Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ian Lavery this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 141–156 of 156 · this parliament
Whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on (a) the level of standing charges for (i) gas and (ii) electricity in the North East and (b) regional variations in standing charges.
Although standing charges are a commercial matter for suppliers, and are regulated by Ofgem, we know that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on them. The Government has worked constructively with the regulator on the issue of standing charges, a...
What progress her Department has made on implementing the national kinship care strategy in schools
This department is determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve, and kinship carers play a crucial role in delivering this. We know that many children who receive care from relatives and friends need extra support, including in school. Th...
If she will take steps to provide the same level of access to (a) training and (b) support to (i) kinship and (ii) foster carers.
Reforming children’s social care is critical to giving hundreds of thousands of children and young people the start in life they deserve. It is also necessary to achieve financial stability for local authorities. This government is committed to helping ch...
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing the same rights to leave for kinship carers as are are in place for adoption leave.
The Government greatly values kinship carers who come forward to care for children who cannot live with their parents. The Government has committed in the Plan to Make Work Pay to review the system of parental leave to ensure that it better supports worki...
If she will provide additional funding to equalise allowances between foster and kinship families.
This government recognises the valuable and important role that kinship carers play and appreciates that they often take on this role at a time in their lives when they are least expecting to raise a family.Statutory guidance issued to local authorities m...
Whether her Department has made a recent comparative assessment of the educational needs of (a) children in kinship care and (b) other children.
Children in Special Guardianship and Child Arrangement Orders have higher attainment than children in local authority care but perform worse compared to all children.In 2022/23 the average Attainment 8 score for children who left care on a Special Guardia...
If she will provide the same access to (a) health and (b) therapeutic support for children in kinship care as those in formal care settings.
This government recognises the importance of health and therapeutic support services for all children, including those in kinship care. Ensuring every child receives the support they need is a key priority.The department recently renamed the Adoption Supp...
What research his Department is undertaking on permanent antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction.
The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR has funded previous studies focused on the effects of antidepressant medication on sexual function. For example, a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of management strategies for sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants, and to determine the adverse effects and acceptability of these different management strategies. The NIHR is not currently funding any research with a focus on the permanency of antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction.
What steps he is taking to support sufferers of post SSRI sexual dysfunction.
Patients can visit either their general practice (GP), or a sexual health clinic, for support with erectile dysfunction. Anyone experiencing mental health issues, including those related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use, is encouraged to seek help by consulting to their GP or by self-referring to their local NHS Talking Therapies service.The product information for individual SSRI medicines describe a range of side-effects, including potential sexual dysfunction during treatment. Some products specifically note that these symptoms may persist even after discontinuing the medication. Patients are encouraged to discuss the benefits and risks associated with medicines with their prescriber for individual support.As with all medicines, the evidence available for the safety of antidepressants remains under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency after they are authorised for use. In response to patient and family feedback, an Expert Working Group under the Commission of Human Medicines has been established. This group is currently considering the risk minimisation measures for antidepressants in relation to suicide and suicidal behaviour. The scope of this review has been expanded to include the risk of persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping the medication for all 30 antidepressants currently marketed in the United Kingdom.The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has funded previous studies focused on the effects of antidepressant medication on sexual function. For example, a systematic review to determine the effectiveness of management strategies for sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants, and to determine the adverse effects and acceptability of these different management strategies.
Whether he plans to compensate people affected by the surplus sharing agreement with the Mineworkers Pension Scheme.
Our Manifesto committed to reviewing the surplus sharing arrangements and work is already underway to initiate that process. We are committed to transferring the Investment Reserve and ending the injustice of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.
How many families in Blyth and Ashington constituency are impacted by the two child benefit cap.
The number of Universal Credit households affected by the policy to provide support to a maximum of 2 children, in Blyth and Ashington in April 2024 was 770. The equivalent figure for Child Tax Credits is not held by this department as it is administered by HM Revenue & Customs. Notes:1. The new 2024 Parliamentary Constituencies are derived by using postcode lookup data against the claimant address however, this is only available for England and Wales and is not present for all households in this data source. 2. 2024 Parliamentary Constituencies are approximate and therefore figures may not match exactly with the previous 2019 Parliamentary Constituencies they correspond to.
How many families use foodbanks in Blyth and Ashington constituency.
Statistics for the total number of families using foodbanks is not available at a constituency level.Figures for families using foodbanks in the North East in the past 30 days and 12 months is available on Stat-Xplore: Stat-Xplore - Home (dwp.gov.uk)
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of poverty levels on birth rates.
It is not possible to make a robust assessment of the impact of poverty levels on birth rates. This is because poverty levels are potentially one of a very wide range and complex interaction of social, economic and personal factors which might affect birth rates. It is not possible to isolate the potential impact of poverty levels from the vast range of other possible factors.
How many children are being treated for poverty related illness in (a) Blyth and Ashington constituency and (b) the North East.
The data requested is not held by NHS England, as poverty is not a metric used for the classification of illness. Although poverty is not a direct cause of specific health conditions, it can be a risk factor for physical and mental ill health. The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children in history. This will include delivery of an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty, tackle the root causes, and give every child the best start at life.
Media and Sport, how many museums have closed in the last 10 years.
Birkbeck University’s Mapping Museums project monitors museum openings and closures across the UK. In the last ten years, data indicates that 29 Arts Council England Accredited museum sites have closed in England.I look forward to engaging further with sector stakeholders, and across Whitehall, to promote the value of museums to society and their role in delivering our policy priorities.
Media and Sport, whether she plans to provide additional ringfenced funding to councils for local museums.
Museums and galleries play a crucial role in our civic life, and delivering central and local government priorities. Their programmes and activities promote education and wellbeing, and they are central to the vibrancy of our towns, cities and communities. We encourage all councils to continue investing in and partnering with local cultural providers, to safeguard communities’ access to museums and their heritage.The government is committed to stabilising local government funding. We look forward to engaging further with sector stakeholders, metro mayors, and across Whitehall, to promote the value of museums to society and their role in delivering our policy priorities.