Every parliamentary written question tabled by Julian Smith this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 243 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to improve accountability and regulatory oversight of residential managing agents in cases where administrative failure results in financial detriment and disputed arrears being pursued against leaseholders.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 85213 on 4 November 2025 and UIN 113165 on 2 March 2026.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the guaranteed hours requirements in the Employment Rights Act 2025 on a) employees seeking flexibility, including those seeking to match schools terms, and b) employers with seasonal demand changes.
My department has published a robust set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.The Employment Rights Act is intended to improve security of income and work, while maintaining flexibility. Workers will be able to decline an offer of guaranteed hours if they wish. Employers with seasonal working patterns will continue to have a range of options, including the use of fixed term contracts where appropriate. The government will consult further before making regulations, including on how the right could apply in relation to annualised hours arrangements.
If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of reports of variations in police force implementation of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Abnormal Load Guidance and National Policing Guidelines on Charging for Police Services: Special Police Services; and what steps are being taken to ensure consistency of practice.
Police Chiefs are responsible for decisions on escorting abnormal loads and for how guidance relating to movements and charging should be implemented in their areas. Local variation in the management of abnormal loads may be necessary to account for factors such as geography and road infrastructure.NPCC guidance for forces and the charging framework for on managing abnormal loads were updated in March and May 2025 respectively. These seek to promote greater national alignment across forces, where possible, noting the need for variations. The NPCC has committed to review this guidance twelve months after publication to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
Communities and Local Government, a) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the 18-month rule under Section 20B of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 in protecting leaseholders from being billed for historic service-charge liabilities issued outside the statutory deadline, and b) whether his Department has considered the potential merits of improving enforcement mechanisms where managing agents fail to comply with that requirement.
The government has not made a specific assessment of the effectiveness of Section 20B. Under Section 20B of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 a landlord must notify leaseholders of service charge costs being incurred or demanded within 18 months of when the costs were incurred. If landlords miss this deadline, leaseholders are not liable to pay these costs unless the landlord sends a written notice within this period about the costs and their future responsibility to contribute. Leaseholders who consider that they received such a demand outside the time limit and without notification should seek advice, for example from the Leasehold Advisory Service. Leaseholders may challenge unreasonable charges at the First-tier Tribunal.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of legal protections preventing leaseholders from being pursued for (a) service-charge and (b) balancing-charge debts relating to periods before they acquired their property.
The government recognises the importance of potential buyers having the information they need to decide whether a home is right for them. There is already a requirement under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 that any information that would help a prospective homebuyer to make an informed decision must not be hidden or omitted. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with diplomats and officials on reports of alleged wrongdoing by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the fulfilment of his public duties as a UK Trade Envoy.
The Rt Hon Member would not expect me to comment on a live police investigation, but the Government will obviously assist the police in any way they require.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will (a) release documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as trade envoy and (b) share relevant documents with the police.
The Rt Hon Member would not expect me to comment on a live police investigation, but the Government will obviously assist the police in any way they require.
If she will take steps to investigate the use of English-as-a-Foreign-Language Courses as a route for individuals trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein to obtain UK visas.
This is a live police investigation, so we are unable to comment. The Government stands ready to support the police in whatever way it can.
If she will take steps to establish the age of any passengers that may have been on board flights allegedly linked to Jeffrey Epstein into and out of Stansted Airport.
Airports and airlines must operate in full compliance with all UK laws and regulatory standards to ensure safety, security, and accountability.If those laws are broken it is our expectation that any and all information useful to inquiries by the relevant authorities is swiftly obtained and passed on.The Home Office is the lead department for these matters. It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing investigations.
If she will have discussions with the Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, and the British Transport Police on the use of Stansted Airport by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, and flights commissioned by Jeffrey Epstein.
Border Force conducts robust security checks on those arriving into the UK, including 100% checks on all notified general aviation flights to reinforce security. Border Force allocates resources based on assessed risk, applying intelligence and targeting techniques. Border Force has implemented a range of initiatives to address vulnerabilities. : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general-aviation-operators-and-pilots-notification-of-flightsThese include: • Substantially reducing the number of aerodromes permitted to handle flights to and from the UK.• Introducing a civil penalties regime for non-compliance with airfield designation requirements.• Person details checked on all notified GA flights.The police is operationally independent of government and these are matters for the police. The Government will provide to the police any assistance they require.
