Elsie Blundell MP: written questions
123 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Dental Services: RochdaleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 32297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of adults that visit a dentist in Rochdale Borough, compared to the last two years.
Answer: The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild den...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEndometriosis: Greater ManchesterDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31600More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to support people suffering with Endometriosis in Greater Manchester across regional healthcare settings.
Answer: The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health and improving the care that those suffering from gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis, receive. We have taken urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective R...
Answered 25 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEndometriosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to improve working conditions for people living with endometriosis.
Answer: The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health. Tackling the barriers that women face in the workplace, including those around managing their health and wellbeing, is at the heart of the growth mission. As part of the Employment Rights Bill, w...
Answered 25 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDomestic Abuse: Criminal ProceedingsMinistry of JusticeTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she has taken to reduce the amount of time taken for cases related to perpetrators of domestic abuse to reach court in (a) Greater Manchester and (b) Rochdale Borough.
Answer: Tackling violence against women and girls is a top priority for this Government and our manifesto included the mission to halve levels of these crimes in a decade.Most domestic abuse cases are heard in magistrates’ courts, where cases move more swiftly th...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFamily Courts: Pilot SchemesMinistry of JusticeTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31596More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Pathfinder family court scheme being rolled out in (a) Wales, (b) West Yorkshire and (c) Greater Manchester.
Answer: The Pathfinder pilot started in February 2022 in Dorset and North Wales. It was expanded to Southeast Wales and Birmingham in 2024. On 3 February this year we announced it will start in Mid and West Wales on 3 March and in West Yorkshire on 3 June.Data pu...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFamily Courts: Greater ManchesterMinistry of JusticeTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to reduce backlogs in family courts in (a) Greater Manchester Combined Authority and (b) Rochdale Borough Council.
Answer: Delays in the court process can have a significant impact on children and families. We are committed to improving timeliness and reducing the outstanding caseload.The Family Justice Board agreed system-wide national targets for reducing delay in 2024/25. ...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordArts: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of artificial intelligence on intellectual property rights in the creative industries.
Answer: Both artificial intelligence (AI) and the creative industries are central to this government’s driving mission on economic growth. AI may foster innovation and efficiency but may also risk creators losing a portion of their existing income due to AI's sub...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: WomenDepartment for TransportTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30710More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with transport industry representatives on (a) increasing the levels of participation and (b) the career advancement of women in the transport sector.
Answer: We are working closely with industry experts to ensure that women are represented within all levels of the transport system. This includes supporting the Generation Logistics campaign. Led by the industry, this initiative aims to raise awareness and enhan...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBorder Security CommandHome OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30709More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) funding for and (b) resourcing of Border Security Command.
Answer: The Border Security Command (BSC) is enabling a step-change in how our full range of capabilities are coordinated, maximised and targeted on organised immigration crime and reducing irregular migration including through the investment of £150 million to p...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Transport PoliceDepartment for TransportTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) funding for and (b) resourcing of the British Transport Police.
Answer: The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals fr...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDomestic Abuse Protection Orders: Greater ManchesterHome OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Protection Order pilot scheme on the resources of Greater Manchester Police.
Answer: Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) are the first order to cover all forms of domestic abuse including economic abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour and are the first cross-jurisdictional order available in the family, civil and criminal courts ...
Answered 19 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security BenefitsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30183More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps are being taken to expedite responses to claimants with (a) terminal cancer and (b) other life-limiting conditions.
Answer: The primary way the Department supports people nearing the end of life is through special benefit rules which are known as the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL). These enable people who are nearing the end of their lives to get faster, easier access to...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence PaymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce the time it takes for Personal Independence (a) claims and (b) re-applications to be processed by her Department.
Answer: Managing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the department and we are working constantly to improve our service. Our aim is to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all the available ...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: Telephone ServicesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30181More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for recipients of Personal Independence Payment to speak to an advisor over the telephone.
Answer: Prior to January 2025, wait times on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) enquiry lines were stable and consistent. During November the average wait time for customers making an enquiry about their new claim was less than 7 minutes, and for customers m...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHomelessness and PregnancyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30180More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with (a) local authorities and (b) Cabinet colleagues to provide homeless and pregnant women with (i) housing, (ii) healthcare and wellbeing and (iii) fi
Answer: Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. We have already taken the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordLandfill: BuryDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30178More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with (a) local residents and (b) the Environment Agency on the proposed additional landfill site near the Pilsworth South landfill site.
Answer: Valencia Waste Management has applied to the Environment Agency (EA) for a new Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the Pilsworth South Landfill Site. This activity requires a variation to the existing landfill permit. The variation has been subject to p...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: WomenDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to ensure more women take up leadership positions across the transport sector.
Answer: We are working across the transport sector to ensure that women are represented within all levels of the transport system. Specifically on leadership positions, we are supporters of the 'women in aviation and aerospace charter’, a commitment for organisat...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCastleton (Manchester) Station: Property DevelopmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with Greater Manchester Combined Authority on encouraging housing developments near Castleton Rail Station.
Answer: MHCLG Ministers have had a range of discussions with the Mayor for Greater Manchester and the Combined Authority about their priorities and plans. This includes the Places for Everyone plan for jobs, new homes, and sustainable growth. These conversations ...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30173More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department has taken to (a) communicate how his Department's policies will help to lower energy bills in 2025 and (b) maintain the level of energy bills during fluctuations in
Answer: Energy bills remain high for too many households. The government’s clean energy mission is the only route to protecting billpayers from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets in the long-term, which is why we are sprinting to clean, homegrown energy thr...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNeighbourhood Policing: Heywood and Middleton NorthHome OfficeTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29541More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story £200 million boost to transform neighbourhood policing, published on 31 January 2025, whether additional funding will be allocated to community policing i
Answer: The Government has committed to restoring neighbourhood policing through the delivery of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This includes new putting 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables on the beat in neighbourhoods up and dow...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security BenefitsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28675More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help ensure that people claiming benefits have all the information required to access their entitlement.
Answer: GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) provides information on eligibility and how to make a claim for benefits, including signposting to telephony routes (including textphone and Relay UK) for people who are unable to complete forms online. There are videos on the DWP YouT...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFamily Courts: Legal Aid SchemeMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28673More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure legal aid is accessible to people using the family courts in the North West.
Answer: With regards to scope, in private family proceedings, legal aid is available for matters such as child arrangements, financial remedy proceedings and divorce if an individual is a victim of domestic abuse or is at risk of being abused.Legal aid is also av...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: Greater ManchesterDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28672More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps with Greater Manchester Combined Authority to improve connectivity between Heywood and Middleton and other towns in Greater Manchester.
Answer: We work closely with the Mayor and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to support their plans and strategies to improve connectivity within and across Greater Manchester including Middleton and Heywood. This has included strong endorsement and support f...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAnti-social Behaviour: Greater ManchesterHome OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28671More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Greater Manchester Police to tackle the (a) prevalence and (b) impact of anti-social behaviour the city-region.
Answer: Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.The Government’s Plan for Change, announced by the Prime Minister on 5 December, committed to a zero-tolerance approach to ASB. This wil...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDomestic Abuse: Criminal ProceedingsMinistry of JusticeTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to expedite the judicial process for those charged with domestic abuse offences.
Answer: As part of our landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade, we are committed to strengthening the justice system’s response to domestic abuse.Decisions on case listing are a matter for the independent judiciary, who do, wher...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
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