Every parliamentary written question tabled by Martin Wrigley this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,241–1,260 of 1,840 · this parliament
Whether her Department plans to end the digital services tax.
The Digital Services Tax was introduced as a temporary measure to address international corporate tax issues, until a global solution on the taxation of the digital economy is reached through Pillar 1 of the G20-OECD Inclusive Framework project. It is the UK’s intention to repeal our DST when this international solution is in place.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to reintroduce the Government's £50 reduction for customers of South West Water.
The taxpayer-funded contribution to the water and sewerage bills of South West Water (SWW) household customers ended on 31 March 2025. The rebate was originally introduced in 2013 because SWW customers faced significantly higher water bills than customers in other regions due to the level of investment the company was required to make in the region’s infrastructure to meet environmental and water quality standards. Over the last decade the difference between water bills in the South West region and others has decreased. Over the next Price Review period (2025-2029) Ofwat’s latest projections are that SWW customers will have similar bills to those in other regions. The Government is committed to taking action to address water poverty and help vulnerable customers with their water bills. All water companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, including measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks and holidays, and debt management support. We expect all water companies to proactively engage with their customers to ensure they know what support schemes are available and how to use them.
If she will make it her policy to grant Ukraine Scheme visa holders the right to settled status after five years.
We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes. This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application. There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements. The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.UPE is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. An automatic extension of existing permission would mean providing further unnecessary permission, even to a person who has now left the UK and is no longer in need of temporary sanctuary in the UK.
Media and Sport, if he will take steps to (a) strengthen and (b) enforce regulations on gambling advertising.
There are a range of robust rules in place through the Advertising Codes enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to ensure that gambling advertising and marketing, wherever it appears, is socially responsible and does not exacerbate harm. The ASA continually reviews the best available evidence to ensure rules are effective and updates protections as required.As the statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain, the Gambling Commission is further strengthening protections to improve customer control over the marketing they receive and the tightening rules on the design of incentives such as free bets. However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely.
If she will make it her policy to grant an automatic extension of 18 months to all Ukraine Scheme visas.
We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes. This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application. There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements. The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.UPE is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. An automatic extension of existing permission would mean providing further unnecessary permission, even to a person who has now left the UK and is no longer in need of temporary sanctuary in the UK.
With reference to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 27 March 2025, what the evidential basis is for the statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport that up to 30% of drivers who take the D1 test fail.
The statistic of up to 30% of drivers failing the D1 driving test is quoted in the 2022 Driving Licensing Call for Evidence. It is based on data from April 2016 to September 2021, where tests were conducted by DVSA examiners only.Driving test, theory test and driving instructor statistics for Great Britain are published on GOV.UK each year by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes proposed by Great Western Railway on (a) ticket offices and (b) station staffing.
Any changes to ticket office opening hours, in relation to regulated stations covered by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, must be made following the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement conditions and Secretary of State guidance. The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with Great Western Railway on changes related to ticket offices at any of its stations.
How many and what proportion of tests for (a) D1 and (b) B category licenses resulted in a (i) pass and (ii) fail in each of the last five years.
The table below shows, for the last five years, the number of:category B (car) practical driving tests conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA);category D1 (minibus) 3b on road practical driving tests conducted by DVSA and delegated examiners; andtests passed and failed, including pass rate. Category B practical driving testsCategory D1 – 3b on road practical driving testsYearConductedPassedFailedPass rateConductedPassedFailedPass rate2020*809,509388,217421,29248.0%1,8151,41739878.1%2021*1,113,735552,166561,56949.6%1,9501,52742378.3%20221,667,935802,223865,71248.1%2,8342,24958579.4%20231,831,588883,114948,47448.2%3,4542,84960582.5%2024#1,479,177708,847770,33047.9%2,4462,02342382.7% * - Testing reduced due to Covid-19 pandemic# - January 2024 to September 2024 is the latest official statistics.
How many current driving licences that entitle the holder to drive category (a) B and (b) D1 vehicles were issued (a) before and (b) on or after 1 January 1997.
The table below shows the number of driving licence holders with entitlement to drive category B (car) and D1 (minibuses with between nine and 16 passenger seats). The table also shows whether the entitlement was gained before or after 1 January 1997. Please note that drivers who passed a category B test before 1 January 1997 were automatically granted D1 entitlement but could not drive D1 vehicles for hire or reward (NFHR). This entitlement has also been included. Drivers with D1 (NFHR) entitlement must meet the higher medical standards required of Group 2 (HGV/Bus) drivers when their driving licence expires, normally at the age of 70. CategoryIssued before 1/1/97Issued after 1/1/97B20,955,10620,991,761D1233323,604*D1 (NFHR)14,302,640N/A * This figure also includes drivers who hold category D1 entitlement from passing a category D (Bus) test.
