Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Evans this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 841–860 of 865 · this parliament
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support local journalism.
The Culture Secretary has announced our intention to develop a local media strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector and with a view to helping ensure it can continue to tell the stories that matter in communities. We are working across Government as we develop this strategy and see how we can improve local communities’ access to news.
Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the BBC board on their work to maintain professional standards within the BBC.
The BBC is operationally and editorially independent, but the Secretary of State has sought assurance that the BBC has robust processes in place regarding non-editorial complaints so that it acts at pace and is transparent with the public at the earliest opportunity to ensure trust is maintained.
Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of its proposals to introduce a visitor levy scheme on the number of tourists visiting Wales.
None. Responsibility for a visitor levy scheme in Wales is reserved to the Welsh Government, but DCMS and Visit Britain will of course engage with the Welsh Government as the proposals develop.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the transparency in food labelling for British (a) food and (b) drink.
The UK maintains high standards on the information that is provided on food labels, whether that be mandatory or voluntary, so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. All food and drink sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules. The fundamental principle of food labelling rules is that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable the safe use of food. Country of origin information is required for fresh and frozen meat of beef cattle, sheep, goat, pigs and poultry, as well as uncut fresh fruit and vegetables, honey, olive oil, wine and some fish products. Buying food locally and supporting their local food economy is important to many consumers and where any label indicates that a food is produced locally, this must not be misleading to a consumer. A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken between March and May 2024 by the previous Government. This sought views on proposals to improve and extend current mandatory method of production labelling. We are now carefully considering all responses before deciding on next steps and will publish a response to this consultation in due course.
What recent assessment he has made of trends in petrol and diesel prices.
UK government statistics show average retail prices of petrol and diesel were approximately 134 and 138 pence per litre respectively on 7th October. These are 58 and 61 pence per litre lower than the all-time peak of 4th July 2022.
What proportion of Government cars are (a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) hybrid and (d) electric.
Within the operational fleet of the Government Car Service the cars are:(a) 16.8% petrol(b) 1.9% diesel(c) 47.6% hybrid(d) 33.6% electric
With reference to the oral contribution of 12 September 2024 from the Leader of the House in response to the Question asked by the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth, if she will publish the Government’s impact assessment of VAT being charged on public school fees.
On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent.This was a tough but necessary decision that will secure additional funding to help deliver the Government’s commitments relating to education and young people, including opening 3,000 new nurseries, rolling out breakfast clubs to all primary schools, and recruiting 6,500 new teachers.The Government has carefully considered the impact that this policy will have on pupils and their families across both the state and private sector. Following scrutiny of the Government's costings by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), details of the Government’s assessment of the expected impacts of these policy changes will be published at the Budget on 30 October in a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN).
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a cross-government independent advisory body to consider the (a) short and long term effects of population growth in the UK.
There are no current plans to create an independent advisory body on the effects of population growth. The effects of population growth and other demographic shifts are already considered as part of wider work in government.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Canal and River Trust on ensuring the long-term resilience of canal infrastructure in (a) the Midlands and (b) Leicestershire.
The Government recognises that inland waterways provide many public benefits, including health and wellbeing effects, leisure and recreation uses, and industrial heritage attractions. They are also important for the natural environment by providing green corridors along which biodiversity can flourish, and contribute to the growth of local economies, via domestic tourism and facilitating active transport links. These were assessed as part of the Government’s review in 2021/22 of the current Canal and River Trust Grant. Officials also meet regularly with the Trust to discuss a range of issues. As an independent charity the Trust is responsible for managing operational matters relating to individual canals, and the Government does not have a role in that. When the Trust was set up in 2012, the Government provided it with a 15-year grant (2012-2027) currently worth £740 million, which at £52.6 million a year represents 20-25% of its annual income. At the same time the Government also provided the Trust with a permanent endowment fund now worth over £1 billion that generates a further quarter of its income. The Government has reconfirmed its provision of a substantial new 10-year grant worth £401 million between 2027 and 2037, which reflects the importance it places on our waterways. It will bring the total amount of Government support for the Trust since 2012 to around £1.14 billion.
Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to support the long-term resilience of canal infrastructure in (a) the Midlands and (b) Leicestershire.
The Government recognises that inland waterways provide many public benefits, including health and wellbeing effects, leisure and recreation uses, and industrial heritage attractions. They are also important for the natural environment by providing green corridors along which biodiversity can flourish, and contribute to the growth of local economies, via domestic tourism and facilitating active transport links. These were assessed as part of the Government’s review in 2021/22 of the current Canal and River Trust Grant. Officials also meet regularly with the Trust to discuss a range of issues. As an independent charity the Trust is responsible for managing operational matters relating to individual canals, and the Government does not have a role in that. When the Trust was set up in 2012, the Government provided it with a 15-year grant (2012-2027) currently worth £740 million, which at £52.6 million a year represents 20-25% of its annual income. At the same time the Government also provided the Trust with a permanent endowment fund now worth over £1 billion that generates a further quarter of its income. The Government has reconfirmed its provision of a substantial new 10-year grant worth £401 million between 2027 and 2037, which reflects the importance it places on our waterways. It will bring the total amount of Government support for the Trust since 2012 to around £1.14 billion.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of ensuring a structurally-robust canal network on levels of biodiversity in communities.
The Government recognises that inland waterways provide many public benefits, including health and wellbeing effects, leisure and recreation uses, and industrial heritage attractions. They are also important for the natural environment by providing green corridors along which biodiversity can flourish, and contribute to the growth of local economies, via domestic tourism and facilitating active transport links. These were assessed as part of the Government’s review in 2021/22 of the current Canal and River Trust Grant. Officials also meet regularly with the Trust to discuss a range of issues. As an independent charity the Trust is responsible for managing operational matters relating to individual canals, and the Government does not have a role in that. When the Trust was set up in 2012, the Government provided it with a 15-year grant (2012-2027) currently worth £740 million, which at £52.6 million a year represents 20-25% of its annual income. At the same time the Government also provided the Trust with a permanent endowment fund now worth over £1 billion that generates a further quarter of its income. The Government has reconfirmed its provision of a substantial new 10-year grant worth £401 million between 2027 and 2037, which reflects the importance it places on our waterways. It will bring the total amount of Government support for the Trust since 2012 to around £1.14 billion.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of ensuring a structurally-robust canal network on levels of active travel in communities.
The Government recognises that inland waterways provide many public benefits, including health and wellbeing effects, leisure and recreation uses, and industrial heritage attractions. They are also important for the natural environment by providing green corridors along which biodiversity can flourish, and contribute to the growth of local economies, via domestic tourism and facilitating active transport links. These were assessed as part of the Government’s review in 2021/22 of the current Canal and River Trust Grant. Officials also meet regularly with the Trust to discuss a range of issues. As an independent charity the Trust is responsible for managing operational matters relating to individual canals, and the Government does not have a role in that. When the Trust was set up in 2012, the Government provided it with a 15-year grant (2012-2027) currently worth £740 million, which at £52.6 million a year represents 20-25% of its annual income. At the same time the Government also provided the Trust with a permanent endowment fund now worth over £1 billion that generates a further quarter of its income. The Government has reconfirmed its provision of a substantial new 10-year grant worth £401 million between 2027 and 2037, which reflects the importance it places on our waterways. It will bring the total amount of Government support for the Trust since 2012 to around £1.14 billion.
If he will make an assessment of the impact of the £2 bus fare cap on increasing bus usage in (a) the East Midlands and (b) Leicestershire.
The £2 fare cap was launched by the Department for Transport (DfT) on 1 January 2023 and is set to remain in place until the end of December 2024. The DfT published an interim report in September 2023 setting out emerging trends in key outcomes from the first two months of the scheme. It is available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-2-bus-fare-cap/2-bus-fare-cap-evaluation-interim-report-february-2023. Patronage in the East Midlands and Leicestershire appears to be continuing to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic.
What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that Transport Authorities work collectively to enhance cross-boundary bus routes.
