Every parliamentary written question tabled by Neil Duncan-Jordan this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 1,125 · this parliament
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a written constitution for the UK.
The UK’s uncodified constitution has evolved over time and is made up of conventions, statutes, judicial decisions, principles and practices. It is the Government’s view that one of the strengths of our constitution is its flexibility and ability to evolve in response to changing circumstances. The Government therefore has no plans to introduce a codified constitution.
Whether financial support has been considered for charitable run air ambulances in light of rising aviation fuel costs.
The Operational Response Centre has been working closely with Air Ambulances UK from a resilience of fuel supply perspective, as part of routine, cross-Government emergency planning. There are no current plans to provide further funding to the sector which operates through a successful charitable model.The Government supports the longstanding and successful independent air ambulance charities model, which enables close partnership working with local National Health Service trusts to provide medical guidance, supplies, and training. A charitable model is also a more feasible way to fund the high capital and revenue costs associated with helicopter emergency medical services.
Whether she plans to review drone licensing laws.
The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use and licensing of drones under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose. In 2023, the Department commissioned the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review and streamline the regulatory framework for drones carried over from our membership of the European Union. The aim of that review was to simplify legislation and unlock the benefits of drones for the UK, while maintaining safety and security. The CAA ran a consultation, which received 3499 responses and concluded in 2025. The Government is taking forward a number of actions informed by the outcome of this review, including updates to the regulatory framework through the Unmanned Aircraft (Amendment) Regulations 2025. These introduce new additional requirements for the registration of drones with cameras, and the introduction of geo-awareness and remote identification to improve safety, security and accountability. On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in real time and access historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real-world identities. We are also investing more than £26m this year to drive smarter regulation and make it easier for drones to be used in everyday public services and bring economic growth to the UK.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of maintaining Local Housing Allowance at its 2024/25 level in the current financial year on levels of homelessness among Universal Credit claimants.
Awaiting answer.
Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to support and increase the building of social homes by local authorities and housing associations.
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statements made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771) and 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283) and the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036 policy statement published on 7 November, which can be found on gov.uk here.
Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to help improve housing affordability in the private rented sector.
In addition to the steps the government is taking to increase the supply of homes of all tenures, our Renters’ Rights Act has empowered private rented sector tenants to challenge unreasonable rent increases, outlawed rental bidding and ended the practice of landlords demanding large amounts of rent in advance from tenants looking to secure a tenancy.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the Pupil Premium to students aged 19.
Awaiting answer.
How she will ensure that regulatory frameworks keep pace with advancing drone technology and its potential for misuse.
The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential and sensitive areas. Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g. On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in both real time and historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real‑world identities. The police powers introduced by the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021 alongside the CAA’s Registration and Education service, combined with the Hybrid Remote ID and identity verification ensure that all drone use receives the same high degree of oversight to ensure safety and acceptable use.
Whether he has considered Introducing a statutory requirement for automatic no-contact orders to be imposed at the point of sentencing upon conviction for relevant sexual offences.
Awaiting answer.
Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to help increase the number of empty properties used to deliver social rent homes.
Awaiting answer.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing Enhanced DBS checks for people applying for certain categories of drone operation, particularly commercial or higher-risk use.
The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential and sensitive areas. Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g. On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in both real time and historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real‑world identities. The police powers introduced by the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021 alongside the CAA’s Registration and Education service, combined with the Hybrid Remote ID and identity verification ensure that all drone use receives the same high degree of oversight to ensure safety and acceptable use.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing free school milk to the end of reception year for all children.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of restricting or banning lawful demonstrations on community relations and levels of antisemitism; and what steps she is taking to distinguish between antisemitic conduct and legitimate political protest.
