Neil O'Brien MP: written questions
864 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Social Security BenefitsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104849More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to Question 100498, how many households on Housing Benefit and Universal Credit who have flowed off the benefit cap are in the Other outcome category by reason of receiving an exempting b
Answer: The Department publishes Official Statistics on the number of households in Great Britain on Housing Benefit (HB) or Universal Credit (UC) that have flowed off the benefit cap, including outcome at off-flow, in the HB Cumulative Caseload dataset and the U...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming IncentiveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104793More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as of 1st October 2025 how many SFI agreements included actions SAM1, NUM1, HRW1 and IPM1 broken down by individual action.
Answer: As of 1st October 2025, there were 32,405, Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements which included actions (C)SAM1, (C) NUM1, (C)HRW1 or (C)IPM1. The number of agreements containing these actions and the value of these actions broken down by individual ac...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming IncentiveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104792More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total annual payments made to businesses under the SFI for actions SAM1, NUM1, IPM1 and HRW1 (broken down by individual action) were at 1 October 2025.
Answer: As of 1st October 2025, there were 32,405, Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements which included actions (C)SAM1, (C) NUM1, (C)HRW1 or (C)IPM1. The number of agreements containing these actions and the value of these actions broken down by individual ac...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming IncentiveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104791More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the mean size in hectares was of businesses ranked in the top 4% of SFI annual revenue payments by October 2025.
Answer: The mean size of a businesses ranked in the top 4% of Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) annual revenue payments as of October 2025 is 803 hectares.
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming IncentiveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104790More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the mean and median total income per business for the Sustainable Farming Incentive was in the year to October 2025.
Answer: Farm businesses can hold multiple Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements under the SFI scheme. As of October 2025, there were 44,474 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreements including SFI 23 and SFI 24. Over the full term of the agreement the mean...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordInheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104190More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many estates were liable to inheritance tax passing on death in each parliamentary constituency, over the last five year period taken as a whole.
Answer: The estimated number of estates liable to Inheritance Tax, broken down by UK (Westminster) Parliamentary Constituency, is published annually as part of HMRC’s Inheritance Tax Liabilities statistics, and is available in Table 12.9 at: https://www.gov.uk/go...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordIntellectual Property Office: PayDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103401More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, for what reason employment and wage costs have increased at the Intellectual Property Office since April 2017.
Answer: The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is an executive agency of the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), with delegated responsibility for operational matters including salaries. Salary costs have increased since 2017 due to two main ...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGambling Commission: CostsDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103400More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason employment and wage costs have increased at the Gambling Commission since April 2017.
Answer: Since April 2017, the Gambling Commission’s headcount has increased to maintain its capacity and capability to regulate a growing sector, which is subject to heightened public scrutiny. The Commission has also, like other public bodies, awarded its staff ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArts Council England: PayDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103399More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the drivers of and reasons for the almost trebling of the wage and salary costs of Arts Council England since April 2017.
Answer: Arts Council England (ACE) is an arms-length body of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). As such, ACE is responsible for its own operational matters, including wage and salary costs. Nevertheless, they are in scope of the Cabinet Office an...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHM Land Registry: PayMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103398More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the drivers of and reasons for the doubling of the wage and salary costs of the Land Registry since April 2017.
Answer: HM Land Registry’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2016-17 and 2024-25 respectively show that staff costs for permanent HMLR employees have increased from £168 million to £326 million. The drivers of this increase are a combination of the compound interest...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPlanning Inspectorate: PayMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103397More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the drivers of and reasons for the doubling of the wage and salary costs of the Planning Inspectorate since April 2017.
Answer: The Planning Inspectorate deals with a range of planning and environmental casework from across government including: planning and environmental appeals, including against refusals of planning related applications by Local Planning Authorities and refusal...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMining Remediation Authority: PayDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103396More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the drivers of and reasons for the more than doubling of the wage and salary costs of the Mining Remediation Authority since April 2017.
Answer: Forecast headcount at the Mining Remediation Authority for the end of March 2026 is c460 full time equivalent posts which has increased since April 2017 in line with the growth in the complexity and number of 24/7 incidents. Pay cases submitted by the Min...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordOfgem: PayDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103395More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason wage and salary costs have increased at Ofgem since April 2017.
