Blake Stephenson MP: written questions
1633 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Great British RailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how Great British Railways will work with (a) Mayoral transport agencies and (b) Transport for London.
Answer: Great British Railways (GBR) will work in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) and their transport agencies to ensure local priorities are reflected in rail planning and delivery. These partnerships will enable closer integration with loc...
Answered 14 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88021More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to make train journeys more affordable since July 2024.
Answer: We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, and the move to Great British Railways will also help ensure passengers get a more consistent offe...
Answered 14 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBridges: Large Goods VehiclesDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled £1 billion backed renewal of broken bridges, ruined roads and tired tunnels and new Thames Crossing cash, published on 16 June 2025, whether it is her Department’s p
Answer: The Structures Fund will inject cash into repairing run down bridges, decaying flyovers and worn-out tunnels. It offers an opportunity to support places to repair local bridges that currently have weight restrictions placed on them so that these restricti...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordOffice for Value for MoneyTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88019More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the annual cost to the public purse of the Office for Value for Money.
Answer: The Office for Value for Money's (OVfM) has successfully delivered on its remit, including working with departments to identify credible plans to deliver almost £14 billion of efficiencies per year by 2028-29 as well as wider reforms to improve value for ...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordLandfill TaxTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88018More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the press release by the Mineral Products Association entitled Landfill Tax reforms could trigger shortages and damage growth ambitions
Answer: The Government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill Tax to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the Government’s circular economy objectives. As part of the consultation, t...
Answered 13 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordLow Pay: RetirementDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88017More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to ensure that low paid workers have adequate income in retirement.
Answer: This government is committed to enabling tomorrow’s pensioners to have security in retirement. The Pensions Commission has been revived to consider what is required in the long term to deliver a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustain...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPensions: Self-employedDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88016More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she plans to take to encourage self-employed workers to pay into private pension funds.
Answer: The proportion of the self-employed who are saving into a pension has fallen significantly from almost 50% in the late 1990s to less than 20% at present. While self-employed workers are not eligible for Automatic Enrolment, the National Employment Savings...
Answered 12 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordState Retirement PensionsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88015More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to page 29 of the document by the OBR entitled Fiscal risks and sustainability, published on 8 July 2025, whether her Department has made its own assessment of the long-term sustainabilit
Answer: The Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. State Pension payments are paid from the National Insurance Fund (NIF). The Government reviews forecasts of the NIF balanc...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDelivery Services: Driving LicencesDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88014More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she has made an estimate of the number of food delivery drivers who operate on a provisional motorcycle driving license.
Answer: Around 180,000 compulsory basic training (CBT) certificates are issued by the motorcycle instructor training industry per year. Neither the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency nor the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency hold data on the professions of tho...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: Public Consultation and ReviewsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88013More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by his Department since 4 July 2024.
Answer: The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPrivate Sector and Public Sector: PayCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88012More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of levels of wage growth in the (a) public sector and (b) private sector since 4 July 2024.
Answer: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 4th November is attached.
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHoliday Accommodation: BedfordshireDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88011More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer to Question 50271 on Holiday Accommodation: Bedfordshire, when he expects to publish that impact assessment.
Answer: The consultation- Package travel – updating the framework 2025 - GOV.UK closed 30 June 2025. The government is now analysing responses.The government response will be published by the end of the year.
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTrade Agreements: USADepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88010More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer to Question 50646 on Trade Agreements: USA, what progress his Department has made on trade talks with the United States.
Answer: The UK continues to engage across the range of issues outlined in the General Terms for the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal.During President Trump’s State Visit in September, the UK and US announced the Technology Prosperity Deal focused on developing fast...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Business and Trade: Public Consultation and ReviewsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88009More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by their Department since 4 July 2024.
Answer: The information requested is not centrally held in an easily accessible form as there are no expenditure categories that just cover consultations or reviews.Due to this any response could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this qu...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordIndustryDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88008More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish the sectoral analysis his Department undertook before selecting the IS-8 sectors in the Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025.
Answer: The methodology for selecting the IS-8 sectors has already been published.The Invest 2035 Green Paper (published on GOV.UK in October 2024) identified 8 high-level ‘growth driving’ sectors (the IS-8): Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creat...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordJamaica: Hurricanes and TornadoesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87129More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department plans to take to support Jamaican authorities to ensure that (a) search and rescue efforts and (b) UK aid are able to access the hardest hit areas o
Answer: I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordJamaica: Hurricanes and TornadoesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87128More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to coordinate with the (a) Jamaican authorities and (b) regional disaster-management agencies to help ensure that UK assistance is (i) eff
Answer: I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordJamaica: Hurricanes and TornadoesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87127More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the restoration of critical infrastructure in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa: and what assessment she has made of the potential role
Answer: I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordJamaica: Hurricanes and TornadoesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87126More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support she will provide to British citizens who have (a) family, (b) property and (c) businesses impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
Answer: I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordJamaica: Hurricanes and TornadoesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87125More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support British citizens who (a) live in Jamaica and (b) are travelling in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.
Answer: I refer the hon. member to the written ministerial statement published on 4 November.
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Space Agency: RedundancyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86866More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an estimate of the redundancy costs for the decision to close the UK Space Agency.
Answer: UK Space Agency employees will move Department under the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSOP), either into DSIT or our service providers. The integration brings together teams already working closely, creati...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Space AgencyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86865More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish an impact assessment on the decision to close the UK Space Agency.
Answer: The UK Space Agency is not closing – it is being brought together with DSIT's Space Directorate to create a more efficient, integrated approach to delivering our space ambitions. This change, part of our Plan for Change to cut red tape and make Whitehall ...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBrownfield SitesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86864More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses on brownfield land rejected for planning permission since 4 July 2024.
Answer: My Department publishes the number of planning applications for dwellings granted and refused per quarter by local authority in the PS2 open data file in our quarterly planning application statistics release. It can be found on gov.uk here. The number of ...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBrownfield SitesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an estimate of the number of homes on brownfield land granted planning permission since 4 July 2024.
Answer: My Department publishes the number of planning applications for dwellings granted and refused per quarter by local authority in the PS2 open data file in our quarterly planning application statistics release. It can be found on gov.uk here. The number of ...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHome Office: Public Consultation and ReviewsHome OfficeTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86862More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by her Department since 4 July 2024.
Answer: The information requested is not centrally held in an easily accessible form as there are no expenditure categories that just cover consultations or reviews.Due to this any response could only be collated and verified for the purposes of answering this qu...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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