Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sarah Olney this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 141–160 of 242 · this parliament
Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholders on the safety of rehydration clauses in combat sports.
I have not had any recent discussions with stakeholders about the safety of rehydration clauses in combat sports. It is the responsibility of individual sports and event organisers to determine the appropriate measures to ensure the safety of participants.
What steps his Department is taking to improve trading relations with Albania.
Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Albania was worth £358 million in 2024, an increase of 11% or £35 million in current prices from 2023.DBT actively works to resolve barriers to trade affecting companies exporting to Albania, and our trade relationship is underpinned by the Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement (PTCA), signed in 2021. This agreement offers generous trade preferences and places a strong emphasis on cooperation across key trade themes that are common to major trade agreements. We look forward to convening the next PTCA Joint Committee in the near future.
Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the licensing criteria for Houses in Multiple Occupation.
It is important that private rented properties are safe, well-maintained, and properly managed. Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing schemes play a crucial role in achieving this. The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to drive-up standards within the private rented sector properties, including HMOs. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities. We will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.
If he will make his policy to require venture capital firms to (a) record and (b) publish the diversity of founders receiving investment.
The Department is working to improve access to finance for diverse founders. An example of one initiative is the Investing in Women Code.It was established in 2019 as a recommendation of the Alison Rose Review to increase transparency and data reporting on gender in the investment landscape. It is a commitment to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs in the UK by improving their access to the tools, resources and finance they need to achieve their goals. Signatories to the Code are voluntary, and data is published on an annual basis on the GOV.UK website.In February 2025, a roundtable discussion was held with the finance industry, including Venture Capital representatives, to address access to finance issues for ethnic minority founders. We are exploring how best to gather and monitor the impact of having better ethnicity data.
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on support to improve the investment readiness of (a) women and (b) BAME entrepreneurs.
The government backed Invest in Women Taskforce aims to make the UK the best place in the world to be a female entrepreneur. To improve investment readiness, it seeks to break down barriers such as lack of mentorship, resource and networks for aspiring women-led businesses. In 2024, our Venture Capital Unit launched a Female Founders Cohort initiative to support women-led businesses raise funds from international venture capital investors. In February 2025, a roundtable discussion was held with ethnic minority businesses (EMB) and the financial services sector to discuss challenges in accessing finance, as well as how we can better engage and support EMB founders. We have also launched a Call for Evidence on Small Business Access to Finance to help inform government policy and initiatives, which includes a specific focus on underserved entrepreneurs.
What steps his Department is taking to help increase representation of (a) women and (b) minority ethnic founders in venture capital funding.
The Department leads on the Invest in Women Taskforce (IWT) and the Investing in Women Code (IWC). In November, the IWT launched a £255 million fund for female entrepreneurs, which will be invested through female investors in the UK, including backing female emerging fund managers. Signatories to the IWC diversify their investment committees and decision makers, recognising diverse leaders make better decisions. In February 2025, a roundtable discussion was held with the finance industry, including Venture Capital representatives, to address access to finance issues for ethnic minority founders. We have also launched a Call for Evidence on Small Business Access to Finance to help inform government policy and initiatives, which includes a specific focus on underserved entrepreneurs.
If she will review and strengthen crossbow regulation.
The Home Office conducted a call for evidence on strengthening controls on crossbows on public safety grounds, between 14 February to 9 April 2024.The responses have been reviewed and we will shortly publish the Government’s response, which will include what action we intend to take alongside a summary of the responses received.
With reference to the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, columns 361-364, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing Official Development Assistance funding as a proportion of Gross National Income on UK businesses.
The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and official development assistance.Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review and resource allocation processes, based on various factors including impact assessments.
If he will include primary progressive aphasia in the list of conditions requiring nationally commissioned services.
There are no current plans to introduce nationally commissioned services for the treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia. We are committed to delivering high quality care and support for every person with dementia, and central to this is the provision of personalised care and support planning for post diagnostic support.Provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). It is the expectation that ICBs commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. It is the responsibility of ICBs to work within their geographical area to offer services that meet the needs of their population.Local authorities are required to provide or arrange services that meet the social care needs of the local population under the Care Act 2014.
What the average wait time is for a PIP reassessment when a claimant reports improved health in South West London.
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. PIP clearance times for New Claims and Reassessments can be found in the latest Personal Independence Payment statistics to January 2025 - GOV.UK. Figures are broken down by region and they are available for London.
