Every parliamentary written question tabled by Sarah Owen this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 101–111 of 111 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what (a) medical relief and (b) humanitarian aid his Department has provided to Sudan in the context of recent trends in the number of Cholera related deaths.
The Sudan conflict has created the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with 24.8 million people in need of assistance. The UK is extremely concerned about the increasing cases of cholera in Sudan with death rates from the outbreak surging up to three t...
Whether his Department plans increase breast screenings for young women with (a) neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and (b) other determinants of being at risk of developing breast cancer.
All women with neurofibromatosis type 1 are eligible to begin screening at the age of 40 years old. This is 10 years below the normal screening age of 50 years old. Women can have screenings from a younger age if they have a higher-than-average risk of br...
Whether his Department plans to develop standardised national guidelines for the (a) identification and (b) treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).
We remain committed to the UK Rare Diseases Framework, which highlights helping patients get a final diagnosis faster, and improved access to specialist care, treatment, and drugs as priorities to improve the lives of people with living with rare diseases...
What assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Education of the potential impact of changes to the eligibility of people with student visas to bring dependents on enrolment numbers in hi
A full economic Impact Assessment (IA) was produced relating to the potential impacts of changes to the eligibility of student visa holders to bring dependants. The IA is available at: 2023 changes to the student route and consequential changes to work r...
What steps her Department is taking to ensure faith and pastoral care guidance for prisoners is being upheld.
The Government recognises the importance that faith and belief can have in someone’s rehabilitation, and the role it can play in reducing re-offending. That is why we have been clear that we should include this in planning and work across prisons and prob...
With reference to the report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons report into HMP Bedford, published in February 2024, what steps she is taking to improve conditions in HMP Bedford.
HM Prison & Probation Service is committed to delivering sustained improvement in living conditions and performance across the prison estate, to promote a safe and secure environment that facilitates genuine rehabilitation. Since the publication of HM...
What percentage of the recent pay award for Agenda for Change staff will be funded from (a) existing NHS budgets, (b) the Departmental budget, (c) additional funding from the Treasury, (d) efficiencies, and (e) any other sources; and what consequential funding will be allocated to each of the devolved administrations as a result.
The statement from my Rt hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 29 July 2024 sets out the position across the Government, and includes departments making savings to pay towards the outcomes of the Pay Review Bodies. As the process for agreeing savings is not yet complete, at this point we cannot provide the breakdown requested.However, the Government is committed to ensuring the National Health Service receives the funding it needs to pay for this deal. There will be no reduction in the availability or quality of frontline health and care services as a consequence of funding this pay award.Any Barnett consequential would be provided to the devolved administrations in the usual way. Any additional funding that flows to the Department as a result would be at supplementary estimates in 2024/25.
Whether her Department has had recent discussions with the Financial Ombudsman Service on resolving complaints of mis-sold timeshares in a timely manner.
The selling of timeshares is outside of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation and therefore outside of the remit of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which can only consider complaints about FCA regulated activities. Where consumers have purchased a timeshare using a product regulated by the FCA, such as consumer credit, they may have recourse to the FOS if that product was mis-sold.When complaints are made to the FOS, these should be dealt with in a timely manner. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Handbook, which sets out the rules on how the FOS should handle complaints, states that ‘the ombudsman will attempt to resolve complaints at the earliest possible stage’. In its Plans and Budget 2024-25, the FOS has set itself the target of resolving 90 per cent of cases within 6 months and the government will continue to hold the FOS to account on this through its regular engagement with the FOS.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his oral statement of 19 July 2024 on Israel and Gaza, Official Report, column 301, what his planned timetable is for (a) the completion of his Department's comprehensive review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law and (b) updating the House when that process is complete.
As soon as the Foreign Secretary came into office, he commissioned new advice on Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law, in the context of the war. This is an important and complex process, requiring detailed analysis of evidence, and close co-operation with other Government Departments, and is being undertaken urgently. The Foreign Secretary's decision, and the Government's decision on the related issue of arms exports, will be made public when the process is complete.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Bangladesh on (a) possible human rights violations against protestors and (b) future protection of students.
I discussed my concerns regarding the violence in Bangladesh following protests with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to London on 19 and 23 July. The British High Commissioner has engaged with key ministers in the Bangladesh government to reinforce messages on de-escalation and the need for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. The rights to protest, to peacefully assemble and to express different political views are rights the UK holds dear and must be protected. We will continue to raise the importance of respect for human rights and the rule of law with the Bangladesh government.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in Bangladesh on (a) ending violence and unrest and (b) ensuring that (i) the right to peacefully protest is upheld and (ii) independent investigations will take place.
The Foreign Secretary and I have publicly called for an immediate end to the violence and unrest in Bangladesh, and for all sides to find a peaceful way forward. I discussed the situation with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to London on 19 and 23 July and stressed the need for democratic freedoms and the rule of law to be protected. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh has engaged with Bangladesh government ministers reinforcing messages on de-escalation and the need for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to engage with counterparts.