Every parliamentary written question tabled by David Chadwick this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 181–200 of 359 · this parliament
Whether the Government plans to extend East-West Rail to (a) Cardiff, (b) Bristol and (c) Norwich.
East West Rail (EWR) is a new railway that will connect Oxford-Cambridge and cities and towns in between. The proposed service pattern on the line was set out in the EWR consultation in November 2024. There are key interchanges with major rail lines along the route and connections with long distance services will be subject to future decision.
Whether her Department has conducted an impact assessment of the potential impact of changes to inheritance tax relief for farmers on the Welsh language.
The Government is not under an obligation to carry out or publish a specific Welsh language impact assessment of tax policies. However, it is not expected there will be any material impact on the opportunities of individuals to use the Welsh language following these reforms.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of building a second Severn Tunnel or bridge specifically for rail services.
The strategic planning functions within Network Rail and Transport for Wales are considering the future capacity requirements of the South Wales Mainline. Their advice will be provided to the Wales Rail Board to inform the prioritisation of the government’s investment in Welsh rail services. Initial findings indicate that predicted future growth of services can be met through incremental upgrade of existing infrastructure.
What recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of the development of a metro-style train service between (a) Cardiff, (b) Newport, (c) Bristol and (d) Bath.
There are no plans to change the existing train service between Cardiff and Bath which is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR). My officials are however in active discussions with Transport for Wales about the potential introduction of a new train service between West Wales and Bristol, which could also serve new stations along the South Wales corridor. The Department for Transport would need to be satisfied that any new service would be operationally robust and affordable for taxpayers.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of constructing a direct rail link to Cardiff Airport.
The Wales Rail Board is responsible for assessing and recommending rail investments to support new and improved services in Wales. The approach of the Board is to promote improvements to services on the Vale of Glamorgan line, including to Rhoose, where there is an effective integrated bus link to Cardiff Airport.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered the potential merits of revising the system for remaining off the electoral register on the grounds of safety from a former abusive partner, so that applications do not need to be renewed annually with supporting evidence from a (a) doctor and (b) judge.
The government committed in its manifesto to improving voter registration. This commitment applies to every eligible elector. The current system requires individuals registered as anonymous electors to reapply annually to maintain their status. The government acknowledges that this requirement imposes an unnecessary burden on those electors.In its published strategy, Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, the government committed to amending the legislation to extend the duration of anonymity period. This reform will mean that anonymous electors will no longer need to reapply each year, thereby streamlining the process and reducing barriers to participation.
What steps she is taking with Great British Railways to help ensure the operation of train services stopping at (a) Wrexham, (b) Shrewsbury and (c) London.
This Government’s bold vision for the railways will see a unified and simplified rail system that relentlessly focuses on improved services for passengers and better value for taxpayers, ending years of fragmentation and waste. Great British Railways (GBR) will be the directing mind for the network to provide the best balance between local, regional and national services to deliver a better performing railway for passengers, freight and taxpayers. GBR will have the ability to plan its future service patterns in accordance with market demand, revenue forecasting, and stakeholder expectations, including train services between Wrexham, Shrewsbury and London.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the fees charged for (a) lowering, (b) relocating and (c) diverting the network by Openreach.
As the independent regulator for communications services, Ofcom regulates Openreach’s charges to ensure fair competition, so the government has not made any such specific assessment.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reconnecting Brecon to the rail network.
The Wales Rail Board is responsible for assessing and recommending rail investments to support new and improved services in Wales. No credible scheme to restore a direct rail connection to Brecon has been identified to date. The UK and Welsh Governments are collaborating on their respective bus reform agendas. In Wales, this supports Transport for Wales’ vision for a fully integrated transport network providing improved connectivity to places not served by the existing rail network. For Brecon specifically, a new bus timetable and fare structure has recently been launched, offering greater flexibility and value for passengers.
What is the total allocated budget for each of the five new railway stations to be built in south east Wales.
The government’s recent Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy has recognised Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs and will deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements to realise them. The exact proportion of funding required to support individual enhancement schemes will be confirmed through further development activity currently underway by industry partners.
When she will announce the locations of the five new railway stations to be built in south east Wales.
Based on the work of the South East Wales Transport Commission and subsequent development activity, new stations are proposed at Newport Road (Cardiff), Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, and Magor & Undy. The funding announced in the Spending Review will support the further development of options and confirm the exact locations for the stations. The programme for this will be confirmed in due course by the two governments, supported by our industry partners.
Whether she has plans for the electrification of the north Wales mainline.