If she will make an estimate of the number of flights into and out of Stansted Airport allegedly linked to Jeffrey Epstein; and if she will take steps to establish the nature of those flights, including the passengers on board.
Airports and airlines must operate in full compliance with all UK laws and regulatory standards to ensure safety, security, and accountability.If those laws are broken it is our expectation that any and all information useful to inquiries by the relevant authorities is swiftly obtained and passed on.The Home Office is the lead department for these matters. It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing investigations.
If she will take steps to ensure that conversations take place with contemporary handlers, ground staff or airport executives regarding flights into and out of Stansted Airport allegedly linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Airports and airlines must operate in full compliance with all UK laws and regulatory standards to ensure safety, security, and accountability.If those laws are broken it is our expectation that any and all information useful to inquiries by the relevant authorities is swiftly obtained and passed on.The Home Office is the lead department for these matters. It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing investigations.
Whether she will take steps to investigate the nature of flights into and out of UK airports allegedly linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
Airports and airlines must operate in full compliance with all UK laws and regulatory standards to ensure safety, security, and accountability.If those laws are broken it is our expectation that any and all information useful to inquiries by the relevant authorities is swiftly obtained and passed on.The Home Office is the lead department for these matters. It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing investigations.
How many UK visas were granted to Jeffrey Epstein following his conviction on 30 June 2008.
We do not routinely comment on individual cases. The Government stands ready to support the police in whatever way it can.
If she will hold discussions with the (a) the Chairman and (b) Chief Executive of Manchester Airport Group on (i) the use of Stansted Airport by Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and (ii) flights commissioned by Jeffrey Epstein.
Airports and airlines must operate in full compliance with all UK laws and regulatory standards to ensure safety, security, and accountability.If those laws are broken it is our expectation that any and all information useful to inquiries by the relevant authorities is swiftly obtained and passed on.The Home Office is the lead department for these matters. It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing investigations.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of localised connectivity limitations on rural households; and what steps he is taking to ensure that rural communities are not disadvantaged in comparison with urban areas.
The Government is working closely with the DCC and energy suppliers to ensure smart meter connectivity can be extended to currently unserved properties in all regions as soon as reasonably possible. One such solution, currently being trialled, will involve Virtual WAN (VWAN) - a new option that, with their consent, uses customers’ broadband connections to carry smart metering communications.
What steps his Department is taking to ensure households in rural communities that cannot receive smart meter connections via (a) long-range radio and (b) 4G are able to access alternative connectivity, including Wi-Fi-enabled smart meters.
The Government is working closely with the DCC and energy suppliers to ensure smart meter connectivity can be extended to currently unserved properties in all regions as soon as reasonably possible. One such solution, currently being trialled, will involve Virtual WAN (VWAN) - a new option that, with their consent, uses customers’ broadband connections to carry smart metering communications.
What guidance his Department provides to energy suppliers on prioritising households in rural areas, such as those in North Yorkshire where neither radio nor 4G smart meter connectivity is viable, for participation in trials of Wi-Fi-enabled smart meters.
The Government is working closely with the DCC and energy suppliers to ensure smart meter connectivity can be extended to currently unserved properties in all regions as soon as reasonably possible. One such solution, currently being trialled, will involve Virtual WAN (VWAN) - a new option that, with their consent, uses customers’ broadband connections to carry smart metering communications.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential economic and social impact on rural pubs and hospitality businesses of reducing the drink driving limit; and whether alternative measures have been considered.
The Government is consulting on proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences, as part of the recently published Road Safety Strategy. As part of this, the Government is consulting on the general principle of lowering the drink drive limit in England and Wales, which has remained unchanged since 1967 and is currently the highest in Europe. Current evidence does not suggest a widespread or sustained adverse impact on the hospitality sector overall, but the Government will conduct an impact assessment following consultation responses and an evidenceled options analysis. The consultation is seeking views on a range of measures to reduce drink-driving, including options such as alcohol ignition interlocks (“alcolocks”) for offenders and powers to suspend licences for suspected drink or drug drivers.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 99775, what the results were of the Contactless Travel pilot conducted in October.
In the Immigration White Paper, the Government set out our ambition to use new technologies to increase the use of automation at the UK border, including at Paris Gare du Nord, and deliver visible changes to security, passenger flow and the customer experience.We intend to set out further details on contactless travel and our plans to transform the UK border later this year.