Gareth Thomas MP: written questions
212 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Independent Commission on NeighbourhoodsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104126More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will convene a meeting of ministers from relevant Departments to discuss the final report of the Independent Commission for neighbourhoods.
Answer: We continue to closely follow the work of the Commission which continues to make a strong case for investment in our most deprived neighbourhoods. The Pride in Place Programme, announced in September, demonstrates this Government’s firm commitment to back...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSports: Older PeopleDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104125More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to encourage the take-up of sport by people aged over 70.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, including older people, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities to stay fit and healthy.The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCommunity Development Finance Institutions and Credit UnionsTreasuryTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104124More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will ask the Financial Conduct Authority to assess whether the mission critical neighbourhoods, as identified by the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods, have an effective credit union or a community dev
Answer: The Government recognises that credit, when provided responsibly, can be crucial for people facing unexpected expenses or managing their cash flow. The UK has a diverse landscape for credit provision to individuals and businesses, comprising traditional b...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 101723More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reductions to ODA on access to prevention tools such as long-acting PrEP; and what steps she is taking to (a) ensure e
Answer: The UK remains firmly committed to ending AIDS. We continue to support the organisations at forefront of the global response to HIV, including UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and our investments to Unitaid, CHAI and Med...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: CreditTreasuryTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101307More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she will discuss access to finance for businesses based in areas of deprivation with the Chair of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods.
Answer: HMT has engaged the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods and the Department continues to work with the Commission, including engaging with their recent report. I would welcome a discussion with the Chair on access to finance, should she think it helpf...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCooperatives: FinanceTreasuryTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99150More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will introduce legislation to allow cooperatives to issue capital instruments to raise finance which don’t lead to demutualisation.
Answer: The government is keen to ensure that the law governing co-operatives and community benefit societies supports their growth. That is why we are funding the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. T...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: StaffDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99149More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to make a decision on the replacement system for the NHS Electronic Staff Record.
Answer: The NHS Business Services Authority signed a contract with Infosys to deliver a new enhanced workforce management system for the National Health Service on 10 October 2025. Further details on the programme can be found at the following link:https://www.nh...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: StaffDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99147More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the replacement system for the NHS Electronic Staff Record will be required to record whether (a) clinicians have condition-specific specialisations such as a Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse a
Answer: National Health Service provider trusts are required to provide core workforce data to NHS England and the Department based on definitions set out in the National Workforce Data Set (NWD). The NWD is kept under review to ensure it is kept up to date while...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: DatabasesHome OfficeTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to apply for UK membership of Eurodac.
Answer: The UK-EU Summit on 19 May set out a framework for future cooperation on migration issues. We are working closely with EU partners to deliver new capability as it is crucial part of our response to Illegal Migration. We will not provide a running commenta...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMutual SocietiesTreasuryTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98346More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she will discuss support for new mutual banks with Ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade.
Answer: The government is committed to supporting the growth of mutual financial services in line with the manifesto commitment to double the size of the mutual and co-operative sector. HM Treasury works closely with departments across government, including the D...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMcClure Solicitors: Discretionary TrustsScotland OfficeTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97734More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92513, if he will confirm who the relevant authorities are.
Answer: The Secretary of State is aware that the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Legal Ombudsman have been responding to the implications for clients in England and Wales of the firm’s closure. It would not be appropriate for him to comment any further an...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97086More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether British students will be able to take part in the Erasmus+ exchange programme by January 2027.
Answer: As set out at the UK-EU Summit in May, the UK agreed to work towards association to the Erasmus+ programme on mutually agreed financial terms.Negotiations are ongoing, and the timelines for any association are subject to ongoing discussion. We are open to...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal SavingsTreasuryTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97085More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to increase levels of household savings.
Answer: Everyone should have access to affordable and appropriate products for their financial wellbeing. The government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring individuals and households have greater financial security.This is why the ...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordCreditTreasuryTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97084More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to improve access to affordable credit.
Answer: The Government recognises that affordable and responsible credit can help households manage unexpected costs and cash flow.In November, we published the Financial Inclusion Strategy, developed with consumer groups and industry. The Strategy includes a pil...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness: LoansTreasuryTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96603More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what further steps she will take to make the cost of business loans more transparent.
Answer: The Government receives representations from a range of stakeholders about matters across financial services and the economy. Disputes are a matter for the Financial Ombudsman Service rather than the Government. I would refer my honourable friend to the a...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: LoansTreasuryTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96602More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has received representations on the cost of lending required by (a) Maxcap business loans, (b) Capify business loans and (c) Funding Circle’s Flexipay product.
Answer: The Government receives representations from a range of stakeholders about matters across financial services and the economy. Disputes are a matter for the Financial Ombudsman Service rather than the Government. I would refer my honourable friend to the a...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: LoansTreasuryTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96601More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of of small business finance applications rejected by (a) high street banks and (b) all banks in (i) total and (ii) just for non asset backed lending applications in the most
Answer: The Government, and specifically the Treasury, is responsible for the legislative framework for financial services, and does not collect significant volumes of market data. External bodies including the British Business Bank, Bank of England, UK Finance, ...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor InsuranceTreasuryTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96600More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she will bring forward plans to make car insurance more affordable in general and particularly for those living in areas of deprivation.
Answer: Insurers make commercial decisions about pricing and the terms of cover they offer based on their assessment on the likelihood of a claim being made and the cost of those claims. The government does not generally intervene in these pricing decisions by in...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordTrade Agreements: Small BusinessesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what further steps he will take to help small businesses take advantage of the UK's trade deals.
Answer: Our department is helping businesses take advantage of trade deals through engagement, guidance, and practical support. Events to promote understanding of FTAs have been held in all parts of the UK this year, including during International Trade Week.Guid...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Trade with EU: Economic SituationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 2 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2025 to Question 93633, if he will publish that assessment.
Answer: To protect negotiation-sensitive information the Department for Business and Trade will not be publishing a full assessment of the potential economic impact of mutual recognition agreements on conformity assessment between the UK and EU. This Government r...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDisadvantagedMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the findings of Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods, whether he will take steps to encourage private sector growth in the most deprived neighbourhoods in E
Answer: Strong neighbourhoods and communities are vital to drive growth. The Pride in Place strategy sets out how we will deliver up to £5 billion funding and support over ten years to 339 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of double deprivation. Neig...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVideo Games: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94629More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on improving access to finance for the video games industry.
Answer: The Government is committed to making the UK the best place in the world to produce video games. We recognise the high growth potential of the sector, and are committed to improving its access to finance. This is why, as part of the Creative Industries Se...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordCustoms: EU CountriesTreasuryTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94145More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed changes to EU customs arrangements on UK businesses.
Answer: On 17 May 2023, the European Commission proposed a revision of the Union Customs Code. The proposal is still subject to EU internal procedures; therefore, we cannot comment on the final proposal. However, we are following these suggested reforms closely, ...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: EU CountriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94144More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of negotiating improved business travel mobility arrangements with the EU.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1st December to question 93634 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).Improved business travel mobility arrangements with the EU would benefit individuals...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: LoansTreasuryTabled 24 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93636More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many complaints the a) Financial Ombudsman Service, b) Financial Conduct Authority and c) Prudential Regulation Authority received about i) the cost of loans to SMEs, ii) debt recovery behaviour by those offerin
Answer: I refer my honourable friend to the answers I provided on the topic of SME lending on 23 October. Complaints are the remit of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which publishes regular data on complaint trends. In its latest quarterly report, it noted...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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