Every parliamentary written question tabled by Chris Law this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–60 of 236 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, whether the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill will include measures to support the use of low-carbon, natural building materials.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill contains no measures relating to building materials. The full text of the Bill as introduced, as well as further versions of the Bill as it is reprinted to incorporate amendments made during its passage through Parliament, can be found online here.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with the construction industry on planning barriers and standards affecting the use of natural materials such as stone in new developments.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 92689 on 28 November 2025.
What assessment her Department has made of the impact of energy costs and industrial tariffs on small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK stone and quarrying industry.
The Government continually monitors the UK economy and is bearing down on business energy prices by reducing Great Britain’s reliance on volatile international gas prices, and through a new framework to scrutinise energy levies, ensuring they are affordable and value-for-money. We know that behind taxation, energy prices are the most cited barrier to growth by SMEs (50%). The Government has a variety of schemes, already in place or due to be launched soon, that either directly support businesses by reducing energy costs or support them to reduce costs by making energy efficiencies and decarbonising. Examples include:The Business Energy Advice Service pilot, which runs until March 2026, supporting SMEs in the West Midlands to reduce their energy demand, reduce their energy bills and in turn decarbonise.Providing funding to improve the UK Business Climate Hub (UKBCH), an online resource which will support SMEs to identify and implement changes to their energy use, resulting in decarbonisation and energy bill savings. The UK Global Tariff is tailored to the UK economy, and has been designed to balance the interests of consumers and producers, and our wider strategic trade objectives. As with all policy, the Government welcomes feedback and monitors these requests closely.
If she will review energy support and taxation policy for energy-intensive industries such as quarrying to ensure fair treatment compared with high-carbon sectors like steel and glass.
The government keeps all tax under review as part of the policy making process. The government is bearing down on business energy prices by reducing Great Britain’s reliance on volatile international gas prices, and through a new framework to scrutinise energy levies, ensuring they are affordable and value-for-money.
If he will review public procurement guidance to ensure that locally and sustainably sourced building materials are prioritised in public projects.
The Procurement Act 2023 allows contracting authorities the flexibility to include considerations such as locally and sustainably sourced building materials in contracts. Any criteria adopted must be relevant and proportionate to the contract. We have consulted on procurement reforms to further boost domestic supply chains and create more opportunities for businesses, in particular SMEs, across the UK. We will be publishing the consultation outcome - and legislative proposals - soon.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of heritage skills training to support employment and regeneration in rural and post-industrial areas.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 November 2025 to PQ 89153 regarding investment in skills to support technical routes and work-based learning in England, including heritage skills training. At Budget, the Government announced a package of £725 million additional investment to deliver the next phase of the Growth and Skills Levy in England. The Government recognises the importance of skills training to supporting employment, including in rural and post-industrial areas. As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers.
What steps his Department is taking to promote heritage craft and stonemasonry apprenticeships as part of the wider skills and construction workforce strategy.
Apprenticeships are a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only. A range of apprenticeships, including the level 2 stonemason apprenticeship standard, are available to support employers and learners in the heritage sector to develop the skills they need. To support more apprenticeship opportunities, from the next academic year, the government will fully fund apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers for eligible people aged under 25. The department currently pays full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21 at non-levy paying employers and apprentices aged 22-24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan or have been, or are, in local authority care. Additionally, we pay £1,000 to employers of all sizes when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 18, or aged 19 to 24 who are care leavers or have an education, health and care plan.
How many existing claimants are waiting for Work Capability Assessment reassessments as of 31 October 2025.
The number of Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) for existing claimants undertaken in September 2025 was 3,100 and in October 2025 was 6,000. As of 31 October 2025, approximately 100,000 existing claimants were awaiting WCAs. This total includes all existing claimants currently within the assessment suppliers’ caseload, including those at the questionnaire stage and those for whom further medical evidence is being gathered. Due to unforeseen high levels of WCAs required in late 2024, a backlog of reassessment cases built up from individuals reporting a change in their condition before May 2025. We are working with suppliers to increase capacity for clearing this backlog, including by accelerating the recruitment of assessors. 6,000 of these referrals have already been progressed, and we expect the vast majority of the remainder to be cleared over the next six months. Please note Volumes have been rounded to the nearest 100 or 1000.All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the assessment suppliers.The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.
