Gregory Stafford MP: written questions
725 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27454More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of net zero policies since 2000.
Answer: The Net Zero transition is critical to sustainable UK growth because of the economic costs of unmitigated climate change. The Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its analysis of the cost of reaching net zero by 2050 in chapter 3 of the July 20...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPakistan: AhmadiyyaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27013More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help stop the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan; and if he will have discussions with his Pakistani counterpart on steps to pro
Answer: Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony when I met Pakistan's Human Rights Minister on 19 November, and discussed t...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBuses: Electric VehiclesDepartment for TransportTabled 6 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22225More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to (a) support British companies bidding for electric bus contracts and (b) ensure that (i) BYD, (ii) Yutong and (iii) other foreign companies do not have a disproportionate share of Go
Answer: The transition to zero emission buses represents a great opportunity for UK bus manufacturers, both to supply the zero emission buses needed here in the UK and to win export orders abroad as other countries upgrade their bus fleets. On 8 October, the Depa...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordOffences against Children: Ethnic GroupsHome OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22224More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish perpetrator ethnicity data for (a) grooming and (b) sexual violence collected by the Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme.
Answer: The Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme (TOEX) continues to work to develop a whole system approach to improving intelligence, analysis, and tasking to enhance the law enforcement response to the exploitation of vulnerable people, including sexual e...
Answered 14 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordCricket: AfghanistanDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21955More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board on the scheduled Champion's Trophy match with Afghanistan.
Answer: The UK Government condemns the appalling erosion of women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan.Participation in the ICC Champion’s Trophy match is a matter for the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council. My officials are in cont...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordBicycles: LightingDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21954More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.
Answer: All manufacturers must demonstrate that their vehicles and equipment comply with international vehicle approval requirements before they are permitted to offer their products for sale, and these include detailed provisions for vehicle lighting. The approv...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordEmpty PropertyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21953More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of repurposing vacant (a) shops, (b) offices and (c) houses; and whether this would reduce local new-build housing targets.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including bringing back into residential use empty homes and the development of under-utilised la...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordOverseas Companies: Sri LankaDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21952More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Sri Lankan authorities on strengthening business relations for British citizens who have set up companies in Sri Lanka.
Answer: DBT has a team dedicated to supporting the UK-Sri Lanka trade and investment relationship. Officials have regular contact with Sri Lankan authorities through the annual UK-Sri Lanka Strategic Dialogue to promote areas of mutual interest, including bilater...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordBus Services: Rural AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 902021More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve bus services in rural areas.
Answer: The government is committed to delivering better, more frequent and more reliable bus services for passengers. We have already made significant progress, introducing the Bus Services Bill to help give local leaders the powers they need to take control of ...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMilkDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20866More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) banning the use of Bovaer and (b) allowing the use of Kelp in milk products.
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised milk from cows given Bovaer is safe to drink. Bovaer has undergone a rigorous safety assessment and is approved for use in Great Britain. Regulation of feed additives and materials, such as kelp, is the responsi...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security BenefitsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20422More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish data on welfare claimants by (a) nationality and (b) immigration status.
Answer: Non-UK / Irish citizens can only access benefits like Universal Credit if they have an immigration status that provides recourse to public funds. Those without immigration status or with a no recourse to public funds condition on their status are not enti...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMeat: Ritual SlaughterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18843More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that halal products are clearly marked on food labelling.
Answer: There are no regulations that require the labelling of halal meat, but where any information of this nature is provided it must be accurate and must not be misleading to the consumer. The Government respects religious freedoms and expects the industry, wh...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: UniformsMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of sourcing military uniforms from China.
Answer: Tenders to supply items of military clothing are conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which ensure best value for the taxpayer in the delivery of Defence requirements. Through the Logistics Commodities and Services Transform...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of raising the bus cap to £3 on pensioners.
Answer: Those of state pension age, currently sixty-six, have access to free off-peak bus travel under the terms of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLeasehold: Ground RentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16384More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ground rent costs on the ability of long-term leaseholders to sell their leased properties.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16060More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory on global security.
Answer: The base on Diego Garcia is critical to national and international security. It has enabled the UK, the US, and our allies and partners to combat some of the most challenging threats to global peace and security, including those from terrorism, organised ...
Answered 28 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HotelsHome OfficeTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral contribution by the Minister for Border Security and Asylum to the Urgent Question on Asylum Seekers: Hotel Accommodation of 20 November 2024, Official Report, column 279, w
Answer: The statistic that I referred to in the question referenced an ad-hoc statistical release published by the Home Office on 4 November containing data on enforced and voluntary returns between 5 July and 28 October 2024, which can be accessed here: Returns ...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLeasehold: Ground RentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15399More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ground rent costs on the ability of long-term leaseholders to sell their leased properties.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).
Answered 29 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSpringer Nature: ChinaDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of reports that Springer Nature has restricted access to academic articles in China on (a) human rights, (b) democracy and (c) other politically
Answer: This government is absolutely committed to, and will continue to protect, academic freedom.The department recognises the concerns of overseas interference in the academic sector and regularly works with colleagues from across government, the Office for St...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordInnovation and ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 20 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15378More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help protect the integrity of global research from authoritarian regimes.
Answer: The Government wants the UK research sector to engage with all international partners, in a way that takes account of specific national security concerns, is compliant with the UK’s security policies and regulations, and protects the integrity of global r...
Answered 29 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGenomics: ChinaDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15377More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) Genomics England, (c) UK Biobank and (d) NIHR BioResource on (i) BGI Group, (ii) MGI Tech and (iii) other state-linked genomics compa
Answer: Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed to ensuring the United Kingdom is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this strategy, the Governme...
Answered 28 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGenomics: ChinaDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15376More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will exclude (a) BGI Group, (b) MGI Tech and (c) other state-linked genomics companies blacklisted by the United States from public sector health bodies.
Answer: The Government continues to review the evolving national security risks in the life sciences sector, including engaging with partners and allies, while ensuring that the United Kingdom is at the forefront of innovation.The Procurement Act will come into f...
Answered 28 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAudiology: PaediatricsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13645More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 10931 on Audiology: Paediatrics, what recent assessment his Department has made of whether all providers of audiology services for children wil
Answer: NHS England issued a letter to all integrated care boards (ICBs) in August 2023 which included the recommendation that all trusts should be working towards the United Kingdom Accreditation Service’s (UKAS) Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIP...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAudiology: PaediatricsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13644More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 November 2024 to Question 10930 on Audiology: Paediatrics, how many children have been (a) recalled for reassessment and (b) needed onward referral to clinical services
Answer: The Department does not hold this information.
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordState Retirement PensionsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13357More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of a 25 pence per week increase for state pension claimants.
Answer: No such assessment has been made. We are absolutely committed, through the Triple Lock, to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. This means that from April 2025, subject to Parliamentary approval, the b...
Answered 15 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record
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