Every parliamentary written question tabled by Vikki Slade this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 81–100 of 373 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 5 January 2026 to Question 100508 on Animal Breeding, what assessment she has made of the potential consequences of not holding data on the number of animals in Great Britain who were bred for, but not used in, scientific procedures.
The Home Office is currently reviewing the potential merits of recording and reporting the number of animals that were bred for, but not used, in scientific procedures.
Whether the planned minimum learning period for drivers will apply to learner drivers of all ages.
We are consulting on introducing a Minimum Learning Period for learner drivers and the consultation includes questions on what age of learner driver any mandatory requirements should apply to. Once the consultation has concluded, we will publish our response in due course.
Whether she plans to take steps to collect information from on-board vehicle diagnostics systems at the point of (a) an MOT and (b) vehicle servicing to guide measures.
The Department for Transport and DVSA keep the content of the MOT test under continuous review. This includes considering how on-board diagnostics could be used in future to monitor systems such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The Department does not regulate the content of servicing as every driver is responsible for maintaining their vehicle to a roadworthy standard. In practice most drivers rely on a garage servicing regime that can include the use of on-board diagnostics software.
With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026, whether she has had conversations with optometrists on mandatory eye testing for drivers.
My officials have met with various optometrist organisations (including the College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists) while developing the proposed changes to eyesight testing for older drivers, and we will continue to engage with optometrist organisations as our policies develop further. The consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers was published on 07 January. We welcome responses from optometrists and optometrist organisations. The consultation can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers/introducing-mandatory-eyesight-testing-for-older-drivers
What assessment his Department have made of the potential impacts of a 14-day cooling off period for all online subscriptions on the number of people that cancel their subscription after visiting a site run by a charity in a 14-day period.
The requirement for a 14 day cooling off period for distance contracts is an existing requirement under the Consumer Contract Regulations 2013. The government has consulted on the implementation of the subscriptions regime in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024. The consultation received over 70 responses including 15 from charitable organisations, and the government is engaging closely with the sector to understand the impacts on both consumers and these bodies. The impact assessment for the subscriptions chapter in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act can be found here: Subscription traps: annex 2 impact assessment. Together, the subscription measures are anticipated to provide £400m of consumer benefits per year and the estimated net direct cost to businesses is £171m per year. Sector-specific analysis has not been conducted.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department's upcoming leasehold reforms will include changes that will impact those living in (a) park homes and (b) accommodation purchased under the Mobile Homes Act 2013.
The reforms to the leasehold system already in statute which the government is bringing into force, as well as the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good, including measures contained in the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, apply to residential leasehold properties.The changes will not apply to park homes because they are caravans and the owners occupy their pitches under licence arrangements. The rights and obligations of park home residents are set out in the Mobile Homes Act 1983.
What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain status on (a) holders of ECAA Turkish Businessperson visas and (b) their businesses in the UK.
The earned settlement model, proposed in ’A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, is currently subject to a public consultation, running until 12 February 2026. Time spent in routes that currently count towards settlement after 5 years will continue to count towards the new standard qualifying period.The consultation seeks views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement. Protections will be put in place where appropriate.Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following the consultation and will be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.
Whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of lowering the speed limit on rural single carriageway roads.
The Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January 2026, commits the Government to exploring whether the proposed rural roads categories are appropriate at a local level and to assessing their potential for national application. Developing a much clearer and more consistent definition of what constitutes a ‘rural road’ could help target safety interventions more effectively, ensuring resources are spent where they can have the greatest impact. We have also announced the establishment of a data-led Road Safety Investigation Branch, which will investigate collisions on a thematic basis. The strategy has also committed to publishing a new edition of the best practice guidance Setting local speed limits - GOV.UK which outlines how local authorities may introduce lower limits on rural roads where appropriate. The most recent publicly accessible version of this guidance emphasises that Local traffic authorities have the power to introduce speed limits lower than the national limit where local conditions justify this.
What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of amending NHS dental contracts so that they apply to armed forces personnel and their families.
Defence is committed to maintaining a dentally fit Armed Forces to ensure operational capability and force generation. The Defence Medical Services (DMS) deliver dental care for all our Armed Forces personnel, from routine checkups, hygiene appointments and general dental care, while also deploying dentists on operations. Given the nature of this occupationally focussed care, it could not be delivered by the NHS. Defence does not routinely provide dental care to Armed Forces families; this care is delivered by the NHS or Private Dental Practice. It is however recognised that families can face challenges in accessing this care owing to regular geographical moves. To address this, DMS have established a ‘Tiger Team’ in conjunction with Family Federation representation, NHS England (NHSE) and the Devolved Administrations. This cross-departmental team has already developed and launched significant signposting on the ‘Discover My Benefits’ website, providing families with the most up to date information on dentistry provision in their local area. Defence remains committed to collaborating cross-government to ensure those who support our Armed Forces personnel are treated fairly and face no disadvantage when accessing public services.
With reference to the Armed Forces Bill 2026 which, what assessment he has made if the (a) proportion of the cohort aged between 55 and 65 that would meet the physical requirements of service and (b) other forms of service appropriate to those who are not physically capable.
This measure would only apply to those personnel leaving the Regulars or Volunteer Reserves after the Bill comes into force, unless they opt out. It also would not affect existing leavers unless they wish to opt in. Any former personnel recalled into Service would undergo routine medical checks to ensure that they are employed appropriately. We already have role-based medical standards that allow us to employ Reservists across a wide range of Defence activities. This approach would be equally applied to all of those eligible for recall.
