Every parliamentary written question tabled by Alex Sobel this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 228 · this parliament
In the context of the proposals to abolish Healthwatch, what steps he is taking to ensure that people feel safe providing feedback on the NHS or local authority services where that feedback is critical of the NHS or local authority services.
Awaiting answer.
How many individuals in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency have been notified by HMRC that they must repay their Winter Fuel Payment due to income exceeding the eligibility threshold.
Awaiting answer.
In the context of plans to abolish Healthwatch, what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that patient feedback gathered by NHS bodies and local authorities is independently scrutinised.
Awaiting answer.
Whether guidance will be issued to Integrated Care Boards and local authorities on how to deliver independent and inclusive engagement with local communities.
Awaiting answer.
What steps he is taking to recruit and retain allied health professionals in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.
Awaiting answer.
In the context of the proposals to abolish Healthwatch, how he will ensure that people who are less likely to engage with health services directly, including those experiencing health inequalities, have their concerns identified and addressed.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of abolishing local Healthwatch on public trust in providing feedback on health and care services.
Awaiting answer.
How many asylum claims originating from the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, have been based on fear of persecution for reasons of political opinion since May 2015.
Information regarding basis of claim is not published and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
What protocols are in place regarding the sharing of biometrics and criminal records data with non-EU, non-M5 partners.
The Home Office has bilateral arrangements for sharing criminal records data, including biometrics, with a small number of countries outside of the EU and Migration 5 (M5) / 5Eyes. Such data can also be shared with other countries on a case-by-case basis via INTERPOL. All sharing of biometrics and criminal records data with third countries is subject to an assessment of data protection and human rights risks.
Whether there are any cases where (a) an Interpol WPD and (b) a Red Notice has been issued against an individual granted political asylum in the UK.
The Government has long-standing policies to neither confirm nor deny (NCND) the existence of an INTERPOL Red Notice or Diffusion against named individuals, and to not comment on an individual’s immigration or asylum status. This is to support the functioning of both our judicial processes, and to ensure the protection of those with asylum status in the UK. These policies are also applied by the National Crime Agency, which hosts the UK’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau.The Government takes seriously any attempt to misuse INTERPOL systems. We continue to work closely with INTERPOL to ensure that it’s Constitution is upheld and those with refugee status are rightfully given the protections afforded by their asylum status.
How many migrants from the People’s Republic of China have been removed to that country since May 2015.
The Home Office publishes data on returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics quarterly release’. Data on returns of Chinese nationals to their home country can be found in table Ret_D01 of the ‘Returns detailed datasets’.
Whether her Department has provided information on the outcome of UK asylum cases to (a) Interpol’s General Secretariat and (b) the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files under Interpol’s Resolution No. 9 2017 (GA-2017-86-RES-09).
The Government has long-standing policies to neither confirm nor deny (NCND) the existence of an INTERPOL Red Notice or Diffusion against named individuals, and to not comment on an individual’s immigration or asylum status. This is to support the functioning of both our judicial processes, and to ensure the protection of those with asylum status in the UK. These policies are also applied by the National Crime Agency, which hosts the UK’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau.The Government takes seriously any attempt to misuse INTERPOL systems. We continue to work closely with INTERPOL to ensure that it’s Constitution is upheld and those with refugee status are rightfully given the protections afforded by their asylum status.
How many asylum claims have been submitted by asylum seekers from the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, since May 2015; and how many of those were successful.
The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of people claiming asylum and initial decisions on asylum claims, by nationality, is published in tables Asy_D01 and Asy_D02 of the ‘Asylum claims and decisions detailed datasets’.Data on latest asylum outcomes, by nationality, is published in table Asy_D04 of the ‘Outcome analysis of asylum claims detailed datasets’ as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.Table Asy_D04 shows for main applicants only, the number of asylum claims made each year, the initial and latest outcomes of those claims, the number still awaiting an outcome, and the number returned. The latest published data relates to claims made up to the end of 2024.Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook.
Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made towards the Government’s commitment to reform the governance and statutory purposes of National Parks through legislation.
