Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Maguire this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 501–520 of 561 · this parliament
What steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools receive adequate funding to provide equitable access to arts education alongside English Baccalaureate subjects in (a) Cornwall and (b) England.
This government is clear that arts subjects should be part of every child’s education.The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review will advise on how the department delivers a broader curriculum for every child, including arts subjects and English Bac...
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure equality of access to rural fibre-optic infrastructure.
Poor internet access can pose significant challenges for rural and urban communities alike, which is why the government is determined to improve access and promote digital participation. The Government is committed to improving broadband access in rural a...
What steps is the Department is taking to support (a) pensioners who face significant reductions in their pensions when they reach state pension age and (b) other pensioners affected by the HSBC Clawbac
Members of an integrated scheme are not having money they are entitled to taken away from them when they reach state pension age. A member’s benefit entitlement is adjusted and paid as higher payments before they receive their State Pension, then in lower...
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing Draught Relief to 20% on (a) pubs and (b) small and independent brewers in North Cornwall constituency.
Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system. The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pa...
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing VAT on swimming lessons provided by non-council swimming facilities for (a) SEND children, (b) hydrotherapy patients, (c) the elderly and (d) other
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services, and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. The Government has inherited a...
What steps her Department is taking with the police to help tackle violence against women and girls in North Cornwall constituency.
This Government is determined to treat violence against women and girls as the national emergency it is and we have already taken significant steps to strengthen the police response to these devastating crimes. As part of Raneem’s Law we will put domestic...
What estimate her Department has made of the cost to (a) calculate and (b) distribute funding to people on means-tested benefits in North Cornwall constituency.
The department administers a wide variety of means-tested benefits and asked for clarification on which benefits you were specifically interested in. As no response was received we have interpreted the question to refer to the costs of administering all m...
What steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of (a) prostate cancer risk factors and (b) eligibility for PSA testing of patients aged 50 and above in (i) Cornwall and (ii) England.
NHS England is taking steps to raise awareness of prostate cancer, where there are opportunities to do so. For example, NHS England partners with Cancer Alliances, charities, and local representatives to reach people through projects in the heart of their...
If she will hold discussions with representatives of National Express on the potential impact of the cancellation of its 503 service on people living in Launceston.
The Department recognises the importance of good transport links and it is the overall aim of this government to improve connections across towns and cities. We recognise the important role the coach sector can play in making these connections across the...
If she will take steps to ensure that (a) Launceston, (b) North Cornwall and (c) other towns in rural areas without a railway station are served by inter-city coach services.
The Department recognises the importance of good transport links and it is the overall aim of this government to improve connections across towns and cities. We recognise the important role the coach sector can play in making these connections across the ...
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to require developers to build homes for social rent as part of large developments.
Through local development plans, local planning authorities can set out policy expectations in relation to housing mix and they are already able to require developers to make contributions to affordable housing through Section 106 planning obligations. As...
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of requests for payment of several months rent in advance before securing a tenancy on the ability of people to find housing
We are currently monitoring the practice of landlords charging rent in advance to understand the impacts on tenants and will take action if necessary.The Government is committed to redressing the balance between landlord and tenant. The Renters’ Rights Bi...
Whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility at Bodmin Parkway railway station.
We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions her Department has held with Natural England on the effect of nutrient neutrality rules on new housebuilding projects in the River Camel catchment Special Area of Conservation.
MHCLG continues to work closely with Natural England on the issue of nutrient neutrality across England. Engagement takes place regularly with Natural England and affected local authorities through the Planning Advisory Service - Nutrient Network.The Government will implement solutions to unlock the building of homes affected by nutrient neutrality without weakening environmental protections. We will work with nature delivery organisations, stakeholders and the sector to determine the best way forward. We will only act in legislation where we can confirm to Parliament that the steps we are taking will deliver positive environmental outcomes.
With reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024, whether she has made an estimate of the cost of providing financial redress to impacted women in (a) North Cornwall constituency and (b) the UK.
We have not estimated the costs of providing redress in North Cornwall. The Ombudsman’s report (para 504) published on 21 March 2024 estimated that providing compensation to all 1950s women at the level 4 range would cost between around £3.5 and £10.5bn. As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation. Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides. The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex, as such they require serious deliberation. Once this work has been undertaken, the Government will be in a position to outline its approach. I met with representatives of the WAPSI Campaign on the 5 of September.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changing eligibility requirements for the winter fuel payment on the affordability of energy for people with motor neurone disease.
This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80. For those with long-term illnesses, the “extra costs” disability benefits, namely Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA), provide a tax free, non-income-related contribution towards the extra costs people with a long-term health condition can face, such as additional heating costs. They are paid monthly throughout the year. AA can be worth up to £5,600 a year and recipients are free to use their benefit according to their own priorities. Receipt of AA can provide a passport to additional amounts in means-tested benefits (notably Pension Credit and Housing Benefit) for those on low incomes providing they meet the other eligibility criteria.
Pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 627 on Free School Meals, if she will make it her policy to commission an assessment of the potential merits of broadening the eligibility criteria for children to receive free school meals.
The department has not made a formal assessment of the merits of broadening the free school meals (FSM) eligibility criteria. The department is committed to tackling the grave issue of child poverty, which has gone up by 700,000 since 2010, with over four million children now growing up in a low-income family. That is why the government is committed to delivering an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty, tackling the root causes, and giving every child the best start at life. To support this, a new ministerial taskforce has been set up to begin work on the Child Poverty Strategy. The department is also committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity so that all children have the freedom to achieve and thrive in education. To support this aim, the government is committed to introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school, to set children up for the day and ensure they are ready to learn, while supporting parents and carers to work. The department has additionally invested in programmes which provide over three million children with free and nutritious meals. This includes FSM, which 2.1 million disadvantaged pupils are registered to receive, and universal infant free school meals, which will benefit around 1.3 million pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2.
What steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for practical driving tests at (a) Launceston and (b) Bodmin driving test centres.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window. The two driving test centres (DTC) within the North Cornwall constituency of Bodmin and Launceston are shown in the table below. The table shows the August 2024 average waiting time, number of booked car practical driving tests, and available tests as of 2 September 2024 at both DTCs. DTCAverage car practical driving test waiting time Aug 24Booked testsTests available to book in 24 week booking windowLaunceston1081855Bodmin18.31,974422National18.4552,86394,169 The DVSA understands how disappointing it is when driving tests are cancelled and therefore will only cancel appointments as an absolute last resort. Those affected by cancellations will automatically be offered a new appointment at the original test centre on the next earliest date available. If this is unsuitable, a candidate can check the booking service for alternative appointments. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers in DTCs, include the recruitment of driving examiners, conducting tests outside of regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from driving examiners. The DVSA also continues to deploy examiners from areas with lower waiting times into those centres with longer waiting times. This is in addition to the DVSA recruiting additional examiners across the country into areas where waiting times are highest. The table below shows the average waiting time for driving tests at each of the DTCs in Cornwall. Waiting time information per DTC is only available from April 2015 onwards. It is not possible to know the number of people who are waiting to take a test. Financial year2015/162016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24Apr 24 - Aug 24Bodmin84.13.83.67.17.610.910.79.815.4Camborne4.54.35.65.97.29.514.515.112.715Isles of Scilly*41816.5Nil14.6Nil7.521.720.921.6Launceston6.94.232.48.611.913.58.81112Penzance**76.45.86.17.74.915.821.720.423.9*Isles of Scilly DTC is a remote DTC and operates a book-to-hold system. Examiners are deployed once candidates have booked to hold.** Penzance DTC operates on a part time basis (2 days per week).
If she will have discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on taking steps to reduce the number of short-notice cancellations of practical driving test appointments at (a) Launceston and (b) Bodmin driving test centres.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window. The two driving test centres (DTC) within the North Cornwall constituency of Bodmin and Launceston are shown in the table below. The table shows the August 2024 average waiting time, number of booked car practical driving tests, and available tests as of 2 September 2024 at both DTCs. DTCAverage car practical driving test waiting time Aug 24Booked testsTests available to book in 24 week booking windowLaunceston1081855Bodmin18.31,974422National18.4552,86394,169 The DVSA understands how disappointing it is when driving tests are cancelled and therefore will only cancel appointments as an absolute last resort. Those affected by cancellations will automatically be offered a new appointment at the original test centre on the next earliest date available. If this is unsuitable, a candidate can check the booking service for alternative appointments. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers in DTCs, include the recruitment of driving examiners, conducting tests outside of regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from driving examiners. The DVSA also continues to deploy examiners from areas with lower waiting times into those centres with longer waiting times. This is in addition to the DVSA recruiting additional examiners across the country into areas where waiting times are highest. The table below shows the average waiting time for driving tests at each of the DTCs in Cornwall. Waiting time information per DTC is only available from April 2015 onwards. It is not possible to know the number of people who are waiting to take a test. Financial year2015/162016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24Apr 24 - Aug 24Bodmin84.13.83.67.17.610.910.79.815.4Camborne4.54.35.65.97.29.514.515.112.715Isles of Scilly*41816.5Nil14.6Nil7.521.720.921.6Launceston6.94.232.48.611.913.58.81112Penzance**76.45.86.17.74.915.821.720.423.9*Isles of Scilly DTC is a remote DTC and operates a book-to-hold system. Examiners are deployed once candidates have booked to hold.** Penzance DTC operates on a part time basis (2 days per week).
What the average waiting time was for a practical driving test appointment at test centres in North Cornwall constituency in the latest period for which data is available; and if she will make an estimate of the number of people who are waiting to take a test in that constituency.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving tests available within the 24-week booking window. The two driving test centres (DTC) within the North Cornwall constituency of Bodmin and Launceston are shown in the table below. The table shows the August 2024 average waiting time, number of booked car practical driving tests, and available tests as of 2 September 2024 at both DTCs. DTCAverage car practical driving test waiting time Aug 24Booked testsTests available to book in 24 week booking windowLaunceston1081855Bodmin18.31,974422National18.4552,86394,169 The DVSA understands how disappointing it is when driving tests are cancelled and therefore will only cancel appointments as an absolute last resort. Those affected by cancellations will automatically be offered a new appointment at the original test centre on the next earliest date available. If this is unsuitable, a candidate can check the booking service for alternative appointments. Measures in place to reduce waiting times for customers in DTCs, include the recruitment of driving examiners, conducting tests outside of regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from driving examiners. The DVSA also continues to deploy examiners from areas with lower waiting times into those centres with longer waiting times. This is in addition to the DVSA recruiting additional examiners across the country into areas where waiting times are highest. The table below shows the average waiting time for driving tests at each of the DTCs in Cornwall. Waiting time information per DTC is only available from April 2015 onwards. It is not possible to know the number of people who are waiting to take a test. Financial year2015/162016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24Apr 24 - Aug 24Bodmin84.13.83.67.17.610.910.79.815.4Camborne4.54.35.65.97.29.514.515.112.715Isles of Scilly*41816.5Nil14.6Nil7.521.720.921.6Launceston6.94.232.48.611.913.58.81112Penzance**76.45.86.17.74.915.821.720.423.9*Isles of Scilly DTC is a remote DTC and operates a book-to-hold system. Examiners are deployed once candidates have booked to hold.** Penzance DTC operates on a part time basis (2 days per week).