Blake Stephenson MP: written questions
1633 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Floods: Mental HealthDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50634More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's case study entitled Mental health costs of flooding, published on 4 April 2025, whether his Department plans to commission further research on that t
Answer: The Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Mental health costs of flooding case study builds on previous mental health and flooding work. New research into the mental health impacts for those ...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordBatteries: ChinaDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50633More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the renewables industry on its reliance on imports of batteries from China.
Answer: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: BroadbandDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50632More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43284 on Schools: Broadband, whether any of the 343 schools are in Bedfordshire.
Answer: Pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2025, five of the 343 schools due to receive a funded upgrade to fibre this year are in Bedfordshire. One of these schools has already been upgraded, with the school benefitting from the new high-speed connection.
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: Solar PowerDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50631More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43285 on Schools: Solar Power, whether any schools in Bedfordshire are on the long list.
Answer: Pursuant to my answer of 10 April 2025, work is still progressing on finalising the long and short lists of projects in the East of England region to participate in this first year of the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme. The department ...
Answered 30 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Studios: BedfordshireDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50630More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps with local leaders to establish a Local Visitor Economy Partnership in Bedfordshire in the context of the proposed Universal theme park.
Answer: Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are a vital part of the Government’s strategy to support a more sustainable and resilient visitor economy across England. The LVEP programme, in partnership with VisitEngland, provides a clear framework for colla...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Studios: BedfordshireDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50629More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps with local authorities in Bedfordshire to plan for increased guest accommodation in the context of the proposed Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.
Answer: DCMS is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the visitor economy across the country, including in Bedfordshire. Responsibility for local planning and accommodation provision rests with local authorities, but of course DCMS works closely with ...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordEnvironment Protection: PlanningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50628More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 42689 on Environment Protection: Planning, if he will publish the stakeholders with which his Department has consulted.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 31 March 2025, UIN 42689. We have no plans to publish the recommendations or stakeholders engaged.
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordRoads: Judicial ReviewDepartment for TransportTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of judicial reviews in relation to road infrastructure projects in the East of England in the 2023-24 financial year.
Answer: The total cost to the public purse (National Highways and Department for Transport) of judicial reviews in relation to road infrastructure projects on the strategic road network in the East of England during the 2023-24 financial year is estimated to be a...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: English ChannelHome OfficeTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50282More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her Department’s policies on organised immigration crime on trends in the number of migrants that have arrived in small boats since 1 Jan
Answer: The Border Security Command (BSC) continues to focus on tackling the organised immigration crime gangs that are facilitating small boat crossings, working with domestic partners such as the National Crime Agency, and overseas counterparts in a range of co...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: HamasForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help encourage the resumption of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Answer: We urge all parties to return urgently to talks, implement the ceasefire agreement in full and work towards a permanent peace. More bloodshed is in no-one's interest. Our priority is urging all parties to return urgently to dialogue and to ensuring a ceas...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordTrappingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to make businesses aware of the ban on unlicensed use of glue traps in the Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022.
Answer: The Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022 bans glue trap use in England in all but the most exceptional, licensable circumstances. It came into force in 2024. Nothing in the law prevents sale of glue traps in England. However, only pest controllers with a licenc...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordBeesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the number of honeybees in April (a) 2024 and (b) 2025.
Answer: There is currently no compulsory registration system for bees and beekeeping in the UK, so it is difficult to provide exact figures for honey bee populations. Beekeepers are however encouraged to voluntarily register on the Animal and Plant Health Agency’...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordCoking Coal: ImportsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of importing coking coal on the environment.
Answer: I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 22 October 2024 to Question UIN 9066.
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHeat Pumps: MarketingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's marketing campaign on heat pumps; and what the total cost was of (a) that campaign and (b) the associated photo shoot at M
Answer: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero intends to publish information on campaign spend within the DESNZ annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025, which is expected to be published later this year on GOV.UK. We will conduct a full evaluation of th...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Mid BedfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support schools to meet the change in the level of demand for SEND provision in Mid Bedfordshire constituency.
Answer: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.The department is providing an increase of £1 ...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordChinook HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50275More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the ordered H-47(ER) helicopters to be delivered.
Answer: Construction of the first two Chinook H-47 (Extended Range) aircraft has commenced in Philadelphia, with the first aircraft due to be delivered in 2027.
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50274More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the MoD to source replacement Challenger 2 tanks.
Answer: There are no current plans to source replacement Challenger 2 tanks. Through the Armour Main Battle Tank (Armour MBT) programme, the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank will upgrade and replace 148 Challenger 2 platforms from 2027.
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Charging PointsMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50273More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of how much of his Department's budget will be spent on installing electric vehicle chargers on MoD sites in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.
Answer: Information on the amount spent on installing electric vehicle chargers on Ministry of Defence sites is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Visitor Economy PartnershipsDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper published on 7 April 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential role of Local Visi
Answer: Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) have an important role to play in supporting the development of local tourism products and packages that meet the needs of visitors and benefit local communities. As business-led and strategically coordinated par...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHoliday Accommodation: BedfordshireDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50271More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper published on 7 April 2025, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of
Answer: The domestic tourism sector is of great value to the UK. It provides meaningful employment and supports holiday makers to explore and enjoy the UK’s diverse and plentiful attractions.By removing obstacles and red tape that unnecessarily hinder businesses,...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordIron and Steel: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50270More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support growth in the UK steel industry.
Answer: Steel is one of the Government’s top priorities. We are continuing to develop our upcoming steel strategy which will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment.We rema...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50269More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate on automotive manufacturers in the context of Stellantis closing its Luton plant.
Answer: Stellantis’ decision to close its diesel van plant in Luton was a commercial decision taken as part of its response to wider challenges. Regrettably, despite active engagement from Government, we were unable to reverse the company’s decision. My Departmen...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50268More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to increase (a) support for and (b) resilience of the vehicle manufacturing industry.
Answer: The Budget committed over £2 billion of funding support to 2030 to unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicle manufacturing and supply chains. This funding will ensure the resilience of the sector and boost competitiveness. We’ve also listened to ...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordPlanning Permission: AppealsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 May 2025AnsweredUIN 49985More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether councils can account for costs of planning appeals when calculating the level of planning fees in the context of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Answer: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill contains a measure which would allow local planning authorities to set their own planning fees. The process for setting these fees will be set out in regulations. We will also publish guidance on the costs that may be ...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordImports: USATreasuryTabled 1 May 2025AnsweredUIN 49824More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reducing VAT on US firms exporting to the UK.
Answer: In line with international guidelines, VAT is charged equally on goods and services consumed in the UK whether they are produced domestically or imported. VAT is ultimately paid by the final consumer, similar to US sales taxes. Businesses in the supply ch...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament record
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