Ben Spencer MP: written questions
280 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Neurodiversity: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 October 2025 to Question 75683 on Neurodiversity: Children, what discussions he has had with NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board on the steps they are taking to
Answer: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has had no such discussion with the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board (ICB).The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines are developed by experts based...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceCabinet OfficeTabled 16 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77617More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 5 March 2025, (b) 13 May 2025 and (c) 11 June 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS35623.
Answer: The Government is committed to transparency and accountability, including through clear and timely responses to correspondence. I can confirm that your letter to the then-Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster dated 5 March, and subsequent emails of 13 May ...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 8 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75683More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy performance of Surrey and Borders NHS FT assessment pathway for neurodevelopment disorders in children.
Answer: The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. Th...
Answered 8 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordWeybridge Station: LiftsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71142More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) data sources and (b) methodology was used by South Western Rail to (i) measure the performance and (ii) monitor outage events of the lifts at Weybridge Station.
Answer: South Western Railway (SWR) uses the Network Rail data source system Citadel, which logs lifts reported out of use, alongside SWR customers advising of lifts out of use. This approach is used at all SWR stations with lifts including Weybridge. This data i...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordWeybridge Station: LiftsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71141More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timeline is for replacement of the lifts at Weybridge Station.
Answer: The lifts at Weybridge Station are expected to be replaced by Autumn 2026.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to improve (a) enforcement and (b) arrears recovery in child maintenance cases where the paying parent resides abroad.
Answer: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can only be used where the receiving parent, paying parent and any qualifying children are all habitually resident in the United Kingdom (UK). The CMS does not have jurisdiction where this does not apply. The process f...
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Centres: WeybridgeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 905334More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for agreeing the final funding arrangements for rebuilding Weybridge Health Centre.
Answer: The business case for the rebuild of Weybridge Health Centre has recently been submitted by Surrey Heartlands ICB to NHS England for review. In parallel, the NHS Property Services Board will be asked to approve the capital funding for this project and aut...
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPrime Minister: Social MediaCabinet OfficeTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62273More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2025 to Question 60552 on Prime Minister: Social Media, whether large language models are used in the preparation of the Prime Minister's social media posts.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to my answer of 24 June 2025, Official Report, PQ 60552.
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordLevel CrossingsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60565More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of level crossings on the economy, broken down by (a) region and (b) the UK's GDP.
Answer: Level crossings form part of the rail system of Great Britain, which plays a critical role in the development, economic growth, and social wellbeing of communities across the UK. By connecting communities and providing safe access to essential services an...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPrime Minister: Social MediaCabinet OfficeTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60552More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister uses large language model software to help in drafting his social media posts.
Answer: No, the Prime Minister does not use large language model software to help in drafting social media posts.
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGCE A-level and GCSE: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment for EducationTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of the use of large language models in the preparation of (a) GCSE and (b) A-Level course work; and whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of coursewor
Answer: Ofqual is the independent regulator of qualifications and assessments for England and is responsible for setting relevant rules and guidance, including in relation to malpractice. Ofqual published its approach to regulating the use of artificial intellige...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversities: ApplicationsDepartment for EducationTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60230More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of (a) the prevalence of the use of large language models in the preparation of UCAS personal statements and (b) the potential impact of the use of large language models in UCAS per
Answer: The personal statement is an opportunity for applicants to showcase their ambitions, skills and experiences. As such, it is important that students use their own words to accurately reflect their unique qualifications and suitability for the chosen course...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: VATTreasuryTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60190More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Prime Minister's post on X, dated 11 June 2025, whether she plans to use revenue raised from VAT on school fees for purposes other than education.
Answer: The Government has taken a number of decisions on tax to stabilise the public finances and support public services. Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8bn a year. To raise school standards for every child, and break down the barriers to o...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60188More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of supporting the amendments tabled by the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
Answer: The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.The Government has a responsibility to make sure that any legislation that passes through Parliament is effective and enforceable. As...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983.
Answer: The Government is neutral on the matter of assisted dying and the passage of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.The Government also has a duty to the statute book and to ensure that the legislation, if passed, is effective, robust, and workable....
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport (Duty to Cooperate) BillDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53179More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will (a) respond to and (b) support the provisions outlined in the Transport (Duty to Cooperate) Bill; and if she will meet the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to discuss the Bill.
Answer: I understand that the second reading of this Bill is scheduled for 13 June. The Government will set out its position as part of that debate.
Answered 22 May 2025
Original Parliament recordCommunication Skills: TrainingDepartment for EducationTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44565More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to improve (a) training provisions and (b) support for speech and language development professionals.
Answer: The department is continuing to improve access to speech and language therapy by funding the Early Language and Support for Every Child pathfinder project, in partnership with NHS England. This programme aims to improve capacity and knowledge in the workf...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44102More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with universities on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research proje
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with UK Research and Innovation on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44100More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Research England on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research p
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with Innovate UK on their approach to the (a) coding of and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii)
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44089More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Government Digital Service on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44088More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Natural Environment Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gende
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Medical Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity i
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
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