As of 31 October 2025 how many new claimants awaiting Work Capability Assessments have had a) at least one scheduled assessment cancelled by Maximus b) at least two scheduled assessments cancelled by Maximus and c) more than two scheduled assessments cancelled by Maximus.
As of 31 October 2025, there were approximately 74,000 new claimants and 40,000 existing claimants awaiting a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) with Maximus. These figures include all Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claims currently held. These totals also encompass all claimants currently within Maximus’ caseload, including those at the questionnaire stage and those for whom further medical evidence is being gathered. Very few people who are booked in for an assessment are not seen on the appointed day. However, on occasion unforeseen circumstances do arise, such as a claimant’s file has not been received, the health professional is unavailable due to illness, or there is a significant waiting time on the day. Maximus is required to make every possible effort to ensure the appointment can still go ahead before a cancellation is processed.If it is anticipated that a claimant cannot be seen on the day of their appointment, or the assessment is delayed, Maximus is required to make every effort to contact the claimant by telephone to apologise and explain the action that will be taken to rearrange the appointment. The number of new and existing claimants awaiting a WCA which have had their scheduled assessment cancelled by Maximus from the start of the Functional Assessment Services (FAS) contracts on 9 September 2024 up to the 31 October 2025 can be found in the table below. Number of WCAs cancelled by MaximusNew ClaimantsExisting ClaimantsOnce640250Twice6020More than twice105 (identifies as 5 or less) Please note Volumes have been rounded to the nearest 10 or 1000.All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the assessment suppliers.The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.Cancellation figures by Maximus do not include cancellations made by the department.Cancellation figures only include cancellations from FAS operational service commencement date of 9 September 2024 when Maximus commenced the FAS contract.
How many Work Capability Assessments for existing claimants were undertaken in (a) September 2025 and (b) October 2025.
The number of Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) for existing claimants undertaken in September 2025 was 3,100 and in October 2025 was 6,000. As of 31 October 2025, approximately 100,000 existing claimants were awaiting WCAs. This total includes all existing claimants currently within the assessment suppliers’ caseload, including those at the questionnaire stage and those for whom further medical evidence is being gathered. Due to unforeseen high levels of WCAs required in late 2024, a backlog of reassessment cases built up from individuals reporting a change in their condition before May 2025. We are working with suppliers to increase capacity for clearing this backlog, including by accelerating the recruitment of assessors. 6,000 of these referrals have already been progressed, and we expect the vast majority of the remainder to be cleared over the next six months. Please note Volumes have been rounded to the nearest 100 or 1000.All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the assessment suppliers.The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.
As of 31 October 2025 how many existing claimants awaiting Work Capability Assessments have had a) at least one scheduled assessment cancelled by Maximus b) at least two scheduled assessments cancelled by Maximus and c) more than two scheduled assessments cancelled by Maximus.
As of 31 October 2025, there were approximately 74,000 new claimants and 40,000 existing claimants awaiting a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) with Maximus. These figures include all Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claims currently held. These totals also encompass all claimants currently within Maximus’ caseload, including those at the questionnaire stage and those for whom further medical evidence is being gathered. Very few people who are booked in for an assessment are not seen on the appointed day. However, on occasion unforeseen circumstances do arise, such as a claimant’s file has not been received, the health professional is unavailable due to illness, or there is a significant waiting time on the day. Maximus is required to make every possible effort to ensure the appointment can still go ahead before a cancellation is processed.If it is anticipated that a claimant cannot be seen on the day of their appointment, or the assessment is delayed, Maximus is required to make every effort to contact the claimant by telephone to apologise and explain the action that will be taken to rearrange the appointment. The number of new and existing claimants awaiting a WCA which have had their scheduled assessment cancelled by Maximus from the start of the Functional Assessment Services (FAS) contracts on 9 September 2024 up to the 31 October 2025 can be found in the table below. Number of WCAs cancelled by MaximusNew ClaimantsExisting ClaimantsOnce640250Twice6020More than twice105 (identifies as 5 or less) Please note Volumes have been rounded to the nearest 10 or 1000.All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the assessment suppliers.The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.Cancellation figures by Maximus do not include cancellations made by the department.Cancellation figures only include cancellations from FAS operational service commencement date of 9 September 2024 when Maximus commenced the FAS contract.
