Alex Sobel MP: written questions
280 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Schools: Sanitary ProductsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12224More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the period product scheme will continue within schools in 2026-27.
Answer: Nobody should have to miss out on education due to their period, which is why the government provides access to free period products to girls and women who need them in their place of study. Schools and colleges are able to order free period products via ...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: CorrespondenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has any plans to offer engagement calls with hon. Members' offices to resolve ongoing cases expediently, such as the ones offered by the Home Office.
Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions recognise the importance of timely resolution of constituents’ cases and remains committed to supporting Members of Parliament and their offices in progressing enquiries. The Department already provides channels for MP...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: CorrespondenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8662More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department plans to respond to outstanding casework queries from the hon. Member for Leeds Central and Headingley dated between December 2025 and April 2026.
Answer: The department recognises there have been some delays to complaint responses due to increased volumes of complex complaints requiring more detailed investigation. To address this, the Department has deployed additional resources to complaints and correspo...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordGulf of Guinea: Natural Gas and OilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8660More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea oil and gas sector to UK energy security; and whether she plans to increase engagement with Nig
Answer: We continue to raise with Shell, including at Ministerial level, the importance of action to address the risks of pollution from oil production in the Niger Delta, in line with international standards. The regulation of companies within Nigeria and the go...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNigeria: OilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8649More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her polices of the governance framework for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector established under the administra
Answer: We continue to raise with Shell, including at Ministerial level, the importance of action to address the risks of pollution from oil production in the Niger Delta, in line with international standards. The regulation of companies within Nigeria and the go...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNigeria: OilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with Shell plc regarding environmental standards to uphold upon its return to onshore operations in the Niger Delta; and whether the G
Answer: We continue to raise with Shell, including at Ministerial level, the importance of action to address the risks of pollution from oil production in the Niger Delta, in line with international standards. The regulation of companies within Nigeria and the go...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDisabled Students' Allowances: Assistive TechnologyDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6779More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on disabled students, including on educational outcomes and equality, of proposals to restrict funding for specialist assistive software through D
Answer: Supporting disabled students to access and succeed in higher education is a government priority. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) provides support to remove disability-related barriers to learning, enabling students to access academic opportunities. DSA...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDisabled Students' Allowances: Assistive TechnologyDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6778More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evidence her Department used to conclude that free university tools can adequately replace specialist assistive technology funded by the Disabled Students Allowance to support disabled students with their
Answer: Supporting disabled students to access and succeed in higher education is a government priority. Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) provides support to remove disability-related barriers to learning, enabling students to access academic opportunities. DSA...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCommunity EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6777More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who are able to apply for Local Power Plans.
Answer: The DESNZ/GBE Local Power Plan is designed to engage a wide range of stakeholders and participants including community energy organisations, local authorities as well as investors and lenders. The initial entry route for those seeking support is typically...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTimber: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6479More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department distinguishes between sustainably managed commercial forestry and deforestation-linked timber imports.
Answer: The Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption indicator, funded by Defra, estimates that UK consumption of wood products is linked to circa 8,000 hectares of deforestation in 2023, associated with circa 0.4m tonnes of CO2 emissions. The UK has a robust ...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTimber: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of sustainably sourced imported timber on the UK’s net zero and decarbonisation objectives.