Answer: Ofgem is governed by its Board (the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority - GEMA) and is directly accountable to Parliament for the performance of its functions and duties. Operational decisions regarding wage and salary costs are a matter for Ofgem.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordClimate Change Committee: PayDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103394More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason wage and salary costs have increased at the Committee on Climate Change since April 2017.
Answer: Pay arrangements for the CCC’s permanent staff are governed by the Cabinet Office pay remit guidance and process. The CCC has a vital role providing independent, expert advice on reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change, and staff ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNuclear Decommissioning Authority: PayDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103393More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason employment and wage costs have increased at the Nuclear Decommisioning Authority since April 2017.
Answer: The NDAs mission involves complex and hazardous nuclear decommissioning, requiring advanced technical engineering and project management skills. These roles command higher than average salaries due to scarcity and competition for nuclear expertise. Since ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordForestry Commission: StaffDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Forestry Commission's annual reports for 2017-18 and 2024-25, which teams and roles within the Forestry Commission have expanded since April 2017; and for what re
Answer: 2017/20182024/2025Forestry Commission Staff310560Directors & Senior Civil Servants54Forest Research Staff230417Directors & Senior Civil Servants13Total Staff540977Directors & Senior Civil Servants67Total546984 The information on headcount ...
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUK Research and Innovation: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101462More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to Table 2 in the UKRI Budget Allocation, published on 17 December 2025, if she will itemise the wider priorities category of targeted investment in industrial strategy g
Answer: In addition to funding for the Industrial Strategy sectors, UKRI’s allocations towards strategic governmental and societal priorities and innovative company support include dedicated funding for wider priorities. This category is intended to be open to ta...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Performance AppraisalForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100979More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many and what proportion of staff in each grade were rated in the top performance category in the last year.
Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office employs approximately 17,500 staff across hundreds of locations worldwide, many of which operate with locally managed HR arrangements and procedures. While we are able to say that around 15 per cent of thes...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeCabinet OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101070More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of UK students who will access the Erasmus scheme in 2027-28, 2028-29 and 2029-30.
Answer: We have now concluded negotiations with the European Commission on association to Erasmus+ in 2027. Our commitment covers the 2027/28 academic year. We will now work closely with institutions and our young people to maximise take-up, particularly among di...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of he number of UK students who will access the Erasmus scheme in 2027-28, 2028-29 and 2029-30.
Answer: The UK and European Commission have reached an agreement in principle for the UK’s association to Erasmus+ in 2027.The department expects that over 100,000 people could benefit from mobility and partnership opportunities from participation in 2027. Our im...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: UK Relations with EUDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101068More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what funding has been allocated to programmes relating to the UKs relationship with Europe in the (a) 2026-7, (b) 2028-9 and (c) 2029-30 financial years.
Answer: The Department is currently undertaking its internal business planning process, through which it will set programme budgets ahead of the new financial year. Details on DWP budgets are to be published in the explanatory memo for the 2026/27 Main Estimate.
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Education: UK Relations with EUDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101067More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding has been allocated to programmes relating to the UKs relationship with Europe in the (a) 2026-7, (b) 2028-9 and (c) 2029-30 financial years.
Answer: The European Union is the UK’s largest trading partner, and cooperation with our European partners is, among other issues, central to the government’s work on trade, security, illegal migration, development and climate change, not to mention our support f...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCabinet Office: UK Relations with EU: FinanceCabinet OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101066More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what funding has been allocated to programmes relating to the UKs relationship with Europe in the (a) 2026-7, (b) 2028-9 and (c) 2029-30 financial years.
Answer: The European Union is the UK’s largest trading partner, and cooperation with our European partners is – among other issues – central to the Government’s work on trade, security, illegal migration, development and climate change, not to mention our support...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: UK Relations with EUForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101065More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what funding has been allocated to programmes relating to the UKs relationship with Europe in the (a) 2026-7, (b) 2028-9 and (c) 2029-30 financial years.
Answer: The European Union is the UK's largest trading partner, and cooperation with our European partners is - among other issues - central to the Government's work on trade, security, illegal migration, development and climate change, not to mention our support...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Disciplinary ProceedingsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many disciplinary cases were concluded against civil servants in (a) the Department and (b) its agencies broken down by (i) outcome and (ii) whether the primary allegatio
Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office employs approximately 17,500 staff across hundreds of locations worldwide, many of which operate with locally managed HR arrangements and procedures. While we are able to say that around 15 per cent of thes...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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