Kerry McCarthy MP: written questions
132 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Prisoners: ParentsMinistry of JusticeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128198More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what comparative assessment he has made of the level of support in prisons for parents on remand or serving custodial sentences with the potential impact on rehabilitation.
Answer: We know that supporting and maintaining positive family relationships, where safe and appropriate, is an important factor in reducing reoffending and desistance from crime, with recently published research finding that prisoners who received visits were 3...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordImportance of Strengthening Prisoners' Family Ties to Prevent Reoffending and Reduce Intergenerational Crime ReviewMinistry of JusticeTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128197More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, (a) what steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendations of Lord Farmer's 2017 review and (b) whether further steps are planned.
Answer: Lord Farmer’s 2017 review highlighted the importance of family and supportive relationships in rehabilitation and reducing re-offending. Since then, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has taken extensive action to put those recommendations...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAdvanced Therapy Medicinal ProductsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127428More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with colleagues in NHS England on the development of a regenerative medicine strategy.
Answer: No such discussions have taken place. The Government is committed to ensuring the United Kingdom remains a global leader in the development of advanced therapies, including regenerative medicines, to drive innovation in the National Health Service and del...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAdvanced Therapy Medicinal ProductsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127427More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of regenerative medicine techniques on surgical recovery.
Answer: Regenerative techniques, such as cell therapies, growth factors, and bioengineered scaffolds, can accelerate wound healing, which is particularly valuable in complex or high‑risk surgeries. NHS England maintains an overview of the advanced therapy medicin...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordJimmy LaiForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127084More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2026 to Question 112762, what process she has made since 3 March on steps to help secure the release of Jimmy Lai.
Answer: The UK continues to raise Jimmy Lai's case with the Chinese Government at every opportunity, alongside a number of international partners, calling both for his release, and for the protection of his health and wellbeing while he remains in detention. I wi...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: Childcare and Parental LeaveDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126552More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) parental leave allowances and (b) childcare entitlements for PhD students in the context
Answer: The Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, including the needs of working families who do not currently qualify. There are a number of areas where there are clear links and interdependenc...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHorticultureDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that expertise in sustainability, agroecology, and nature friendly farming is incorporated into the development of the Horticulture Sector Growth Pla
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan integrates expertise in sustainability, agroecology and nature friendly farming. This expertise will shape the plan’s approach to productivity, innovation and nature friendly...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFarming and Food Partnership BoardDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will include representation from the organic and sustainable farming sector on the Farming and Food Partnership Board.
Answer: The first meeting of the Farming and Food Partnership Board took place on 25 March 2026 with an initial membership of seven industry leads and experts. This initial group includes representation across farming and food as well as the retail and out of hom...
Answered 15 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHorticulture: PeatDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the commitment to phase out the use of peat in horticulture is included in the sector growth plans for horticulture.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan integrates expertise in sustainability, agroecology and nature friendly farming. This expertise will shape the plan’s approach to productivity, innovation and nature friendly...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSquid: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risk that jumbo flying squid imported from fisheries in the South Pacific and Argentine shortfin squid imported from the South West Atlantic may be
Answer: The Government is committed to tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and addressing associated human rights abuses in global seafood supply chains. The UK has robust regulations in place, including catch certification and traceability...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSquid: ChinaDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to increase scrutiny of squid imports from China.
Answer: The Government is committed to tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and addressing associated human rights abuses in global seafood supply chains. The UK has robust regulations in place, including catch certification and traceability...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHM Courts and Tribunals Service: Fees and ChargesMinistry of JusticeTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120314More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on extending court and tribunal fees to challenging Section 13 rent increases through the First-Tier Tribunal.
Answer: The Ministry of Justice keeps all fees under continuous review to ensure that His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has the resources necessary to operate fairly and efficiently, while ensuring access to justice is protected for all.The Gover...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: RentsMinistry of JusticeTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120311More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending courts and tribunal fees to challenging Section 13 rent increases through the First-Tier Tribunal on the number of rent increase challe
Answer: The Ministry of Justice keeps all fees under continuous review to ensure that His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has the resources necessary to operate fairly and efficiently, while ensuring access to justice is protected for all.The Gover...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSchool MilkDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 108602 on School Milk, what steps her Department is taking to ensure schools and Local Authorities are aware of the expectation that they make reasonable ad
Answer: The School Food Standards regulate the food and drink provided at both lunchtime and at other times of the school day. They allow schools the freedom to provide plant-based drinks as needed, including plain soya, rice or oat drinks enriched with calcium, ...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFood SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119227More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what cross-government work her Department is undertaking to mitigate the risk of food shortages, supply chain disruption and food price inflation arising from global ecosystem collapse
Answer: The UK has a resilient food supply chain and is equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption. Food security is built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. Whil...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNational Information Centre on Children of Offenders: DatabasesMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119226More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent progress has been made to update the National Information Centre on Children of Offenders online information resource.
Answer: The National Information Centre on Children of Offenders (NICCO) website was created in 2016 as a partnership between Barnardo’s and HMPPS. It was constructed to replace an earlier site called iHOP which Barnardo’s had developed jointly with the Departmen...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFurniture and Waste Management: Health HazardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118706More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the exposure to chemical flame retardants on workers in (a) the upholstery industry and (b) the waste
Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recognised the risks to textile workers who routinely handle finished fabrics, including those treated with fire-resistant finishes. HSE has produced a specific guidance page on its website which covers both the i...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChemicals: EU LawDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to align with EU REACH regulatory protections from chemical flame retardants.
Answer: The revised Environmental Improvement Plan, published 1 December 2025, includes a commitment to reform UK REACH, to enable protections that address chemical pollution to be applied more quickly, efficiently and in a way that is more aligned with our close...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWaste Disposal: FurnitureDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her department has made of the cost to local authorities of separating and incinerating waste upholstered domestic seating due to the presence of chemical flame retardant
Answer: The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), to which the UK is party, requires that waste containing POPs above certain thresholds be destroyed, rather than landfilled. Research by the Environment Agency (EA) in 2021 revealed that wa...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFurniture: Fire PreventionDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, what steps his Department plans to take to improve labelling on chemical flame retardants in upholstered fu
Answer: The policy paper 'The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture', published on 22 January 2025, set out that the Government is committed to delivering reforms to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 that maintain a high level...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFurniture: Fire PreventionDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will provide an update on the next steps he will take to reform the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 to reduce the use of chemical flame retardants.
Answer: The policy paper 'The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture', published on 22 January 2025, set out that the Government is committed to delivering reforms to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 that maintain a high level...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordForests: CommoditiesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118505More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what legislative steps she is taking to introduce regulations under section 116 and Schedule 17 of the Environment Act 2021 on forest risk commodities in commercial activity.
Answer: The UK recognises the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. The Government is carefully considering the best regulatory approach to address deforestation in UK supply chains; we wil...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordClimate Change: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118162More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will include a sub-commitment to nature and forests in the next round of international climate finance, ICF4.
Answer: Nature-based solutions, including forests, are among the most impactful and cost-effective climate solutions. Nature regulates our climate and is vital to climate resilience, both acting as a carbon source and sink, and helping us to adapt to the impact o...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEndometriosis: SurgeryDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118161More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the benefits and complications of ablation surgery for endometriosis patients.
Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops authoritative, evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on best practice in the care and management of patients with specific conditions base...
Answered 13 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordForests: CommoditiesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118160More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received from businesses on clarity on forest risk commodities regulation.
Answer: We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation. We also recognise that this sense of urgency and need for clarity is shared by business. This Government believes it is at its...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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