What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the adequacy of armed forces personnel and their families' access to dental services.
Defence is committed to maintaining a dentally fit Armed Forces to ensure operational capability and force generation. The Defence Medical Services (DMS) deliver dental care for all our Armed Forces personnel, from routine checkups, hygiene appointments and general dental care, while also deploying dentists on operations. Given the nature of this occupationally focussed care, it could not be delivered by the NHS. Defence does not routinely provide dental care to Armed Forces families; this care is delivered by the NHS or Private Dental Practice. It is however recognised that families can face challenges in accessing this care owing to regular geographical moves. To address this, DMS have established a ‘Tiger Team’ in conjunction with Family Federation representation, NHS England (NHSE) and the Devolved Administrations. This cross-departmental team has already developed and launched significant signposting on the ‘Discover My Benefits’ website, providing families with the most up to date information on dentistry provision in their local area. Defence remains committed to collaborating cross-government to ensure those who support our Armed Forces personnel are treated fairly and face no disadvantage when accessing public services.
Whether she plans to take steps to negotiate an agreement with her EU counterparts to permit British HGV drivers to register biometric details away from the UK/EU border under the Entry/Exit System.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented by the EU to improve border security. Whilst the UK Government continues to actively engage with the EU as they continue EES implementation, it is not a UK Government initiative. It is for individual Member States to determine how to register biometric details. The pre-registration of details does not replace checks by the border authorities. The UK Government is working closely with the EU as they roll out their EES checks to encourage a streamlined registration process that will minimise disruption for travellers. This is in addition to close engagement that the Department has had with travel operators and hauliers to support their preparation for EES and to reiterate travel requirements for the Schengen area.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of negotiating with his EU counterparts to secure an exemption for professional drivers from the 90 in 180 day Schengen rule.
The Schengen 90/180-day immigration rule has applied since 2021 to all UK nationals (including professional drivers of heavy goods vehicles (HGV) and coaches) undertaking short stays for leisure and work in the Schengen area. The Schengen 90/180 limit is a fundamental part of the EU’s conditions of entry for third country nationals to its territory. As such, it is not UK Government policy.The Government will continue to listen to concerns raised by sectors affected by these rules and will advocate for British citizens abroad. Ultimately any exemptions or amendments to Schengen rules are a matter for Member States and the EU.
Whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of broadening the range of circumstances under which a recall petition takes place.
The Government believes that the Recall of MPs Act 2015 is operating well and as intended. There are no plans to increase the number of conditions that can trigger a recall petition.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changing the rules which prevent families from bidding for social houses that have too few bedrooms on waiting times for social housing.
The government expects registered providers of social housing to develop solutions that make best use of their stock.When framing the rules which determine the size of property to allocate to different households and in different circumstances, local housing authorities are free to set their own criteria, provided they do not result in a household being statutorily overcrowded.As announced in our National Plan to End Homelessness in December last year, we will work with stakeholders to review and update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that allocations reflect local need and effectively support vulnerable households.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending the statutory override for local authorities until the end of 2027/28 on the financial security of those local authorities.
The government recognises that local authorities are continuing to face significant pressure from Dedicated Schools Grant deficits on their accounts. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government engages regularly with local authorities and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy on the impact of the Dedicated Schools Grant deficits, and in June 2025, we announced a two-year extension to the Dedicated Schools Grant Statutory Override to support local authorities to manage these impacts. We recognise that the size of deficits that some councils may accrue while the Dedicated Schools Grant Statutory Override is in place may not be manageable with local resources alone. We will provide further detail on our plans to support local authorities with historic and accruing deficits and conditions for accessing such support later in the Local Government Finance Settlement process.
What steps he is taking to improve the transition for NHS patients between paediatric and adult care in the NHS.
The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever. This includes ensuring that children receive the appropriate care and support whenever they need it.The 10-Year Health Plan sets out how the Government aims to support children and young people as they navigate the National Health Service, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident in managing their own health and care from 16 years old where appropriate. This includes supporting young people as they move from child to adolescent and adult services, making sure that care is developmentally appropriate throughout. NHS England has developed guidance for integrated care boards and healthcare providers to aid the design of transition pathways that improve health outcomes for all young people. This guidance will be published in due course.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January to Question 103107 on Monuments, whether he is taking steps to ensure that scheduled monuments will (a) continue to be protected under planning rules and (b) not be considered as Grey Belt land.
Scheduled Monuments continue to be protected as designated heritage assets of the highest significance under both the current National Planning Policy Framework and the draft revised Framework which is currently out for consultation.
What data his Department holds on the (a) uptake and (b) drop-out rates in (i) barbering and (ii) hairdressing apprenticeships over the last 7 years.
Statistics on apprenticeships are published in the Apprenticeships accredited official statistics publication: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/apprenticeships. Apprenticeship starts on barbering and hairdressing apprenticeships can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/ccfd7de7-48a4-4913-19a0-08de58cbc7ae Apprenticeship achievement rates can be found here:2021/22 to 2023/24 academic years: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/64773b20-6850-4200-19a3-08de58cbc7ae2018/19 to 2020/21 academic years: Apprenticeship Achievement Rates Standards and FrameworksAchievement rates for the 2024/25 academic year will be published in March 2026 in the Apprenticeships: March 2026 statistics publication.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support small businesses with their provision of (a) barbering and (b) hairdressing apprenticeships.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105881.