Every parliamentary written question tabled by James McMurdock this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,121–1,140 of 3,598 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, how Essex County Council's debts will be distributed once local government reorganisation has concluded.
The assets, liabilities and ongoing commitments of the councils being replaced would transfer to the new authorities, in line with previous reorganisations.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living, published on 11 February 2026, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on potential enforcement action where providers fail to meet the commitments set out in the Telecoms Consumer Charter.
The Telecoms Consumer Charter is public a commitment made by providers, building on Ofcom’s existing rules on pricing transparency, switching and end‑of‑contract notifications, and goes further in areas where Government has identified improvements are needed.While it is not our intention to regulate, we are monitoring implementation of the commitments within the Charter through regular engagement with the sector. Ofcom continues to monitor compliance with its own regulatory measures, including transparency reforms and One Touch Switching.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living, published on 11 February 2026, what steps her Department is taking to monitor compliance with the Telecoms Consumer Charter.
The Telecoms Consumer Charter is public a commitment made by providers, building on Ofcom’s existing rules on pricing transparency, switching and end‑of‑contract notifications, and goes further in areas where Government has identified improvements are needed.While it is not our intention to regulate, we are monitoring implementation of the commitments within the Charter through regular engagement with the sector. Ofcom continues to monitor compliance with its own regulatory measures, including transparency reforms and One Touch Switching.
How many and what proportion of staff in his Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.
(a) There are 4926 employees who have an office-based contract. This is 100% of the Department. (b) and c) There are no recorded hybrid or remote-working contracts. Hybrid working is a non-contractual arrangement under which employees are expected to spend 40-60% of their working hours in the office as the norm (with a minimum of 40%) with Senior Civil Servants and Fast Stream employees aiming towards 60% office attendance during a 4-week accounting period.
What proportion of staff in the Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid, and (c) remote-working contracts.
Contracts issued to staff do not record the information requested. Hybrid working is an informal, non-contractual agreement.The AGO is committed to flexible working and the business benefits that it offers, including supporting the Civil Service priority of ensuring continued, effective and productive delivery of the work carried out by civil servants across the full range of services.The AGO operates a ‘hybrid’ approach, led by business needs, and as a result many employees work both from home and in the workplace on an informal basis.
How many and what proportion of staff in his Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD), along with other Government Departments, is committed to Smarter Working and much of our workforce has embraced the benefits of hybrid working, both for the business and themselves. We have implemented Government direction on increased office attendance and, as a broad average, at least 60% of time is spent working in office for office-based workers. For some this will be more, for others less, and is dependent upon the activity, business outcomes to be delivered and sometimes site capacity constraints. All employees agree their working location with their local line management and a central record of working locations is not held. The MOD does not issue specific remote working contracts and does not record centrally remote working activity; remote working falls under hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual arrangement.
With reference to his press release entitled Every child caught with a knife to get tailored support, published on 11 February 2026, if he will set out how the £320 million Youth Justice Services funding package will be allocated across England and Wales; and what proportion of that funding is new money.
Over the next three financial years, the Ministry of Justice will allocate £281 million for youth justice grants and a further £46 million of funding for the extension of the Turnaround grant programme.This is a continuation of funding levels from previous years but the Department has provided multi-year funding to youth justice services. This will give youth justice services the stability to retain staff, plan effectively with partners, and commission services more efficiently - ultimately strengthening their ability to tackle knife possession and other offences committed by children.Funding will be allocated to Youth Justice Services across England and Wales using same distribution method that has been applied for the past 13 years. We recognise that the current method for allocating youth justice funding needs updating and later this year we will undertake a consultation about long-term funding and oversight arrangements for youth justice services.
What proportion of staff in her Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.
In the Department for Transport the majority of employees are assigned to an office or a specific workplace location within their contract. Hybrid working is not a contractual form of working and as it is agreed within individual teams based on business needs, is not centrally recorded.The only employees who could be classed as having ‘remote-working contracts’ would be those who are contractual homeworkers. Only 0.67% of employees within the core department have a recorded homeworking contract as of January 2026.
What recent assessment he has made of the value for money of the £50 million funding given to the International Labour Organisation since 2020.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) plays an important role in setting international labour standards and holding those that fail to uphold international labour rights accountable. The UK was a founding member of the ILO; the Government is committed to maintaining its membership.The UK’s assessed annual contribution is based on the standard United Nations system of assessed contributions applied to all 187 ILO member states, broadly linked to relative levels of GDP. In 2025–26 the total UK contribution totalled £14.76 million, the majority of which is classed within the UK’s Official Development Assistance. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ensures that the UK financial contribution to the ILO is used effectively, demonstrates value for money and aligns with the UK’s national objectives. Through our permanent membership of the ILO Governing Body, we undertake robust scrutiny of the ILO’s budgetary proposals and administration to increase the impact, effectiveness and delivery of the Organisation.
What proportion of staff in her Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.
HM Treasury is an office‑based organisation. Staff are employed on office‑based contracts and may work remotely under the Department’s hybrid working policy, which expects at least 60% office attendance. Hybrid working is an informal arrangement and not contractual. The Department does not generally offer home‑based contracts; full‑time homeworking is only agreed on a temporary basis, for example as a workplace adjustment.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the water quality of the River Thames along the South Essex shoreline.
