Josh Newbury MP: written questions
153 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Childcare: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103475More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of the automatic wear-and-tear allowance on (a) growth in the childminding sector and (b) the number of childcare places available to parents.
Answer: Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFuels: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 907122More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations she has received on the potential impact of the planned rise in fuel duty on motorists.
Answer: At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to early 2022 levels. The planned increase in line with inflati...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTree PlantingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88391More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of mandating a minimum aftercare period for trees planted as a condition of planning permissions for new homes.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that appropriate measures are in place to secure the long-term maintenance of newly-planted trees. The National Design Guide, which supports the Framewor...
Answered 12 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTree PlantingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88390More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the number of new trees required as part of planning permissions which are (a) never planted and (b) not maintained for the required
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that appropriate measures are in place to secure the long-term maintenance of newly-planted trees. The National Design Guide, which supports the Framewor...
Answered 12 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordKelp: ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88389More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help protect kelp forests in UK waters.
Answer: The UK recognises the important role that habitats such as kelp can play in preventing biodiversity loss, supporting healthy ecosystems and adaptation to climate change. In England, we have a comprehensive network of 181 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and ...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPlants: SalesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88388More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of rhododendron sales on woodland (a) management and (b) restoration.
Answer: Defra has not conducted a formal assessment specifically regarding the impact of rhododendron sales on woodland management or restoration. However, the Department recognises that Rhododendron ponticum is a highly invasive non-native species that poses a s...
Answered 12 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFertility: ClinicsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78867More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with private fertility clinics on their profit levels.
Answer: No such discussions have taken place with private fertility clinics.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the UK-wide regulator for fertility treatment but has no powers over the commissioning of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or the co...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFertility: ClinicsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78866More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the performance of NHS-commissioned fertility clinics.
Answer: The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand NHS-funded fertility services and the effectiven...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFertility: Medical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78865More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve access to mental health support for people undergoing fertility treatment.
Answer: The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will suppor...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFertility: MenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78864More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of routine sperm health testing as an indicator of wider physiological health conditions.
Answer: The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will suppor...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFertility: MenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that men accessing fertility services are routinely offered comprehensive diagnostic testing.
Answer: The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will suppor...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPeople Smuggling: International CooperationHome OfficeTabled 9 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 905657More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress her Department has made on increasing international cooperation to help tackle organised immigration crime.
Answer: This government has strengthened co-operation on organised immigration crime with countries near and far – forging new and deeper partnerships through action such as our landmark border security statement with Iraq.Deals have been struck that no other gov...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport: Sport, Leisure and Culture ConsultancyDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 1 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 73801More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has engaged the Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy (SLC) as an external provider.
Answer: The Department has not engaged the Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy (SLC) as an external provider.
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBoilers: BatteriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71536More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of battery enabled boilers could make on decarbonising domestic heating in smaller homes.
Answer: Heat batteries, sometimes referred to as ‘battery enabled boilers’, can utilise time-of-use tariffs and do not require outside space; however, they are less efficient than heat pumps. Heat batteries could meet the needs of some smaller homes, however if t...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGender Recognition CertificatesWomen and EqualitiesTabled 28 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 905473More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent steps she has taken with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to reform the Gender Recognition Certificate process.
Answer: We are absolutely clear that trans people should be able to live openly with dignity and respect.We have set out our immediate priorities in our Plan for Change. Our priorities for trans people are to pass a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, st...
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Sustainable DevelopmentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 904884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Northern Ireland Executive to support sustainable agriculture.
Answer: Agriculture is a devolved policy in the UK. Defra and the other UK nations work closely together through the consensus-based and well-established governance arrangements we have set up and operate under the Agricultural Support Framework. The regular meet...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordFoster Care: AdoptionDepartment for EducationTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54422More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of the foster to adopt pathway for (a) adopted children and (b) the stability of adoptive placements.
Answer: Fostering to adopt, also known as early permanence, is a crucial way to offer children stability at a very early stage, preventing multiple moves in the care system. The department has provided funding of £250,000 in 2025/26 for Adoption England to promot...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChildren in CareDepartment for EducationTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54421More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure local authorities use the foster to adopt pathway for children in care.
Answer: Fostering to adopt, also known as early permanence, is a crucial way to offer children stability at a very early stage, preventing multiple moves in the care system. The department has provided funding of £250,000 in 2025/26 for Adoption England to promot...
Answered 11 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordKnives: CrimeHome OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54420More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of mandating blunt-tipped kitchen knives for domestic use on rates of knife crime.
Answer: The Government’s mission to halve knife crime over a decade will be delivered through tougher enforcement and stronger prevention. However, we have been clear nothing is off the table when it comes to getting lethal blades off our streets and keeping peop...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSewers: Property DevelopmentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of implementing schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 on the (a) number and (b) effectiveness of s
Answer: The Government is strongly committed to requiring standardised Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in new developments. These should be to designs that cope with changing climatic conditions as well as delivering wider water infrastructure benefits, offer...
Answered 22 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Justice: Electric VehiclesMinistry of JusticeTabled 15 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52719More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of vehicles rented by her Department are electric vehicles.
Answer: The Department currently leases 705 vehicles; of which 57 are electric. This equates to 8% of total leased vehicles.The Ministry of Justice is committed to transitioning towards full electrification of its fleet vehicles in line with the Government Greeni...
Answered 22 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Electric VehiclesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52718More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of vehicles rented by her Department are electric vehicles.
Answer: The Department makes use of the Government Car service, which provides vehicles to a number of Government departments. MHCLG does not hold information on the number of electric vehicles utilised.
Answered 28 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Electric VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 15 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52717More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of vehicles rented by his Department are electric vehicles.
Answer: As of 19th May 2025, 2,588 of the Ministry of Defence's 11,572 vehicles leased through the Phoenix II contract are fully electric, representing 22.36% of the fleet. This does not include hybrid vehicles as the Department is moving towards 100% zero emissi...
Answered 23 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHome Office: Electric VehiclesHome OfficeTabled 30 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of vehicles rented by her Department are electric vehicles.
Answer: This information is not centrally collected, and could only be obtained for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordTreasury: Electric VehiclesTreasuryTabled 30 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49492More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what proportion of vehicles rented by her Department are electric vehicles.
Answer: Carbon emission details, including vehicles rented, will be published later this year within in the Sustainability Report section of HM Treasury 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts. This will be published at the following link. HMT annual report and accoun...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament record
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