As of 31 October 2025 how many a) new claimants and b) existing claimants were awaiting Work Capability Assessments provided by Maximus.
As of 31 October 2025, there were approximately 74,000 new claimants and 40,000 existing claimants awaiting a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) with Maximus. These figures include all Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit claims currently held. These totals also encompass all claimants currently within Maximus’ caseload, including those at the questionnaire stage and those for whom further medical evidence is being gathered. Very few people who are booked in for an assessment are not seen on the appointed day. However, on occasion unforeseen circumstances do arise, such as a claimant’s file has not been received, the health professional is unavailable due to illness, or there is a significant waiting time on the day. Maximus is required to make every possible effort to ensure the appointment can still go ahead before a cancellation is processed.If it is anticipated that a claimant cannot be seen on the day of their appointment, or the assessment is delayed, Maximus is required to make every effort to contact the claimant by telephone to apologise and explain the action that will be taken to rearrange the appointment. The number of new and existing claimants awaiting a WCA which have had their scheduled assessment cancelled by Maximus from the start of the Functional Assessment Services (FAS) contracts on 9 September 2024 up to the 31 October 2025 can be found in the table below. Number of WCAs cancelled by MaximusNew ClaimantsExisting ClaimantsOnce640250Twice6020More than twice105 (identifies as 5 or less) Please note Volumes have been rounded to the nearest 10 or 1000.All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the assessment suppliers.The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.Cancellation figures by Maximus do not include cancellations made by the department.Cancellation figures only include cancellations from FAS operational service commencement date of 9 September 2024 when Maximus commenced the FAS contract.
When the Government plans to respond to the correspondence of 24 October 2025 from the hon. Member for Dundee Central.
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister has sent a response to the Honourable Member.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce the backlog of cases in the Access to Work scheme.
We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 27% and we have continued to streamline delivery practises. We remain committed to reducing waiting times for claims, prioritising customers starting a job within the next four weeks. In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.
What steps he is taking to reduce the time taken for (a) award decisions and (b) reimbursement payments for the Access to Work scheme.
We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 27% and we have continued to streamline delivery practises. We remain committed to reducing waiting times for claims, prioritising customers starting a job within the next four weeks. In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are reviewing all aspects of Access to Work as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.
What decisions have been taken on the use of Dundee Workforce Accommodation Alloway (Dundee Digs) DD4 8UA for housing asylum seekers.
This Government have committed to close all asylum hotels and to achieve this, we will look at a range of more appropriate sites like disused accommodation, industrial and ex-military sites so that we can reduce the impact on communities.For the safety, security and wellbeing of staff and those being accommodated, the Home Office does not disclose information about accommodation sites which may or may not be utilised to the general public.
How many staff employed in nursing homes in Scotland have had to leave their employer in the last 12 months as a result of their employer's sponsor licence being withdrawn.
The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.This Government is committed to taking action against employers who breach their duties as sponsors and exploit migrant workers.UKVI are working closely with DHSC’s funded Regional Partnerships to ensure workers impacted in England have access to vacancies in Scotland. UKVI are also working with Scottish officials to deliver processes to support workers impacted by Scottish care providers receive the support they need.
How many nursing homes in Scotland have had their sponsor licence withdrawn this year.
The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.This Government is committed to taking action against employers who breach their duties as sponsors and exploit migrant workers.UKVI are working closely with DHSC’s funded Regional Partnerships to ensure workers impacted in England have access to vacancies in Scotland. UKVI are also working with Scottish officials to deliver processes to support workers impacted by Scottish care providers receive the support they need.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she plans to hold an inquiry into the employment of Gila Ben-Yakov Phillips at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November to question 90113.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of firefighters' public pension scheme managers extending the deadline to issue Remediable Service Statements past the original deadline of 31 March 2025.
A Remediable Service Statement sets out the benefits options available to members of the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme in order to remedy the discrimination found in McCloud. Delivery is managed locally by Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs), who may decide to extend the deadline beyond March 2025 in certain specific circumstances. Where an FRA has made such a decision, members may have to wait longer to receive the necessary information to make a decision regarding which pension benefits they wish to receive.