The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 54 tabled · 53 answered

Written questions by Baker.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Richard Baker this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.

Department:All (54)Department for Culture, Media and Sport (8)Department for Work and Pensions (7)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (7)Ministry of Defence (4)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (4)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (4)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (3)Treasury (3)Department for Education (3)Scotland Office (3)Department of Health and Social Care (3)Department for Transport (2)

Showing 2140 of 54 · this parliament

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3 Jun 2025·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What (a) training and (b) support has been introduced to help (i) GPs and (ii) other clinicians to (A) identify and (B) diagnose cancers associated with welding fume at an earlier stage since the categorisation of welding fume as carcinogenic by the Health and Safety Executive in 2019.

Reply

The training curriculum for postgraduate trainee general practitioners (GPs) is set by the Royal College of General Practitioners and has to meet the standards set by the General Medical Council. Additionally, GPs are responsible for ensuring their own clinical knowledge, including on cancer, remains up-to-date, and for identifying learning needs as part of their continuing professional development.NHS England funds delivery of GatewayC, the leading online early cancer diagnosis e-training resource for GPs and primary care staff. Where relevant, e-learning courses contain a risk factors section, and in the current update of the existing Lung Cancer course, GatewayC has added welding fumes to the risk factor card on 'chemicals and workplace risk'. From the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance, the increased risk is primarily for lung cancer, but there is also some evidence of an increased risk of kidney cancer. The upcoming Urological Cancers course doesn't directly refer to this but has a cover-all statement on workplace risk, stating: 'exposure to certain chemicals at work may increase the risk of bladder and kidney cancer'.NHS England has also significantly expanded the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, formerly known as the Targeted Lung Health Check. The programme currently operates across more than a quarter of England, prioritising areas with the highest lung cancer mortality and levels of deprivation. Mobile scanning units in community settings, such as supermarket car parks, have helped to improve access and uptake. The programme is on track to offer screening nationally by 2029, with a target to invite at least 50% of the eligible population by March 2026.

2 Jun 2025·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
Asked

Media and Sport, what criteria is being used to assess the impact of (a) bingo clubs and (b) adult gaming centres on local communities.

Reply

The Government uses various data sources to assess policies and impacts. This includes data provided by the Gambling Commission and the industry, a range of research findings, and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.The Government recognises the contributions that bingo clubs and adult gaming centres make to local communities such as seaside towns, including providing local employment and spaces where people can have fun and socialise. We will continue to work with the land-based gambling sector to mitigate the risks of gambling-related harm and strengthen player protections in venues and to support a growing gambling industry.

2 Jun 2025·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
Asked

Media and Sport, what data her Department is using to assess upcoming policy reform for the land based adult gaming sector.

Reply

The Government uses various data sources to assess policies and impacts. This includes data provided by the Gambling Commission and the industry, a range of research findings, and feedback from a wide range of stakeholders.The Government recognises the contributions that bingo clubs and adult gaming centres make to local communities such as seaside towns, including providing local employment and spaces where people can have fun and socialise. We will continue to work with the land-based gambling sector to mitigate the risks of gambling-related harm and strengthen player protections in venues and to support a growing gambling industry.

19 May 2025·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
Asked

Media and Sport, whether she plans to continue funding tennis facilities in (a) Fife, (b) Scotland and (c) Great Britain following the conclusion of the Park Tennis Project.

Reply

The Government recognises that sports clubs and facilities are important to communities up and down the country. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to them and opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.All future funding of sports facilities beyond 2025/26 will be considered as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.

6 May 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
Asked

Whether his Department plans to include decommissioning in its plan for the North Sea's energy transition.

Reply

The recent Government consultation on ‘Building the North Sea’s Energy Future’ recognised the importance of decommissioning and asked specific questions about changes that could be made to ensure an effective decommissioning framework is in place. The consultation is now closed, and we will respond in due course. The Government’s priority is a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives towards our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good, long-term jobs.

6 May 2025·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
Asked

What steps he is taking to ensure that Glenrothes and Mid Fife constituency benefits from nuclear decommissioning.

Reply

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) mission is to clean up the nuclear legacy. Whilst the NDA do not have a site in Glenrothes and Mid Fife constituency, the decommissioning activity of the NDA and its supply chain provide social economic benefit to areas across Scotland. The longevity of their mission allows for positive economic benefits to be realised for years to come.

22 Apr 2025·Wales Office·Answered
Asked

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on support for clean energy projects in Wales.

Reply

The UK Government is delivering our clean energy mission in Wales as part of our Plan for Change. Earlier this month, The Crown Estate announced that three Welsh ports have been shortlisted to develop floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea. These windfarms will generate up to 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy, create up to 5,000 jobs and deliver a £1.4 billion boost to the economy.

17 Apr 2025·Ministry of Defence·Answered
Asked

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of UK industrial capacity to deliver floating dry docks required for Programme Euston.