What the average wait time is for a Work Capability Assessment reassessment when a claimant reports improved health.
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. ESA clearance times for initial claims only are reported via Stat-Xplore and UC WCA clearance times are planned to be released under Phase 4 of the Universal Credit WCA statistics: release strategy - GOV.UK
What the average waiting time was for a Personal Independence Payment reassessment after a claimant has reported improved health in the latest period for which data is available.
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. PIP clearance times for New Claims and Reassessments can be found in the latest Personal Independence Payment statistics to January 2025 - GOV.UK.
What the average wait time is for a Work Capability Assessment reassessment when a claimant reports improved health in South West London.
The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost. ESA clearance times for initial claims only are reported via Stat-Xplore and UC WCA clearance times are planned to be released under Phase 4 of the UC WCA Release Strategy.
What her Department's timetable is for (a) implementing and (b) publishing further information on its policy to bring unused pension funds and death benefits under an individual’s estate for inheritance tax purposes.
Most unused pension funds and death benefits will be included within the value of a person’s estate for inheritance tax purposes from 6 April 2027. A technical consultation was published at Autumn Budget 2024 on the proposal for pension scheme administrators to become liable for reporting and paying any inheritance tax due on pensions. The consultation concluded on 22 January 2025 and the responses are being considered. The Government will publish a response document and draft legislation for these changes later this year.
Communities and Local Government, whether the Renters' Rights Bill will place penalties on landlords who have been unable to sell their properties and want to re-rent.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will introduce a new ground for possession for landlords who wish to sell their property. To prevent abuse of this ground, landlords will not be able to market or re-let their property for twelve months after using the selling ground. This will remove the financial incentive to landlords from misusing the grounds and evicting a tenant with the intention to re-let at a higher rent.Once the legislation is in place, landlords could be given a fine of up to £40,000 by local councils if they market or re-let their properties within twelve months of using the moving and selling grounds. Tenants will also be able to seek Rent Repayment Orders for this offence. Tenants will be able toc challenge evictions in court if they believe the landlord is misusing the grounds. If this happens, the landlord will need demonstrate that their intention to sell or move in is genuine.
When he plans to publish information on the remaining issues set out in paragraph 46 of the policy paper entitled The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, published on 22 January 2025.
The Government is committed to upholding the highest standards of fire safety for domestic upholstered furniture and ensuring only safe products are placed on the UK market. Officials in the Department for Business and Trade have begun extensive, targeted stakeholder engagement to inform decision making on the issues outlined in the policy paper. Following this engagement process, the Government will publish an update on the remaining issues.
Communities and Local Government, what target she has set for the total number of dispersal accommodation centres available to victims of domestic abuse.
This government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and supporting victims of domestic abuse. Since 2021, local authorities in England have a duty to ensure domestic abuse victims and their children who need to flee their homes have access to support within safe accommodation when they need it. MHCLG has defined in regulations the types of safe accommodation that support to victims can be delivered in, including dispersed accommodation. MHCLG has allocated £160 million to local authorities in 2025/26 to help them deliver their duty, a £30 million uplift from the previous year. This revenue funding is for local authorities to fund provision of lifesaving support for victims and their children within safe accommodation, including dispersed accommodation. It is for local authorities to determine how best to allocate the funding MHCLG has provided to meet local needs, in line with a local needs assessment and strategy.
What recent discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of living under a flight path on people's (a) health and (b) wellbeing.
My Department seeks to minimise the impact of aviation on people’s health and wellbeing, in the context of other government priorities. My officials are in regular contact on this issue with other government departments and their agencies, including the Department of Health and Social Care sponsored UK Health Security Agency.
What proportion of Pharmacy First funding had been spent as of 26 November 2024.
Verified data to the end of November 2024 shows that £82 million has been spent in the 2024/25 financial year on the seven common clinical pathways and associated incentive payments, and on expanding blood pressure and contraception services. A comprehensive view of all spending against the Pharmacy First budget will be available after the end of the financial year.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of proposed cuts to the Parks Police on ensuring the protection of the (a) nature and (b) environment of Royal Parks.
The Royal Parks are Crown Land managed on behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by The Royal Parks Charity. The policing of the parks is an operational matter for the Metropolitan Police Service, who are in regular contact with The Royal Parks Charity. No discussions have been held between the Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport regarding this matter. As the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is not responsible for the Royal Parks, it is also assumed that no discussions have been held between that Secretary of State and the Home Secretary.