Antisemitism has absolutely no place in our society, which is why this Government is taking strong action to tackle it in all its forms, wherever it happens.This Government is committed to protecting the right to peaceful protest, while ensuring public order legislation balances freedom of expression with protecting the public from serious disruption or harm. Under the Public Order Act 1986 the police have powers to place conditions on protests, and it is for individual forces to determine the most appropriate approach based on the specific context. Under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, if a chief officer of police assesses that conditions alone will not be sufficient to prevent serious public disorder, they can seek the Home Secretary's consent to ban a march. However, the request must come from a chief officer and the Home Secretary cannot initiate a ban. There is no power to ban static assemblies.The new Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces measures such as Cumulative Disruption and Places of Worship provisions, designed to strengthen police powers to address intimidation and harm directed at communities, including the Jewish community, while safeguarding the right to peaceful protest. The police have our full support to take appropriate action when protests cross the line from peaceful demonstration to serious disruption.Lord Macdonald of River Glaven is undertaking a review that will address whether the existing legislation is effective and proportionate, whether it adequately protects communities from intimidation and hate, and whether it strikes a fair and sustainable balance between the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest, and the need to prevent disorder and keep communities safe. The review is underway and will report its findings to the Home Secretary by the end of May 2026.
What next steps will be taken following the publication of the interim statement on the Modern Service Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care.
We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services, with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need.We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development, including the Ambitions Partnership. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams. We have also been working closely with teams leading on the other MSFs, to ensure that they align with each other.Following the publication of the interim update, Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF.
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Ninth Report of the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2024-26 on Addressing the risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), HC 852, published on 23 April 2026, what steps she is planning to take to help phase out the use of PFAS in everyday products.
Steps to better understand the sources of these chemicals, tackle how they move around in the environment, and act to reduce public and environmental exposure were set out on 3 February 2026 in the UK’s first-ever PFAS Plan. PFAS Plan: building a safer future together - GOV.UK This includes actions on food contact materials, school uniforms and other consumer products. We are closely following the specific measures adopted by France and Denmark which will usefully inform the development of the actions we take forward from the plan. Our long-term vision is to work in partnership, taking a science-based and proportionate approach, to reduce and minimise the impacts of harmful PFAS on public health and the environment, including through the transition to safer alternatives.
What discussions have taken place with other key players to ensure that the Modern Service Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care will be effective.
We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn.The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services, with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need.We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development, including the Ambitions Partnership. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams. We have also been working closely with teams leading on the other MSFs, to ensure that they align with each other.Following the publication of the interim update, Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF.
If she will consider introducing additional safeguards for drone use in residential and sensitive areas such as schools.
The Department for Transport keeps the regulatory framework governing the use of uncrewed aircraft under regular review to ensure it remains proportionate, effective and fit for purpose, including in residential and sensitive areas. Following a review of the UK’s drone regulatory framework, new drones weighing 250g or more are required, from 1 January 2026, to be equipped with direct remote identification before being placed on the market. From 2028, remote identification will be mandatory for all drones over 250g and all drones with cameras over 100g. On 5 May, the Government announced an investment of £20.5m in a world-leading Hybrid Remote ID system to meet future security and airspace needs and improve traceability and accountability of drone operations. This will allow authorised authorities to identify and track drones and their operators in both real time and historic records to tackle illegal and unsafe drone use. We are also introducing enhanced identity verification by linking drone registration records to verified real‑world identities. The police powers introduced by the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft (ATMUA) Act 2021 alongside the CAA’s Registration and Education service, combined with the Hybrid Remote ID and identity verification ensure that all drone use receives the same high degree of oversight to ensure safety and acceptable use.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on introducing national standards across fire and rescue services.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on funding for fire and rescue services.
I meet regularly with the Fire Brigades Union to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. The Government recognises that the current fire funding formula was designed over a decade ago. In line with responses to the principles of reform consultation in December 2024, the Government updated the fire and rescue relative needs formula by using the most up-to-date data available. We will work with the fire sector on a comprehensive review of the formula ahead of the next Spending Review and are currently engaging with the sector on this. The 2026-2027 Funding Settlement marks the first multi-year funding Settlement for local government in 10 years, making available almost £1.9 billion in core spending power (CSP) for fire and rescue authorities. Fire and Rescue Services have had an additional £15 million funding secured since the provisional settlement, which will provide a minimum 3.8% increase in CSP for all standalone services, with some services seeing increases of over 7% in CSP.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of fire station closures on response times.
It is the responsibility of each Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) to decide how each authority’s resources, including staff, are best deployed to meet core functions, including appropriate targets for local response times. Decisions are based on analysis of risk and local circumstances within local Community Risk Management Plans. When considering proposals for changes to station provision, including potential closures, FRAs should assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk.