Chi Onwurah MP: written questions
165 published records · newest first.
Written questions
AluminiumDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83310More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to develop a national strategy to secure aluminium as a critical raw material for the economy.
Answer: Building on the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre’s updated 2024 criticality assessment in which aluminium was designated a critical mineral due to supply chain risks and economic vulnerability, the Government has been working with industry to publ...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAluminium: Waste DisposalDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83309More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department made of the (a) economic and (b) environmental impact of exporting aluminium scrap from beverage packaging to countries outside the European Union.
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade has not conducted an assessment of the economic and environmental impacts of exporting aluminium scrap to non-EU countries.However, the Government recognises the importance of a circular economy for aluminium and is a...
Answered 23 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordExport Controls: IsraelDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83308More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requiring Israeli exporters to demonstrate their goods are not produced in illegal settlements before being imported into the UK.
Answer: Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under international law. The UK Government encourages accurate labelling of goods in order to avoid misleading consumers and promote transparency, including those goods produced in illegal settlements in Palest...
Answered 24 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordOverseas Trade: IsraelDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83307More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the ICJ Advisory Opinion entitled Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, published on 19
Answer: The UK is fully committed to international law and respects the independence of the ICJ. We continue to consider the Court’s Advisory Opinion carefully, with the seriousness and rigour it deserves.Israeli settlements in Palestine are illegal under interna...
Answered 23 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordInnovate UKDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83306More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions his Department has had with Innovate UK on (a) when it plans to open the next Biomedical Catalyst grant awards and (b) steps being taken to ensure a wide range of biome
Answer: The Biomedical Catalyst has a suite of competitions designed to support small and medium sized businesses to progress projects at different stages of development.There is currently one grant opportunity open - Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst Accelerator –...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence and Digital Technology: Government DepartmentsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83305More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department plans to publish the Government Digital and AI Roadmap.
Answer: The Roadmap for a Modern Digital Government will be published this autumn.The roadmap will outline how the Blueprint for a Modern Digital Government, launched in January 2025, will be delivered, building a modern digital government that makes life easier,...
Answered 23 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: ChildrenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 76257More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the two child benefit cap on people by ethnicity.
Answer: Statistics about the policy that limits support in Universal Credit to a maximum of two children are published annually. The latest statistics, published in July 2025, include breakdowns by geography and ethnicity, and are available here:Universal Credit ...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: ChildrenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 76256More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate he has made of the number of families that are affected by the two child benefit cap in (a) the UK, (b) the North East and (c) Newcastle upon Tyne.
Answer: Statistics about the policy that limits support in Universal Credit to a maximum of two children are published annually. The latest statistics, published in July 2025, include breakdowns by geography and ethnicity, and are available here:Universal Credit ...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBus Services: Newcastle upon TyneDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 76255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress her Department has made on increasing the availability of real time bus information in Newcastle.
Answer: The government is committed to delivering the better bus services that passengers deserve, and as part of this, is working closely with bus operators and local transport authorities to improve the information available to passengers about their bus servic...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordParking: Pedestrian AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 76254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 68388 on Parking, when she plans to publish a response to the pavement parking consultation; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing power
Answer: The Department has been considering all the views expressed in response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation and is currently working through the policy options and the appropriate means of delivering them. We will announce the next steps and publish...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordCrime Prevention: Urban AreasHome OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74587More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July to Question 67336 on Crime, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Safer Streets Summer Initiative in reducing (a) town centre criminalit
Answer: The Home Office have developed a multi-strand analytical approach to measure the progress of the Safer Summer Streets Initiative (SSSI) to reduce shop theft, street crime and ASB.PCCs and police forces are providing the Home Office with monthly light-touc...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74586More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of adopting modes of English language assessment based on at-home proficiency tests within the planned Home Office English Languag
Answer: The Home Office is conducting market engagement and research to help inform the English Language Test tender process. This includes assessing various testing methodologies and delivery options to ensure the most appropriate and secure arrangements are put...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74585More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of incorporating remote digital testing platforms into the forthcoming Home Office English Language Test contract on cybersecurity; and what steps
Answer: The Home Office is conducting market engagement and research to help inform the English Language Test tender process. This includes assessing various testing methodologies and delivery options to ensure the most appropriate and secure arrangements are put...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: ViolenceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74584More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of Israel’s involvement in the sectarian violence in southern Syria; and what assessment he has m
Answer: We are deeply concerned by the recent violence in southern Syria and have been working closely with international partners to press for de-escalation and for all sides to engage in dialogue. I raised this with Foreign Minister al Shaibani when I visited D...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74583More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the interim Syrian authorities on (a) preventing human rights violations, (b) protecting all Syrians and (c) ending all forms of sectarian vi
Answer: We are deeply concerned about sectarian tensions and violence in Syria. We have consistently advocated for an inclusive, representative and non-sectarian political transition and underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, both publ...
