Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wendy Chamberlain this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 161 · this parliament
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Gambling Commission of the risk profile of charity lotteries, including the People's Postcode Lottery.
The department and the Gambling Commission have regular discussions covering gambling regulation, including society lotteries.
Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Gambling Commission on the society lotteries sales limit.
The department and the Gambling Commission have regular discussions covering gambling regulation, including society lotteries.
When was the most recent evacuation under the (a) Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and (b) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy; and when are the next planned evacuations.
The UK made an ambitious and generous commitment to help at-risk people in Afghanistan and, so far, we have brought around 38,700. people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for our Afghan schemes.Afghanistan Resettlement Schemes operational data is published quarterly with the last publication on the 21 August 2025.Data on recent and planned resettlement is not available due to the operational nature of the schemes. For operational security reasons, we are unable to provide additional information on plans for future resettlement flights.The data published within: immigration system statistics release (year ending June 2025, published 21 August 2025) provides a breakdown of arrivals by quarter. The number of individuals resettled under the schemes is as follows: 19,048 under ARAP. 10,160 individuals under ACRS Pathway 1, 1,406 individuals under ACRS Pathway 2 and 1,679 individuals under ACRS Pathway 3.Afghan Operational data is viewable at: Afghan Resettlement Programme: operational data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)
How many Afghans were evacuated from Pakistan under the (a) Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and (b) Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy each month from January 2025 to the latest month for which data is available.
The UK made an ambitious and generous commitment to help at-risk people in Afghanistan and, so far, we have brought around 38,700. people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for our Afghan schemes.Afghanistan Resettlement Schemes operational data is published quarterly with the last publication on the 21 August 2025.Data on recent and planned resettlement is not available due to the operational nature of the schemes. For operational security reasons, we are unable to provide additional information on plans for future resettlement flights.The data published within: immigration system statistics release (year ending June 2025, published 21 August 2025) provides a breakdown of arrivals by quarter. The number of individuals resettled under the schemes is as follows: 19,048 under ARAP. 10,160 individuals under ACRS Pathway 1, 1,406 individuals under ACRS Pathway 2 and 1,679 individuals under ACRS Pathway 3.Afghan Operational data is viewable at: Afghan Resettlement Programme: operational data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether ODA spending for Afghanistan will be ringfenced in the upcoming spending decisions.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 17 September to Question 70974.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of reductions to Official Development Assistance spending on women and girls in Afghanistan.
With £151 million allocated this year, Afghanistan remains one of the UK’s largest bilateral aid programmes. We aim for women and girls to make up at least 50% of those reached, and continually assess programme effectiveness to support that goal. We regularly engage with a range of Afghans and partner organisations to inform and shape our policy and programmes.
Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to improve offline access to public services.
The Government wants to put digital inclusion at the heart of how we deliver better designed, time-saving public services, to ensure as many people as possible can access public services digitally. Our ambition is for everyone in the UK to have the access, skills, support and confidence to participate in our modern digital society, whatever their circumstances.Service Standard point 5. requires departments to consider the full range of users, including those who may lack confidence or digital skillsService Standard point 3. ensures that alternatives to digital access, such as telephone or face-to-face, are available and usable by allDigital public services provided by government departments are also subject to the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Under these regulations departments are obliged to provide reasonable adjustments, such as alternative channels for users who need additional support.
What steps he is taking to support (a) whisky distilleries and (b) other energy intensive industries located outside the government designated clusters to decarbonise.
The Government will set out plans to support industrial decarbonisation in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October and in its upcoming Industrial decarbonisation Strategy. This will draw on extensive engagement with industrial sectors, which has included representatives of the distilleries sector. The £6 million Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans (LIDP) competition has funded 13 decarbonisation projects in local clusters, supporting dispersed industrial manufacturers not located in the UK’s largest existing industrial clusters to start their journey towards Net Zero. We are delivering on our Clean Power 2030 Mission to provide the electricity to help firms get off the rollercoaster of volatile fossil fuel prices. We are investing in the infrastructure and accelerating connections to help industrial firms across the country to electrify. And we have set our intention to design the first Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Model allocation rounds to establish the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031. Developing the first regional network is an important starting point and provides the foundations for future network expansion, including connections between regions or supporting demand further afield outside of clusters.
If she will place in the House of Commons Library all (a) reports, (b) reviews, (c) internal evaluation and (d) evidence gathered in relation to her Department's pilot of a 56-day move period from asylum accommodation for refugees with newly granted status to remain in the UK.
The Move-on evaluation report will be published as part of the Home Office Analysis and Insights (HOAI) Research Series subject to satisfactory peer review and Ministerial clearance. The House of Commons library and any member of the public can access all HOAI research reports which are published online here: Research at Home Office - Home Office - GOV.UK
What steps his Department is taking to expand consumer-led flexibility solutions in rural constituencies to (a) reduce household energy bills and (b) improve grid efficiency.
Consumer-led flexibility (CLF) will help households reduce bills and improve grid efficiency in both urban and rural areas. The Clean Flexibility Roadmap sets out actions to unlock CLF across all regions, including through improved consumer engagement, smart tariffs, and support for technologies such as EV smart charging. Directly participating households can see immediate bill reductions. However all households will benefit from lower electricity system costs from a more flexible system that requires less generation and associated network infrastructure.
If she will provide the (a) criteria and (b) arrangements for evacuating students from Gaza to the relevant (i) universities and (ii) hon. Members.
I refer the Honourable Member to the previous Home Secretary’s oral statement to the House on 1 September 2025 on strengthening border security and reforms to the asylum system. Further details will be set out in due course.The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all Chevening Scholars from Gaza.We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025.The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK. The situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.
How many Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy-eligible Afghans living in British High Commission-supported hotels in Islamabad have been deported to Afghanistan.
Currently, there are approximately 30 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission in Islamabad. 13 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission have been deported to Afghanistan.
What estimate he has made of the number of ARAP eligible Afghans currently staying in British High Commission supported hotels in Islamabad.
Currently, there are approximately 30 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission in Islamabad. 13 ARAP eligible Afghans under the care of the British High Commission have been deported to Afghanistan.
What discussions she has had with LINK on the potential for widening the criteria for establishing additional banking hubs across the UK.
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector. The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
What steps she is taking to assist (a) older people and (b) people who are not digitally confident in accessing online banking services.
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector. The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
What steps she is taking to ensure that face-to-face banking services remain accessible to (a) older people and (b) those who lack digital confidence.
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector. The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.
Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July to Question 67982 on Social Rented Housing: Repairs and Maintenance, what the actual value is of financial guarantees issued to date by the National Wealth Fund to support social housing retrofit loans provided by (a) NatWest Group, (b) Barclays UK Corporate Bank, (c) Lloyds Banking Group and (d) The Housing Finance Corporation.
The National Wealth Fund have agreed to guarantee up to £1.3 billion of loans provided by NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds and The Housing Finance Corporation to upgrade social housing. To date, Barclays have signed one deal worth £50 million, and Lloyds Banking Group has signed two deals worth £160 million in total.
Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure the availability of reliable broadband in rural areas to support access to essential services.
Through Project Gigabit, we are delivering future-proofed, gigabit-capable connections nationwide, to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans, including to premises in rural areas.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of digital exclusion on the quality of life for older people.
Those who cannot use digital technologies are likely to pay more for certain transactions, have worse health outcomes, and find it more difficult to manage their finance. That’s why tackling digital exclusion, which disproportionately impacts certain demographics including older people, is a priority for Government.In February we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion.One of these actions was to launch the £9.5mn Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online. All funded projects will support at least one of the focus demographic groups, including older people.
What assessment he has made of waiting times in distribution connections reform.
Distribution-level projects can face significant connection delays, particularly if they could impact on the transmission network. The reformed transmission connections process, currently being implemented, should accelerate connections for many viable distribution-level projects. Furthermore, Ofgem has recently raised the threshold for distribution projects in England and Wales requiring a Transmission Impact Assessment from 1MW to 5MW, which should accelerate connections for connections below the new threshold.[1] More widely, Ofgem is reviewing the connections regulatory incentives and obligations applied to National Energy System Operator and network companies. This aims to reduce connection times where possible and improve customer service.[2] The equivalent thresholds for Scotland are under ongoing review by the Scottish network companies.[1] Decision to approve CMP446: 'Increasing the lower threshold in England and Wales for Evaluation of Transmission Impact Assessment' | Ofgem[2] Connections end-to-end review of the regulatory framework | Ofgem