Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Spencer this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 241–260 of 269 · this parliament
If she will rebuild the Magna Carta School in Egham.
Magna Carta was announced as part of the school rebuilding programme in February 2024. The department remains committed to rebuild or refurbish all schools within the programme and we can confirm that early planning work for Magna Carta has started.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take enforcement action against Thames Water in response to sewer flooding in the Runnymede and Weybridge Constituency.
The Environment Agency (EA) assesses all incident reports and responds to those which pose the greatest risk to the environment. The EA has received one recent report of sewer flooding in the Runnymede and Weybridge Constituency (since 1 September 2024). ...
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact on (a) local traffic and (b) air pollution of a direct rail link from Egham to Heathrow.
A direct rail link from Egham to Heathrow is not currently being developed by the Department for Transport. Heathrow Southern Rail Ltd (HSRL) is developing proposals for a southern rail link to the airport, and I would expect impacts on local traffic and...
Food and Rural Affairs, how many enforcement actions relating to flood risk prevention were taken by the Environment Agency in each constituency in 2023.
The Environment Agency (EA) regulate works in rivers through a permissions-based approach under the Environmental Permitting Regulations. These are referred to as “flood risk activities”. The primary purpose of the regulations is to ensure in-river works ...
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the provisions of Flood:Re beyond 2039.
Flood Re is a flood re-insurance scheme that aims to ensure UK householders living in properties at high risk of flooding can access affordable home insurance. The scheme is due to end in 2039, at which point the aim is for the market to offer affordable ...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce flood performance certificates.
Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Flood Re is a UK-wide, Government and industry led flood re-insurance scheme which aims to promote the affordability and availability of insurance for UK households at high flood ...
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Environment Agency's (a) actions and (b) policies in managing flood risk from watercourse in riparian ownership.
Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change and are the lead authority for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, estuaries an...
If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of lift (a) availability and (b) maintenance and repair at train stations.
This is an operational matter for Network Rail and the train operating companies. Lifts should be available whenever passengers need them, however, there have been many occasions where this has not been the case. Network Rail has been aware of lift and es...
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that (a) new homes are not build on high risk flood areas and (b) cumulative development does not increase local flood risk.
The government recognises the devastating impact which flooding can have on communities, and the role the planning system plays in directing development to areas of lowest possible flood risk. National planning policy is clear that inappropriate developme...
What estimate she has made of the number of Park Home Residents who are unable to take up Pension Credit due to pitch fees not being treated equivalently to ground rent in the application process.
An award of Pension Credit can include certain housing costs where the dwelling occupied as the home is not owned by the claimant and if these costs cannot be covered by Housing Benefit. Examples of housing costs covered by Pension Credit include: rents o...
Whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies for the (a) care and (b) treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) of the report entitled Ma
Our deepest sympathies go out to Maeve’s family and friends in this tragic case. Every patient deserves to have their condition understood and treated to the highest standard, and this is a heart-wrenching example of a patient falling through the cracks.T...
Whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on reviewing guidance for the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (b) treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chr
We have had no discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on reviewing its guidance for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).The NICE develops i...
Whether he has had recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on support for research into (a) care and (b) treatment for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis or c
My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not had any recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) specifically on research into myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue ...
What meetings he has had with (a) NHS clinical teams specialising in the care and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), (b) researchers, (c) patients and (d)
The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024...
Whether he plans to produce a national myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) strategy.
The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024...
Whether he has issued guidance to integrated care systems (ICS) on commissioning specialist care and treatment services for myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); and wheth
The Government has made a commitment to publish a final delivery plan for ME/CFS. The consultation responses, alongside continued stakeholder engagement, will inform the development of the final delivery plan, which we aim to publish in the winter of 2024...
What assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of and (b) geographical inequalities in access to Speech and Language Screening in educational and early years settings.
The department is aware that the most prevalent type of primary need identified among pupils with special educational needs (SEN) is ‘speech, language and communication needs’ (SLCN). Our vision for children and young people with SLCN is the same as it is...
Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on when the Environment Agency plans to take enforcement action against illegal moorings in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.
Environment Agency (EA) officers have been actively patrolling the Desborough Cut area and have mapped all trespassing vessels, including wrecks and abandoned boats. As of 27 September 2024, there are 29 vessels in total in this area. These include both r...
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the public information campaign for RSV vaccination uptake; and what further communication he plans for (a) people over 80 and (b) other ineligib
To raise awareness of the potential vaccination benefits and increase awareness of the programmes amongst health professionals, parents, carers, and the wider public, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provides a comprehensive suite of public facing re...
What powers she has to (a) ensure the timely delivery of the M25/A3 works and (b) prevent unnecessary disruption from the works while they are under way.
National Highways has public commitment dates for delivery in their Delivery Plan and they are held to account on these dates by the Highways Monitor, Office of Rail and Road. Additionally, through the Department’s established governance framework with Na...