Alex Mayer MP: written questions
719 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Nature ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Natural England has enacted byelaws under Section 28R of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the (a) protection and (b) management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Answer: Natural England has not enacted any byelaws under section 28R since the provision’s introduction in 2001. A set of Model SSSI Byelaws for this purpose was agreed with Defra in 2020 and was published by Natural England at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/natur...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 23 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108061More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with his Australian counterpart on lessons learned from Australia’s introduction of a law to ban under-16s from social media platforms.
Answer: The UK and Australia signed an Online Safety and Security Memorandum of Understanding in February 2024 to share learnings and approaches to online safety.The government is looking at what is happening in Australia. The Australian government plans to monit...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes PlanDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 23 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108060More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of people who will benefit from the Warm Homes Plan in (a) Central Bedfordshire, (b) the East of England and (c) England.
Answer: We have invested £15 billion in the Warm Homes Plan, making it the biggest investment in home upgrades ever. We will reach 5 million homes by 2030, through direct support for those on low incomes and in fuel poverty, and innovative low-interest finance av...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPublic Houses: SummertimeDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107841More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has undertaken an analysis of the potential impact of Single or Double British Summer Time on pubs during major international sporting tournaments.
Answer: The government believes the current daylight-saving arrangements represent the optimal use of the available daylight across the UK. Since the government does not intend to make changes to the existing system, we have not conducted an assessment of the pot...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLanguages: GCSEDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107840More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase uptake of foreign language GCSEs.
Answer: The government is committed to supporting modern foreign languages across schools, and across the languages pipeline. In our response to the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, we made a commitment to work with the sector to understand successfu...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordFIFA: World CupDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107839More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with (a) FIFA and (b) the Football Association on the selection criteria for hosting future FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Answer: As the rights holder for FIFA World Cup tournaments, FIFA publishes the criteria and associated timeline for prospective future host nations to meet in order to be deemed viable. The Football Association works closely with the UK Government and UK Sport w...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTyres: ImportsTreasuryTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106701More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what data her Department holds on the volumes of imported single-life budget tyres in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 1 January to 1 August 2025.
Answer: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is responsible for the collection and publication of data on imports and exports of goods to and from the UK. However, due to classification codes, we are not able to distinguish between single-life budget tyres, and other ...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRailway SignalsDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s progress on delivering the train control systems framework announced on 10 April 2024.
Answer: Network Rail awarded its Train Control Systems Framework in April 2024 covering major signalling activities for the period 2024-2034. Development contracts for digital signalling have been awarded are in delivery, with completion forecast in Financial Ye...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTrains: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date her department granted consent for the upgrade programme of South Western Railway’s Salisbury depot based 30 Class 158/159 trains; and what is her assessment of the (a) cost, (b) value for money of
Answer: South Western Railway (SWR) are currently undertaking scheduled heavy maintenance of their Class 158/159 fleet. This essential programme involves the full strip down, inspection and repair of the units, alongside enhancements to the onboard environment in...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFly-tipping: ForestsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106698More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency records information on habitat type or proximity to woodland when investigating fly-tipping and illegal waste dumping incidents.
Answer: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents to Defra, which are published annually here. Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is currently being processed. Local authorities are required to report to Defra the size of a fly-ti...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFly-tipping: ForestsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the extent to which large-scale fly-tipping incidents, including transit van loads, tipper lorry loads, and significant or multiple-load incide
Answer: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents to Defra, which are published annually here. Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is currently being processed. Local authorities are required to report to Defra the size of a fly-ti...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFly-tipping: ForestsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the extent to which fly-tipping incidents occur on or adjacent to woodland habitat on (a) council-owned land, (b) footpaths and bridleways, and
Answer: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents to Defra, which are published annually here. Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is currently being processed. Local authorities are required to report to Defra the size of a fly-ti...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSites of Special Scientific Interest: AccessDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106695More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what powers public authorities have to restrict vehicular access to Sites of Special Scientific Interest that span multiple land ownerships where ecological damage is taking place.
Answer: All public bodies have a statutory duty to take reasonable steps to further the conservation and enhancement of the special features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), including where an SSSI spans multiple landownerships. Natural England (N...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSites of Special Scientific Interest: AccessDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106694More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what powers public authorities have to restrict vehicular access to Sites of Special Scientific Interest where ecological damage has been, or is being, wilfully caused.
Answer: All public bodies have a statutory duty to take reasonable steps to further the conservation and enhancement of the special features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), including where an SSSI spans multiple landownerships. Natural England (N...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFly-tipping: Conservation AreasDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106693More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many recorded incidents of fly-tipping in each of the last five years took place in or adjacent to areas designated as (a) Sites of Special Scientific Interest, (b) Special Protect
Answer: Fly-tipping (or the illegal dumping of waste) should generally be reported to the relevant local authority wherever it occurs (see guidance at https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping). Local authorities and the Environment Agency have existing powers to requ...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFly-tipping: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106692More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to improve the collection of data on the environmental impacts of fly-tipping on habitats.
Answer: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents to Defra, which are published annually here. Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is currently being processed. Local authorities are required to report to Defra the size of a fly-ti...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFly-tippingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106691More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether local authorities are required to record the habitat type affected by each reported fly-tipping incident.
Answer: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents to Defra, which are published annually here. Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is currently being processed. Local authorities are required to report to Defra the size of a fly-ti...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFly-tipping: ForestsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106690More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department and its arm’s-length bodies hold on the number of recorded fly-tipping incidents in England in 2023–24 that occurred on or adjacent to woodland.
Answer: Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents to Defra, which are published annually here. Data for the 2024/25 reporting year is currently being processed. Local authorities are required to report to Defra the size of a fly-ti...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGreat British RailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to determine the geographical make up of GBR's Business Units will be determined.
Answer: Business Units will be the powerhouse of Great British Railways (GBR), bringing together today’s infrastructure management functions provided by Network Rail, and passenger operations currently led by train operating companies, into a single local team w...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLevel Crossings: Cycling and PedestriansDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106244More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the Office of Rail and Road on the application of a risk-based approach to the provision of new pedestrian and cycle level crossings on heritage railways in instances where
Answer: The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) do not support the creation of new level crossings where there is a reasonably practicable alternative such as a bridge or tunnel. These alternatives should be fully explored and delivered where it is reasonably practicab...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPlanning: Active TravelMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106243More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Department for Transport guidance entitled Cycle infrastructure design (LTN 1/20), published on 27 July 2020, whether he plans to revise (a) the National Planni
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustai...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDogs: Animal BreedingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106241More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Animal Welfare Strategy for England, published on 22 December 2025, what her Department's planned timetable is for launching th
Answer: The Government is committed to ending puppy farming and the low welfare breeding of dogs. As part of the Animal Welfare Strategy, the Government has committed to launch a consultation on dog breeding reform. Next steps will be announced in due course.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025 on the
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting the development and uptake of alternatives to the use of animals in science and has published the Replacing Animals in Science strategy which lays out the steps we are taking to achieve that end. The strategy stat...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104938More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which local transport authorities did not provide road condition data for at least one road type from the last 2 years; and what steps are being taken to ensure they can provide full data in future.
Answer: Official statistics on the condition of local roads in England in are published annually Road conditions in England to March 2024 - GOV.UK. Where information was not provided the Department for Transport (DfT) this is denoted in the relevant tables. Local...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGame: Gun SportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102118More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) licensing shoots and (b) making the penalty for using snares the loss of such a licence.
Answer: Defra is considering the most effective way to deliver its commitment to ban the use of snares in England and will be setting out next steps in due course. The use of snares is commonly associated with gamebird shooting. Defra has not yet made any formal ...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →