Ben Lake MP: written questions 2025
163 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Western Sahara: Minority GroupsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53616More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to the UN Security Council to send a fact-finding mission to investigate the human rights of Saharawis in (a) occupied Western Sahara and (b)
Answer: On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. The UK is continuing to coordinate closely with the UN Personal Envoy of the Se...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordWestern Sahara: JournalismForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53615More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with his Moroccan counterpart on the expulsion of journalists (a) Matteo Garavoglia and (b) Giovanni Culmone from El Aaiun on 27 April 2025.
Answer: We have had no such discussions regarding these two individuals. Human rights forms part of our regular bilateral dialogue with Morocco. During the second UK-Morocco Informal Dialogue on Human Rights, held in Rabat on 30 April 2024, we discussed areas of ...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53137More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with (a) scientists, (b) industry and (c) civil society to phase out testing on animals.
Answer: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. Work to support this transition must be science-led and in lock step with partners and the governmen...
Answered 22 May 2025
Original Parliament recordImports: VATTreasuryTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51908More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential financial savings to the Exchequer of (a) withdrawing the postponed VAT accounting process and (b) bringing forward payment of VAT on imports using the same facilities as
Answer: Postponed VAT accounting is an established and valued part of the UK’s VAT regime, which provides significant simplification and cashflow benefits to UK businesses who import goods from overseas. Unlike customs duty, VAT paid upon importation of goods is ...
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordIncome Tax: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 12 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51419More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of not increasing the personal allowance on levels of disposable income in Wales.
Answer: The Government is committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility. At our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds which was implemented by the previous Government. ...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordKashmir: Armed ConflictHome OfficeTabled 8 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50887More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of the situation in Kashmir on (a) policing and (b) community relations in Wales.
Answer: The Home Office has been sharing up to date information with Welsh partners on emerging risks and issues in relation to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in India-administered Kashmir and will continue to work with those partners to monitor any local react...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordBetIndex and Football IndexTreasuryTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48501More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating a portion of the financial penalties collected by the Financial Conduct Authority to fund financial redress to people affected by the collapse
Answer: The government recognises the significant impact the collapse of BetIndex Ltd had on former customers. Revenue from FCA fines is used to benefit the taxpaying public. First, the FCA deducts the costs of enforcement from its fine income. Any money left ove...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Coal Staff Superannuation SchemeTreasuryTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48500More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to uplift pensions.
Answer: The Chancellor meets regularly with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to discuss a range of issues. The Government is considering proposals put forward by the BCSSS Trustees and needs to understand their impacts for both scheme membe...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordRevenue and CustomsTreasuryTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48499More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times HMRC's Statutory Payment Consultation Group convened in each of the past 5 years.
Answer: The Statutory Payments Consultation Group convened as follows:2020 – once2021 – once2022 – once2023 – not held2024 - once
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHoliday Accommodation: EnergyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47776More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help support the owners of (a) short and (b) long term holiday lets to improve the energy efficiency rating of their properties in Wales.
Answer: The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governmen...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordWestern Sahara: Media and Non-governmental OrganisationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47775More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with (a) the UN Security Council and (b) his Moroccan counterpart on ensuring access to the occupied territory of Western Sahara by (a) the media
Answer: The UK has supported language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordWestern Sahara: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47774More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April to Question 42840 on Western Sahara: Human Rights, what discussions he has had with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Weste
Answer: The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Morocco and Western Sahara, and consistently urges all states to uphold international law and international human rights standards, avoiding any action that may en...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHoliday Accommodation: ValuationTreasuryTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46809More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate she has made of the (a) backlog of cases and (b) average time taken by the Valuation Office Agency’s to process applications to transfer short-term rental properties between business rates and c
Answer: The Government has announced that the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will be integrated into HMRC by April 2026. Moving the VOA’s functions into HMRC will increase oversight and accountability to Ministers over delivery of their priorities to modernise the...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46808More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to carry out an impact assessment on the consequences of proposals detailed in the Health and Disability Green Paper that have not been included within the formal consultati
Answer: Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get ...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHorses: ExportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were recorded as leaving the UK via (a) Dover, (b) Cairnryan, (c) Holyhead, (d) Harwich and (e) other ports since the ban on live exports to slaughter and fattening wa
Answer: The table below contains the number of Export Health Certificates (EHC) dispatched for the export of Equidae from 22/07/2024 to date. Each EHC issued is for the export of one equine. The point of exit and purpose of movement are not recorded as the Export...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHorse Passports: WalesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45795More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with counterparts in the Welsh Government on improving equine identification and traceability.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of engaging with Devolved Governments on a regular basis. Defra officials hold regular monthly meetings with Welsh Government to discuss improvements to equine identification and traceability; there is also an open...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy Supply: FishguardDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45794More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to support the use of shore power technology at the Port of Fishguard to aid maritime decarbonisation.
Answer: The UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions programme has previously allocated over £33m to five shore power demonstrator projects at Aberdeen, Atlantic and Peninsula Falmouth, Cammel Laird shipyard, Leith and Portsmouth. These projects have informed Go...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45793More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the surcharge for paying Vehicle Excise Duty in instalments for people with below average incomes.
Answer: In Autumn 2013, the Government announced the introduction of the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) direct debit scheme from 1 October 2014. Instead of paying VED annually or in two instalments per year with a 10% surcharge, this allows people to pay VED monthly o...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45792More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the impact of the surcharge for paying Vehicle Excise Duty in instalments on people with below average incomes.
Answer: In Autumn 2013, the Government announced the introduction of the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) direct debit scheme from 1 October 2014. Instead of paying VED annually or in two instalments per year with a 10% surcharge, this allows people to pay VED monthly o...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Criminal Court: Travel RestrictionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45089More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on granting people with arrest warrants issued against them by the International Criminal Court access to UK airspace.
Answer: Airspace access is not within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's policy responsibilities. The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for airspace management and related policies in the UK.
Answered 23 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Workplace PensionsHome OfficeTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential (a) impact and (b) merits of reforming the 1987 Police Pension Scheme rules on police (i) widows, (ii) widowers and (iii
Answer: The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or c...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Workplace PensionsHome OfficeTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44246More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of amending the Police pension scheme 1987 to allow surviving (a) partners, (b) widows and (c) widowers to retain their full entitlement up
Answer: The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or c...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Workplace PensionsHome OfficeTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44245More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will amend the Police pension scheme 1987 to allow surviving (a) partners, (b) widows and (c) widowers to retain their full entitlement upon (i) remarriage and (ii) cohabitation.
Answer: The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or c...
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43892More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's official Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, whether the 1.3million homes to be built will be built in the UK or in England.
Answer: The 1.3 million homes figure referenced represents a forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) based solely on the impact of the changes the government made to the National Planning Policy Framework on 12 December 2024. The OBR does not provi...
Answered 16 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Power FailuresDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43570More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofcom on increasing the four-hour minimum time requirement for power backup during power outages in the broadband phone network.
Answer: Communication providers have statutory responsibilities to take appropriate and proportionate steps to provide resilient networks and services. Ofcom published guidance in September 2024 on the measures that providers can take to meet those responsibiliti...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
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