Mike Martin MP: written questions
254 published records · newest first.
Written questions
British Nationality and Visas: Hong KongHome OfficeTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46448More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will take steps to review the potential impact of the provisions of the British National (Overseas) visa on (a) the adequacy of settlement pathways, (b) levels of access to citizensh
Answer: We keep all aspects of the immigration system under review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordCanterbury Christ Church University and University of Kent: RedundancyDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46447More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with (a) the University of Kent and (b) Canterbury Christ Church University on the potential impact of redundancies of teaching staff on (i) the effectiveness of (1) teaching and (2
Answer: The government is aware of the financial challenges currently affecting the higher education (HE) sector. The department is aware that some providers, including the University of Kent and the Canterbury Christ Church University, are making difficult decis...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGaming: InternetDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) requiring online gaming platforms to join recognised age-rating frameworks and (b) allowing Ofcom to investigate serious ind
Answer: While there is no legal requirement for online games to display ratings, most major storefronts require the display of PEGI ratings. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works closely with the Games Rating Authority in the UK to promote and encoura...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46445More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a railcard for (a) civilian police staff and (b) civil servants.
Answer: The Railways Act 1993 requires all train operators to participate in approved discount card schemes for young travellers, disabled passengers and those over 60. These groups are offered discounted travel because it is broadly assumed that, because of age ...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46444More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring social media platforms to (a) implement advanced virtual private network (VPN) detection technology to identify users
Answer: The Online Safety Act will place strict ‘illegal content’ duties on online platforms to protect children from being groomed by online predators, and to tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse content on their services.Ofcom sets out steps providers can...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: SubsidiesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to support English and Welsh farmers when the Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme ends on the 31st December 2025.
Answer: Responsibility for horticulture is a devolved matter and, as such, is a matter for the Welsh Government to consider in Wales. We recognise the importance of our domestic growers who play a vital role in our food security, economy and rural communities. In...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordInjuries: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the quality of wound care, in the context of the disbandment of the National Wound Care Strategy Programme in March 2025.
Answer: The outcome of the National Wound Care Strategy Programme was to implement consistently high wound care across England by reducing unnecessary variation, improving safety, and optimising patient experience and outcomes.NHS England’s work on wound care has...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordChildminding: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46441More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to review the rules for Ofsted-registered childminders claiming Government funding for children to whom they are related.
Answer: It is the government’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change.Parents are free to choose the childcare that ...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPark Homes: SalesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46440More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to review the 10% commission fee on the sale of park homes.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44299 on 16 April 2025.
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMusic: StreamingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45313More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring music streaming platforms to obtain a broadcasting licence to help ensure that artists are fairly remunerated for their work.
Answer: In February 2024, the Intellectual Property Office published independent research examining the potential economic impact of equitable remuneration on performers and the music market in the UK. The research found that applying the ‘broadcast model’ of equ...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordIVF: LGBT+ PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has a planned timetable for removing self-funded artificial insemination for same sex couples before they can access NHS-funded in vitro fertilisation.
Answer: In the light of broader pressures on the National Health Service and on-going changes within NHS England, we have been looking again at achievable ambitions to improve access to fertility services and fairness for all affected couples. Ministers will be c...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordOrchestras: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44808More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to orchestral tax relief on (a) the ability of orchestras to operate within the UK and (b) the ability of British orchestras to bring money from abroad
Answer: Orchestra tax relief is available for costs incurred on goods or services that are used or consumed in the UK. This replaces the previous rule that qualifying costs were those incurred on goods or services provided from the UK or the European Economic Are...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordShingles: VaccinationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44363More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility for the shingles vaccination to people aged 65 or over.
Answer: In 2019, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that the shingles vaccination programme should switch to using a two-dose vaccine called Shingrix, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clini...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSecurity: CompaniesHome OfficeTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44340More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory business licensing for the private security sector.
Answer: The Government is committed to reviewing the recommendations of the Manchester Arena Inquiry, including Monitored Recommendation 8, with a view to delivering better uniformity of standards in the private security industry, enhanced provision of security s...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmy Foundation College: InspectionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 43009More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason AFC Harrogate is exempt from Ofsted inspections; and which independent body is responsible for inspections of AFC Harrogate.
Answer: Ofsted does inspect Army Foundation College (Harrogate). Up to date reports are published online and can be found here, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/welfare-and-duty-of-care-in-armed-forces-initial-training
Answered 3 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRadiology: StaffDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42113More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of radiologists working in the NHS in (a) England and (b) Tunbridge Wells Hospital; and what steps he is taking to increase the number of radiologists workin
Answer: Data published by NHS England shows that as of December 2024, there are 3,998 full-time equivalent (FTE) consultants in the speciality of clinical radiology employed in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England. Of these, ther...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Industrial Estates and Retail TradeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 26 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating businesses occupying spaces in (a) retail and (b) industrial estates to install solar panels on their roofs.
Answer: The Government provides fiscal incentives to encourage businesses to install rooftop solar, such as through tax relief and business rate exemptions. Through permitted development rights, there is no limit to the capacity of a commercial solar installation...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSoftware: Fees and ChargesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41355More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with (a) Google and (b) Apple on in-app purchase fees; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposal
Answer: The Competition and Markets Authority launched a Strategic Market Status designation investigation in January on both Apple and Google’s position in mobile ecosystems. This investigation is independent to Government and will also include the consideration...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: EU CountriesHome OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of agreeing with (a) the European Union and (b) individual Schengen Area countries to allow British citizens to stay up to 180 days without a vis
Answer: The European Union is responsible for visa policy in relation to short stays in the territory of Schengen states, including visa requirements. Short stays are stays of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period, as set out in EU legislation. The UK an...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBlue Badge SchemeL ApplicationsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39319More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) extending and (b) removing the 30-day time limit for completing a blue badge application.
Answer: While there is no time limit for completion of a Blue Badge application in legislation, in order to comply with UK data handling regulations personal data relating to an application on the Blue Badge online application system is deleted after thirty days....
Answered 24 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: Disclosure of InformationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) strengthen protections for NHS whistleblowers and (b) prevent repercussions for those who raise patient safety concerns.
Answer: The Government has been clear that the silencing of whistleblowers will not be tolerated, and that National Health Service staff should have the confidence to speak out and come forward if they have concerns.There is a network of more than 1,200 local Fre...
Answered 25 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceTreasuryTabled 12 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37871More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when the Chief Secretary to the Treasury plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells on seizing frozen Russian assets, dated 16 January 2025.
Answer: The correspondence from the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells is receiving urgent attention and a response will be issued by HM Treasury in due course.
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Works: UtilitiesDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37847More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing local councils to review applications by utility firms for emergency roadworks in order to determine when the roadworks should take place.
Answer: Emergency works are defined in legislation as works needed to deal with dangers to life and property and so must be carried out urgently. For these, and other urgent works needed to restore customer connections or deal with leaks, permits must be submitte...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordVoice over Internet ProtocolDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 11 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37452More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with BT on the speed of the Digital Voice rollout; and what steps he is taking to ensure (a) elderly people, (b) vulnerable people and (c) people reliant
Answer: This is an issue the Government takes very seriously. The Government is determined to ensure that any risks arising from the industry-led migration from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated, for...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordVideo GamesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 11 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37451More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) protecting consumers from planned obsolescence in (i) video games and (ii) other digital software and (b) requiring publishers to mak
Answer: The Government is aware of issues relating to the life-span of digital content, including video games, and we appreciate the concerns of players of some games that have been discontinued. We have no plans to amend existing consumer law on digital obsolesc...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament record
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