Every parliamentary written question tabled by Helen Morgan this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,061–1,080 of 1,095 · this parliament
If she will make an estimate of spending by schools on using recruitment agencies to fill teaching vacancies in the 2023-24 financial year.
The department does not hold or collect the data to provide the requested estimate.For state-funded schools wishing to recruit teachers on a permanent or fixed term basis, Teaching Vacancies is a free national listing service which removes the cost for sc...
How much funding the Marches Growth Hub received (a) when the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) was in place and (b) after the LEP was removed.
DBT Funding for the Marches Growth Hub for each FY since it was established is set out in the table below: Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funded to deliver the Growth Hub Marches Growth Hub delivered by Shropshire LA 2015-162016-172017-1820...
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of ineligibility for the frequently flooded fund on communities which are frequently flooded.
Protecting communities around the country from flooding and coastal erosion is one of the new Secretary of State’s five core priorities. In July 2022, a ring-fenced £100 million Frequently Flooded Allowance (FFA) was created as part of the Government’s £5...
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken for DBS checks to be carried out for employers in England.
The DBS measures its progress using a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets agreed by its Board. The KPIs are grouped into four themes: quality, timeliness, value for money, and people. There is a strong focus on the quality and timeliness of its products and services as these are the issues that customers tell DBS are important to them and it is these that ensure the DBS supports the safeguarding of vulnerable groups including children, as effectively as possible. The 2024/25 DBS Business Plan can be viewed at: DBS business plan: 2024-25 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The most recent quarterly datasets showing statistics against internal performance standards can be viewed at: DBS dataset 1: DBS checks, the DBS Update Service, and disputes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The data applies to DBS checks, the Update Service, and disputes.
What is the (a) average and (b) target time taken for a DBS check to be completed in England.
The Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) target is to issue 85% of Basic checks within 2 days, 85% of Standard checks within 3 days, and 80% of Enhanced checks within 14 days.DBS publishes its performance data every quarter. The most recent data for April to June 2024 records the following performance for all applications processed within England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man:Basic check target attained with an average of 88.1%. The 85% target was met on day 2 and the average turnaround time was 0.7 days.Standard check target attained with an average of 88.2%. The 85% target was met on day 3 and the average turnaround time was 1.4 days.Enhanced check target not attained with an average of 75.1%. The 80% target was met on day 21 and the average turnaround time was 12.4 days.
If her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing lockable bike storage at rural (a) bus and (b) rail stations.
The Department has no plans to carry out an assessment on the potential merits of lockable cycle storage in rural travel hubs. Funding for cycle storage has been made available from a range of local transport funds, including the Active Travel Fund and the Cycle Rail Fund.In addition, Active Travel England also provides training on infrastructure design guidance and is developing specific guidance for good practice application in rural areas.
What steps she will take to help make the public transport system more accessible for rural users.
The Government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the Government will introduce the Better Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, to ensure networks can meet the needs to the communities who rely on them, including in rural areas across England.We also plan to empower local transport authorities through reforming bus funding. By giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding they can plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the Government’s ambitions. The Secretary of State has set out plans for the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation by delivering publicly owned passenger rail within the first term in government. The Government will do this as contracts with existing operators expire or if the relevant contractual conditions for early termination are met. The Passenger Railway Services Bill, announced on 17 July, will allow the Government to deliver on this commitment to bring rail services back into public ownership. The Government will also establish a new arm's length body, Great British Railways, which will deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient services; along with ensuring safety and accessibility.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the value for money of the Shared Rural Network.
To deliver the Shared Rural Network, the UK’s four mobile network operators are investing £532m to eliminate the majority of ‘partial not-spots’ – areas which receive coverage from at least one, but not all, operators. The programme has already delivered substantial improvements for rural communities across the UK, with Ofcom reporting that 4G coverage from at least one operator now stands at over 93%, up from 91% when the programme started. The government’s grant funding to upgrade Extended Area Service masts and tackle ‘total not spots’ is capped to prevent overspend. Building Digital UK is working with its delivery partners, including the Home Office, to ensure that maximal benefit can be achieved within the allotted programme funding and that the programme represents good value for money.
If her Department will take steps to encourage the carrying of bicycles on buses to create a more integrated public transport service.
The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth and delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of the government’s top priorities. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will pass the Better Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England. Every community will have its own unique needs from its public transport network and wants to empower local leaders to work with operators to design networks that meet these needs, including considering how best to integrate services with different ways of travelling, such as active travel, to deliver comprehensive coverage.
Innovation and Technology, whether the overspend of the Shared Rural Network project will be paid from the public purse.
To deliver the Shared Rural Network, the UK’s four mobile network operators are investing £532m to eliminate the majority of ‘partial not-spots’ – areas which receive coverage from at least one, but not all, operators. The programme has already delivered substantial improvements for rural communities across the UK, with Ofcom reporting that 4G coverage from at least one operator now stands at over 93%, up from 91% when the programme started. The government’s grant funding to upgrade Extended Area Service masts and tackle ‘total not spots’ is capped to prevent overspend. Building Digital UK is working with its delivery partners, including the Home Office, to ensure that maximal benefit can be achieved within the allotted programme funding and that the programme represents good value for money.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of progress made on the Shared Rural Network.
