Sarah Smith MP: written questions
20 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Visas: Reciprocal ArrangementsCabinet OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12575More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of an equitable mobility arrangement, separate to the Freedom of Movement arrangement, between the UK and the EU.
Answer: This Government is committed to ensuring opportunities for young British citizens to live, work, study, and travel across the European Union. That is why at the 2025 UK-EU Summit, we agreed to negotiate a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU, prov...
Answered 17 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Servants: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12574More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to reduce delays and service issues with the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
Answer: The administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office awarded Capita the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme in November 2023 under the previous government. The current d...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Respite CareDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12573More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to make Breaktime Plus more accessible to people; and if she will publish guidance on the running of Breaktime Plus.
Answer: Breaktime Plus is a short breaks programme run by Lancashire County Council. Local authorities have a duty to publish their own short breaks offer, and the government has supported them in this by publishing the lessons learned from the Short Breaks Innov...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: ComplaintsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12572More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to universal credit migration, what steps the Department is taking to ensure complaints are resolved within the 25-working-day statutory timeframe, particularly where claimant health is a
Answer: The Department is committed to resolving complaints relating to Move to Universal Credit as quickly and effectively as possible, particularly where a claimant's health or wellbeing may be at risk. Cases involving vulnerability, safeguarding concerns or he...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPublic Sector: Workplace PensionsTreasuryTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12570More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support people waiting for correct Remediable Service Statement and payment.
Answer: Scheme managers of the individual public service pension schemes are responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the McCloud remedy and for supporting their scheme’s members. I have written to scheme managers to remind them of their responsibilitie...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTeachers: Workplace PensionsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps are being taken in response to delays and service issues in respect of the Teachers Pension Scheme.
Answer: Providing a good quality of service for members is a key aim for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.The department consistently monitors the scheme administrator’s performance and maintains strong oversight through contract management processes and an independe...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordExtracurricular Activities: HyndburnDepartment for EducationTabled 16 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 900543More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department plans to take to help increase enrichment activities for children and young people in educational settings in Hyndburn.
Answer: The department is committed to ensuring all young people across England can access a wide range of enrichment opportunities at school and college, as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure all children deserve a childhood wit...
Answered 23 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: NursesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 906541More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the role of school nurses in tackling health inequalities.
Answer: School nurses are crucial in tackling health inequalities but we know we can do more to support them. That is why we are updating the Healthy Child Programme guidance, informed by the Department for Education, which will strengthen school nurses’ impact.A...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEqualityWomen and EqualitiesTabled 13 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 903271More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote equality as part of the Government mission entitled Break Down Barriers to Opportunity.
Answer: Through the Opportunity Mission, we’re creating a fairer Britain, giving every child the best start in life and building the skills to drive economic growth and open up opportunities for all. We’re already making progress to ensure where you're from doesn...
Answered 19 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 11 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 903215More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the welfare system in supporting families with disabled children.
Answer: Families with disabled children get an extra amount of Universal Credit of up to £487.58 per month, no matter how many children they have. This increased in line with inflation. If they are receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Pa...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSchool Games: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21746More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether funding for the School Games Organiser network will continue beyond March 2025.
Answer: The Government has confirmed funding for the School Games Organisers (SGOs) until the end of the 2024/25 Academic Year. Funding beyond then will be confirmed ahead of the start of the 2025/26 Financial Year, with funding from April 2026 onwards subject to...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21490More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to tackle online disinformation.
Answer: Our immediate focus is getting the Online Safety Act (OSA) implemented quickly and effectively. The OSA sets out a clear regulatory framework to tackle both mis- and disinformation where it constitutes illegal content or harmful content to children.In add...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: AbuseDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support families of (a) missing and (b) deceased individuals that are experiencing online abuse.
Answer: The government is committed to supporting families who have endured unimaginable losses. The Online Safety Act will help address challenges faced by bereaved parents when engaging with online services following a child’s death. The Act gives Ofcom the pow...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21487More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Government is taking to regulate online content.
Answer: The government is working with Ofcom to implement the Online Safety Act as quickly and effectively as possible. The Act, once implemented, will require services to tackle illegal content online and protect children from harmful content. On 16 December 202...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: Abuse and HarassmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21486More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with social media companies to protect online users from anonymous accounts publishing abusive and offensive material.
Answer: The Online Safety Act will require social media platforms to take more responsibility for the safety of their users. Platforms will need to remove all illegal abusive content and protect children from harmful content, including hateful and abusive content...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: Abuse and HarassmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21485More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help tackle online harassment and abuse on social media.
Answer: The Online Safety Act will require social media platforms to take more responsibility for the safety of their users. Platforms will need to remove all illegal abusive content and protect children from harmful content, including hateful and abusive content...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNuisanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21483More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that local communities are consulted on statutory nuisances.
Answer: The Statutory Nuisance Regime under Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA) is designed to provide protection from nuisances including noise, odour, smoke, fumes, artificial light, infestations and accumulations. Local authorities are re...
Answered 7 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordShops: Opening HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21481More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to ensure that local authorities consult local communities on authorising the opening of shops operating for 24 hours a day.
Answer: There are no general restrictions on shop opening hours aside from Sunday trading restrictions on large shops, which the Government has no plans to change. However, for new properties or those selling alcohol, additional restrictions may apply subject to ...
Answered 7 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordShops: Opening HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21480More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance her Department issues for local authorities on authorising the opening of shops for 24 hours a day.
Answer: There are no general restrictions on shop opening hours aside from Sunday trading restrictions on large shops, which the Government has no plans to change. However, for new properties or those selling alcohol, additional restrictions may apply subject to ...
Answered 7 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordImport DutiesTreasuryTabled 5 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12873More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review import duty.
Answer: This Government has committed to publishing a Trade Strategy which sets out the UK’s approach to trade. The Trade Strategy will consider a range of levers to achieve our economic and international objectives. As with all policy, the Government keeps impor...
Answered 15 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record
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