Alex Sobel MP: written questions
280 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Drax Power Station: TimberDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118855More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to his Answer of 27 February 2026 to Question 113391 on the role of Drax in the power system, including its private sector clients, how many tonnes of wood were burned by Drax in eac
Answer: Government does not gather or hold information on fuel used by Drax each year, however this data is published by Drax in the company’s annual ESG report, ESG Performance Report - Drax Global. Fuel use is also monitored and assured as part of the operation...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBatteries: Fire PreventionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118854More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what interventions she plans to put in place to mitigate the public safety and economic risks posed by batter fires in waste centres.
Answer: The department is aware from ongoing discussions with industry that the reported costs of battery fires in waste centres are significant, and this is a major concern. Defra is currently considering options for reforms of the batteries regulations that wou...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBatteries: Waste DisposalDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118853More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the annual cost to the economy of battery fires in waste centres.
Answer: The department is aware from ongoing discussions with industry that the reported costs of battery fires in waste centres are significant, and this is a major concern. Defra is currently considering options for reforms of the batteries regulations that wou...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLithium-ion Batteries: SafetyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118852More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the number of lithium-ion battery-related fire incidents recorded in 2023–24 on the environment.
Answer: Defra has not carried out a formal assessment of the potential impact on the environment of lithium-ion battery-related fires recorded between 2023 and 2024. Battery-related fire incidents are a significant concern, and we remain engaged with wider Govern...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLithium-ion Batteries: SafetyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118851More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential risks posed by lithium-ion batteries on public safety.
Answer: Product safety laws require consumer products containing lithium-ion batteries, and batteries themselves, to be safe when they are placed on the market. Businesses have obligations to ensure the safety of products they manufacturer or import, and regulato...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118850More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 of March 2026 to Question 115500 on Private Rented Housing: Repairs and Maintenance, what steps his Department is taking to encourage private landlord
Answer: The government encourages landlords to consider the benefits and feasibility of bringing properties up to our new Decent Homes Standard (DHS) at the earliest opportunity. By publishing the standard now, we are providing a clear framework for landlords to ...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordVisas: RussiaHome OfficeTabled 25 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115954More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many visas were issued to Russian citizens in each of the last three years.
Answer: The Home Office publishes data on entry clearance visas by nationality in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on the outcomes of visa applications are published in table ‘Vis_D02’ of the detailed entry clearance visas dataset. Info...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWestern Sahara: Vehicle Number PlatesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114063More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has reviewed the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council noting Morocco’s requirement that MINURSO use Moroccan vehicle number plates west of the be
Answer: The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding ...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWestern Sahara: MauritaniaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114062More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has reviewed the UN Secretary-General’s report to the Security Council noting the construction by Morocco of a second additional crossing from occupied Western Sa
Answer: The UK Government consistently urges all states to uphold international law, and we continue to encourage constructive engagement with the political process led by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Mr Staffan de Mistura in support of finding ...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNuclear Fusion: Supply ChainsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114045More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to support the development of UK-based fusion supply chains.
Answer: The Government is making a record investment of over £2.5 billion over five years in fusion energy, including funding for STEP, the UK’s world-leading programme to design and build a prototype power plant in Nottinghamshire. As set out in the Industrial S...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSTEP ProgrammeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114044More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the funding commitments are for the STEP programme.
Answer: The Government is making a record investment of over £2.5 billion over five years in fusion energy, including funding for STEP, the UK’s world-leading programme to design and build a prototype power plant in Nottinghamshire. As set out in the Industrial S...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNuclear Fusion: ResearchDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114043More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much funding he has allocated to fusion energy research and development.
Answer: The Government is making a record investment of over £2.5 billion over five years in fusion energy, including funding for STEP, the UK’s world-leading programme to design and build a prototype power plant in Nottinghamshire. As set out in the Industrial S...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDrax Power StationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113391More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the (a) renewable subsidies received, (b) wood pellets burnt and (c) carbon dioxide emitted by the Drax power station since 2012.
Answer: Drax has received almost £6.5bn in subsidy from to 2024 inclusive. Under the new contract from 2027, Drax will play a much more limited role in the power system, operating only when cheaper renewable power is not available. This new deal halves the subsid...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHate Crime: WomenHome OfficeTabled 9 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111795More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to classify misogyny as a hate crime.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of hate crime receive equal protection under the law.That is why we tabled an amendment at Lords Report Stage to the Crime and Policing Bill, extending the aggravated offences in sections 28 to 32 o...
Answered 17 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordMigrants: Health ServicesHome OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing partial refunds for overlapping immigration health surcharges in cases where the applicant has applied to (a) extend and (
Answer: The new guidance being produced by the Home Office is designed to assist local authorities in supporting families with NRPF, as set out in the Child Poverty Strategy. The guidance will provide clarity around statutory duties and key safeguards for local a...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordMigrants: Health ServicesHome OfficeTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the immigration health surcharge refund policy to allow for partial refunds to be made for periods of overlapping payment
Answer: The new guidance being produced by the Home Office is designed to assist local authorities in supporting families with NRPF, as set out in the Child Poverty Strategy. The guidance will provide clarity around statutory duties and key safeguards for local a...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSelf-employed: Income TaxTreasuryTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110460More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether alternative reporting frequencies were considered under Making Tax Digital for self-employed workers whose income is irregular or seasonal.
Answer: The government has worked extensively with taxpayers, representative bodies and software developers to ensure Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax works well for businesses of all types and sizes. For most users, MTD for Income Tax will involve keeping...
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordArts and Gig Economy: Income TaxTreasuryTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110459More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the impact of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax on workers in the creative industries and gig economy.
Answer: The government has worked extensively with taxpayers, representative bodies and software developers to ensure Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax works well for businesses of all types and sizes. For most users, MTD for Income Tax will involve keeping...
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: LoansDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110055More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps Student Loans Company is taking to ensure that borrowers repaying through PAYE are not issued incorrect repayment demands.
Answer: UK-based student loan repayments are collected by HMRC through the tax system. Employers deduct repayments for employees with a student loan when their earnings are above the relevant student loan repayment threshold. Employers will pass the collected rep...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: Liquefied Natural GasForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109825More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what her planned timetable is for introducing a ban on the provision of UK based maritime services that enable the transport and export of Russian liquefied natural gas; and
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 5 February 2026 to Question 109565.
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEndometriosis: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108768More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will consider providing additional funding and resources to support BSGE-accredited endometriosis services.
Answer: The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce. We are committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ong...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEndometriosis: PhysiotherapyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108767More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department will consider providing specialist pelvic physiotherapy provision within the NHS for patients with endometriosis.
Answer: Pelvic physiotherapy is an established and expanding component of National Health Service pelvic health services, delivered across maternity, gynaecology, community services, and specialist pathways. Across wider gynaecology and women’s health hubs, pelvi...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRoad Signs and MarkingsDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108766More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2026 to Question 107126 on Road Signs and Markings, if she will make that assessment.
Answer: The Department has no plans to make such assessment.
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordIVFDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107441More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of standardising the number of NHS-funded In Vitro Fertilisation cycles available to patients across England.
Answer: Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs), based on their population’s clinical needs. We are working with NHS England to understand and improve the offer around National Health Service-funded fertility ser...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChildminding: Tax AllowancesDepartment for EducationTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107440More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support the financial sustainability of childminders in the context of the removal of the wear and tear allowance.
Answer: This department is taking a range of measures to support the financial sustainability of childminding businesses and other early years providers. From April 2026, local authorities will be required to pass at least 97% of their funding directly to provide...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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