Every parliamentary written question tabled by Greg Smith this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 141–160 of 254 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her US counterpart on reports of BBC Panorama editing President Trump's speech.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 17 November to Question 89121, which sets out the Government's position on this matter.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on requiring local authorities to allow at least two different payment methods for parking.
The Department for Transport have noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, including its recommendation on payment methods for parking, and is considering its recommendations.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on an alcohol interlocks trial.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on headlight glare.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on General Safety Regulation 2.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on ghost number plates.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made that report's recommendations on road safety.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure that funding for newly licensed medicines results in improved patient outcomes.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology works closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to implement the Life Sciences Sector Plan, which seeks to improve patient outcomes by driving health innovation in England.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the NHS on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded based on an assessment of clinical and cost-effectiveness. This process ensures that new licensed medicines will only be routinely funded by the NHS where evidence demonstrates that their costs are justified by the benefits that they bring for NHS patients.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment he has made of that report's recommendations on the official Private parking code of practice.
This government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector and welcomes the support and views of the RAC, along with other motoring groups and parking industry representatives. In accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government is preparing a code of practice that provides guidance on the operation and management of private parking facilities. The government has recently consulted on its proposals for the code and will respond in due course.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on yellow box junction enforcement by local authorities.
The Department will make an assessment on the report’s recommendations in due course.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on excessive speeding.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
With reference to the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, published in October 2025, what assessment she has made of that report's recommendations on vehicle cloning.
The Department has noted the recent publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2025, and is considering the recommendations.Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. This Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. Our Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. We intend to publish by the end of the year.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of real-terms reductions in core funding on the delivery of statutory services by Buckinghamshire Council.
The government has been listening closely to the views expressed by the public, local authorities and other bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation. No final decisions on the outcome of the review have yet been taken. The vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement. We will publish further information in the government’s consultation response in Autumn, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.
What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate on the development of non-electric technologies to power motor cars.
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate sets annual targets for the proportion of new zero emission cars and vans sold in the UK. This regulation does not require that new zero emission vehicles be electric, only that they emit no CO2 from the tailpipe. The ZEV Mandate therefore considers any vehicles that meet that criteria to be zero emission, including, for example, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Currently, battery electric is the leading ZEV technology.
How many night time freight movements are permitted on East West Rail.
A noise assessment for East West Rail (EWR) was undertaken for the Environmental Statement supporting the Transport and Works Act Order application for the railway. The assessment assumed a traffic flow of 8 freight trains composed of 36 wagons during the nighttime period (23:00 – 07:00). Mitigations have been provided for this in line with the Noise Insultation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations.
What conditions for night time rail freight movements have been placed on the Oxford to Milton Keynes stretch of East West Rail.
A noise assessment for East West Rail (EWR) was undertaken for the Environmental Statement supporting the Transport and Works Act Order application for the railway. The assessment assumed a traffic flow of 8 freight trains composed of 36 wagons during the nighttime period (23:00 – 07:00). Mitigations have been provided for this in line with the Noise Insultation (Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems) Regulations.
When passenger services from Oxford to Milton Keynes will commence on East West Rail.
The Department is working closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the service. We are looking forward to commencing services as soon as all necessary authorisations and agreements are in place. Passenger services will commence once train testing and driver training have been completed.
Whether she has had recent discussions with Chiltern Railways on the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park.
My Officials have been in regular contact with Chiltern Railways regarding the refurbishment of Haddenham & Thame Parkway car park, particularly in light of the closure of the upper deck and the resulting capacity challenges. The Department will continue to engage with Chiltern Railways to ensure that car park improvements deliver meaningful benefits for rail users and the wider local community.
What support is available to help Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust to recruit and retain specialist cancer (a) nurses and (b) other professionals.
Recruitment to National Health Service roles is managed locally by NHS trusts and partner employers. However, NHS England is taking a range of actions to support the recruitment and retention of staff.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. To support this ambition, the Government will introduce a new set of standards for modern employment in April 2026. The new standards will reaffirm our commitment to improving retention by tackling the issues that matter to staff.Over 1,000 Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS) grants were made available to new and aspiring CNSs. This will benefit trusts across the country, including Buckinghamshire NHS Healthcare Trust. Additionally, NHS England funds the Aspirant Cancer Career Education and Development Framework, which sets out an end-to-end career pathway for nurses and other staff working in cancer to build their competencies to deliver the best possible care.We will work with the university sector and colleagues across Government to ensure that we train the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals that we need and maximise the contribution that our great research institutions make to the country. We are committed to training the staff we need to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.Furthermore, we will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places meets the demands of the NHS in the future. Over the next three years, we will create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is greatest need. This will benefit patients across the country, including Buckinghamshire.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of electrifying heavy goods vehicles on future demand on the energy grid.
The zero emission HGV sector is at early stages of deployment, but the demand is expected to grow as more trucks come to market. Government is taking a range of short and long-term actions, including new national and regional strategic planning processes, to ensure electricity infrastructure meets future demand. This includes working with Ofgem and NESO to input into these actions and raise the awareness of future transport requirements, as well as encouraging a direct dialogue with transport stakeholders to provide clarity and evidence on electricity requirements to ensure strategic planning can properly prepare for future demand.