The Government has delivered in providing the National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority with a new general power of competence through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 and remains committed to strengthening the governance and statutory purposes of our National Parks as soon as parliamentary time allows.
What guidance his Department plans to issue to employers on obligations under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 following the High Court judgment in Good Law Project v EHRC [2026] EWHC 279 (Admin).
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces. Employers and building owners have to provide suitable welfare facilities for all workers. The Regulations and guidance provide minimum requirements in relation to those facilities. I understand that The High Court judgment is being appealed against, and it would not be appropriate to comment while legal proceedings are continuing. In general terms, employers and building owners do need to consider other requirements such as those in Building Regulations and associated Approved Documents for new buildings, as well as their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure trans workers are not discriminated against on grounds of gender reassignment in the context of the High Court judgment in Good Law Project v EHRC [2026] EWHC 279 (Admin).
We are grateful for the clarity from the High Court’s judgment. We are clear that the laws to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment remain in place. Trans people continue to be protected on the basis of gender reassignment – a protected characteristic written into the Equality Act.
What steps she is taking to ensure that the enrichment entitlement is received by young people in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.
The government is committed to ensuring all young people across England can access a variety of enrichment opportunities at school and college as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.To support delivery of the enrichment entitlement set out in the government’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ schools White Paper, we are developing a new Enrichment Framework for publication this academic year. Developed with the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and experts across education, youth, sports and the arts, the framework will set out benchmarks to help schools and colleges plan high-quality enrichment more intentionally and strategically and will include case studies and signposting to tools and resources.We recognise schools and colleges cannot do this on their own and are putting in place support for wider provision including Music Hubs, and the £22.5 million programme developed with DCMS to support the enrichment offer of up to 400 schools in disadvantaged communities.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department taking to support the inclusion of Syrian youth and women in post-conflict reconstruction and decision-making processes, including funding for locally-led initiatives and civic empowerment programmes.
The UK regularly engages with the Syrian Government to press for an inclusive political transition that protects the rights of all Syrians, including women and young people. This was raised directly with President Al Sharaa during his visit to London on 31 March.
With reference to ADE's Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks research paper, whether he has made an assessment of the value for money of the Department’s target for individual air source heat pumps in urban and semi-urban areas like Leeds.
The Department’s latest assessment of the value for money of heat pump deployment is outlined in the March 2026 impact assessment of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The scheme is demand-led, and funds installations in urban and semi-urban areas, including Leeds. Our strategy for upgrading buildings is outlined in the Warm Homes Plan, and our Heat Network Zoning policy is designed to support the development of low carbon heat networks in the optimum right places. This ensures that consumers can benefit from the efficiencies that heat networks bring, as described in ADE’s research, whilst also ensuring that we respond to consumer demand for cleaner heat today.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support employment opportunities in i) theatre, and ii) the television and film sector, in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.
We want to boost opportunities and support so that people from across the country, including those in Leeds Central and Headingley, feel like a creative career is an option for them. In the Creative Industries Sector Plan, we committed to delivering a refreshed UK-wide £9 million creative careers service. The government will partner with industry to equip the next generation of young people with the ambition and knowledge to work in the Creative Industries, including theatre and the television and film sector. The programme is designed to raise young people’s awareness of creative careers and pathways into them by providing specialist advice and information, and is designed in collaboration with employers to support young people from all backgrounds. This year, this included funding for UK Music and Music Local to hold a Music Careers Day and activities engaging young people in schools in Leeds, focussing on careers in the creative industries. We are also supporting young people in the Leeds Central and Headingley constituency through Arts Council England funding. This funding enables organisations such as Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder Theatre Company and British Youth Music Theatre to offer training, placements and development opportunities, while Leeds Heritage Theatres and Transform Festival provide work experience and skills relevant to theatre, TV and film careers Our Creative Places Growth Fund will devolve £150m in total over 3 years to 6 Mayoral Strategic Authorities for them to distribute, according to local barriers and opportunities, including West Yorkshire. This will allow areas to maximise the impact of national interventions, including providing business support for local creative businesses, supporting regional skills initiatives to support job creation, innovation capacity building programmes, or by providing sector specific support such as TV and film production funds.