Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jim Shannon this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,621–1,640 of 1,824 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Holy See on the future of the Tridentine Mass at the Chartres pilgrimage in France.
This is an internal matter for the Catholic Church. We continue to engage the Holy See regularly bilaterally and in multilateral fora on areas of mutual interest. Most recently, on 27 November Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner met Cardinal Parolin, with whom she discussed homelessness, inter-faith dialogue and climate.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including renewable liquid gases in the green taxonomy.
The purpose of implementing a green taxonomy is to support investment into activities aligned with sustainability goals, and to mitigate greenwashing.However, the government is aware that taxonomies can be complex in practice, and feedback on their value is mixed. The government has therefore published a consultation to gather views on the value case for launching a UK Green Taxonomy as part of a wider sustainable finance framework.At this stage in the consultation process, the government is not seeking feedback on the detail of the sectors for inclusion. Instead, the government is focused on the bigger picture of whether and how this can be a useful tool for companies and investors.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the payments made to women for their eggs from 1 October 2024 on trends in the number of (a) low income women and (b) students who may undergo egg retrieval in exchange for money.
The Department has no plans to make an assessment, as the compensation rate for egg donation is set by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA has advised that the increase in donor compensation from 1 October 2024 reflects the rise in inflation since the compensation rates were first introduced in 2011. Academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.
Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on how many registered farmers there are in each constituency in Northern Ireland.
This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive.
For what reason (a) women are paid of £985 per cycle for their eggs and (b) men are paid £45 per donation for their sperm.
The Department has not commissioned research into the potential long-term health impact on young women's bodies of egg retrieval. However, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) set out strict requirements in its Licence Conditions and Code of Practice relating to the information that must be given before egg retrieval takes place in United Kingdom licensed fertility clinics, whether for the patient’s own use or to donate to others. This includes information about the potential immediate or longer-term health risks and the psychological consequences of being a donor, as well as offering counselling to everyone involved.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA has advised that the donor compensation levels originally set in 2011 followed a thorough ethical review, which identified a set of principles that ensured altruism remained at the heart of donation and that there weren’t any unjustifiable barriers to donation. The difference in compensation reflects the different levels of disruption, pain, and risk in the respective processes of egg and sperm donation. The increase in donor compensation from 1 October 2024 reflects the rise in the cost of living over this time. Academic research in the UK has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.
Whether she plans to review legal protections around the (a) abuse and (b) neglect of older people.
Any form of elder abuse or neglect is unacceptable. Whilst the Government has no immediate plans to conduct a specific review of the range of legal protections already in place around the abuse and neglect of older people, it continues to engage with partners about this serious issue.In the meantime, there are already robust safeguards in place. Local authorities have a statutory duty to investigate safeguarding concerns under the Care Act 2014. The statutory guidance of the Care Act 2014 makes it clear that local authorities must ensure that the services they commission are safe, effective and of high quality. Since April 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have had a duty to assess local authorities’ delivery of their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2024.The first formal assessment of local authorities began in December 2023, shortly after the CQC concluded its pilot assessments in November. The CQC has published its first three local authority ratings and reports and is rolling out assessments to all 153 local authorities in England.
Whether he has commissioned research into the potential long-term health impact on young women's bodies of egg retrieval.
The Department has not commissioned research into the potential long-term health impact on young women's bodies of egg retrieval. However, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) set out strict requirements in its Licence Conditions and Code of Practice relating to the information that must be given before egg retrieval takes place in United Kingdom licensed fertility clinics, whether for the patient’s own use or to donate to others. This includes information about the potential immediate or longer-term health risks and the psychological consequences of being a donor, as well as offering counselling to everyone involved.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA has advised that the donor compensation levels originally set in 2011 followed a thorough ethical review, which identified a set of principles that ensured altruism remained at the heart of donation and that there weren’t any unjustifiable barriers to donation. The difference in compensation reflects the different levels of disruption, pain, and risk in the respective processes of egg and sperm donation. The increase in donor compensation from 1 October 2024 reflects the rise in the cost of living over this time. Academic research in the UK has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.
What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on reviewing powers of entry for social workers.
The Ministry of Justice has no remit for powers of entry for social workers. Therefore, there have been no discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the issue. Any review of such powers would be a matter for the Department of Health and Social Care.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a minimum age of 25 for egg donation.
There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.
What impact assessment his Department made of the increase in the amount paid to egg donors on 1 October 2024.
There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of changes in the level of anti-Christian (a) discrimination and (b) hate crimes in Europe.
