Every parliamentary written question tabled by Oliver Dowden this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 251 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure tenants living in Clarion Housing properties have adequate and safe homes.
I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her international counterparts to protect the religious freedom of Christians across the globe.
The UK is committed to championing Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all. We recognise that every day, people around the world face persecution or discrimination on the basis of their religion or belief, including Christians. The UK's FoRB Strategy, set out by the Special Envoy last July, continues to guide our international engagement. We regularly raise FoRB concerns with governments worldwide and support locally led interfaith initiatives in regions experiencing acute religious persecution.Through the UN, G7, and the Article 18 Alliance, the UK works with partners to highlight violations, promote reform of discriminatory laws, and advocate for individuals facing persecution. At the Alliance's fifth‑anniversary event in November, the Special Envoy called for deeper collective action and greater integration of FoRB into responses to global challenges such as conflict, development, and displacement.We are strengthening coordination with international partners, including the United States and European counterparts, to ensure more coherent global advocacy and more responsive mechanisms to address emerging FoRB crises. We also work closely with civil society, faith leaders and human rights defenders to ensure that the experiences of those most at risk shape our policy and international advocacy.The UK will continue to champion the right to freedom of religion or belief for everyone, everywhere.
With reference to proposed changes to the Computer Misuse Act 1990, whether she plans to ensure any potential statutory defence covers cybersecurity researchers who are conducting threat intelligence.
The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) reform.The Government is conducting an ongoing review of the Computer Misuse Act (CMA). It is crucial that any changes brought forward are proportionate, adaptable to evolving techniques, and do not undermine law enforcement’s ability to take action against cyber criminals. Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the proposal and ensure it includes strong safeguards to prevent misuse.The Home Office will provide an update on proposals taken forward in due course.
Media and Sport, what support her Department is making available to freelancers in the film industry.
The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out how government will work with industry to develop a high quality and responsive training offer to meet the workforce requirements of the creative industries, including film as a frontier industry. This includes increasing the quantity of creative training pathways such as regional creative skills bootcamps - for example, the Screen Crafts & Digital Skills with a Camera pathway, which has recently been available in Yorkshire. In September 2025, the government introduced creative Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) to support skills such as animation and audiovisual production, and shorter apprenticeships are now also possible for Screen and Audio Production Assistant apprentices. We are continuing to work with industry to support sector training pathways through a DCMS and Skills England led Creative Sector Skills Forum. We also committed to increasing the resilience of the workforce, including creative freelancers, across the sector. DCMS will soon appoint a creative Freelance Champion, to advocate for the sector’s creative freelancers within government and be a member of the Creative Industries Council. We will also continue to support the industry’s work to deliver the Good Work Review action plan, which aims to strengthen job quality across the sector.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help retain skilled workers in the film industry.
The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out how government will work with industry to develop a high quality and responsive training offer to meet the workforce requirements of the creative industries, including film as a frontier industry. This includes increasing the quantity of creative training pathways such as regional creative skills bootcamps - for example, the Screen Crafts & Digital Skills with a Camera pathway, which has recently been available in Yorkshire. In September 2025, the government introduced creative Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) to support skills such as animation and audiovisual production, and shorter apprenticeships are now also possible for Screen and Audio Production Assistant apprentices. We are continuing to work with industry to support sector training pathways through a DCMS and Skills England led Creative Sector Skills Forum. We also committed to increasing the resilience of the workforce, including creative freelancers, across the sector. DCMS will soon appoint a creative Freelance Champion, to advocate for the sector’s creative freelancers within government and be a member of the Creative Industries Council. We will also continue to support the industry’s work to deliver the Good Work Review action plan, which aims to strengthen job quality across the sector.
How many serious vehicle accidents have resulted from potholes in (a) Hertsmere constituency and (b) Hertfordshire since 2015.
