Chris Hinchliff MP: written questions
210 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Railways: NationalisationDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20546More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has prepared improvement action plans for rail franchises due to be brought back into public ownership.
Answer: There will be no immediate changes to the specifications of services at the point of transfer. All operators will continue to go through an annual planning process with the Department to agree plans for changes to service specifications, performance impro...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordYoung Offender InstitutionsMinistry of JusticeTabled 11 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19557More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of HM Inspectorate of Prisons' report entitled Separation of children in young offender institutions – review of progress, published o
Answer: Where there is a clear risk of harm, separation is used to prevent harm to the child or young person who is being separated, or to others. Separation should be a last resort when managing behaviour, but it can be critical to reducing the risk of harm in d...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordCommunity Ownership FundMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11941 on Community Ownership Fund, if she will publish details of options her Department is considering.
Answer: This Government is committed to community ownership, and through the English Devolution Bill will introduce a new Community Right to Buy, which will make it easier for communities to take on valued assets, such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces.Al...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVauxhall Motors: LutonDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16581More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Vauxhall's planned closure of its plant in Luton on North East Hertfordshire constituency; and if he will take steps to support (a) people and (b)
Answer: Stellantis announced on 26 November that it was starting a consultation with staff at its Luton plant on its plans for the future of its manufacturing there. The Department is actively engaging with the company and has asked them to share the full details...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVauxhall Motors: LutonDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16580More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had discussions with trade unions on Vauxhall's planned closure of its plant in Luton.
Answer: Stellantis announced on 26 November that it was starting a consultation with staff on its plans to consolidate its two UK manufacturing sites into one plant at Ellesmere Port. The Department is actively engaging with the company and has asked them to shar...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVauxhall Motors: LutonDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is holding discussions with Stellantis on the announced closure of its Vauxhall plant in Luton.
Answer: The Secretary of State has been in contact with Stellantis since July to discuss the pressures in their UK and global business and the future of the Luton plant. He met them again on 26 November where they regrettably shared their proposals to consult on ...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16447More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the range of conditions that can be treated under the Pharmacy First service.
Answer: Pharmacy professionals are highly skilled clinicians who are experts in the use and management of medicines. The Pharmacy First Service, alongside other services that enable quicker and more convenient access to medicines, where it is safe to do so, suppo...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report entitled Pharmacy Pressures Survey 2024: Funding and Profitability Report, published on 19 October 2024.
Answer: As noted in the review by Lord Darzi, primary care is under pressure and in crisis. The Government recognises that pharmacies are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, as an easily accessible front door to the National Health Service, staffed...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBaldock Station: AccessDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of disabled access at Baldock station; and whether her Department plans to upgrade access to that station.
Answer: This government is committed to improving the accessibility of Britain’s railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.Ministers are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. We are unable...
Answered 2 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBirds of Prey: RodenticidesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15550More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of Wild Justice's report entitled Collateral Damage: The Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme - is it working?, published in Novem
Answer: The Rodenticides Stewardship Scheme was developed by The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use UK to promote responsible use and is overseen by the Government Oversight Group for Rodenticide Stewardship (GOG), chaired by the Health and Safety Executive...
Answered 28 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: TransportDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14195More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding free school transport access to include students between 16 and 19 years old.
Answer: The department recognises that the cost and availability of public transport can be an issue for some 16 to 19 year olds when travelling to their college or sixth form, particularly for those with special educational needs (SEN) or those living in rural a...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPost Offices: ClosuresDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what notice the Post Office plans to give of closure of branches; and what plans he has to to mitigate the potential impact of such closures on rural communities.
Answer: No decisions to close any or all of the remaining Directly Managed Branches in rural and urban areas have been taken as of yet. Given the difficult financial position the Post Office is in, it is right that it reviews the costs of its operations and consi...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAviation and Railways: CostsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact of differences in the cost per mile of domestic (a) plane and (b) train travel; and if her Department will make an assessment of the pote
Answer: The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. Airlines’ business models can at times accommodate more flexible pricing than the railway. The Government sets the percentage that regulated rail fares can be increased each year. Regula...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSchool MilkDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review the provisions for dairy free options for children with dairy (a) allergies and (b) intolerances in the school milk subsidy scheme.
Answer: This is a devolved matter, and I am answering with responsibility for the school milk scheme in England. Only milk and relevant dairy products are currently eligible for subsidy in the school milk scheme and there are no plans to subsidise dairy-free beve...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBeer and Cider: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8365More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of draught duty relief for (a) beer and (b) cider.
Answer: The current alcohol duty system supports the industry through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to pric...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 7 October 2024 to Question 5661 on Private Education: VAT, whether her Department has made a specific assessment of the potential impact of the policy on children with special educatio
Answer: This government is committed to ending the VAT exemption that private schools enjoy and will confirm the introduction of these changes at the Budget on 30 October. The Office for Budget Responsibility will also certify the government’s costings for these ...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Justice: LanguagesMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7164More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to publish the independent review of her Department’s language services.
Answer: We have been considering the findings of the independent review to help inform the development of new tender specifications. This is a complex process and covers a wide range of agencies within the Ministry of Justice. Once all internal governance has ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: InterpretersCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7163More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ensure that Departments only use (a) regulated, (b) registered and (c) qualified interpreters.
Answer: Government departments can access interpreters through the Crown Commercial Service’s RM6141 Language Services agreement, which offers innovative language solutions tailored to meet the core needs of the public sector.To secure a place on the RM6141 Langu...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPublic Sector: Translation ServicesCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7162More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will conduct a review on insourcing public sector language services.
Answer: The Government will always aim to secure value for money and social value. As part of this, contracting authorities are required to take an analytical evidenced based approach on each contract and undertake a Delivery Model Assessment when making decision...
Answered 7 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Envoy on Freedom of Religion or BeliefForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7161More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to appoint a Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion and Belief.
Answer: This Government will champion freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. No one should live in fear because of what they do, or do not believe in. Envoy roles are under Ministerial consideration and will be decided upon in due course. In the meantime, ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMilitary DecorationsMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7160More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to reform the military honours system to allow those serving in operations abroad to receive appropriate honours upon completion of their service.
Answer: Between 2012 and 2014, Sir John Holmes conducted an independent review of the policy governing the award of military medals. Sir John’s reviews were subject to detailed discussion by the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals and the co...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7159More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the (a) potential merits and (b) viability of auto enrolment for pension credit.
Answer: It is not currently possible to accurately identify people who may be entitled to Pension Credit nor to determine how much they may be entitled to on the basis of the data which DWP holds. Like all means-tested benefits, a person’s eligibility for Pension...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Social TariffsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7158More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a social tariff in the energy market.
Answer: The Government has no plans to introduce an energy social tariff this winter. However, we are committed to ensuring vulnerable households are supported with their energy bills and we are looking at all options on how to support these households. The Gover...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPension Credit: Take-upDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate resources to support the surge in applications for pension credit.
Answer: Prior to the Winter Fuel announcement, Retirement Services Directorate (RSD) had 352 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff deployed on Pension Credit claims. Since the announcement, a deployment plan has been agreed to deploy an additional 537 FTE into RSD to ...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of moving the qualifying week for Pension Credit to (a) 30 September, (b) 31 October and (c) 30 November 2024 on the number of eligible claimants.
Answer: There is no qualifying week for Pension Credit. A claim for Pension Credit may be made at any time and may be backdated for up to three months as long as the entitlement conditions are met during that period. This means that a pensioner who was eligible f...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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