There is no space for religious intolerance in pluralistic, modern societies. This Government is committed to using the strength of our global network to protect and promote Freedom of Religion or Belief for all. This work is mutually reinforcing of our wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal, and without prejudice. We lit up the FCDO estate on 20 November to mark Red Wednesday in solidarity with Christians and others facing persecution. We will continue to recognise the issue of persecution of Christians globally on account of their faith, alongside the persecution of other groups.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of flexible working patterns offered to enable parents to (a) work and (b) afford the costs of childcare.
We know from reviews of the existing legislative framework as well as the impact assessment of the measures in the Employment Rights Bill that there is clear demand for adequate flexible working arrangements from parents, as there is with other groups in the workforce. Flexible working can help parents manage their childcare responsibilities and reduce the cost of childcare.Through Make Work Pay the Government committed to making flexible working the default except where not reasonably feasible, making it more likely that requests are accepted. Clauses contained in the Employment Rights Bill will achieve this aim.
How many women from the three lowest multiple deprivation deciles donated eggs between 2011 and 2020.
There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.
If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a ban on advertisements for egg donors.
There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:Multiple deprivation decileNumber of egg donors11,11721,48831,54241,36051,31061,21471,11481,09791,05010860Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.Notes:this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; anddata provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had meetings with Ahmadiyya Muslim representatives in London in the last six months.
On 20 November, I attended a meeting with Pakistan's Minister of Interior Mosin Naqvi, where the British High Commissioner and I raised concerns about threats of violence directed towards Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. The British High Commissioner also raised Ahmadi rights with the Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs on 21 November.On 9 May, FCDO officials met with Ahmadi community representatives at the Baitul Futuh mosque in Morden, London, where they discussed key concerns of the Ahmadi community. Officials again met with representatives from the Ahmadi community on 29 August.
If he will make it a legal requirement to state the (a) risks to women's health and (b) potential side effects of egg retrieval on adverts for those services.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the United Kingdom’s fertility sector regulator, has advised that it sets out strict requirements in its Licence Conditions and Code of Practice relating to the information that must be given before egg retrievals take place in UK licensed fertility clinics, whether for the patient’s own use or to donate to others. This information includes the potential immediate or longer-term health risks to themselves, or the psychological consequences of being a donor.The HFEA Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and should follow the Advertising Standards Authority codes. There are no current plans to change the law on this issue.
How many people have been diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemia in the last two years.
The Department does not hold the data requested. The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as X-linked hypophosphatemia. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community; these include better coordination of care and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs. We remain committed to delivering under the Framework and will publish an annual action plan for England in 2025.Understanding patient data will facilitate access to treatments and care for patients. The National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service (NCARDRS) collects data on people with rare diseases. In the 2023 action plan we committed under action 22 to improving the ‘findability’ of people living with rare diseases using the National Disease Registration Service. NCARDRS collects data from a variety of sources to support rare disease registration, including from eight highly specialised services currently to support rare disease registration. Discussions are underway with other highly specialised services to establish dataflows.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help encourage people to have healthy diets.
Supporting people to stay healthier for longer is at the heart of this government’s Health Mission. Government advice on a healthy, balanced diet is encapsulated in the United Kingdom’s national food model, the Eatwell Guide. The Eatwell Guide depicts a healthy, balanced diet that is based on fruit, vegetables and higher fibre starchy carbohydrates. The Eatwell Guide principles are promoted through the NHS.uk website and the Government’s social marketing campaign, Better Health, including Healthier Families and Start for Life. The guide is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guideThe Healthy Start scheme was introduced in 2006 to encourage a healthy diet for pregnant women, babies, and young children under four from very low-income households. It can be used to buy, or put towards the cost of, fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk, and infant formula. Healthy Start beneficiaries have access to free Healthy Start Vitamins for pregnant women and children aged under four. In October 2024, Healthy Start supported over 353,000 beneficiaries; this figure is higher than the previous paper voucher scheme.The School Fruit and Vegetable scheme provides children in Key Stage 1 at state-funded primary schools with a free portion of fruit or vegetable every school day, to help to encourage healthier eating.The Government is also committed to implementing the advertising restrictions for less healthy food and drink on TV and online, bringing forward the necessary secondary legislation to deliver our commitment to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 years old, and limiting school children’s access to fast food. Further action under the Government’s Health Mission will be set out in due course.
How many people have been convicted of online fraud in the last 12 months.
The Ministry of Justice publishes data on convictions for a wide range of offences, including fraud up to and including June 2024 in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal justice statistics - GOV.UK.However, data held centrally does not include if the fraud offence involved online activity. This information may be held in the court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs.
What discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland executive on gambling laws.
Gambling policy is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. It is for the Northern Ireland Department of Communities to consider any changes to gambling laws.