The Environment Agency is working with Water Companies on WINEP schemes in your constituency, including three investigations due for completion in 2027 and six projects to install monitors at sewage treatment works.
Pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Record year of drug seizures made by Border Force, published on 12 February 2026, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of cannabis and ketamine smuggling imports which are not intercepted.
Home Office officials continue to explore all the new and emerging technologies that are available to help identify and intercept the vessels and individuals involved in smuggling drugs in the maritime environment, and our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities remain amongst the best in the world. For reasons of national security it would not be appropriate to go into greater detail.
Media and Sport, how many and what proportion of staff in her Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.
DCMS operates a ‘hybrid’ approach led by business needs, and as a result many employees will work both from home and in the workplace on an informal basis. DCMS staff agree to a contracted office location at the time of their appointment, with hybrid working as the default working pattern. Therefore staff are categorised as either office-based or remote-working (homeworking). Fewer than five employees (less than 1% of the workforce) are designated as contractual homeworkers. DCMS remains committed to flexible working and the business benefits that it offers, including supporting the Civil Service priority of ensuring continued, effective and productive delivery of the work carried out by civil servants across the full range of services.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living, published on 11 February 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Telecoms Consumer Charter on the proportion of consumers experiencing mid-contract price rises.
The Department’s assessment is that the Telecoms Consumer Charter will strengthen protections for consumer by securing the clear and public commitment from major providers that the price customers sign up to is the price they will pay, except for genuinely unforeseeable circumstances.While it is not possible to provide a precise estimate of the number of consumers who will benefit, the Charter covers the vast majority of the market, with major fixed and mobile providers having signed up. This mean millions of mobile and broadband customers will now have greater certainty over their monthly bills. These commitments will help to ensure households can better manage costs and avoid mid-contract bill shocks.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living, published on 11 February 2026, what estimate she has made of the number of households eligible for social tariffs who are not currently accessing them.
Ofcom’s most recent Pricing Trends Report showed that in June 2024 9.6% of eligible households were using social tariffs. This included an estimated 506,000 households out of around 5.3 million in receipt of Universal Credit.Through the Telecoms Consumer Charter, providers have also committed to strengthening the visibility and accessibility of social tariffs by ensuring they are clearly signposted in eligible customer communications. This commitment is designed to make it simpler for eligible households to locate the support available and to understand the options open to them.We will continue to track progress of this through Ofcom’s regular reporting.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living, published on 11 February 2026, whether the Government plans to place the commitments in the Telecoms Consumer Charter on a statutory footing.
Ofcom’s January 2025 transparency rules prohibit the use of inflation‑linked in‑contract price rises. Providers must set out any increases clearly in pounds and pence before customers sign up, and specify when those rises will occur. These rules apply to all new contracts which include a price increase, including those offered by providers that have signed the Telecoms Consumer Charter. Ofcom will be conducting an interim review of the 2025 reforms by Spring 2026 and a full review in 2027.The Telecoms Consumer Charter strengthens these measures by ensuring that the price customers sign up to is the price they will pay, and that this must be the case in all but genuinely exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances.The Government has no plans to place the commitments in the Charter on a statutory footing. The Charter is a voluntary set of commitments made by providers, building on Ofcom’s requirements to ensure consumers receive clear and easily understandable information. By securing these agreements voluntarily and without regulation, the Government has been able to act quickly to ensure consumers will not face unexpected price rises like those seen in October 2025.While it is not our current intention to regulate, we do expect this voluntary approach to deliver for consumers. If it does not, government will reflect on what further action may be appropriate.
Pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Record year of drug seizures made by Border Force, published on 12 February 2026, what measures are taken as part of the 'seize and return' policy to help ensure that smugglers do not attempt to return to the UK.
Home Office officials continue to explore all the new and emerging technologies that are available to help identify and intercept the vessels and individuals involved in smuggling drugs in the maritime environment, and our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities remain amongst the best in the world. For reasons of national security it would not be appropriate to go into greater detail.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Peter Mandelson played a role in discussions with the United States on the sovereignty and future governance of the Chagos Islands.
I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled End to surprise phone and broadband bill hikes to help with cost of living, published on 11 February 2026, what estimate she has made of the number of mobile and broadband customers who will benefit from the end of unexpected mid-contract price rises.
The Department’s assessment is that the Telecoms Consumer Charter will strengthen protections for consumer by securing the clear and public commitment from major providers that the price customers sign up to is the price they will pay, except for genuinely unforeseeable circumstances.While it is not possible to provide a precise estimate of the number of consumers who will benefit, the Charter covers the vast majority of the market, with major fixed and mobile providers having signed up. This mean millions of mobile and broadband customers will now have greater certainty over their monthly bills. These commitments will help to ensure households can better manage costs and avoid mid-contract bill shocks.
How many and what proportion of staff in her Department have (a) office-based, (b) hybrid and (c) remote-working contracts.
As of February 2026, 486 employees of the department (6%) work remotely because their roles require them to be based at a distance from a departmental office.All other employees, apart from a small number with homeworking as a reasonable adjustment, are office‑based with access to hybrid working arrangements. Hybrid working arrangements are non-contractual and led by business needs.