Alex Easton MP: written questions 2024

Written questions

• Shipbuilding: Harland and WolffNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7182More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide (a) financial and (b) other support for Harland and Wolff’s Belfast shipyard.

  Answer: Following a comprehensive assessment of the company’s financial profile and the criteria set out in UK Government risk policies, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade confirmed in a Written Ministerial Statement on 22 July that the UK Government h...

  Answered 11 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Personal Independence PaymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7181More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the consultation entitled Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper, published on 29 April 2024, what her policy is on the use of (a) cash payme

  Answer: The consultation entitled Modernising Support for Independent Living: the health and disability green paper ran for 12 weeks and closed on Monday 22 July. We received over 16,000 responses, demonstrating the depth of feeling about this important policy ar...

  Answered 14 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• South Africa: War GravesMinistry of DefenceTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5763More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to help ensure the maintenance of the graves of British servicemen in Simon’s Town, South Africa.

  Answer: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) maintain 185 graves, mostly of the fallen from the two World Wars at Dido Valley Cemetery, and (on behalf of the Ministry of Defence) 41 graves from the Anglo-Boer War at the Seaforth Cemetery in Simon’s Town,...

  Answered 14 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Income Tax: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 11 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5491More

  Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising the personal tax allowance to £15,000.

  Answer: The previous government announced the Personal Allowance would be maintained at its current level of £12,570 until April 2028. The government must ensure the tax system supports strong public finances. Sound fiscal policy is key to economic stability and,...

  Answered 7 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Gaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4133More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help increase levels of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

  Answer: As set out in the Foreign Secretary's statement on 2 September, it is the assessment of this Government that Israel could reasonably do more to ensure that lifesaving food and medical supplies reach civilians in Gaza, in the light of the appalling humanit...

  Answered 9 Sept 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Police Service of Northern Ireland: FinanceTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4132More

  Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will provide additional funding to the PSNI for training new recruits.

  Answer: The Northern Ireland Executive (NIE) receives Barnett consequentials on spending on policing and justice by the UK Government in England and Wales. Any Barnett consequentials in 2024-25 are subject to a 24% needs-based uplift, to reflect the higher level ...

  Answered 11 Sept 2024

  Original Parliament record
• NavyMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2209More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the size of the Royal Navy fleet.

  Answer: The Strategic Defence Review will determine the roles, capabilities and reforms required by UK Defence, including the Royal Navy, to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the twenty-first century, deliverable and affordable within the resource...

  Answered 5 Sept 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1131More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she is taking steps to incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in (a) policy and (b) legislation.

  Answer: The rights of disabled people under this Convention are largely reflected in domestic policies and legislation, including the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland. We are committe...

  Answered 29 Jul 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Community Ownership FundMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 463More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to (a) support communities across the UK in taking ownership of assets at risk of closure and (b) ensure their continued use for community benefit th

  Answer: The English Devolution Bill will empower communities with a strong new ‘right to buy’ beloved community assets, such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces. We will make further announcements in due course.

  Answered 26 Jul 2024

  Original Parliament record