Answered 18 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSaudi Arabia: Capital PunishmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74582More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Government of Saudi Arabia on the reported rise in executions in relation to non-violent drug-related offences.
Answer: The UK strongly opposes the death penalty in all countries as a matter of principle, and in all circumstances. Saudi Arabia is well aware of the UK's opposition to the use of the death penalty. We regularly raise our concerns about the use of the death pe...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSaudi Arabia: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74581More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the reported increase in the use of (a) judicial and (b) non-judicial travel bans impose
Answer: The Government and our Embassy in Riyadh regularly monitor the human rights landscape in Saudi Arabia and engage with the Saudi authorities on these matters. We discuss human rights, including individual cases who have been subject to travel bans, with th...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74580More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of further sanctions on Israel in response to (a) the humanitarian situation in Gaza and (b) plans for further illegal Isr
Answer: This Government has announced three packages of sanctions since coming to power, two of which targeted individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian Communities in the West Bank. On 10 June we imposed sanc...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of l non-SELT, unregulated English language tests for admission to UK higher education institutions on (a) universities and (b) students
Answer: Student sponsors with a track record of compliance can self-assess degree level and above students’ English language ability. The assessment must confirm English ability equivalent to level B2, or above, of the Common European Framework for Language Learn...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordScience: Human RightsDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74268More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether cultural access to science falls within the remit of her Department, in the context of the UK's obligations under (a) Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and (b) Artic
Answer: The UK's obligations under Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights concern cultural participation, science, and intellectual property, and are the respons...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordScience and Discovery CentresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether science and discovery centres fall within the remit of her Department.
Answer: Science and discovery centres are vital assets across local communities nationwide. Given the breadth of their mission, they do not fall under the exclusive purview of a single government department. Their work contributes significantly to the objectives ...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBridges: Newcastle upon TyneDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74266More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the swing bridge is eligible for repair funding from the National Lottery.
Answer: The twelve National Lottery distributor bodies provide good cause funding to organisations independently of Government. Any specific questions on eligibility for projects should be directed to the relevant distributor.
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordCultural Heritage: IndustryDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff in her Department work on the (a) promotion and (b) preservation of industrial heritage; whether industrial heritage sites are eligible
Answer: Within the Department for Culture, Media & Sport there is a small team that oversees Historic England, a team delivering heritage policy, and a team leading on the designation of listed buildings and monuments. Whilst it does not have dedicated staff ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordScience and Discovery CentresDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74264More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he science and discovery centres fall within the remit of his Department.
Answer: The UK’s Science and Discovery Centres have an important role in engaging the public, with science and technology and in inspiring young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to consider studying STEM subjects and related careers.Howeve...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMusculoskeletal Disorders: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74263More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to provide funding for research into the (a) prevention and (b) treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal disease in UK universities.
Answer: The Government does not generally ringfence funding for particular areas of research but has funded a significant amount of applicant-led funding on arthritis and musculoskeletal disease.In 2024, UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) committed over £17 mi...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament record
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