Ellie Chowns MP: written questions
27 published records · newest first.
Written questions
FrackingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Sept 2026Awaiting answerUIN 29884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she is taking steps to enact a permanent statutory ban on fracking, including by (1) addressing the exemption in the fracking moratorium which permits applications for low-volume hydr
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: Young PeopleDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28970More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of aligning the rate of Universal Credit for 16 to 24 year-olds receive with that of claimants aged over 25.
Answer: This Government is committed to ensuring that every young person has the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential and succeed in work. The lower rate of the Universal Credit standard allowance for customers under 25 is designed to maintain the in...
Answered 21 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology Facilities Council: FinanceDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 9 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28625More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes on the UK's international scientific partnerships.
Answer: Major international subscriptions, including participation in world-leading facilities and collaborations, are being fully protected through Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)’s prioritisation decisions. This safeguards UK access, influence ...
Answered 17 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology Facilities Council: FinanceDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 9 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28624More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes on regional growth and high-skilled jobs in regions of the
Answer: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), completed an evidence-based prioritisation exercise to ensure its portfolio remains financially sustainable and focused on the highest-priority scientific op...
Answered 17 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordIsraeli Settlements: ViolenceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the government of Israel to deter further settler violence in the village of Umm al-Khair in the southern West Bank.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given on 10 September to question 21391, and the statement by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September.
Answered 16 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordEmpty Property: HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Sept 2026Awaiting answerUIN 27838More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration her Department has given to the potential merits of the redevelopment of vacant commercial properties into i) affordable housing, or ii) accommodation to suppo
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordSudan: Armed ConflictForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department (a) is taking and (b) plans to take in response to recent developments in Sudan, including the reported encirclement of El Obeid by the Rapid Suppor
Answer: I refer the Honourable Member to the points I made on 8 September during the Westminster Hall debate on the conflict in Sudan, and to the answers provided to questions 21354 on 8 September on humanitarian access and HL417 on 9 June on the use of drone war...
Answered 17 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordNepal: FloodsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27835More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom's humanitarian funding in response to the August 2026 flash floods in Nepal is channelled directly to (a
Answer: The UK has announced a £5 million humanitarian response package for Nepal. This includes £3 million through the UN for urgent needs, including shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection; £1 million through Start Fund Nepal to support local org...
Answered 16 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordNepal: FloodsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27834More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to increase (a) the humanitarian funding package for Nepal and (b) funding for (i) shelter, (ii) water and sanitation, and (iii) protection services in Nepal
Answer: The UK has announced a £5 million humanitarian response package for Nepal. This includes £3 million through the UN for urgent needs, including shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection; £1 million through Start Fund Nepal to support local org...
Answered 16 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordSudan: War CrimesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27735More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how he and the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice in Sudan plan to respond to reports of sexual violence and drone strikes against civilians across Sudan.
Answer: I refer the Honourable Member to the points I made on 8 September during the Westminster Hall debate on the conflict in Sudan, and to the answers provided to questions 21354 on 8 September on humanitarian access and HL417 on 9 June on the use of drone war...
Answered 17 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordSudan: Armed ConflictForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27734More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support people fleeing violence around El Obeid and in the Blue Nile State.
Answer: I refer the Honourable Member to the points I made on 8 September during the Westminster Hall debate on the conflict in Sudan, and to the answers provided to questions 21354 on 8 September on humanitarian access and HL417 on 9 June on the use of drone war...
Answered 17 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordSudan: Armed ConflictForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 27733More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic and humanitarian aid response steps he is taking to prevent loss of life in the city of El Obeid.
Answer: I refer the Honourable Member to the points I made on 8 September during the Westminster Hall debate on the conflict in Sudan, and to the answers provided to questions 21354 on 8 September on humanitarian access and HL417 on 9 June on the use of drone war...
Answered 17 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordPancreatic Cancer: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 26791More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her department will prioritise the development and rollout of circulating tumour (ctDNA) tests for pancreatic cancer, in the context of outcomes seen in the ctDNA pilot for lung cancer.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 15 July to Question 16704.
Answered 11 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordPancreatic Cancer: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 26790More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of embedding reflex genomic testing into the pancreatic cancer pathway.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 15 July to Question 16704.
Answered 11 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordData Centres: Water SupplyDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 2 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 26789More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration his Department has given to the potential merits of implementing the recommendation from the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance's report on 'Water use in
Answer: BIST engages regularly with DEFRA and the Environment Agency to ensure data infrastructure does not compromise public water supply resilience. The Government supports efficient cooling technologies, including closed-loop systems and alternative sources su...
Answered 10 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordWater: RecyclingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (a) what consideration has been given to the potential merits of requiring rainwater harvesting and attenuation measures in all new developments in Herefordshire and the River Wye catc
Answer: The August 2026 update to the National Planning Policy Framework, in Policy F8, requires developments with drainage implications to use Sustainable Drainage Systems. Attenuation of flood risk is a key element of delivering sustainable development. Herefor...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordFires: LitterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24593More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of public awareness of the risk of wildfires posed by litter, included discarded glass bottles.
Answer: No assessment has been made of levels of public awareness of the risk of wildfires posed by litter, including discarded glass bottles. Government departments and agencies are working together on communications to raise public awareness of the fire risks a...
Answered 21 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMicroplasticsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24592More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made (a) of the risks to human health and wildlife posed by microplastics and (b) the extent to which artificial grass and pitches contribute to the level of mi
Answer: Defra carried out a research project on intentionally added microplastics and published an Option Appraisal on 12 May 2025. This project assessed the impacts of intentionally added microplastics emissions, the risks they pose both to human health and the ...
Answered 4 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordCiderDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24591More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration her Department has given to introducing a requirement for minimum juice content of 50% for the sale of cider and perry products.
Answer: This Government currently has no plans to change the rules governing minimum juice content in cider and perry. The current minimum juice content requirements provide flexibility for producers, support product variety and innovation, and maintain consumer ...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordNatural Gas: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24590More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many data centres currently in operation are powered by gas; and what assessment her department has made of the emissions from these data centres, relative to those connected to the grid.
Answer: The Government does not hold information on the exact number of data centres that are powered by gas, however the vast majority of these assets are powered by the grid. Government is driving rapid progress to decarbonise the power sector by building unpre...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordNutrition: PlantsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24589More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Plant-Based Health Professionals' document entitled Reaping the Benefits of Plant-Rich Diets: The Ten Poi
Answer: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in her previous role as Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, met with Plant Based Health Professionals UK and some of their partners in June 2026 to discuss the Ten-Point Pl...
Answered 4 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordPackaging: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24588More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to protect UK packaging producers from foreign competitors with more environmentally harmful products.
Answer: The UK's Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme and related fees apply equally to products whether they are imported or manufactured in the UK. This helps ensure a level playing field for UK packaging producers, whilst encouraging th...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordFuel Oil: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 16 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 19658More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to protect heating oil customers from market volatility and price rises through the creation of a regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers.
Answer: Government is determined to fight the corner of heating oil customers. We are concerned about the issues in this sector and welcome the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry, published on 15 July 2...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordFootball: SponsorshipDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and SportTabled 16 Jul 2026Awaiting answerUIN 19657More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the findings in the report by War on Want and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians entitl
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18353More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress he has made in reforming the Child Maintenance Service.
Answer: This Government has committed to a series of reforms to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). These include the intention to remove Direct Pay and move to a single, enhanced Collect and Pay system. This will enable the CMS to monitor all payments, identify...
Answered 21 Jul 2026
Original Parliament record
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