Paula Barker MP: written questions
350 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Small Businesses: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to provide additional funding to small businesses to help meet additional costs arising from the Autumn Budget 2024.
Answer: The Government remains committed to helping small businesses thrive and will be publishing our Small Business Strategy next year. This will set out our vision for all small businesses, from boosting scale-ups to growing the co-operative economy.At the Aut...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordOccupied Territories: Crimes against HumanityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14342More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with international counterparts on the collective measures available to ensure the implementation of treaty obligations to prevent genocide and ot
Answer: It is the UK's long-standing policy that any determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, and not for governments or non-judicial bodies. This approach ensures that any determination is abo...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Genocide ConventionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14341More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to fulfil its (a) duty to prevent and (b) other obligations under the Genocide Convention with respect to Gaza, with reference to (i) the
Answer: It is the UK's long-standing policy that any determination as to whether genocide has occurred is a matter for a competent national or international court, and not for governments or non-judicial bodies. This approach ensures that any determination is abo...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordIsrael and Occupied Territories: CrimeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14086More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a UN Investigative Team to (a) collect high-quality evidence on and (b) promote accountability for crime
Answer: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern and prosecuting their perpetrators. The UK respects the independence of the ICC in its extan...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12220More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on allowing medical aid into Gaza.
Answer: The humanitarian situation in Gaza is intolerable, and we remain deeply concerned by the impact of the conflict on access to medical facilities and healthcare. We are clear that Israel can and must do more to get aid into Gaza. The Prime Minister stressed...
Answered 12 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12217More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many social houses will be built by housing associations with Government support in the next 12 months.
Answer: I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024. The Government supports housing associations and local authorities to build new social and affordable housing through the Affordable Homes Programme. We do not set annual...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordParks: Urban AreasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12216More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities in maintaining parks in cities.
Answer: The Government supports local authorities in the maintenance of urban parks and green spaces in many ways. The Government’s Green Flag Awards scheme helps to increase access to quality green spaces and sets the standard for those spaces to meet the needs ...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAbortion: ClinicsHome OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12214More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with police forces on how to effectively enforce the law in respect to buffer zones around abortion clinics.
Answer: The Crown Prosecution Service published guidance on 31 October 2024, alongside further information from the College of Policing, setting out how the police and prosecutors should approach enforcing the new offence.
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordStudents: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12213More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to support students with (a) the cost of living and (b) accommodation costs.
Answer: The government is determined that the higher education funding system should deliver for our economy, for universities and for students. This government is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go t...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBusiness: Young PeopleDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to incentivise businesses to employ young people.
Answer: The Government’s plan to Make Work Pay is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all, including young people. In addition, the Department for Education has established Skills ...
Answered 13 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordTerrorism: Reading EastHome OfficeTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11904More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to address the intelligence failings outlined in the regulation 28 prevention of future deaths report issued on 20 May 2024 in the case of deaths in the Forbury Gar
Answer: The deaths of James Furlong, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails in the Forbury Gardens terror attack of 20 June 2020 were a tragedy. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of James, Joseph and David, and with all of ...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordTerrorism: Reading EastHome OfficeTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11903More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has responded to the regulation 28 prevention of future deaths report issued on 20 May 2024 in the case of deaths in the Forbury Gardens terror attack of 20 June 2020, to which a response
Answer: The deaths of James Furlong, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails in the Forbury Gardens terror attack of 20 June 2020 were a tragedy. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of James, Joseph and David, and with all of ...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordFilmDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10793More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that growth in the British film industry is shared across the UK.
Answer: The government is firmly committed to supporting the growth of the film industry across every nation and region. Through our UK-wide funding programmes, investment in infrastructure, tax reliefs and support for independent British content, we want the UK ...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordFilm: LiverpoolDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10792More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the growth of the film industry in Liverpool.
Answer: The government is firmly committed to supporting the growth of the film industry across every nation and region. Through our UK-wide funding programmes, investment in infrastructure, tax reliefs and support for independent British content, we want the UK ...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMerseyside Police: Organised CrimeHome OfficeTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10791More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help support Merseyside Police to tackle organised crime gangs.
Answer: The impact of Serious and Organised Crime (SOC) is felt on our streets and in our communities. The Home Office is committed to ensuring that the police have the capabilities they need to tackle this significant threat.Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) continu...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMerseyside Police: Crimes of ViolenceHome OfficeTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10790More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Merseyside Police on tackling (a) violent and (b) knife-related crime.
Answer: Tackling knife crime and violence is a top priority for the Government.We are already taking action to get dangerous weapons off the street. We have banned Zombie style knives and zombie style machetes, and the manufacture, supply, sale and possession of ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordTommy Robinson: DemonstrationsHome OfficeTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10789More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with the Metropolitan Police in relation to (a) reports of planned protests by Tommy Robinson on Saturday 26 October 2024 and (b) public protection during those protest
Answer: The Home Secretary is in regular contact with the Metropolitan Police Service on a range of issues, including public order.The management of demonstrations is an operational decision for the police, who are independent from government.
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordRadicalismHome OfficeTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10788More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to monitor far-right activity.
Answer: The government is absolutely committed to tackling those who spread views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities in our society, and that radicalise others into terrorism.To understand such threats, we routinely monitor and a...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of (a) trends in level of planning applications granted for buy-to-let developments and (b) the potential impa
Answer: The department does not hold data on planning applications for buy-to-let developments and we are therefore unable to assess the impact of trends in applications on first-time buyers.
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: Tenants' RightsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8915More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing private rented sector tenants' protections and rights of redress against (a) landlords and (b)
Answer: Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) schemes play a vital role in protecting tenant deposits and providing free alternative dispute resolution, should a deposit dispute arise at the end of a tenancy. TDP providers are appointed as authorised schemes through g...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services and Social Services: HomelessnessDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8905More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the guidance by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence entitled Integrated health and social care for people experiencing homelessness, published on 16 March 2022,
Answer: The Department recognises the importance of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines, and is working across the Government and the health system, and with local government, commissioners, and the voluntary sector, to continue to ...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: RentsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the role of letting agencies on trends in the level of rents in the private rented sector.
Answer: The Government keeps trends in the Private Rented Sector under review, including the role of letting agents.The English Private Landlord Survey 2021 asked landlords if they had increased their rent and, if so, what were their motivations for doing so. It ...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHome Care Services: PayDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8487More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that home care workers are paid correctly for their travel time.
Answer: All workers, including social care workers, must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for the work that they do. Time spent travelling between appointments counts as working time for minimum wage purposes. If anyone thinks th...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCommonwealth: LGBT+ PeopleForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8486More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help promote LGBT rights across the Commonwealth.
Answer: The UK is strongly committed to championing LGBT+ human rights and activists across the Commonwealth. This work is enabled by our £40 million LGBT+ Rights Programme, which supports the vital work of organisations such as The Commonwealth Equality Network ...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHomelessness: Departmental CoordinationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8485More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will have discussions with the Minister for Women and Equalities on a role for a Women and Equalities Minister in the cross-government strategy to tackle homelessness.
Answer: We will consult and engage a wide range of stakeholders to develop our new cross-government strategy to make sure we put in place services that meet people’s needs. This includes discussions with the Secretary of State for Education who has responsibility...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →