Every parliamentary written question tabled by Euan Stainbank this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 221–240 of 330 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to cover the costs in full for the provision of statutory obligations by councils for children resettled within a local authority in the Ukrainian resettlement scheme by the end of this Parliament.
Further details will be announced in the usual way, in due course.
What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the impact of 10% tariffs on UK exports to the USA on the Scottish economy; and what steps he is taking with the Scottish Government to help mitigate that impact.
The US market is Scotland's second largest export market for goods, worth £4bn in 2024. In response to US tariffs, the government launched a Request for Input on the 3 April to gather feedback directly from stakeholders across the whole of the UK that could be affected by our possible response options.On 8 May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, saving thousands of jobs, protecting key British industries, and helping drive economic growth. DBT Ministers and officials engaged regularly with the Devolved Governments on US tariffs during the progress of the talks with the US and continue to do so.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with (a) Hertfordshire County Council and (b) the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service on safety at Traveller sites in the context of the fire at Redbourn’s Ver Meadows Travellers site on 12 July 2025.
The government continues to be updated on the recovery plan following the incident via the Recovery Coordinating Group (RCG) which includes representatives from Hertfordshire County Council, St Albans District Council and the fire and rescue service.An independent fire investigation, requested by Hertfordshire County Council, will be shared in due course, and we will carefully consider any findings.
What steps the Government is taking to strengthen the UK’s ability to protect its satellite infrastructure from (a) cyber attacks, (b) jamming and (c) other forms of hostile interference.
Protecting the UK's satellites and related ground infrastructure is a Defence priority. The Strategic Defence Review affirms that satellite communication and data relays are fundamental to the Armed Forces’ ability to understand the battlespace, exchange information, and make and communicate decisions in real time. Our ongoing work in this area focuses on improving space awareness, asset security, and system resilience, whilst incorporating relevant lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and from our Allies and international partners.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the ongoing UK–US trade negotiations (a) in July 2025 and (b) at other times on (i) manufacturers and (ii) exporters in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to ensure that (A) automotive manufacturing and (B) other sectors with a significant presence in Falkirk are included in any future trade agreement.
We are currently implementing the first phase of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. The deal protects manufacturing through the removal of tariffs for aerospace goods and reducing tariffs for automotive, alongside the implementation of a new quota. The US was the 2nd largest goods export market for Scotland in 2024. We will continue our extensive engagement with businesses from across the UK, including those in Scotland, throughout these remaining negotiations.
What recent steps her Department has taken to improve asylum claim processing times.
The Home Office continues to invest in a programme of transformation and business improvement, including innovative methods to speed up asylum decision making and improve the quality and consistency of our work.The latest quarter saw the second highest three-month period for people receiving initial decisions since comparable records began in 2002, and more than double (+116%) those in the three months before the election (April to June 2024).
Whether her Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the employment status of joint or sole directors who receive their income from both dividends and a salary.
An individual’s employment status is determined by the facts and circumstances of the engagement between the worker and engager. This is based on case law. HMRC takes steps to ensure individuals are correctly treated as employees, or as self-employed, where they should be. HMRC provides extensive guidance to support organisations and individuals understand and determine employment status for tax. The Government acknowledges that differences in tax treatment between employees, the self-employed and those working through a company structure can lead to individuals paying different amounts of tax while doing very similar work. Rates of dividend tax are lower than the main rates of income tax, partly to recognise the fact that corporation tax may have been charged on the profits that are then distributed in the form of dividends The off-payroll working rules, also known as IR35, have been in place for 25 years. They are designed to ensure that individuals working like employees but through their own company, usually a personal service company (PSC), pay broadly the same income tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs) as those who are directly employed.
Whether her Department has collected data on the share of e-bike sales comprising models imported from China.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK which includes data on imports of e-bikes. HMRC releases this information monthly, as a National Statistic called the Overseas Trade in Goods Statistics (OTS), which is available via their dedicated website (www.uktradeinfo.com).From this website, it is possible to build your own data tables based upon bespoke search criteria. HMRC does not hold information on what percentage of sales in the UK are made up of e-bikes that were imported from China.Classification codes (according to the Harmonised System) are available to assist you in accessing published trade statistics data in the UK Global Tariff. Goods moving to and from the UK are identified by commodity codes. These are publicly available from the UK Trade Tariff at https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff. E-bikes are most likely classified within commodity codes 87116010 and 87116090.If you need help or support in constructing a table from the data on uktradeinfo, please contact uktradeinfo@hmrc.gov.uk.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of changes in the market share of e-bikes imported from China out of all e-bikes sold in the UK since 6 February 2025.
