of care with one team managing the mental health pathway and transitions between hospital and community. These centres will support the improvement of patient safety and clinical outcomes and reduce waiting times and hospitalisation.NHS England has launched six pilot Neighbourhood Mental Health Centres in Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Sheffield, York, Birmingham and Whitehaven with a further 16 associate sites planned. The six pilot sites will be independently evaluated with findings expected in summer 2026. Evaluation will inform future roll out of the centres.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to help prevent leaseholders facing high fees for leasehold renewals.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44852 on 22 April 2025.
What his policy is on the use of police vehicles as places of safety for people with mental heath conditions, in the context of police and prison cells no longer being used to place people experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Mental Health Act’s Code of Practice states that local organisations are expected to have clear arrangements in place to support individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. This includes the development of a policy which identifies specific places of safety.These places of safety should be hospitals or health-based facilities where appropriate mental health services are provided.Other options might, however, be appropriate, such as the home of a relative or of a friend of the person who is willing to accept them, or a residential care home. These settings might provide a more immediate and more suitable setting for the individual.A police vehicle would not be an appropriate place to hold a person who is in need of specialist mental health support.
Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the Terms of Trade regime under the Communications Act 2003 on the (a) independent television production sector and (b) creative economy.
The terms of trade regime as set out in the Communications Act 2003 has been central to the growth of the independent television production sector and the wider creative economy since it was introduced in 2004. A recent report from Pact, the trade body representing independent film and television producers, highlighted how the regime had played an important role in enabling independent producers to retain more of the intellectual property they create.
Whether the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office could be used to support Post Offices with rental costs as they become franchises.
The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.
How much and what proportion of the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office would be used to support the transition of directly managed branches to franchises.
The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.
Over what period the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office would last.
The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.
Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the implementation of the terms of trade outlined in the Communications Act 2003 on the (a) independent television production sector and (b) creative economy.
The terms of trade regime as set out in the Communications Act 2003 has been central to the growth of the independent television production sector and the wider creative economy since it was introduced in 2004. A recent report from Pact, the trade body representing independent film and television producers highlighted how the regime had played an important role in enabling independent producers to retain more of the intellectual property they create.
If he will create an offence of (a) lying in office and (b) using (i) media and (ii) social media to mislead (A) followers and (B) the public.
The Cabinet Office has no plans to create such an offence. All public office-holders are expected to adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life which includes the principle of honesty.In addition, ministers are expected to uphold the high standards of conduct set out in the Ministerial Code. MPs and members of the House of Lords must adhere to the relevant parliamentary code of conduct and in the course of their parliamentary duties have a responsibility to provide accurate information to the public and to Parliament, correcting any errors at the earliest opportunity.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to verify the number of UNRWA operatives involved in the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel.
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal terror attacks by Hamas and were appalled by the Government of Israel's allegations that United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) staff members were involved. The UN Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) report concluded that nine UNRWA staff members may have participated in the Hamas terrorist attack and the UNRWA Commissioner General took decisive action to terminate their contracts. For the remaining 10 staff there was no or insufficient evidence for the UN to take forward further action. The parallel independent Colonna review found that UNRWA's existing Neutrality Framework was "robust" and more developed than similar UN or Non-Governmental Organisation entities, but that neutrality related issues persist. £1 million of our funding to UNRWA this year is supporting the implementation of the review's agreed Action Plan to ensure UNRWA commits to these neutrality obligations. All alleged involvement of UNRWA staff in appalling acts in support of 7 October and subsequent events must be thoroughly investigated.
Communities and Local Government, how many planning applications for housing to local authorities were (a) partially and (b) wholly funded by the Government since July 2024.
The Department does not collect or publish data on how planning applications made to local planning authorities are funded.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of updating the published criteria for exceptional circumstances in leave to remain decisions to include (a) exceptional community work and (b) acknowledgement or honours from the British Government recognising community contribution.
The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.
Communities and Local Government, what plans her Department has for regulation of the residential property management sector to improve standards and protect leaseholders and other residents.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 41307 on 2 April 2025.
How many people employed by the Metropolitan police in (a) counter terrorism and (b) other national responsibility areas are based outside London.
The Home Office does not hold the requested information. Details of the numbers of Metropolitan Police Services employees in different locations are a matter for the service itself.
How many people with learning difficulties have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last five years.
The following table shows the number of people with learning disabilities admitted to mental health inpatient care under the Mental Health Act 1983, within each year between 2020 and 2024, as of 28 February 2025:YearNumber of people with learning disabilities admitted to mental health inpatient care under the Mental Health Act 198320204902021485202241520233952024400Source: Assuring Transformation data collection, NHS England.Notes:this data includes people recorded as having a learning disability, and those with a learning disability who are also autistic, admitted to mental health inpatient care under the Mental Health Act 1983, within each year between 2020 and 2024;this data excludes people recorded as detained under other Acts, for instance the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964, or the Mental Capacity Act, and those who are recorded as informal patients; andAssuring Transformation is a live data set and the information on a person’s stay in hospital, including legal status, may be updated in the record if the person’s status changes. These counts will reflect the legal status, as per the Mental Health Act legal status classification codes, as it is recorded in the latest data cut, which for some patients may not reflect their status on admission.