Alex Sobel MP: written questions
280 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Asylum: ChinaHome OfficeTabled 15 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1686More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum claims have been submitted by asylum seekers from the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, since May 2015; and how many of those were successful.
Answer: The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the number of people claiming asylum and initial decisions on asylum claims, by nationality, is published in tables Asy_D01 and Asy_D02 of the ‘Asyl...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament recordNational ParksDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 354More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made towards the Government’s commitment to reform the governance and statutory purposes of National Parks through legislation.
Answer: The Government has delivered in providing the National Park Authorities and the Broads Authority with a new general power of competence through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 and remains committed to strengthening the governance...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordExtracurricular Activities: Leeds Central and HeadingleyDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126672More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that the enrichment entitlement is received by young people in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.
Answer: The government is committed to ensuring all young people across England can access a variety of enrichment opportunities at school and college as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.To support delivery of the enrichment entitlement s...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWorking Conditions: SanitationDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126671More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department plans to issue to employers on obligations under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 following the High Court judgment in Good Law Project v EHRC [20
Answer: The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces. Employers and building owners have to provide suitable welfare facilities for all workers. The Regulati...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWorking Conditions: SanitationWomen and EqualitiesTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126670More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps her Department is taking to ensure trans workers are not discriminated against on grounds of gender reassignment in the context of the High Court judgment in Good Law Project v EHRC [2026] EWHC 279
Answer: We are grateful for the clarity from the High Court’s judgment. We are clear that the laws to protect trans people from discrimination and harassment remain in place. Trans people continue to be protected on the basis of gender reassignment – a protected ...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: ReconstructionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department taking to support the inclusion of Syrian youth and women in post-conflict reconstruction and decision-making processes, including fundin
Answer: The UK regularly engages with the Syrian Government to press for an inclusive political transition that protects the rights of all Syrians, including women and young people. This was raised directly with President Al Sharaa during his visit to London on 3...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: Heat NetworksDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to ADE's Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks research paper, whether he is taking steps to reform planning arrangements to capture potential £1.2 billion annual saving
Answer: The Warm Homes Plan sets our strategy for upgrading buildings, including. the case for heat networks to decarbonise heat whilst reducing the cost of upgrading the grid. We estimate that heat network deployment will save £5-7 billion in avoided distributio...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHeat Pumps: Urban AreasDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to ADE's Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks research paper, whether he has made an assessment of the value for money of the Department’s target for individual air sou
Answer: The Department’s latest assessment of the value for money of heat pump deployment is outlined in the March 2026 impact assessment of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The scheme is demand-led, and funds installations in urban and semi-urban areas, including Leed...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: Heat NetworksDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the research paper by ADE entitled Electricity System Benefits of Heat Networks, published on 11 January 2025.
Answer: The Warm Homes Plan sets our strategy for upgrading buildings, including. the case for heat networks to decarbonise heat whilst reducing the cost of upgrading the grid. We estimate that heat network deployment will save £5-7 billion in avoided distributio...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Instruction: QualificationsDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125481More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has considered extending the validity period of theory test certificates for Approved Driving Instructor candidates whose certificates are at risk of expiring before they can sit the Part
Answer: The two-year validity period of a theory test certificate, including for approved driving instructors (ADI), is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it. DVSA is recruiting additional examiners in...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Instruction: QualificationsDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125480More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for Approved Driving Instructor Part 2 and Part 3 tests.
Answer: The two-year validity period of a theory test certificate, including for approved driving instructors (ADI), is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it. DVSA is recruiting additional examiners in...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAlternative Fuels: Greenhouse Gas EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125398More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress the Government has made in 2026 to date on incorporating permanent greenhouse-gas removals into the Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate.
Answer: The Government has welcomed the Independent Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) Review, in which the incorporation of permanent GGRs in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate was recommended. Government is considering the recommendations and will respond in...