The government is determined to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions. The government has set out a plan to achieve this, based on giving local leaders the tools they need to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities they serve, including considering how cross-boundary bus routes can improve the experience for bus passengers. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce a Buses Bill to put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England. We also plan to empower local transport authorities through reforming bus funding. By giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding they can plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on these ambitions.
What recent discussions he has had with (a) NHS England and (b) drug companies to secure supplies of ADHD medication.
The Department has been working hard with industry and NHS England to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are affecting the United Kingdom and other countries around the world. As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved. All strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available.We are continuing to work to resolve medicine supply issues, where they remain, for some strengths of methylphenidate. We are engaging with all suppliers of methylphenidate prolonged-release tablets to assess the challenges faced, and their actions to address them. We are also directing suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible, and review plans to further build capacity to support continued growth in demand for the short and long-term. It is anticipated the methylphenidate supply issues will be resolved by October 2024.In parallel, the Department has worked with specialist clinicians, including those within the National Health Service, to develop management advice for NHS clinicians to consider prescribing available alternative brands of methylphenidate prolonged release tablets. We would expect ADHD service providers and specialists to follow our guidance to offer rapid response to primary care teams seeking urgent advice or opinion for the management of patients, including those known to be at a higher risk of adverse impact because of these shortages.To aid ADHD service providers and prescribers further, we have widely disseminated our communications and continually update a list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service website, helping ensure that those involved in the prescribing and dispensing of ADHD medications can make informed decisions with patients, which is available at the following link:https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/prescribing-available-medicines-to-treat-adhd/
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has plans to help increase the building of accessible housing for people with accessibility needs.
Housing is one of this Governments top priorities. Everyone deserves to live in a decent home in which they feel safe. We will set out our policies on accessible new build housing shortly.
What comparative assessment she has made of trends in the take up of Pension Credit between (a) July 2024 and September 2024 and (b) July 2022 and July 2024.
Pension Credit take-up statistics for Great Britain are published annually and are available at: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The annual publication reports on the take-up of Pension Credit on a financial year basis, and so it is not possible to do a comparative assessment on a partial year time period. A comparative assessment can be made by financial years, with the next publication covering financial year ending 2023 being released on 10 October 2024.
If he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on encouraging young people to pursue careers in (a) hospitals and (b) community pharmacies.
It is the role of NHS England to work with National Health Service secondary care, community providers, and universities to ensure there is a supply of staff to take on the available roles providing NHS services in pharmacies, and to promote the vast array of careers available within the NHS. NHS England has developed a range of resources and interactive tools to encourage people of all ages to start a career in pharmacy. Wider NHS workforce plans aim to attract people across all generations, including those who have yet to join the workforce, to enter the pharmacy profession to train as a pharmacist and pharmacy technician.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact on growth and investment of changes in levels of the number of people with non-domiciled tax status resident in the UK.
The government has published a policy note setting out its plan to remove the concept of domicile status from the tax system, and to implement a new residence-based regime which is internationally competitive and focused on attracting the best talent and investment to the UK. The details of this plan can be found on gov.uk at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2024-non-uk-domiciled-individuals-policy-summary/changes-to-the-taxation-of-non-uk-domiciled-individuals Full details of the reform will be provided at the Budget, including a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN), as is routine for tax policy.
With reference to the meeting between the Minister for Energy and energy firms on Wednesday 28 August 2024, what assessment he has made of the [a] potential impact of the costs of energy on pensioners who will not be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in Winter 2024-25 and [ii] adequacy of the steps taken by energy firms to support pensioners in advance of the eligibility changes for the payment.
The Government has not made this specific assessment. However, the most recent statistical projections of rates of fuel poverty can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fuel-poverty-and-winter-fuel-payment-in-england-ad-hoc-statistics-2023-and-2024. This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring pensioners are supported. Everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. The Government expects energy suppliers to do everything they can to support customers who are struggling with bills, especially vulnerable customers. It is important that anyone who is struggling to pay their energy bills contact their supplier. I am working closely with Ofgem and energy suppliers to ensure they are doing everything they can to support all vulnerable consumers and those struggling to pay their bills.