Reply

Programme Euston is currently in the Concept Phase and no procurement decisions have been made. A detailed assessment of market capacity and capability will take place as the requirements develop.

17 Apr 2025·Ministry of Defence·Answered
Asked

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of ensuring Programme Euston’s floating dry docks are manufactured in the UK on (a) economic growth and (b) skills development.

Reply

Following normal process, economic and social value benefits will be assessed by Programme Euston as it progresses through its business case approvals. No assessment has yet been undertaken.

17 Apr 2025·Ministry of Defence·Answered
Asked

What steps he is taking to ensure (a) supply chain resilience and (b) sovereign capability in the procurement strategy for Programme Euston.

Reply

Programme Euston will draw on a broad range of suppliers to deliver the infrastructure needs at HMNB Clyde. Programme Euston will engage with UK based and international suppliers to assess whether they have the required capability and capacity to deliver. No decisions have been made as this time.

1 Apr 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to publish his Department's updated Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy.

Reply

The 2022 - 2030 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Disability Inclusion and Rights strategy provides a long-term framework for the FCDO's international approach to disability inclusion. When we published it, we committed to updating it at midpoint to ensure that it would remain current and reflective of Government priorities.On 25th February, the Prime Minister delivered the government's commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product from April 2027, to be funded by a reduction to Official Development Assistance spending. While we had anticipated updating the strategy in advance of the Global Disability Summit in Berlin on 2-3 April, we will explore the options for updating it following the conclusion of the multi-year Spending Review and resource allocation processes.

15 Jan 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he is having with disabled people to help ensure that their views are represented at the Global Disability Summit in Berlin on 2-3 April 2025.

Reply

The FCDO Disability Inclusion and Rights strategy was developed in extensive consultation with the disability movement, including Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). The 2025 Global Disability Summit will be co-hosted by Germany, Jordan and the International Disability Alliance, which represents OPDs and works to amplify their voice around the world. FCDO officials have engaged with the Summit co-hosts to share the UK's experience of hosting the 2018 Global Disability Summit, reinforcing the importance of positioning the voice and rights of people with disabilities at its heart. I met the BOND Disability and Development Group in early January to discuss FCDO priorities and the Global Disability Summit. I also incorporated consultation with OPDs in my travel schedule, including meeting an organisation of women with disabilities in South Sudan.

15 Jan 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department plan to attend the Global Disability Summit in April 2025.

Reply

The 2025 Global Disability Summit is an important moment for the UK to reinforce our commitment to galvanising international efforts on disability inclusion and launch the refresh of our FCDO Disability Inclusion and Rights strategy (2022-30), setting out new priorities. The Cabinet Office and FCDO are working closely together to draw up the UK's delegation and final decisions will be made soon.

15 Jan 2025·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his priorities are for the third Global Disability Summit in April 2025.

Reply

The UK is committed to accelerating the pace of progress on disability inclusion globally. In a context of increased conflict and crises in which people with disabilities are disproportionally affected, disability must not fall down the political agenda. At the Global Disability Summit in April 2025, the FCDO will reinforce our commitment to galvanising international efforts on disability inclusion and launch the refresh of our FCDO Disability Inclusion and Rights strategy, setting out new priorities. The voice and rights of people with disabilities will remain a core focus of the strategy and our global work on disability inclusion, as guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

2 Dec 2024·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
Asked

Media and Sport, if she will take steps with the music industry to ensure performing artists have access to adequate mental health support.

Reply

This government recognises the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to support and resources for their mental health and wellbeing, including creative professionals such as musicians and performers.This government welcomes efforts by the music ...

15 Nov 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
Asked

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support zoos in maintaining effective breeding programs with partners in Europe.

Reply

For zoo animal transfers from Great Britain (GB) to the European Union (EU), export requirements vary and must be agreed on a case-by-case basis with the importing country. On receipt of the requirements, Defra collaborates with officials in the importing...

15 Nov 2024·Department for Education·Answered
Asked

What steps she is taking to reduce administrative requirements for school groups visiting the UK from Europe.

Reply

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.As the department for opportunity, we recognise the importance of school trips and the impact that this valuable learning experience can have on children and young ...

15 Nov 2024·Department for Education·Answered
Asked

What steps her Department is taking to help support students to study in the EU.

Reply

The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s global programme to provide grants for students to study and work anywhere in the world, including in the EU. Students can develop new skills, gain international experience and boost their employability. For the 20...

15 Nov 2024·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Answered
Asked

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to replace the Galileo scheme.

Reply

There are no plans to replace the EU’s Global Navigation Satellite System – Galileo – with a UK system. The Government is implementing the October 2023 Government Policy Framework for Greater Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Resilience, which will pr...

15 Nov 2024·Department for Science, Innovation and Technology·Answered
Asked

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to maximise the benefits of rejoining the (a) Horizon and (b) Copernicus programmes.

Reply

It is our priority to make Horizon association a success. Government have launched a series of initiatives have been launched to help UK organisations engage with the programme. These include a marketing campaign and large-scale events around the country ...

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