Ian Sollom MP: written questions
299 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Gambling: InternetDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the role of AI chatbots in promoting or directing children to illegal online gambling.
Answer: We take the issue of children being directed to illegal gambling sites very seriously.AI chatbots covered by the Online Safety Act must protect all users from illegal content. We continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure these rules kee...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: ChildrenDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to address the role of algorithmic recommendation systems in promoting harmful or addictive content, including gambling, to children.
Answer: The Gambling Commission regulates gambling, including online gambling. Gambling operators advertising in the UK must comply with advertising codes, which ensure that gambling advertising is not targeted at children. When operators fall short, the ASA can ...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGambling: ChildrenDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made of trends in under-18 participation in gambling activities, including via online platforms and apps.
Answer: The 2025 Young People in Gambling Survey demonstrated that gambling activity by under-18s increased from 27% to 30% compared with the previous year. This was driven by a 3% increase in unregulated gambling, such as private betting between friends and fami...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAnaesthetics: VacanciesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125031More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to address the shortage of anaesthetists across the UK.
Answer: Next steps on delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to create 1,000 new specialty training posts over the next three years with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need will be set out in due course.Alongside this, the Government...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAnaesthetics: TrainingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125030More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 101943 on Anaesthetics: Recruitment, what steps his Department has taken to increase anaesthetist training posts available to start in 2026.
Answer: Next steps on delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan’s commitment to create 1,000 new specialty training posts over the next three years with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need will be set out in due course.Alongside this, the Government...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Servants: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124285More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department holds data relating to (a) average hold time when calling Capita customer services regarding Civil Service Pensions and (b) number of callers who end their calls while waiting on hold.
Answer: The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension ...
Answered 17 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Servants: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124283More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish his Department's Service Level Agreement with Capita regarding the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Answer: The Cabinet Office maintains rigorous oversight of the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) administration contract with Capita. While the Department does not publish the full, granular Service Level Agreement (SLA) documents as these contain commercially ...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Servants: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124282More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that adequate levels of customer service are maintained by MyCSP during the transfer of the Civil Service Pension Scheme administration to Capita.
Answer: The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension ...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigration: English LanguageHome OfficeTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 122166, whether she has had discussions with Five Eyes counterparts on maintaining high standards of security and integrity in English Language Test
Answer: The security and integrity of English Language Testing arrangements is a matter the Government takes very seriously and robust standards in this area are essential to maintaining the integrity of the immigration system.We work closely with our Five Eyes c...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigration: English LanguageHome OfficeTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 122166, if she will publish the security schedule and solution requirements relating to English Language Testing Requirements.
Answer: The security schedule and solution requirements form part of the live procurement documentation for this contract. As the procurement process is live and ongoing, it would not be appropriate to publish these documents at this time, as doing so could preju...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigration: English LanguageHome OfficeTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 122166, which groups her Department engaged to understand what capability is available to maintain high standards of security and integrity.
Answer: Externally, prior to live procurement, the Home Office English Language Testing (HOELT) Programme conducted five rounds of market engagement. This included industry experts and market leaders.The programme has also engaged with the Department of Science, ...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFacility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124178More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department considered alternative funding models for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements.
Answer: The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) reached the decision to cease Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) operations following a rigorous value-for-money assessment. This included a review of...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFacility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of changes in funding for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements on (a) the UK’s weather, climate and air qua
Answer: The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), a part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is reviewing the value for money of its infrastructure investments to ensure maximum impact for the UK and transition its atmospheric science infrastructure to m...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFacility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements: ClosuresDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the closure of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements on the specialist skills base in atmospheric science in the Un
Answer: While the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) recognise that the retirement of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) is a significant decision for the atmospheric science commu...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFacility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123979More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what process was followed that led to decision to cut funding for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM).
Answer: Following a review of value for money across its infrastructure investments, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), concluded that the Facility for Airbourne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) aircraft no ...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123970More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the timeline for autonomous systems to replicate the payload and operational capabilities of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measu
Answer: The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with input from the scientific community, is prioritising a strategic transition to more sustainable, modern and flexible infrastructures. While there are some asp...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigration: English LanguageHome OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123865More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Home Office English Language Test will be regulated by Ofqual.
Answer: The Home Office English Language Testing Programme remains in live procurement. We anticipate that the successful bidder will hold, or secure, Ofqual recognition. They must then continue to meet the rigorous bar required to comply with Ofqual's regulatory...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment SchemesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121126More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many of the 500,000 opportunities announced on 16 March 2026 comprise (a) apprenticeships, (b) subsidised jobs, (c) work experience placements and (d) sector-based work academy programmes.
Answer: This Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they deserve. Under the last government, between 2021 and 2024, the number of young people not in educatio...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: FinanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121125More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether an impact assessment was carried out before the decision to defund 16 apprenticeship standards.
Answer: Apprenticeship starts for the 2024/25 academic year by standard and age are published here: Apprenticeships, Academic year 2024/25 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK. Over the past 10 years, apprenticeship starts among young people have fallen sharpl...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: Young PeopleDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121124More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for each of the 16 apprenticeship standards being defunded, how many starts in 2024-25 were by people aged under 25.
Answer: Apprenticeship starts for the 2024/25 academic year by standard and age are published here: Apprenticeships, Academic year 2024/25 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK. Over the past 10 years, apprenticeship starts among young people have fallen sharpl...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordApprenticesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121123More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many starts there have been on each foundation apprenticeship standard since their launch in August 2025; and what assessment he made of the adequacy of that performance before announcing the expans
Answer: In August 2025 we introduced foundation apprenticeships to give young people a route into careers in critical sectors, such as construction and health and social care, enabling them to earn a wage while developing vital skills.Foundation apprenticeships a...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: FinanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121122More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when is his estimated date for publishing publish funding rates, duration and assessment arrangements for each of the seven apprenticeship units due to launch in April 2026.
Answer: Following the announcement we will be carrying out further testing with critical stakeholders to confirm details, including funding rates and delivery hours, are set at the right level. We want to ensure the final figures are robust and reflect sector nee...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116402More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish (a) the total amount owed to parents in child maintenance payment arrears and (b) how much this has increased by over the last 10 years.
Answer: The Department publishes quarterly statistics for the Child Maintenance Service (CMS)and the latest statistics are currently available to September 2025. Table 5 of the latest National tables shows the total amount of child maintenance that Paying Parents...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChild Support (Enforcement) Act 2023Department for Work and PensionsTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116373More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress his department has made on the implementation of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 in England and Wales.
Answer: Work is ongoing to implement Administrative Liability Orders (ALO). While Child Maintenance is reserved, enforcement of CM arrears in Scotland requires using the Scottish judicial system, which is devolved. We are working closely with HM Courts and Tribun...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: Hearing ImpairmentDepartment for EducationTabled 25 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116075More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her department has made of access to Communication Support Workers for post-18 year old deaf students.
Answer: As set out under section 20 of the Equality Act 2010, all education and training providers, and other related service providers, have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, including those with a hearing impairment, so they are not pla...
Answered 2 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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