Blake Stephenson MP: written questions
1633 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28339More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraphs 24 and 26 of the National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024, if she will issue guidance to councils on joint working to meet h
Answer: The changes made to paragraphs 24 – 28 of the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 will ensure that we are making the most of opportunities for greater collaboration between local planning authorities and that the right engagement is occurr...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSewers: Property DevelopmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28338More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024, which new measures within the framework have implications for sustainable urban drainage
Answer: The government is committed to securing the delivery of high-quality sustainable drainage systems to help manage flood risk and adapt to the effects of climate change.The revised National Planning Policy Framework we published on 12 December 2024 amended ...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordParish and Town CouncilsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28337More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, how she plans to reform the relationship between town and parish councils and principal local
Answer: The English Devolution White Paper was clear that we know people value the role of governance at the community scale. We will therefore want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood o...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFraud: Crime PreventionHome OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28336More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to help tackle financial fraud.
Answer: This Government is committed to working with law enforcement, industry and international partners to tackle financial fraud. This includes blocking fraud at its source, disrupting it before it reaches the public, and providing preventative advice and supp...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEconomic CrimeTreasuryTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28335More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department took to help tackle (a) illicit finance and (b) economic crime between 4 July 2024 and 14 January 2025.
Answer: The Government is committed to tackling illicit finance and economic crime. We have appointed an Anti-Corruption Champion Baroness Hodge to support the government's agenda in tackling corruption at home and overseas. HM Treasury has been working with part...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEast West Rail Line: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28334More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ringfencing funding for the entirety of the East West rail project.
Answer: £1.3bn has been provided towards the delivery of Connection Stage 1 of East-West Rail and the Budget on 30th October 2024 set out the Government’s support for the remaining stages of East West Rail, confirming funding to accelerate the delivery of works f...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Milton Keynes University Hospital: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding will be allocated for (a) Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and (b) Milton Keynes Hospital through the New Hospital Programme.
Answer: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set out a credible and deliverable plan for the new hospital schemes in the New Hospital Programme (NHP) on 20 January 2025, following the conclusion of the review of the NHP. The Plan f...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitals: ConstructionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28332More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to allow bids for the New Hospital Programme from hospitals which did not bid previously.
Answer: At this stage, the Government does not have plans to add additional schemes into the New Hospital Programme (NHP) but is committed to tackling the crumbling estate through the full breadth of capital investment, of which the NHP is only one element.The pu...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEast West Rail LineDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28331More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to seek private capital investment for East-West Rail.
Answer: The Department works with the East West Rail Company and other Government departments to explore opportunities for the delivery of enhancements through using third party funding and financing options. The Department has been clear with East West Rail Comp...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEast West Rail Line: Railway StationsDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28330More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether railway stations on East-West Rail will be owned by the (a) public and (b) private sector.
Answer: The exact operating model for East West Rail will be decided in due course.
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Public ConsultationCabinet OfficeTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27317More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of consultations conducted by the Government since July 2024.
Answer: The Cabinet Office does not centrally collect data nor monitor consultations across Government. The Cabinet Office provides high level advice on the Consultation Principles to help departments consider how they should manage their consultations. Each depa...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle backlogs in the processing of statutory assessments for education, health and care plans.
Answer: The department wants to ensure that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) plan assessments are progressed promptly and, if needed, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need.Local...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSpeech and Language Therapy: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27315More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for her policies of the length of Speech and Language waiting lists.
Answer: We recognise the impact that long waits to access speech and language therapy can have on the individual, and their families and carers. The Department and NHS England are committed to reducing long waits and improving timely access to community health se...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: BedfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27314More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils in Bedfordshire had an EHC plan in each academic year since 2019/20.
Answer: Information on the number of pupils in schools in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton with education, health and care (EHC) plans is available in the publication ‘Special Educational Needs in England’, which can be found here: https://explore-educatio...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27313More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an estimate of the number of SEN pupils in Bedfordshire that are expected to leave the Independent school sector in 2024-25.
Answer: The department has made no estimate of the number of pupils specifically in Bedfordshire with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who will leave the independent school system in the 2024/25 academic year.As set out in HM Treasury’s tax infor...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of SEN pupils who attend independent schools in Bedfordshire.
Answer: Information on the number of pupils in schools in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton attending independent schools with both education, health and care (EHC) plans and special educational needs (SEN) support is available in the publication ‘Special E...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27311More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of SEN pupils attend a school in a different local authority area to the one in which they live in the East of England.
Answer: The number and proportion of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) who attend a school in a different local authority area to the one in which they live in the East of England is shown below. Pupils1,2 with SEN resident3 in local authority areas in...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27309More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of standardising the funding models local authorities use to support pupils with special educational needs.
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.Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the departme...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPensioners: PovertyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27308More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of pensioners in poverty during the winter of 2024-25; and how this compares to the winter of 2023-24.
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 January 2025 to Question 24306 Statistics on the number of people living in relative and absolute poverty both before and after housing costs are produced on an annual basis and published in the Household...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTourism: Local GovernmentDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27307More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of funding provided to local authorities to promote tourism.
Answer: I note that the honourable member is asking us to spend more money and would be grateful if they could advise me on which other budget should be cut or tax should be commensurately increased. Government recognises the vital role that local authorities pla...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMortgagesTreasuryTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26880More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the average annual cost of a five year fixed rate mortgage (a) on the week commencing 21 October 2024 and (b) in January 2025.
Answer: The pricing and availability of mortgages is ultimately a commercial decision for lenders, in which the Government does not intervene. Changes in offered mortgage rates are broadly driven by changes in financial market expectations for Bank Rate.Monetary ...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMortgagesTreasuryTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26879More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Autumn Budget 2024 on recent trends in the level of mortgage rates.
Answer: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is the UK’s official forecaster of the economy and public finances. The OBR published its assessment of the UK economy, and the effect of policies announced at the 2024 Autumn Budget, in its October 2024 Economic...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordIncome Tax and National Insurance ContributionsTreasuryTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26878More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the total amount of (a) income tax and (b) employee national insurance paid by a full time minimum wage worker in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26.
Answer: The information requested on the impact on taxpayer numbers as a result of threshold freezes is published as part of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO). The published table sets out the estimated numbers of taxp...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordIncome TaxTreasuryTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26877More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the total amount of tax someone on the median salary will pay in financial year (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.
Answer: The information requested on the impact on taxpayer numbers as a result of threshold freezes is published as part of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO). The published table sets out the estimated numbers of taxp...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordIncome TaxTreasuryTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26876More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the number of taxpayers set to pay the additional rate of income tax in financial year 2025-26 compared with financial year 2024-25.
Answer: The information requested on the impact on taxpayer numbers as a result of threshold freezes is published as part of the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO). The published table sets out the estimated numbers of taxp...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
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