Answer: We recognise the important role timber can play in supporting Net Zero, including through reducing embodied emissions in construction and storing carbon. The Government relaunched a more ambitious Timber in Construction Roadmap in February 2025 to increas...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving LicencesDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6477More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce delays in processing driving licence applications.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to apply for and renew a driving licence. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their driving licence within a f...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDisaster ReliefForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the eligibility criteria and membership structure of the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) under the Humanitarian Respo
Answer: The Rapid Response Facility has not been used since 2019 and there are no plans to revive its use. Alternative mechanisms, such as the Start Fund have provided a more efficient route for providing funding to NGOs, and currently has a membership of 145 NGO...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHealthwatchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of the proposals to abolish Healthwatch, what steps he is taking to ensure that people feel safe providing feedback on the NHS or local authority services where that feedback is crit
Answer: Integrated care boards will have a statutory obligation to obtain the views of people who use health services, those who may use health services, and their carers and representatives. Local authorities will have the same responsibility in respect of care ...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHealthwatchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4578More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of the proposals to abolish Healthwatch, how he will ensure that people who are less likely to engage with health services directly, including those experiencing health inequalities,
Answer: The Patient Experience Directorate in the Department of Health and Social Care will focus on groups less likely to engage with health and care services. Statutory guidance published by the Department will make it clear that integrated care boards and loca...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHealthwatchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4577More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of plans to abolish Healthwatch, what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that patient feedback gathered by NHS bodies and local authorities is independently scrutinised.
Answer: The aim of our patient and public voice reforms is not to maintain the current independent structures, but to strengthen the patient and public’s voice so it drives real change and improvement to services at all levels of the health and social care system...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHealth Services and Social ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4576More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether guidance will be issued to Integrated Care Boards and local authorities on how to deliver independent and inclusive engagement with local communities.
Answer: On behalf of my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Department will set the direction, issuing clear guidance to integrated care boards and local authorities on obtaining and actioning the views of local people on health...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHealthwatchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4575More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of abolishing local Healthwatch on public trust in providing feedback on health and care services.
Answer: An impact assessment has been undertaken and published alongside the introduction of the Health Bill 2026. It outlines the non-monetised benefits, including the streamlining of the landscape and legislation, avoiding duplication of activity, and increased...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordWinter Fuel PaymentTreasuryTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4574More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many individuals in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency have been notified by HMRC that they must repay their Winter Fuel Payment due to income exceeding the eligibility threshold.
Answer: Population data on the number of individuals notified that they are liable for the Winter Fuel Payment tax charge is not available at constituency level.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAllied Health Professions: Leeds Central and HeadingleyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4397More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to recruit and retain allied health professionals in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.
Answer: The Government is committed to making the National Health Service the best place to work to support and retain our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are working closely with NHS England, employer...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: INTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 15 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1691More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has provided information on the outcome of UK asylum cases to (a) Interpol’s General Secretariat and (b) the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files under Interpol’s Reso
Answer: The Government has long-standing policies to neither confirm nor deny (NCND) the existence of an INTERPOL Red Notice or Diffusion against named individuals, and to not comment on an individual’s immigration or asylum status. This is to support the functio...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: ExtraditionHome OfficeTabled 15 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1690More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there are any cases where (a) an Interpol WPD and (b) a Red Notice has been issued against an individual granted political asylum in the UK.
Answer: The Government has long-standing policies to neither confirm nor deny (NCND) the existence of an INTERPOL Red Notice or Diffusion against named individuals, and to not comment on an individual’s immigration or asylum status. This is to support the functio...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament recordBiometrics and Criminal Records: Disclosure of InformationHome OfficeTabled 15 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1689More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what protocols are in place regarding the sharing of biometrics and criminal records data with non-EU, non-M5 partners.
Answer: The Home Office has bilateral arrangements for sharing criminal records data, including biometrics, with a small number of countries outside of the EU and Migration 5 (M5) / 5Eyes. Such data can also be shared with other countries on a case-by-case basis ...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: ChinaHome OfficeTabled 15 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1688More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many migrants from the People’s Republic of China have been removed to that country since May 2015.
Answer: The Home Office publishes data on returns in the ‘Immigration System Statistics quarterly release’. Data on returns of Chinese nationals to their home country can be found in table Ret_D01 of the ‘Returns detailed datasets’.
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: ChinaHome OfficeTabled 15 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1687More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum claims originating from the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, have been based on fear of persecution for reasons of political opinion since May 2015.
Answer: Information regarding basis of claim is not published and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament record
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