Answered 17 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCarbon Capture and Storage and IncineratorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125397More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Government is taking steps to implement the recommendations of the Whitehead Review, including formally recognising WECCS (waste-energy carbon capture and storage) as a greenhouse
Answer: Even with our policies for greater waste prevention, reuse and a significant municipal waste recycling rate, there will still be a need to manage residual waste. Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities are a better option than landfill or incineration without ...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCarbon Capture and Storage and IncineratorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125396More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what analysis his Department has undertaken of the potential impacts of co-locating WECCS (waste-energy carbon capture and storage) with EfW (energy-from-waste) plants on regional energy syst
Answer: Carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) is fundamental to the deep decarbonisation of industries such as EfW. CCUS is the only net zero compliant technology for many types of plants in the residual waste management sector.The residential waste sector als...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCarbon Capture and Storage and IncineratorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125395More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the level of technical maturity and commercial readiness of WECCS (waste-energy carbon capture and storage) at EfW (energy-from-wast
Answer: Carbon capture and storage (CCUS) is fundamental to the deep decarbonisation of industries such as energy-from-waste (EfW). CCUS is the only net zero compliant technology for many types of plants in the residual waste management sector. The residential wa...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPerforming Arts: Leeds Central and HeadingleyDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125393More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support employment opportunities in i) theatre, and ii) the television and film sector, in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.
Answer: We want to boost opportunities and support so that people from across the country, including those in Leeds Central and Headingley, feel like a creative career is an option for them. In the Creative Industries Sector Plan, we committed to delivering a ref...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPerforming Arts: Leeds Central and HeadingleyDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125392More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what Government support is available to young people in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency seeking careers in i) theatre and ii) the television and film sector.
Answer: We want to boost opportunities and support so that people from across the country, including those in Leeds Central and Headingley, feel like a creative career is an option for them. In the Creative Industries Sector Plan, we committed to delivering a ref...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPapua: HomicideForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact for her policies of reports of the killing of five West Papuan civilians by Indonesian police in Dogiyai Regency; and wha
Answer: We are concerned about the recent increase in violence in Papua, including the fatalities in Dogiyai Regency. I visited Indonesia in February and underlined the importance the UK attaches to human rights and raised Papua directly with the Vice Foreign Min...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUniversal CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124895More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the three month relevant period for LCWRA on applications; and what the reason for that period is.
Answer: The LCWRA element will be paid from the start of the Assessment Period following the Assessment Period in which the ‘relevant period’ ended. This replicates the 13-week assessment period applied to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claims and is used...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDyslexia: Advisory Services and TrainingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available to ensure that individuals with dyslexia can access practical, skills-based career pathways.
Answer: Good work is good for health, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. In our Pathways to Work Green Paper we set out our Pathways to Work offer, backed by £1 billion a year of new funding by the end of ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAchalasia: Leeds Central and HeadingleyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121921More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) diagnosis of and (b) medical support for people with achalasia in Leeds Central and Headingley constituency.
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting those with achalasia. Achalasia can affect both adults and children. The paediatric aspect is commissioned through specialised commissioning but if it is missed in childhood, any adults who present with it are usu...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Crimes of AggressionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121455More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the UK will sign the Council of Europe memorandum to the Special Tribunal on Crimes of Aggression Against Ukraine.
Answer: The UK is a strong and consistent supporter of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which will hold to account those senior political and military leaders responsible for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The UK has ...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIraq: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120002More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will consider the potential merits of adding Iraq to the list of countries where British nationals can register their presence with her Department.
Answer: The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority, and on that basis, we continue to recommend against all travel to all regions of Iraq. We keep our travel advice and our response to the current crisis under constant review, but there are ...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDrax Power Station: TimberDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118857More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to his answer of 27 February 2026 to question 113391 regarding the climate impact of Drax’s burning of wood, how many years it takes for the carbon debt to be paid off by replacement
Answer: Biomass feedstocks for power production at Drax utilise waste wood and residues from productive forestry for other wood products. The carbon balance of these depends on forest type and management, amongst other variables, and cannot be attributed to the g...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDrax Power Station: TimberDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118856More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to his answer of 27 February 2026 to Question 113391 regarding the impact of Drax’s burning of wood on carbon sequestration, what is his calculation for the number of years it takes
Answer: Biomass feedstocks for power production at Drax utilise waste wood and residues from productive forestry for other wood products. The carbon balance of these depends on forest type and management, amongst other variables, and cannot be attributed to the g...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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