Together with industry partners, we have identified a number of improvements on the North Wales Main Line which will deliver more immediate passenger benefits, including increasing the frequency of services in 2026, which will serve to strengthen the business case for future electrification. Following the Spending Review, we are funding these improvement works as part of the wider £445 million investment to enhance rail infrastructure across Wales — unlocking economic potential, improving connectivity, and supporting communities.
What is the total allocated budget for all five of the new railway stations to be built in south east Wales.
The government’s recent Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy has recognised Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs and will deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements to realise them. The exact proportion of funding required to support individual enhancement schemes will be confirmed through further development activity currently underway by industry partners.
With reference to the Spring Statement and the Spending Review 2025, what is the expected completion date of each of the five new railways stations to be built in south east Wales.
Based on the work of the South East Wales Transport Commission and subsequent development activity, new stations are proposed at Newport Road (Cardiff), Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, and Magor & Undy. The funding announced in the Spending Review will support the further development of options for these stations, allowing the programme and expected completion date of each station to be confirmed in due course by the two governments, supported by our industry partners.
What steps she is taking to help (a) tackle infrastructure congestion and (b) improve (i) timetable capacity and (ii) passenger numbers to support open access plans for the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway.
The delivery of HS2 will almost double long-distance rail capacity between London and the West Midlands, significantly improving the heavily congested southern section of the West Coast Main Line and releasing capacity for other services on the route. We are also investing to increase power supply on the southern end of the West Coast Main Line to enable the introduction of new electric services and support future growth and performance improvements on the route.Further, my Department remains committed to a role for Open Access where it provides genuine benefits to passengers without disproportionately impacting taxpayers, which is why we provided support for Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway’s application. However, we must equally ensure that Open Access does not have detrimental impacts upon the performance of the network. It is the role of the regulator to take access decisions informed by assessments of capacity.
With reference to the recent review of the Disabled Facilities Grant upper limit, when his Department will publish (a) the results of the review and (b) a report on next steps; and what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the DFG system for people living with motor neurone disease.
In England, the Government continues to fund the locally administered Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which helps eligible older and disabled people on low incomes to adapt their homes. This includes people living with motor neurone disease.We have provided an additional £172 million across the current and previous financial years to uplift the DFG, which could provide around 15,600 home adaptations to give older and disabled people more independence in their homes. This brings the total funding for the DFG to £711 million in 2024/25 and 2025/26.We continue to keep all aspects of the DFG under consideration. Recently, we carried out a review of the upper limit for the DFG. This was an internal review and will not be published. We are currently considering the findings.
How many people in receipt of Universal Credit welfare payments have (a) undergraduate and (b) post-graduate degrees in Wales.
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 29th August is attached.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of giving teachers an emergency covid booster.
The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to serious disease from COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).The JCVI has advised that since 2020, population immunity to COVID-19 has been increasing. COVID-19 is now a relatively mild disease for most people, with rates of hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 having reduced significantly since the disease first emerged. The currently available COVID-19 vaccines provide limited protection against transmission and mild disease.On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for spring 2025, autumn 2025, and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026On 26 June 2025, the Government accepted the JCVI’s advice that in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination should be offered to adults aged 75 years old and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and the immunosuppressed aged six months old and over.There are no plans to offer an emergency COVID-19 vaccination to any group. In line with JCVI advice, teachers as a group will not be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Teachers who are otherwise eligible, for example because of their own health conditions, will be offered the vaccine as part of the autumn 2025 vaccination programme.
Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the civil justice system for litigants in person.
This Government is committed to ensuring access to justice for all, whether people have legal representation or not. The Ministry of Justice is providing over £6 million of grant funding in 2025-26 to 60 organisations to improve access to free legal support and information, both in-person and online. This includes support for Litigants in Person (LiPs) to help them navigate the justice system effectively, including preparation for court and support at court.Judges have a duty to ensure a fair trial by giving LiPs assistance, helping to ensure that LiPs are treated equally before the law. Guidance and rules sets out how the judiciary engage with LiPs, including the Equal Treatment Bench Book and Practice Direction 1A of the Civil Procedure Rules. LiPs can request supportive measures including reasonable adjustments, and interpreters at court. They can request to bring their own supporter such as a friend/family member. New digital services built under the Reform programme have been designed to be simple, accessible, and easy to use for LiPs.The Government will continue to take steps to understand and improve LiPs’ experience of the civil justice system through Public User engagement Groups, research and feedback surveys.
On what date the decision was taken to re-classify East-West Rail as an England and Wales project.
As rail infrastructure projects have not been devolved to Wales the categorisation of these projects is in line with wider devolution policy managed by Treasury. Every Government funded rail project in Wales or England are always categorised as England and Wales investment projects. The categorising of East West Rail as an England and Wales project does not mean that Wales is disadvantaged in any way.