James McMurdock MP: written questions
830 published records · newest first.
Written questions
General Practitioners: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 36033More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased National Insurance costs on GP practices in (a) Essex and (b) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: We have made necessary decisions to fix the foundations of the public finances in the Autumn Budget. Resource spending for the Department will be £22.6 billion more in 2025/26 than in 2023/24, as part of the Spending Review settlement. The employers’ Nati...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSoil: ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35623More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has plans to introduce soil management requirements for solar farm developments.
Answer: Defra has no plans to introduce soil management requirements for solar farm developments. However, Biodiversity Net Gain and other mechanisms will influence how the soil/land is managed over the lifespan of the panels after construction. When considering ...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment Tribunals ServiceMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35616More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the average wait time for an Employment tribunal application to reach a tribunal hearing.
Answer: Following recruitment, in 2024 we had 21 more salaried and 34 more fee-paid judges than in 2023, with further fee paid judge appointments to follow; and recruitment for up to 36 salaried Employment Judges commencing on 13 March 2025. HMCTS continues to in...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35615More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) train companies and (b) public transport campaigners on the impact of increased rail fares.
Answer: The Department regularly meets with the rail industry and stakeholders, on a variety of issues including rail affordability. Our aim is to keep the price of rail travel at a point that works for both passengers and taxpayers, where possible.This year’s in...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35614More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in regulated rail fares on commuters in England.
Answer: The Department regularly meets with the rail industry and stakeholders, on a variety of issues including rail affordability. Our aim is to keep the price of rail travel at a point that works for both passengers and taxpayers, where possible.This year’s in...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35612More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of (a) delays and (b) cancellations of trains in England.
Answer: Ministers have been clear that rail services have been failing passengers; we need to improve services for passengers and deliver better value for money for the taxpayer.The Rail Minister is meeting with the Managing Directors of all train operators and t...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordZero Hours ContractsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35610More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to allow businesses to retain the ability to offer zero-hours contracts where that is in the interests of employees.
Answer: The Employment Rights Bill seeks to end exploitative zero hours contracts, ensuring that all jobs provide a baseline of security and predictability so workers can better plan their lives and finances. We recognise that some workers need and value the flex...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Sick PayDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the rate of statutory sick pay on financial costs for small businesses.
Answer: The Department undertook a Regulatory Impact Assessment covering the measures in the Employment Rights Bill to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay: removing the Lower Earnings Limit and the waiting period. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/emp...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment Rights Bill: Small BusinessesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on regulatory requirements for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Answer: On Monday 21 October, the Government published 24 Impact Assessments representing a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. These Impact Assessments are available at the following link: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/emp...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Land UseDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35607More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of agricultural land being converted to solar energy production on farming communities.
Answer: The Government recognises that food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. To support this commitment, the Government has launched a consultation o...
Answered 25 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Land UseDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that the expansion of solar farms does not compromise domestic food security.
Answer: The Government recognises that food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. To support this commitment, the Government has launched a consultation o...
Answered 25 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Land UseDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35605More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of solar farm developments on the availability of agricultural land for food production.
Answer: The Government recognises that food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. To support this commitment, the Government has launched a consultation o...
Answered 25 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: MigrantsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35604More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32835 on Health Services: Migrants, whether (a) his Department and (b) the NHS has made an assessment of the potential merits of collecting patien
Answer: The Department and the National Health Service do not collect patient information categorised by immigration status. No assessment has been made or is planned by the Department or the NHS to collect patient information categorised in this way.Due to the w...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: ReviewsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35212More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of launching a review of animal testing in the UK.
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting the uptake and development of alternative methods to the use of animals in science. The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasin...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCovid-19 InquiryCabinet OfficeTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35211More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much each Department has spent on legal costs in responding to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
Answer: It is important that lessons are learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is independent of government and it is right that we allow the Chair to continue her important work. The Chair is under a statutory obligation to avoid unnecessary...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCovid-19 InquiryCabinet OfficeTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35210More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure the transparency of all spending related to the Government's response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.
Answer: The Government regularly publishes the cost to government in responding to the Inquiry. Most recently, costs for Quarter 3 2024/25 were published on 3 March 2025.
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security Online Information TeamDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the collection of (a) political and (b) philosophical opinions by the National Security Online Information Team.
Answer: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security Online Information TeamDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35208More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what personal data the National Security Online Information Team may (a) receive and (b) process in the course of its work.
Answer: DSIT’s National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) does not actively collect personal data. However, it may receive or process some personal data in the course of its work and follows the requirements of UK GDPR and any advice or guidance from the I...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security Online Information TeamDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35207More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will conduct a review of the work of the National Security Online Information Team.
Answer: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security Online Information TeamDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the processes used by the National Security Online Information Team in determining what online content is a risk to (a)
Answer: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security Online Information Team: Freedom of ExpressionDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35205More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the National Security Online Information Team on freedom of expression.
Answer: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security Online Information TeamDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35204More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the National Security Online Information Team: privacy notice, published on 16 April 2024, what steps his Department is taking to identify the potential risks to (a) p
Answer: The National Security Online Information Team’s (NSOIT) agreed remit is to analyse narratives and trends from publicly available information online relating to national security and public safety, where ministers agree there is a high risk to UK audiences...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology: FacultyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has met representatives of Faculty AI.
Answer: DSIT’s contract with Faculty AI came into force in February 2024. Details of that contract can be found here. DSIT officials routinely engage with representatives of Faculty AI as part of the contract management process.
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEmploymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support working age non-graduates find permanent employment.
Answer: The Get Britain Working White Paper set out Governments ambition to reduce economic inactivity and increase the number of people in work.Key proposals include:Creating a new jobs and careers service to support more people into work and help them progress ...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCenter for Countering Digital HateDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35201More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many times his Department has met with the Centre for Countering Digital Hate; and when those meetings took place.
Answer: Ministers, special advisers, and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders. Details of ministerial meetings, including the purpose of meetings, are published quarterly on the gov.uk website.
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament record
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