Ben Coleman MP: written questions 2026
72 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Private Rented Housing: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing regulations on the charging and transparency of utility costs for people in accommodation occupied under licence agreement
Answer: All renters, regardless of tenure or agreement type, deserve to live in safe and secure homes. Those with a licence to occupy accommodation are protected from eviction and harassment and have a right to report health and safety concerns about their proper...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the protections available to people in licensed accommodation in respect of (a) unsafe living conditions, including damp and mould,
Answer: All renters, regardless of tenure or agreement type, deserve to live in safe and secure homes. Those with a licence to occupy accommodation are protected from eviction and harassment and have a right to report health and safety concerns about their proper...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many higher education institutions applied for the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education by 24 March 2026; and how many were accepted.
Answer: Erasmus Charter for Higher Education applications are currently subject to admissibility and eligibility checks before being evaluated against published award criteria.We anticipate that the results will be published in September 2026.
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125919More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 114745 on Erasmus+ Programme, what her timeline is on determining the National Agency for Erasmus+.
Answer: Work is underway with the British Council ahead of their planned appointment as the UK’s National Agency in Summer/Autumn 2026.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordChild Tax Credit and Universal Credit: ChildrenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all eligible claimants are made aware of the forthcoming proposed removal of the two-child limit on Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit.
Answer: The Government has announced that the two child‑ limit in Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit will be removed from 6th April 2026. For Universal Credit, the Department is contacting customers who are expected to benefit from the removal of the two child...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordProcessed Food: Public SectorDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122985More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to update the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services to include a mandatory limit on the procurement of ultra-processed foods across the public estate
Answer: Defra continues to engage with actors across public sector supply chains and are carefully considering possible policy options, including the potential for updating the government buying standards for food and catering services (GBSF). We will continue to...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: FoodDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122984More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of food purchased through the NHS Supply Chain is classified as Nova Group 4; and what plans he has to incentivise NHS Trusts to move toward minimally processed alternatives.
Answer: Data is currently not collected centrally on National Health Service food purchases which would identify NOVA Group four foods.The United Kingdom’s national food model is the Eatwell Guide. The principles of the Eatwell Guide underpin the Government’s Buy...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBreakfast Clubs: Processed FoodDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what specific nutritional and processing specifications are included in contracts for the National Breakfast Club programme to help ensure that the £100m+ of annual public spend is not directed toward ultra-pro
Answer: The National School Breakfast Programme is an inherited scheme from the previous government and the contract will end in July 2026. The contract with the supplier, Family Action, stipulates that all food available for schools to purchase must meet the Sch...
Answered 7 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: Processed FoodDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she will introduce a maximum 5 per cent threshold for ultra-processed foods (Nova Group 4) in the updated School Food Standards, in line with the successful 2025 implementation by the Isle of Man Govern
Answer: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Chelsea and Fulham to the answer of 7 April 2026 to Question 121632.
Answered 7 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121187More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support people migrating to Universal Credit who lack digital skills and are unable to complete online requirements, including accepting their claimant commitment.
Answer: The Department recognises that not all people moving to Universal Credit have the confidence or ability to use digital services independently. Universal Credit is designed to be “digital-first”, but not “digital‑-only”,‑ and a range of support is already ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119774More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will introduce supplementary grants for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who seek to participate in Erasmus + projects in line with the provision in other associated countries.
Answer: As set out in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide, additional funding is available for participants with fewer opportunities, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to support them to travel abroad on an Erasmus+ placement.
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: TelemedicineDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119773More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of mandating extended online consultation use at GP surgeries on the availability of face-to-face appointments.
Answer: The changes to the 2025/26 GP Contract that came into force on 1 October requires practices to make all routes for contacting the practice, including online consultations, available throughout core hours, 8:00am to 6.30pm. This is intended to provide more...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: GrantsDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will introduce supplementary grants for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as other associated countries provide.
Answer: The government are committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university.The government currently provides three mean-tested dependants’ grants that low-income students with childcare and/or caring...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Department will take to ensure the Erasmus+ programme reaches less advantaged young people who are in further education or apprenticeships.
Answer: This iteration of Erasmus+ has a strong focus on inclusion, with diversity and inclusion set as a core priority. The UK’s association will support this commitment, continuing the ambition set by the Turing Scheme to prioritise mobilities involving partici...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117201More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether grant levels for students from low-income households under Erasmus+ will be comparable to those of the Turing Scheme.
Answer: This iteration of Erasmus+ has a strong focus on inclusion, with diversity and inclusion set as a core priority. The UK’s association will support this commitment, continuing the ambition set by the Turing Scheme to prioritise mobilities involving partici...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117200More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what specific mechanisms within Erasmus+ will be used to prioritise learners from disadvantaged backgrounds in a manner similar to the Turing Scheme.
Answer: This iteration of Erasmus+ has a strong focus on inclusion, with diversity and inclusion set as a core priority. The UK’s association will support this commitment, continuing the ambition set by the Turing Scheme to prioritise mobilities involving partici...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: Erasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117198More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will coordinate with the incoming Erasmus+ National Agency to ensure apprenticeship funding rules support overseas placements in EU companies.
Answer: Funding for Erasmus+ placements is provided through the Erasmus+ programme. The apprenticeship funding rules for 2026/27 academic year will set out details on apprenticeships and the Erasmus+ programme.
Answered 13 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: Erasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117197More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Erasmus+ work placements for apprentices on the Growth and Skills Levy.
Answer: Funding for Erasmus+ placements is provided through the Erasmus+ programme. The apprenticeship funding rules for 2026/27 academic year will set out details on apprenticeships and the Erasmus+ programme.
Answered 13 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: OvercrowdingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117087More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the statutory space and room standards in the Housing Act 1985 were last formally reviewed; and whether any review is underway.
Answer: The government has no current plans to review or amend the overcrowding provisions as set out in Part X of the Housing Act 1985.Crowding and space are assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and enforced under Part 1 of the Hous...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: OvercrowdingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117086More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the statutory overcrowding standards set out in the Housing Act 1985.
Answer: The government has no current plans to review or amend the overcrowding provisions as set out in Part X of the Housing Act 1985.Crowding and space are assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and enforced under Part 1 of the Hous...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: OvercrowdingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117085More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review the statutory overcrowding provisions in the Housing Act 1985.
Answer: The government has no current plans to review or amend the overcrowding provisions as set out in Part X of the Housing Act 1985.Crowding and space are assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and enforced under Part 1 of the Hous...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ Programme: ApprenticesDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114748More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to encourage and support applications from apprentices to Erasmus+.
Answer: We will work closely with institutions and our young people to maximise take-up, particularly among disadvantaged groups.A UK National Agency will be appointed to administer the programme, with a dedicated website and guidance issued well ahead of the 202...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114747More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how UK institutions will be able to participate in Erasmus+ if they do not get accredited by the deadline of 24 March 2026.
Answer: Higher education (HE) institutions must successfully apply for the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) before applying for funding for any project, whether they are applying for mobilities or partnerships, or as an individual organisation or conso...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114746More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which types of UK institutions and organisations will be eligible to participate in the Erasmus+ programme.
Answer: Erasmus+ is open to learners, trainees and staff in higher education, further education, vocational education and training, schools and adult education. It is also open to young people and youth workers in the youth sector, as well as staff in sports orga...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114745More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when the national UK agency for Erasmus+ will be in place and where it will be hosted.
Answer: The department has commenced discussions with the British Council with a view to them being appointed as the National Agency for Erasmus+.The National Agency will be set up in time to accept bids for the 2027 Erasmus+ funding call which opens in November ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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