The Department’s reported road collision statistics do not identify the cause of collisions. However, reporting police officers can assign up to 6 road safety factors which they believe may have contributed to the collision occurring. The number of collisions, involving at least one seriously injured casualty, which were assigned road safety factor “poor or defective road surface or deposits on road” between 2015 and 2024 are shown in the table. Area2015201620172018201920202021202220232024Hertsmere1101111000Hertfordshire12345982161
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help improve training standards in the film industry.
The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out how government will work with industry to develop a high quality and responsive training offer to meet the workforce requirements of the creative industries, including film as a frontier industry. This includes increasing the quantity of creative training pathways such as regional creative skills bootcamps - for example, the Screen Crafts & Digital Skills with a Camera pathway, which has recently been available in Yorkshire. In September 2025, the government introduced creative Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) to support skills such as animation and audiovisual production, and shorter apprenticeships are now also possible for Screen and Audio Production Assistant apprentices. We are continuing to work with industry to support sector training pathways through a DCMS and Skills England led Creative Sector Skills Forum. We also committed to increasing the resilience of the workforce, including creative freelancers, across the sector. DCMS will soon appoint a creative Freelance Champion, to advocate for the sector’s creative freelancers within government and be a member of the Creative Industries Council. We will also continue to support the industry’s work to deliver the Good Work Review action plan, which aims to strengthen job quality across the sector.
Media and Sport, what support her Department is making available to camera trainees in the film industry.
The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out how government will work with industry to develop a high quality and responsive training offer to meet the workforce requirements of the creative industries, including film as a frontier industry. This includes increasing the quantity of creative training pathways such as regional creative skills bootcamps - for example, the Screen Crafts & Digital Skills with a Camera pathway, which has recently been available in Yorkshire. In September 2025, the government introduced creative Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) to support skills such as animation and audiovisual production, and shorter apprenticeships are now also possible for Screen and Audio Production Assistant apprentices. We are continuing to work with industry to support sector training pathways through a DCMS and Skills England led Creative Sector Skills Forum. We also committed to increasing the resilience of the workforce, including creative freelancers, across the sector. DCMS will soon appoint a creative Freelance Champion, to advocate for the sector’s creative freelancers within government and be a member of the Creative Industries Council. We will also continue to support the industry’s work to deliver the Good Work Review action plan, which aims to strengthen job quality across the sector.
What assessment she has made of the impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on the competitiveness and growth of the UK cyber security sector.
The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) reform.The Government is conducting an ongoing review of the Computer Misuse Act (CMA). It is crucial that any changes brought forward are proportionate, adaptable to evolving techniques, and do not undermine law enforcement’s ability to take action against cyber criminals. Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the proposal and ensure it includes strong safeguards to prevent misuse.The Home Office will provide an update on proposals taken forward in due course.
What assessment she has made of the impact of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on UK cyber resilience, skills and innovation; and what impact the current framework has on the UK’s competitiveness compared with other jurisdictions.
The Government recognises the major role UK cybersecurity professionals play in enhancing and protecting the UK’s resilience against cyber threats, and it is vital that we support them. I acknowledge the strong sentiment regarding Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA) reform.The Government is already conducting an ongoing review of the CMA.It is crucial that any changes brought forward are proportionate, adaptable to evolving techniques, and do not undermine law enforcement’s ability to take action against cyber criminals. Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the proposal and ensure it includes strong safeguards to prevent misuse.The Home Office is progressing work at pace and will provide an update on proposals taken forward in due course.
Whether she has had discussions with Hertfordshire County Council on potholes.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for maintaining local roads in the Hertsmere constituency. The Department provided £35,671,790 in highways maintenance funding to HCC for the 2025/26 financial year and has confirmed a further £180,402,000 for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30) as part of the Department’s record £7.3 billion investment into local highway maintenance. This multi‑year settlement gives HCC the certainty to plan more proactive and preventative maintenance, helping to reduce potholes and improve overall road condition. To ensure authorities maintain and repair their roads effectively, the Department has introduced a new traffic light rating system based on road condition, spending, and use of best practice. Hertfordshire received an amber rating under this system, with their individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice. Ministers and officials engage regularly with local authorities. I met the Local Government Association on 10 February to discuss highways maintenance policy, and Departmental officials met HCC on 11 February to discuss their highways maintenance operations.