UK bicycle manufacturers play a key role in supporting our green growth ambitions. The Government’s Industrial and Trade Strategies are designed to support innovation, sustainability, and skills development, to help businesses grow, create new jobs, and compete internationally. The independent Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) assessed the market share of e-bikes imported from China as part of its recent anti-dumping review. Following the TRA's recommendation, anti-dumping measures on Chinese folding e-bikes were extended on 6 February 2025. The TRA will continue to assess the effectiveness of these measures, including any changes in market share.
Whether the Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel has made an assessment of trends in the level of demand for buses; and whether they have considered the (a) location and (b) type of demand over the next 10 years.
A key output of the UK Bus Manufacturing Panel will be the publication of a ten-year pipeline of projected bus orders. The aim is to consolidate reliable data from Mayoral Combined Authorities and operators into a single, accessible source for all zero-emission bus stakeholders. High-quality, credible data is essential to building industry confidence, and the pipeline is expected to be published later this year to ensure that projected orders reflect realistic and deliverable commitments.
With reference to the impact assessment on the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill, published on 30 June 2025, how many of those moved into relative or absolute poverty are due solely to changes of the Universal Credit Health Element.
No assessment has been made on this basis. The Poverty Impact assessment published ahead of the Bill Committee Stage shows a 50,000 reduction in the number of people below the poverty line.
What recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Court of Session’s judgment on the Petition of the Scottish Ministers for Judicial Review of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, published on 8 December 2023.
The Scottish Government confirmed in a statement to the Scottish Parliament on 22 April 2025 that it has no plans to bring back the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
With reference to the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what steps his Department is taking to support the creation of defence-related jobs in (a) domestic supply chains, (b) advance manufacturing and (c) other areas; and what proportion of new manufacturing work will be assembly-based compared to that delivered through the wider supply chain.
The Strategic Defence Review sets the path for making defence an engine for growth, boosting prosperity, jobs and security for working people across the UK, in support of this Government’s growth mission. The UK’s manufacturing industry is vital not only to our national security but to our prosperity and economic growth which is why the Defence Industrial Strategy will include measures to back UK business and make defence an engine for growth as we realise the defence dividend. This Government is committed to strengthening domestic supply chains including in the advanced manufacturing sector.
How many recipients of Universal Credit Health Element recipients have been diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome.
The specific information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to suspend arms export licences to Israel for use in the West Bank.
One of our first acts in government was to review and suspend export licences that could be used by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza, as announced to Parliament. We have successfully implemented that suspension and continue to refuse all relevant licence applications. Subject to the specific measures taken to protect the global F-35 programme, we are clear there are no export licences currently being used by the IDF in military operations in Gaza or the West Bank.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to food bank referral slips on levels of food poverty since February 2024.
Under the previous administration, DWP introduced a new food charity signposting slip to replace the one previously used, removing personal data to better comply with obligations, including GDPR responsibilities, and to improve our process. The new slip does not change our DWP policy, and our Jobcentres continue to provide customers with guidance to find additional support, including to emergency food support when appropriate.
When he plans to bring forward the Industrial Strategy Bill.
We will introduce an Industrial Strategy Bill to implement measures within the White Paper that require primary legislation when parliamentary time allows. This will include provisions to put the Industrial Strategy Council on a statutory footing, underlining our commitment to policy stability, continuity, and delivery of our 10-year plan. We will also use the Bill to legislate for wider measures, such as supporting businesses with their electricity costs.
How many buses were ordered from British bus manufacturers with (a) full and (b) partial financial support from (i) the Government and (ii) devolved English authorities between 2011 and 2025.
HMG does not hold specific data on buses ordered by devolved English authorities during the period between 2011 and 2025. However, it is estimated that since 2011, approximately 1,494 buses were ordered from UK-based bus manufacturers with full or partial support. This estimated total accounts for the following funding schemes: Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme, Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programmes, Transforming Cities Fund, City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements and All Electric Bus City (Coventry). It is estimated that 60% of Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA)-supported buses will be procured from UK-based bus manufacturers.
Whether the £200m allocation to Grangemouth from the National Wealth Fund is restricted for investment proposals contained fully or partially within the boundaries of the Grangemouth oil refinery.
The National Wealth Fund stands ready to provide £200 million of investment to finance projects in the Grangemouth area, subject to investible propositions meeting the National Wealth Fund’s criteria. Beyond Grangemouth, the National Wealth Fund is capitalised with £27.8 billion to invest in projects across the whole of the UK.
If she will bring forward legislative proposals to (a) modernise and (b) simplify gender recognition legislation.
As set out in the King’s Speech, our priorities in this session are to bring forward our draft Bills on banning conversion practices and on race and disability equality, alongside strengthening protections from hate crime for LGBT people and improving trans people’s healthcare.