The Shared Rural Network will bring 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK landmass. Ofcom assesses the mobile network operators progress against their individual coverage targets. Ofcom reports that 4G coverage from at least one operator currently stands at over 93%, up from 91% when the programme started.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the support available receivers of Universal Credit who wish to appeal a decision of her Department at an Upper Tier Tribunal.
Tribunals are administered independently of the Department and therefore appeals to the Upper Tribunal are a matter for the appellant and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). The appellant should follow guidance from the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) on the process for appealing to the Upper Tribunal. There is also helpful information on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision/unhappy-tribunals-decision. This includes links to third party organisations who offer free advice on engaging with this process.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve mobile signal for (a) farmers and (b) rural businesses.
The Shared Rural Network will bring 4G mobile coverage to 95% of the UK landmass. Ofcom assesses the mobile network operators progress against their individual coverage targets. Ofcom reports that 4G coverage from at least one operator currently stands at over 93%, up from 91% when the programme started.
If his Department will make military service family accommodation subject to the decent homes standard.
This Government is committed to setting new minimum standards for military housing. We are assessing options to drive up standards and deliver the homes our Service families deserve. As a first step, we are establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as an independent champion for our service personnel to raise issues which impact on service life, including housing. This Government continues to invest to improve the quality of UK Service Family Accommodation (SFA). In 2024-25, £180 million is allocated to improve insulation in c600 homes, implement c1,000 long-term damp and mould remediations and refurbish 200 long-term empty homes. 1,700 minor damp and mould improvement packages are planned, and 30 more homes will receive upgraded heating solutions. A Single Living Accommodation (SLA) Expert Group, including Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Top-Level Budget representatives is continuing to address Defence Minimum Standard measures to improve the quality of SLA. The Department is looking at the recommendations of the Kerslake Review which reported before the General Election.
What steps his Department is taking to improve the quality of accommodation for (a) service people and (b) their families.
This Government is committed to setting new minimum standards for military housing. We are assessing options to drive up standards and deliver the homes our Service families deserve. As a first step, we are establishing an Armed Forces Commissioner as an independent champion for our service personnel to raise issues which impact on service life, including housing. This Government continues to invest to improve the quality of UK Service Family Accommodation (SFA). In 2024-25, £180 million is allocated to improve insulation in c600 homes, implement c1,000 long-term damp and mould remediations and refurbish 200 long-term empty homes. 1,700 minor damp and mould improvement packages are planned, and 30 more homes will receive upgraded heating solutions. A Single Living Accommodation (SLA) Expert Group, including Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Top-Level Budget representatives is continuing to address Defence Minimum Standard measures to improve the quality of SLA. The Department is looking at the recommendations of the Kerslake Review which reported before the General Election.
Innovation and Technology, when he expects every household in North Shropshire constituency to have access to gigabit broadband.
Over 72% of premises in the North Shropshire constituency can access a gigabit-capable (>1000 Mbps) broadband connection. Project Gigabit will extend this gigabit coverage. Freedom Fibre is delivering a contract to upgrade over 12,000 additional premises in the region, including over 9,000 premises in the North Shropshire constituency. We expect the first of these premises in North Shropshire to be connected by the end of 2024 and the contract is due to be completed by 2026. We will also keep suppliers’ commercial delivery plans under review and consider what else may be necessary to fulfil our ambition for gigabit coverage across the UK by 2030.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department plans to take to help improve 4G signal (a) partial not spots and (b) total not spots.
The government is working in partnership with mobile network operators to deliver the Shared Rural Network, which will reduce both partial and total not spots and bring 4G coverage to 95% of UK landmass. Ofcom reports that 4G coverage currently stands at over 93%.
Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of mobile signal roaming in rural areas.
Roaming already exists for 999 calls, as the Code of Practice for the Public Emergency Call Service requires that any call from a mobile phone will automatically roam onto another mobile network free-of-charge to make an emergency call if they have no signal from their own provider.The Government is committed to improving rural coverage. The Shared Rural Network is set to increase 4G geographic coverage throughout the UK to 95% by the end of 2025. This will enable emergency calls in new areas and will reduce the digital divide between rural and urban areas of the UK, helping rural businesses and communities to thrive.
Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the accuracy of Ofcom coverage maps for (a) 4G and (b) 5G signal.
From my own experience, I am aware that Ofcom’s coverage maps do not always match consumers’ experience of mobile networks. My Department is working with Ofcom to identify what more can be done to improve the accuracy of its reporting, noting that all sorts of factors will impact people's experience, including how many other people are on the network at any given point, as well as weather conditions.We have also asked Ofcom to keep under review its definitions of what constitutes “good” 4G and 5G coverage, so that they continue to reflect consumer expectations as people’s usage and their requirements evolve.
If the DVLA will publish a comprehensive list of reportable medical conditions.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) publishes a comprehensive list of notifiable medical conditions on GOV.UK. The ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive’ guidance is intended for healthcare professionals and is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessing-fitness-to-drive-a-guide-for-medical-professionals, while guidance for driving licence holders can be found at www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving. If a licence holder is unsure whether they need to notify the DVLA of their medical condition, or if it may impact safe driving, they should discuss it with their healthcare professional.