What steps she is taking to ensure local authorities repair potholes in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for maintaining local roads in the Hertsmere constituency. The Department provided £35,671,790 in highways maintenance funding to HCC for the 2025/26 financial year and has confirmed a further £180,402,000 for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30) as part of the Department’s record £7.3 billion investment into local highway maintenance. This multi‑year settlement gives HCC the certainty to plan more proactive and preventative maintenance, helping to reduce potholes and improve overall road condition. To ensure authorities maintain and repair their roads effectively, the Department has introduced a new traffic light rating system based on road condition, spending, and use of best practice. Hertfordshire received an amber rating under this system, with their individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice. Ministers and officials engage regularly with local authorities. I met the Local Government Association on 10 February to discuss highways maintenance policy, and Departmental officials met HCC on 11 February to discuss their highways maintenance operations.
What steps she is taking to improve the condition of road networks in Hertsmere constituency.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for maintaining local roads in the Hertsmere constituency. The Department provided £35,671,790 in highways maintenance funding to HCC for the 2025/26 financial year and has confirmed a further £180,402,000 for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30) as part of the Department’s record £7.3 billion investment into local highway maintenance. This multi‑year settlement gives HCC the certainty to plan more proactive and preventative maintenance, helping to reduce potholes and improve overall road condition. To ensure authorities maintain and repair their roads effectively, the Department has introduced a new traffic light rating system based on road condition, spending, and use of best practice. Hertfordshire received an amber rating under this system, with their individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice. Ministers and officials engage regularly with local authorities. I met the Local Government Association on 10 February to discuss highways maintenance policy, and Departmental officials met HCC on 11 February to discuss their highways maintenance operations.
What steps her Department is taking to help support the maintenance of highways in Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for maintaining local roads in the Hertsmere constituency. The Department provided £35,671,790 in highways maintenance funding to HCC for the 2025/26 financial year and has confirmed a further £180,402,000 for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30) as part of the Department’s record £7.3 billion investment into local highway maintenance. This multi‑year settlement gives HCC the certainty to plan more proactive and preventative maintenance, helping to reduce potholes and improve overall road condition. To ensure authorities maintain and repair their roads effectively, the Department has introduced a new traffic light rating system based on road condition, spending, and use of best practice. Hertfordshire received an amber rating under this system, with their individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice. Ministers and officials engage regularly with local authorities. I met the Local Government Association on 10 February to discuss highways maintenance policy, and Departmental officials met HCC on 11 February to discuss their highways maintenance operations.
Whether she has had discussions with Hertfordshire County Council on improving their road maintenance rating.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for maintaining local roads in the Hertsmere constituency. The Department provided £35,671,790 in highways maintenance funding to HCC for the 2025/26 financial year and has confirmed a further £180,402,000 for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30) as part of the Department’s record £7.3 billion investment into local highway maintenance. This multi‑year settlement gives HCC the certainty to plan more proactive and preventative maintenance, helping to reduce potholes and improve overall road condition. To ensure authorities maintain and repair their roads effectively, the Department has introduced a new traffic light rating system based on road condition, spending, and use of best practice. Hertfordshire received an amber rating under this system, with their individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice. Ministers and officials engage regularly with local authorities. I met the Local Government Association on 10 February to discuss highways maintenance policy, and Departmental officials met HCC on 11 February to discuss their highways maintenance operations.
