Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jo Platt this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 231 · this parliament
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that grassroots artists and cultural organisations in post-industrial towns can access funding streams to support creative economy growth.
DCMS is committed to supporting grassroots cultural organisations and spurring local creative economy growth. We launched the Creative Foundations Fund in February 2025, as part of our £1.5bn Arts Everywhere investment. This will invest up to £425m in art...
Media and Sport, what progress she has made on developing a national Cultural Infrastructure Map; and whether it will identify (a) areas of under-provision and (b) existing cultural assets.
The Department is not currently developing a national Cultural Infrastructure Map. However, extensive work has been undertaken by Arts Council England and Historic England to effectively map the cultural and heritage infrastructure of England. The Arts Co...
Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of using guidance for Local Growth Plans to encourage Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities to map
Local Growth Plans are produced and owned by Mayoral Strategic Authorities, providing a long-term, 10-year strategic framework for growth in their region. Local Growth Plans must set out an economic overview; shared local growth priorities agreed with the...
Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of cultural infrastructure in supporting high street regeneration and local economic resilience.
Cultural infrastructure can support high streets by boosting footfall and dwell time, strengthening community identity, and enhancing the public realm. It contributes to a more diverse, experiential offer, with spillover benefits for retail and hospitalit...
Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of neurodivergent workers on the creative industries; and what steps she is taking to improve data collection, access, progression
The continued success of the creative industries is dependent on the diverse people who work within them, and we value and support the potential of neurodivergent workers and their impact on the creative industries. Whilst we already publish employment da...
Media and Sport, if her Department will take steps to support rights retention for independent producers in negotiations with global streaming platforms.
The UK’s independent production sector plays a vital role in our world-leading creative economy. We recognise that the current market is challenging for many independent producers, which is why we are providing support though a generous 53% tax credit for...
Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of consulting on sub-quotas within future investment obligations to ensure a defined proportion of streamer spend is directed to independent
The UK’s independent production sector plays a vital role in our world-leading creative economy. We recognise that the current market is challenging for many independent producers, which is why we are providing support though a generous 53% tax credit for...
Media and Sport, whether her Department has considered the potential merits of providing support for independent producers impacted by inflation in talent, locations and IP acquisition.
The UK’s independent production sector plays a vital role in our world-leading creative economy. We recognise that the current market is challenging for many independent producers, which is why we are providing support though a generous 53% tax credit for...
What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of collecting data on the number of pupils in each local authority receiving SEN support for literacy and dyslexia, particularly in relation to (a
The department continuously seeks to update and build its evidence base on the prevalence of different types of special educational needs (SEN). The department publishes annual statistics on the primary and secondary types of need for pupils receiving SEN...
If she will publish the number of pupils in England receiving SEN support for literacy and dyslexia.
The department continuously seeks to update and build its evidence base on the prevalence of different types of special educational needs (SEN). The department publishes annual statistics on the primary and secondary types of need for pupils receiving SEN...
What steps his Department is taking to help ensure doctors and hospital staff receive adequate training and up‑to‑date awareness on Long-COVID and related post‑viral conditions.
Awaiting answer.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure ICBs standardise Long COVID care across regions.
Awaiting answer.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that primary and secondary care services have the capacity and expertise to meet demand for Long COVID assessment and treatment.
Awaiting answer.
What estimate she has made of the number of children with SEND are out of education.
The department publishes data on compulsory school-aged children missing education (children not registered at school or otherwise receiving suitable education). In autumn 2025/26, local authorities in England reported 34,700 children missing education.Of this total, just under 8% of children were recorded as requiring SEN support and just over 8% were recorded as having an education, health and care plan. This compares with 14% and 5%, for the overall school population.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of expanded Integrated Retirement Community provision on NHS and social care expenditure.
We recognise the important role integrated retirement communities play in providing high quality, safe, and suitable homes which can help people stay independent and healthy for longer and reduce the need to draw on health and social care provision.The Government has not made a formal assessment on the impact of integrated retirement community provision on National Health Service and social care expenditure, but we are committed to enhancing provision and choice in the housing market for older people.
What steps she is taking to help ensure that individual needs are assessed and met through Specialist Provision Packages.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a joint workforce plan with the Department for Health and Social Care to support sustainability of Experts at Hand service.
The department is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, including delivery of the Experts at Hand offer, strengthening joint workforce planning and commissioning at a local level between education and health partners.We are investing around £1.8 billion over the next three years for local area partnerships, including local authorities and integrated care boards to develop a new ‘Experts at Hand’ offer, strengthening mainstream education through access to health and specialist education support.To support delivery, we are investing over £40 million in the specialist workforce, including £26 million to increase educational psychologists and £15 million to grow the speech and language therapy workforce.Local area partnerships will develop and deliver their own Experts at Hand, tailored to local population needs and supported by strong national oversight. The government will set the overall framework, provide guidance and tools, and work closely with local areas to ensure consistent quality.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the reuse and retrofitting of existing buildings as a lower carbon alternative to demolition and new build construction.
The Department recognises that the reuse and retrofitting of existing buildings can offer significant carbon benefits compared to demolition and new build, by avoiding emissions associated with new materials and construction. Improving the efficiency of existing homes and buildings, currently responsible for around one-fifth of UK emissions, is key to reducing energy demand, cutting bills and supporting energy security. Through the Warm Homes Plan the Government is prioritising upgrades to existing buildings including insulation, solar panels, batteries and low-carbon heating, alongside reforms to standards and advice to support high quality retrofit. New development will continue to play a role, and the Government has recently published the Future Homes Standard to ensure that new homes and non-domestic buildings are built with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency.
If he will consider a nationally defined prescribing pathway for ADHD within Right to Choose services.
Building on the work of the independent ADHD Taskforce, on 4 December 2025 my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, announced an independent review into the prevalence and support for mental health conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism, which will inform our approach to ensuring appropriate support is in place.The independent review published an interim report on the 31 March 2026 which sets out key findings from the data and evidence reviewed so far, learning to date from discussions with people, including people with lived experience, and organisations as well as setting out plans for the next phase of the review and the key questions to address in more detail.The Department has made no specific assessment of the effectiveness of shared care agreements with independent sector providers for patients prescribed ADHD medication or held discussions with General Medical Council on their guidance.
What assessment her Department has made of the need for (a) station upgrades and (b) improved integration between national rail services and devolved transport systems in order to support increased capacity and reliability across the North-West rail network.
Greater integration between national rail and devolved transport systems like Manchester’s Bee Network is key to improving connectivity within, and between, our great cities in the North. Our newly published Better Connected national transport strategy sets the direction for a more joined-up transport network that works better for passengers, drivers and communities across England. Additionally, the £1.5 billion Manchester & Northwest Transformation Programme is already delivering station upgrades at Salford Crescent, with more planned at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road.