Alex Sobel MP: written questions
280 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Food: AllergiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 76041More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) allergen awareness and (b) cross-contamination training for staff in (i) hospitality and (ii) food service businesses.
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) regularly runs campaigns to raise awareness of allergens for both consumers and businesses.In March 2025, the FSA published new best practice guidance to help food businesses provide clearer written allergen information for...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the progress made on (a) preventing and (b) treating all types of brain tumours.
Answer: The Government recognises that too little is currently known about how to prevent, diagnose and manage brain tumours, and they remain one of the hardest cancers to treat and a challenging area for research.As with many other cancers, there is currently no...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: StandardsMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70908More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the draft guidance by the Equality and Human Rights Commission entitled Code of practice for services, public functions and associations, published on 20 M
Answer: Defence welcomes the Supreme Court's ruling and the clarity that it brings. The independent Equality and Human Rights Commission is now developing its updated statutory Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations and we will liaise wi...
Answered 4 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTourism: LGBT+ PeopleDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the EHRC draft code of practice for services, public functions and associations on LGBTQIA+ tourism to the UK.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring the UK remains one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in the world for all visitors, including for LGBTQIA+ tourists. Inclusivity is a key part of what we offer tourists and contributes to our global appe...
Answered 4 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Transgender PeopleMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68794More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the proposed requirement that trans people be excluded from (i) services and (ii) facilities that are designated single sex and (b) other proposals in th
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 July 2025 to Question 65333 to the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Dr Caroline Johnson).
Answered 23 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigrationHome OfficeTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67436More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, whether her Department has undertaken an (a) equality and (b) impact as
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting members of the Hong Kong community who have relocated to the UK and those who may come here in future.We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and further details of the proposed schem...
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMigrants: Employment SchemesHome OfficeTabled 9 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help support migrants into work.
Answer: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration and asylum system under regular review, and recently published a White Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform in a wide range of areas, including employment opportunities for refugees, ille...
Answered 17 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to introduce mandatory requirements for AI developers to disclose information about their systems.
Answer: Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at ...
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordOverseas Trade: Western SaharaCabinet OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63057More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much of the UK's trade with Morocco is with Western Sahara.
Answer: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 26th June is attached.
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMorocco: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63056More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he had discussions with his Moroccan counterpart during the formulation of the UK-Morocco Joint Communiqué on whether Morocco’s willingness to engage in discussions i
Answer: On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary co-chaired the 5th session of the UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue in Rabat with Minister Nasser Bourita. Discussions were wide-ranging and constructive, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship and shared commitment to a...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: SyriaHome OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63021More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 58258 on Asylum: Syria, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of granting Syrian asylum seekers in the UK the right to work throughou
Answer: Asylum seekers who have had their claim outstanding for 12 months or more, through no fault of their own, can apply for permission to work. Those permitted to work are restricted to jobs on the Immigration Salary List. This policy applies to Syrian nation...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCriminal Injuries Compensation: StandardsMinistry of JusticeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what support her Department provides to victims of violent crimes who have been waiting more than twelve months for a decision on their Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority claim.
Answer: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the 2012 Scheme) does not prescribe a time limit for applications to be decided.The majority of applications are decided within 12 months. Each case must be considered on its own facts and assessed based on ...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCriminal Injuries Compensation: StandardsMinistry of JusticeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63019More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if her Department will support the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to reduce claim processing times.
Answer: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the 2012 Scheme) does not prescribe a time limit for applications to be decided.The majority of applications are decided within 12 months. Each case must be considered on its own facts and assessed based on ...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMinerals: XinjiangDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60660More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the use of Uyghur slave labour in supply chains that include critical minerals.
Answer: This Government will continue to speak up on human rights in China, including the repression of people in Xinjiang, and will continue to hold China to account. The new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for t...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: ApplicationsHome OfficeTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59472More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish the evaluation of the move-on period pilot extension; and whether her Department plans to further extend the pilot.
Answer: In December, the Home Office operationalised a pilot to extend the grace period to 56 days. It is important that we take the necessary time to evaluate the impact of the interim measures, including overall net costs to taxpayers, before deciding whether t...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFundraising: InternetDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58261More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to require that tipping sliders on online fundraising platforms can be dragged to zero.
Answer: Fundraising platforms are commercial organisations that provide an important service to charities and donors. Most platforms are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which is the independent, non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising in Engl...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFundraising: InternetDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58260More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Fundraising Regulator on the transparency of tipping sliders on online fundraising platforms.
Answer: Fundraising platforms are commercial organisations that provide an important service to charities and donors. Most platforms are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which is the independent, non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising in Engl...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFundraising: InternetDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58259More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps with the Fundraising Regulator to help ensure compliance by social fundraising platforms with its guidance on the prominence of a zero fee or tip option.
Answer: Fundraising platforms are commercial organisations that provide an important service to charities and donors. Most platforms are registered with the Fundraising Regulator, which is the independent, non-statutory regulator of charitable fundraising in Engl...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: SyriaHome OfficeTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58258More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to process the outstanding asylum applications of Syrians in the UK.
Answer: Following the fall of the Assad regime, the Home Office has withdrawn the Country Policy Information Notes and Guidance relating to Syria and has temporarily paused all asylum interviews and decisions.The pause is being kept under constant review and when...
Answered 17 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: British National (Overseas)Home OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55482More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the White paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published in May 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the settlement rule
Answer: The British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route was launched on 31 January 2021 in response to China’s passing of the National Security Law. The route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their tie...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: StudentsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54341More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51421 on Students: Personal Independence Payment, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Pathways to Work: Reforming B
Answer: We have committed to introduce a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We are mindful of the impact ...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: StudentsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54340More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51421 on Students: Personal Independence Payment, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of consulting with students who rece
Answer: The Pathways to Work Green Paper set out a range of proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support and opened a public consultation on certain reforms. The consultation welcomes all views, and we hope that a wide range of voices...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAfghanistan: ResettlementHome OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54339More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to provide an additional resettlement quota for Afghan refugees in Pakistan identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for resettlement.
Answer: Between 2021 and March 2025, over 34,000 individuals have been resettled and relocated through the Afghan Resettlement Programme. The latest immigration statistics can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-ye...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the next set of Greening Government Commitments will be published for the years 2025-2030.
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 April 2025 to PQ 45716.
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordNature Conservation: Government DepartmentsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to page 326 his Department's Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24, HC 314, published on 18 December 2024, what recent progress has been made on (a) creating a natural asse
Answer: Defra is making progress on creating a natural asset register presented within an accessible geospatial mapping format and developing a cross-Government nature strategy. A geospatial natural capital register of the Defra group estate has now been develope...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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