Victoria Collins MP: written questions
786 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Engineering: Apprentices and TrainingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103586More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to expand apprenticeship and training programmes for engineering roles supporting digital and energy infrastructure development.
Answer: This Government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, backed by £725 million of additional investment, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners and support the industrial strategy.In August 2...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Business and Retail TradeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103585More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of agentic AI systems on high street businesses and retail employment levels.
Answer: AI is transforming the world of work. The UK must act now to ensure this transformation boosts growth, productivity and opportunity—rather than deepening inequality or eroding job quality. The government is not standing still: we’re investing in skills, m...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103045More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of AI on digital exclusion; and what steps her Department are taking to ensure that (a) people without access to devices or data, (b
Answer: Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world — from saving on everyday bills to finding better jobs and accessing vital services like the NHS. AI has the potential to transform the economy, how public services are delivered and people's lives...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: TrainingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103044More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans she has to fund (a) digital inclusion organisations and (b) community-based AI literacy programmes to support people who lack the skills or confidence to use AI-powered servi
Answer: Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world — from saving on everyday bills to finding better jobs and accessing vital services like the NHS. That is why – as part of the First Steps confirmed in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan – we launch...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFloods: Home InsuranceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103043More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of household insurance policies ceded to the Flood Re scheme; and what safeguards ar
Answer: Flood Re monitors exposure trends closely, including the volume and characteristics of policies ceded to the scheme. Officials routinely meet Flood Re to discuss these topics. Minister Hardy also engaged industry leaders at an insurance roundtable last ye...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordProperty Development: Water SupplyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103042More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of requiring water and sewerage companies to provide capacity assessments for water supply and wastewater infrastr
Answer: The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes policies that will support the development and operation...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: WaterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103041More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she plans to respond to the consultation on changes to the Water Efficiency Standard in the Building Regulations 2010, Part G; and whether she plans to implement new water-use sta
Answer: Defra is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to explore whether Building Regulations could be amended to tighten water efficiency standards and enable consumers to use less water and save on their water and energy bills....
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Supply: PlanningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103040More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve planning and permitting processes for strategic water-resource schemes approved within Water Resource Management Plans, particularly to enable abstr
Answer: The Government is working towards improving soil health across England by measuring and monitoring the national condition of soil. Establishing a baseline is essential for evaluating change and identifying improvements or declines in soil health. National...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Supply: PlanningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103039More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on giving Water Resource Management Plans and Drainage and Wastewater Management
Answer: Government is currently consulting a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making, designed to make planning policy easier to use and underpin the delivery of faster and si...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWater: ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103038More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to introduce a Mandatory Water Efficiency Label under the Environment Act 2021.
Answer: Defra is committed to introducing a Mandatory Water Efficiency Label scheme under the Environment Act 2021. This label could a save total of 23 billion litres of water over 10 years and save £57 million on water bills and £71 million on energy bills over ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBeer and Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103037More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has had discussions with the Valuation Office Agency on mitigating business rates increases for pubs and breweries; and what steps she is taking to prevent sudden increases in bills for those
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBeer and Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103036More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) revaluation of pubs’ rateable values and (b) ending of the 40% business rates relief on (i) the financial viability of pubs and breweries and (iii) the
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how she will support children, parents and carers to understand the safe use and risks of generative AI tools.
Answer: Protecting children from harm online is a top priority for this government. This year, the government will be supporting a NSPCC summit at Wilton Park on the impact of AI on childhood. This will bring together experts, technology companies, civil society ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the role that industry standards can play in ensuring that generative AI has a positive impact on children.
Answer: Industry standards are essential to ensure generative AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly. They set clear expectations for safety, transparency, and accountability, helping to protect children from harmful content and promote positive educat...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she plans to take to include children’s perspectives in the policymaking process for generative AI.
Answer: This year, the government will be supporting a summit at Wilton Park on the impact of AI on childhood. This will bring together experts, technology companies, civil society and young people to explore how AI can benefit children without exposing them to h...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPension Funds: InvestmentTreasuryTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102233More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to encourage UK pension funds to invest in domestic scale-up companies.
Answer: In May 2025, 17 of the largest workplace pension providers signed the Mansion House Accord and voluntarily committed to invest at least 10 per cent of their defined contribution default funds in private markets by 2030, with at least half of that invested...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101583More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential role of app store age verification in improving online safety.
Answer: Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has a duty to publish a report on the role of app stores in children accessing harmful content on the apps of regulated services. The report will also assess the use and effectiveness of age assurance on app stores. This...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101125More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Ofcom's response to harmful content online.
Answer: On December 4, Ofcom released a summary of the tech sector's response to the UK's new online safety rules. While there has been progress, further action is needed, including major services. Ofcom has our full backing in using all available powers to prote...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101123More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support a coordinated regulatory framework for artificial intelligence across different regulatory bodies.
Answer: Given the range of applications of AI and the pace of change, the government recognises that collaboration between regulators is key for an effective regulatory framework. Our expert UK regulators are already collaborating extensively, including through t...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBritish Business BankDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101121More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the mandate is for the British Business Bank's direct investment programme in scale-up companies.
Answer: The British Business Bank’s mandate for making direct equity investments in scale-up companies is set out in the Statement of Strategic Priorities issued to the Bank by the Secretary of State and the Chancellor. This was published on 21 October 2025. At t...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAI Growth ZonesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101120More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress she has made on the delivery of AI Growth Zones; how many zones have been formally designated; and whether regulatory reforms have been implemented within those zones.
Answer: AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) are a national mission to give the UK the world-class infrastructure it needs to lead in artificial intelligence, unlock billions in private investment, and drive long-term economic growth.Following a formal application process, we...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: CopyrightDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101118More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of copyright law on the ability of companies to train AI models in the UK.
Answer: The government consulted on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI). We have carefully analysed the responses and continue to engage extensively on this issue, including through technical working group...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPaediatrics: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101116More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of enabling children waiting over 26 weeks for a paediatric appointment to be seen by alternative NHS-commissioned providers.
Answer: Patients in England have a right to request their local integrated care board (ICB) find an alternative provider when they have been waiting, or expect to wait, over 18 weeks to begin treatment for consultant-led care.ICBs are required to take all reasona...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPaediatrics: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101114More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide support or funding to NHS Trusts with paediatric waiting times exceeding 26 weeks.
Answer: The Government’s ambition is to restore performance against the NHS Constitutional standard, which requires 92% of patients to start consultant-led treatment within 18 weeks.All waiting lists are subject to clinical prioritisation at a local level. The Na...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPaediatrics: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101113More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has issued to Integrated Care Boards on clinically prioritising children whose symptoms are deteriorating while awaiting paediatric referral allocation.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that patient outcomes will be at the heart of building a National Health Service that is fit for the future.National planning guidance sets expectations for systems to prioritise clinically urgent cases and those at...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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