Ben Spencer MP: written questions
280 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Food: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16568More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16567More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with ARIA on support for research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Advanced Research & Invention Agency’s (ARIA) Synthetic Pl...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPost Office: DirectorsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14809More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Post Office board.
Answer: Annually, in line with the Financial Reporting Council’s Corporate Governance Code, the Post Office Board runs a Board Evaluation exercise to determine skills gaps on the Board and areas for improvement. The outcomes of this review are shared with DBT as ...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDogsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14802More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to regulate professional dog walkers.
Answer: Professional dog walkers must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and other relevant legislation, such as welfare in transport regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act, and any public liability or other insurance policy requirements. The Gove...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWater Companies: Employers' ContributionsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14792More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Ofwat on the potential impact of proposed changes to employers National Insurance contributions on the financial resilience of water companies.
Answer: The Secretary of State has not had any discussion with Ofwat on the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions. Given the principle of regulatory independence, Ofwat conducts the price control review process at a distance fro...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Services: ClosuresDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13810More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, whether he has made an estimate of the number of dental practices that will close as a result of the propos
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The emp...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDentistry: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13809More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in the rate of employer National Insurance contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the pro
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The emp...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHighway Code: PublicityDepartment for TransportTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13604More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of DVLA's programme of education of updates to the Highway Code for licence holders.
Answer: The Department for Transport (DfT) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) promote changes to The Highway Code on the Government's flagship road safety campaign THINK! and its social media channels and via partner organisations. Results from th...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12582More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of raising employer’s National Insurance Contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the provision of care in the socia
Answer: On 4 July, the Government inherited public finances that were in their worst state since the Second World War. We have considered the cost pressures facing adult social care as part of the wider consideration of local government spending within the Spendi...
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordM25: A3Department for TransportTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12557More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she ask the Office of Road and Rail to undertake enforcement action against National Highways over ongoing disruption in the (a) Painshill roundabout and (b) local area due to the M25/A3 works.
Answer: Under the Infrastructure Act 2015, it is for ORR to determine whether National Highways is compliant with its directions and guidance and the road investment strategy (RIS) issued by government, and whether to take enforcement action.
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCharities: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12556More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, what discussions he has had with health and care charities on the potential impact of increased National Insuran
Answer: No discussions have taken place with health and care charities on the potential impact of increased National Insurance contributions on their ability to support and provide National Health Service care.To repair the public finances and help raise the reve...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: ClosuresDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12555More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, whether he has made an estimate of the number of GP practices which will close as a result of increased Employer
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The Emp...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordThames Water: Employers' ContributionsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12554More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes in employers' National Insurance contributions on Thames Water's (a) financial viability and (b) infrastructure investm
Answer: To repair public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Government has been clear that we need to take difficult de...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPupils: HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11897More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with school leaders on the effectiveness of individual healthcare plans in schools for children with (a) epilepsy, (b) asthma, (c) a history of anaphylaxis, (d) severe allegories an
Answer: Statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’, recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. They can help schools support pupils with medical conditions, providing clarity about what needs to be done, whe...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPupils: HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11896More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will review the statutory guidance on Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 regarding individual healthcare plans in schools.
Answer: Statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’, recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. They can help schools support pupils with medical conditions, providing clarity about what needs to be done, whe...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNHS: Public ConsultationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure the change.nhs.uk consultation is accessible to (a) people living with disabilities and (b) people without access to the internet.
Answer: The Change NHS engagement exercise will give the public, staff, and partners the opportunity to share their views and help develop the 10-Year Health Plan. This will be done through our recently launched online platform, change.NHS.UK, and through online ...
Answered 4 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on support for research into the (a) care and (b) treatment for people with brain tumours.
Answer: Research is crucial in tackling cancer. The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer being the largest area of spend, at over £121.8 mil...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings he has had with (a) NHS clinical teams specialising in the care and treatment of brain tumours, (b) researchers, (c) patients and (d) patient group representatives on brain tumours.
Answer: Ministers regularly meet with a wide range of cancer partners, including brain cancer charities and patient groups. Ministers also regularly meet with teams from the National Health Service, including clinical specialists where this is appropriate. These ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish a brain tumour strategy.
Answer: Ministers regularly meet with a wide range of cancer partners, including brain cancer charities and patient groups. Ministers also regularly meet with teams from the National Health Service, including clinical specialists where this is appropriate. These ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the potential merits of reviewing guidance for the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (c) treatment of brain tu
Answer: Officials in the Department regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including proposals to review or update existing guidelines. NICE keeps its published guidelines under surveil...
Answered 7 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSouth Western Railway: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10778More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of levels of service provision on the Chertsey branch line on passenger safety at (a) Egham, (b) Chertsey, (c) Addlestone and (c) Weybridge
Answer: There are no current safety concerns that have been raised to Department officials on the Chertsey branch line. I would welcome further information on any concerns that the Member has.
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSouth Western Railway: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10777More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of levels of service provision on the Chertsey branch line at (a) Egham, (b) Chertsey, (c) Addlestone and (c) Weybridge stations on (i) school a
Answer: The Department is unaware of any negative impact that service provision had on the Chertsey branch line on school or college attendance in the 2023-2024 academic year. South Western Railway (SWR) is in regular direct contact with schools and colleges when...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSouth Western Railway: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10776More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with South Western Rail on the performance of the Chertsey branch line since July 2024.
Answer: Department officials are in regular conversation with South Western Railway (SWR) on its performance in all areas of its network, including the Chertsey branch line.
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: SurreyDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10775More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) motorway noise and (b) air pollution from the M25 on schools in (i) Addlestone, (ii) Chertsey, (iii) Downside, (iv) Egham, (v) New Haw and (vi)
Answer: Local outdoor air quality is the responsibility of local authorities who should prepare local air quality strategies to ensure that air quality in their area is improved.The department takes the health, safety, and wellbeing of school users very seriously...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSewers: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Thames Water on removing surface water from sewer systems by (a) sewer lining and (b) manhole sealing in the Runnymede and Weybridge Constituency since
Answer: Since July 2024 the Secretary of State has not had discussions with Thames water specifically on removing surface water from sewer systems by (a) sewer lining and (b) manhole sealing in the Runnymede and Weybridge Constituency. The Environment Agency has ...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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