What progress she has made on supporting pothole repairs in Hertsmere constituency.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for maintaining local roads in the Hertsmere constituency. The Department provided £35,671,790 in highways maintenance funding to HCC for the 2025/26 financial year and has confirmed a further £180,402,000 for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30) as part of the Department’s record £7.3 billion investment into local highway maintenance. This multi‑year settlement gives HCC the certainty to plan more proactive and preventative maintenance, helping to reduce potholes and improve overall road condition. To ensure authorities maintain and repair their roads effectively, the Department has introduced a new traffic light rating system based on road condition, spending, and use of best practice. Hertfordshire received an amber rating under this system, with their individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice. Ministers and officials engage regularly with local authorities. I met the Local Government Association on 10 February to discuss highways maintenance policy, and Departmental officials met HCC on 11 February to discuss their highways maintenance operations.
What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the December 2022 report by the Drax company secretary into whistleblowing activity including the transcripts of discussions with Stuart Cotten, Hillary Berger, Richard Fullilove and Tanisha Beebee.
DESNZ has not seen and does not hold any such report relating to whistleblowers at Drax. As part of its 2023-4 investigation into Drax, Ofgem considered a broad range of documents and sources, including statements from whistleblowers. Ofgem's investigation was comprehensive and wide-ranging, and found that whilst Drax complied with the sustainability standards, it failed to report data accurately. The detail of any documents considered in this investigation is for Ofgem to comment on as the independent regulator.
What steps her Department is taking to support local highway authorities in improving their road maintenance rating.
The Government has confirmed a record £7.3 billion for local highways maintenance over the next four years, providing longer‑term funding certainty for authorities to improve the condition of England’s roads. Where authorities encounter challenges and received a red rating under the Department’s assessment system, targeted support will be offered through peer reviews led by sector experts to help strengthen their maintenance practices and improve outcomes. The Department is also working with the UK Roads Leadership Group to update the Code of Practice for Well‑Managed Highway Infrastructure, helping ensure that local authorities continue to have access to current best practice guidance to support effective maintenance of their networks.
What steps she is taking to help increase pothole repairs in Hertsmere constituency.
Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) is responsible for maintaining local roads in the Hertsmere constituency. The Department provided £35,671,790 in highways maintenance funding to HCC for the 2025/26 financial year and has confirmed a further £180,402,000 for the next four years (2026/27 to 2029/30) as part of the Department’s record £7.3 billion investment into local highway maintenance. This multi‑year settlement gives HCC the certainty to plan more proactive and preventative maintenance, helping to reduce potholes and improve overall road condition. To ensure authorities maintain and repair their roads effectively, the Department has introduced a new traffic light rating system based on road condition, spending, and use of best practice. Hertfordshire received an amber rating under this system, with their individual scorecards showing amber for condition, green for spend and amber for best practice. Ministers and officials engage regularly with local authorities. I met the Local Government Association on 10 February to discuss highways maintenance policy, and Departmental officials met HCC on 11 February to discuss their highways maintenance operations.
Whether she plans to introduce address checks for driving licenses and vehicle registrations.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s Driver and Vehicle Account provides motorists with a single online place to access all its services and information. The account allows customers to update their driving licence and vehicle information. To open an account, customers must verify their identify through GOV.UK One Login and this verification process includes an external identity check for verification of personal details, including the address. Information about the account can be found at www.gov.uk/driver-vehicles-account. Anyone applying for a driving licence for the first time must provide evidence of their identity so that the DVLA can verify and authenticate them. While there is no requirement for an applicant to verify their address, the DVLA does ask applicants applying online to provide current and historical addresses where appropriate to help the identity verification process. The DVLA also requires proof of identity when a vehicle is first registered. To ensure services are customer friendly and cost effective, when a subsequent application is sent to change the details of a registered keeper there is no requirement to provide proof of identity or address. It is already an offence to provide false or misleading information and there are no plans to introduce additional checks for driving licence applications or vehicle transactions. The DVLA’s operational fraud team monitors both vehicle and driving licence records for evidence of fraud and acts on intelligence received from the police and other sources. This includes investigating possible anomalies in the use of addresses provided.