Sonia Kumar MP: written questions
77 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Health Services: Digital TechnologyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72815More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to help ensure digital health services are accessible for patients in the most disadvantaged areas; and in what way he plans to support vulnerable communities with enhan
Answer: We are using technology to help health and care professionals communicate better and enable people to access the care they need quickly and easily, when it suits them. Dudley Council is implementing digital technologies to support person-centred care, inc...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: West MidlandsHome OfficeTabled 21 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department plans to provide for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages courses in the West Midlands Combined Authority area in 2025-2026.
Answer: The Home Office does not fund Mayoral Combined Authorities for provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Please refer to the response dated 4th July from my Ministerial colleague in the Department for Education, Janet Daby MP, the Minis...
Answered 5 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth: WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the UK's 41st place in the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, what steps his Department is taking to improve women's health.
Answer: The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build a National Health Service fit for the future. Our focus is on turning the commitments in the Women's Health Strategy into tangible action, such as providing emergency hormonal contrace...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEyesight: TestingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to make eye tests mandatory for primary school children.
Answer: There are currently no plans to make eye tests mandatory for primary school children. The UK National Screening Committee recommends vision screening in school for children aged four to five years old, to look for reduced vision in one or both eyes.In add...
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEnvironment Protection: West MidlandsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63415More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support green projects in the Black Country.
Answer: The Government supports local places to drive action to deliver green projects and help realise our national net zero targets. Great British Energy will partner with community energy groups and local government, including Mayoral Strategic Authorities, to...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Transport: DudleyDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63414More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to improve transport connectivity in Dudley constituency.
Answer: This Government is committed to restoring pride and trust in a transport system that works – day in, day out – for the people who rely on it. That is why we have allocated substantial funding to the West Midlands Combined Authority, to enable it to make t...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEconomic Growth: DudleyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63413More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to increase economic growth in Dudley constituency.
Answer: The recently announced Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy, forming part of our wider Growth Mission, aim to support businesses across the country by creating the conditions for companies to invest, employ and grow. Dudley, with its rich manufacturing ...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordIncontinence: PregnancyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63412More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to take steps to increase awareness of the importance of pelvic floor strength for women before pregnancy to prevent post pregnancy incontinence.
Answer: Supporting women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy is a priority for the Government. The women’s health area on the National Health Service’s website brings together over 100 health topics for women seeking health information, including informa...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordIncontinenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63411More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including incontinence in medical training for all healthcare professionals.
Answer: No assessment has been made. The standard of training for healthcare professionals is the responsibility of the independent statutory regulatory bodies who set the outcome standards expected at undergraduate level and approve courses. Higher education ins...
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordNurseries: AccidentsDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63410More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of publishing records of incidents and fatalities at nurseries.
Answer: The department’s priority is to grow high-quality, affordable and flexible education and care for children, whilst ensuring their safety, giving every child the best start of life and delivering on our Plan for Change.The department is responsible for set...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordYouth ServicesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) accessibility and (b) range of youth facilities in areas where the population is expanding.
Answer: We will not be making an assessment of youth facilities based on areas where populations are expanding. Local Authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-ti...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Emissions Trading Scheme: ConstructionDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63357More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the emissions trading scheme on the clay brick and rooftile industry.
Answer: UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) participants, including the clay brick and rooftile sector, are provided with free allocations, reducing their exposure to the carbon price and mitigating their risk of carbon leakage whilst continuing to provide an in...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63355More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what comparative assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for EHCP plans in (a) the UK, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Dudley constituency.
Answer: The department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, following the Autumn Budget 2024. This brings total high needs funding for children and young people with special educational needs and...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: BricksMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63258More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with brick manufacturers on meeting the demand for new homes.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60503 on 25 June 2025.
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHousehold Support FundDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63257More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to review guidance on the application process of the Household Support Fund.
Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions have no plans to review the guidance on the application process for this iteration of the Household Support Fund, having reviewed and updated the guidance to launch the scheme on 1 April 2025. Local Authorities have th...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLand BankingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63256More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans her Department has taken to help tackle land banking.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60243 on 24 June 2025.
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordProperty Development: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to help support councils to require developers to (a) complete and (b) refurbish (i) building sites and (ii) existing empty buildings.
Answer: The Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) for 2021-26 allows a proportion of programme delivery to come from new build and second-hand home acquisitions and funding replacement homes on regeneration schemes where there is a positive impact on overall housing s...
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMedicine: Postgraduate EducationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take in the context of trends in the level of competition for training places in postgraduate medical training.
Answer: We are aware that competition ratios for speciality training have grown in recent years, and that this is causing concern across the medical profession.As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan published on 3 July, we will work across Government to prioritise...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to increase funding for mental health services for children.
Answer: The Government is investing an extra £688 million this year to transform mental health services, including support for children. The 2025 Spending Review confirmed that we will fulfil our commitment to provide access to mental health support within school...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCommunity Health Services: Medical EquipmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the 10-year health plan will include policies on (a) community equipment services and (b) the timely provision of community care equipment.
Answer: The Government will deliver a National Health Service fit for the future, creating a truly modern health service designed to meet the changing needs of our changing population. Moving care from hospitals into the community and putting the building blocks ...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63250More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support her Department is providing to schools that are experiencing an increase in pupils with an EHCP.
Answer: This government wants all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to achieve and thrive. We will set out our plans for SEND and alternative provision (AP) reform in a Schools White Paper this autumn.We are increasi...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Care Services: QualificationsDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure awarding bodies for hair and beauty qualifications update their (a) guidance and (b) training to promote inclusivity for all (i) hair and (ii) skin types.
Answer: This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). I have asked its Chief Regulator, Sir Ian Bauckham, to write to my hon. Friend, the member for Dudley directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries ...
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Care Services: QualificationsDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63248More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she considered the potential merits of providing a higher level of funding to help support the implementation of the updated National Occupational Standards for hair and beauty qualifications.
Answer: It is appreciated that over time National Occupational Standards change. The department expects providers to use the available funding to undertake any changes required.The department uses the 16 to 19 funding formula to calculate the funding to instituti...
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding her Department provides for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages courses in the West Midlands Combined Authority area.
Answer: The department will provide approximately £1.4 billion in funding for the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) in the 2025/26 academic year to ensure that adult learners can access the education and training they need to get into employment or progress in work. The AS...
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Emissions Trading SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 6 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58126More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when her Department will publish the response to the consultation entitled Extending the UK Emissions Trading Scheme cap beyond 2030.
Answer: The UK ETS Authority, the joint governance body comprising of the UK Government, Welsh Government, Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, is grateful for the range of stakeholder responses to the Extending the UK ETS cap beyond 2030 consu...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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