How long visa terms for the Ukraine Permission Extension Scheme are.
We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes. This is why the temporary sanctuary Ukraine Visa Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application. There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements. The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025, will provide up to an additional 18 months’ permission to stay in the UK for those with existing Ukraine Scheme permission.UPE is a new grant of permission; it is not an extension of a person's existing permission. An automatic extension of existing permission would mean providing further unnecessary permission, even to a person who has now left the UK and is no longer in need of temporary sanctuary in the UK.
Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to review its policy on the private ownership model of South West Water.
The Government has no intention to nationalise water companies, including South West Water. Such a process would significantly stall much needed investment, leaving sewage pollution only to get worse. Nationalising the water industry would put a huge burden on the public purse and would not fix the root of the problem. Shareholders and debt holders would need to be compensated, which could cost over an estimated £90 billion based on Ofwat’s Regulatory Capital Value (RCV) 2024 figures for companies in England and Wales. This Government has already shown we will take the necessary action with the introduction of our landmark piece of legislation, the Water (Special Measures) Act, and the Independent Water Commission which will make recommendations to ensure we have a sufficiently robust and stable regulatory framework to attract the investment needed to clean up our waterways, speed up infrastructure delivery and restore public confidence in the sector.
If he will take steps to provide adequate funding for the warm homes local grant.
£500 million has been allocated as part of the Autumn Budget for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to be delivered from 2025 to 2028 by eligible local authorities in England. Allocations of this funding to local authorities that expressed an interest in participating in delivering the scheme were announced on 11th March. Details are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-local-grant-successful-local-authorities/warm-homes-local-grant-successful-local-authorities Future funding towards decarbonisation and to tackle fuel poverty will be considered as part of Phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will conclude in late Spring 2025.
What information his Department holds on the number and proportion of nurses on a bursary unable to find nursing jobs after graduating.
The Department does not hold the information requested.
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-opening the railway line between Heathfield and Newton Abbot.
There are no current plans to make an assessment of reopening the railway line between Heathfield and Newton Abbot. The Government believes that local authorities are best placed to promote and take forward transport schemes that will most benefit their local areas.
With reference to the Social Metrics Commission's report entitled Measuring Poverty 2024, published in October 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the finding that 54 per cent of people in poverty lived in a family that included a disabled person in 2022/23.
The government's impact assessment regarding Health and Disability Reform is available at Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Impacts. As part of our Plan for Change we're introducing the most far-reaching reforms in a generation, with £1 billion a year being invested to give people the best possible chance with tailored support that can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances - including their changing health – while also scrapping the failed Work Capability Assessment in Great Britain.
Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that local authorities are carrying out their statutory duty to deliver youth services.
Local authorities hold the statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people. Local Authorities fund youth services from their Local Government Settlement in line with local need, and this was increased to more than £69 billion in 2025/26 - a 6.8% increase in cash terms compared to 2024/25.Although there is no legal requirement for local authorities to publish their plans, the guidance encourages local authorities to publish their assessment of local needs for youth services as well as the rationale for their actions and decisions. We will be launching the Local Youth Transformation pilot this year, which will support local authorities to build back capability to improve local youth offers.
Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure long-term sustainable funding for youth services.
The Government will publish the National Youth Strategy this summer. The detail and scale of the funding commitments included in the strategy will be shaped by engagement with young people and the youth sector and will be dependent on Spending Review decisions.In 2025/6, DCMS youth funding will include over £85 million of capital funding to create fit-for-purpose spaces in places where it is most needed. This includes the £26 million Better Youth Spaces Fund for youth clubs to buy new equipment and do renovations, and the completion of Youth Investment Fund projects underway. The new Local Youth Transformation pilot will improve capability to improve local youth offers. Further funding allocations for specific youth programmes will be communicated in due course.
Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reductions in youth service funding on young people.
Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient youth services for young people in their area. This is funded through the Local Government Funding Settlement.We acknowledge the challenges facing the sector and the disparities across the country. That is why this Government has launched the co-production of an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, which will be developed together with young people and the youth sector.We will also launch the Local Youth Transformation pilot in 2025/26, which will support local authorities to build back capability to improve local youth offers. We also have allocated over £85m of capital funding to create fit-for-purpose spaces in places where it is most needed. Further funding allocations for specific youth programmes will be communicated in due course.
Media and Sport, if she will ensure that the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme continues beyond 2026.
I refer the Hon Member to my answer to PQ 29531.
What recent discussions she has had with Crosscountry trains on increasing capacity on rail routes in Newton Abbot constituency.
The Department has funded 12 additional Voyager trains (60 carriages) for the CrossCountry network. Three trains are already in service with the next one due to be brought into service in April. The remaining eight trains are due to enter service with CrossCountry in May. This will increase the Voyager train fleet and enable CrossCountry to provide many more seats on its network including the Edinburgh to Plymouth route.