Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 221–240 of 3,598 · this parliament
With reference to their Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the scale of free speech breaches in higher education institutions in the last five years.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to their Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that students, staff and visiting speakers are aware of their rights under the new complaints scheme.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to their Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what role the proposed free speech complaints scheme will play in addressing incidents linked to foreign influence.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to their Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what assessment she has made of any role of student societies linked to foreign states in influencing campus discourse.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to her Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what information her Department holds on the countries most frequently reported to interfere with free speech in UK universities since 2020.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to her Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what data her Department holds on incidents of foreign interference affecting campus events, speakers and academic research.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to their Department’s press release entitled New powers to protect vital free speech at universities, published on 20 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the role of external actors, including foreign states, in influencing free speech on UK campuses.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what timetable he has set for full implementation of those measures.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
With reference to his Department’s press release entitled Decisive action to break influence of gas on electricity prices, published on 21 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing the Electricity Generator Levy on investment in renewable energy generation.
The Government wants sustainable investment in renewable energy generation and therefore the Electricity Generator Levy (EGL) has strong protections for new investments, which are exempt from the levy. The government is accelerating the transition to cleaner energy through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. Renewable energy generation using the CfD scheme is exempt from the EGL.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what discussions she has had with Basildon Borough Council regarding its social housing provision and standards since the Regulator of Social Housing's decision.
All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what steps are being taken to strengthen transparency, tenant voice and accountability in local authority housing services.
All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of tenant engagement and scrutiny arrangements at councils for maintaining suitable housing standards, including at Basildon Borough Council.
All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what future steps she is considering taking regarding councils who fail to self-refer issues to the Regulator of Social Housing, as occurred with Basildon Council in March 2025.
All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Cabinet Office press release entitled Call to action for AI companies to work with UK Government on national cyber defence, published on 22 April 2026, whether discussions have been entered into with AI companies attending the CYBERUK event.
The Government set out at CYBERUK its ambition to work with frontier AI companies to strengthen national cyber defence. The Government continues to consider a range of options for strengthening AI enabled cyber defence capabilities. As with other areas of policy, the Government engages with a wide range of stakeholders to inform its thinking. Any formal mechanism for cooperation with external partners will be taken forward in line with relevant legal, commercial and national security requirements.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that landlords comply with requirements to self-refer significant issues to the regulator.
All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.
What steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) timeliness and (b) accuracy of death notifications across Government systems.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
How many instances of benefit overpayments to deceased claimants have been recorded since 2020.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Regulator of Social Housing's decision on the financial viability of the new South-West Essex council when it inherits Basildon's housing stock in 2028.
All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.
What plans she has to undertake feasibility studies into cross-Thames public transport between Essex and Kent.
The Department for Transport has no plans to undertake feasibility studies into cross-Thames public transport between Essex and Kent. Local councils will retain the ability to use funds allocated by the Department flexibly to meet their local needs and reflect priorities.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Cabinet Office press release entitled Call to action for AI companies to work with UK Government on national cyber defence, published on 22 April 2026, what criteria will be used to select AI companies to participate in collaboration on national cyber defence.
The Government set out at CYBERUK its ambition to work with frontier AI companies to strengthen national cyber defence. The Government continues to consider a range of options for strengthening AI enabled cyber defence capabilities. As with other areas of policy, the Government engages with a wide range of stakeholders to inform its thinking. Any formal mechanism for cooperation with external partners will be taken forward in line with relevant legal, commercial and national security requirements.