Ben Maguire MP: written questions
588 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Devolution: CornwallMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11136More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving legislative powers to a Cornish Assembly.
Answer: The Government is committed to transferring power out of Westminster and into local communities; we believe that economic prosperity, productivity, and social cohesion are best addressed by devolving powers to local areas who best understand the needs of ...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWealth: CornwallMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10953More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the disparity in wealth of the wealthiest 10% of the population and the average household on (a) economic prosperity, (b)
Answer: This Government is committed to improving the living standards of the average household across the United Kingdom. The Employment Rights Bill will upgrade the UK labour market to make it fit for our modern economy, driving business growth and tackling poo...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordArts: Education and English BaccalaureateDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools receive adequate funding to provide equitable access to arts education alongside English Baccalaureate subjects in (a) Cornwall and (b) England.
Answer: This government is clear that arts subjects should be part of every child’s education.The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review will advise on how the department delivers a broader curriculum for every child, including arts subjects and English Bac...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSwimming: VATTreasuryTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10564More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing VAT on swimming lessons provided by non-council swimming facilities for (a) SEND children, (b) hydrotherapy patients, (c) the elderly and (d) other
Answer: VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services, and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. The Government has inherited a...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10563More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure equality of access to rural fibre-optic infrastructure.
Answer: Poor internet access can pose significant challenges for rural and urban communities alike, which is why the government is determined to improve access and promote digital participation. The Government is committed to improving broadband access in rural a...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHSBC: Workplace PensionsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps is the Department is taking to support (a) pensioners who face significant reductions in their pensions when they reach state pension age and (b) other pensioners affected by the HSBC Clawbac
Answer: Members of an integrated scheme are not having money they are entitled to taken away from them when they reach state pension age. A member’s benefit entitlement is adjusted and paid as higher payments before they receive their State Pension, then in lower...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAlcoholic Drinks: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10559More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing Draught Relief to 20% on (a) pubs and (b) small and independent brewers in North Cornwall constituency.
Answer: Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system. The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pa...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGender Based Violence: North CornwallHome OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 900766More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking with the police to help tackle violence against women and girls in North Cornwall constituency.
Answer: This Government is determined to treat violence against women and girls as the national emergency it is and we have already taken significant steps to strengthen the police response to these devastating crimes. As part of Raneem’s Law we will put domestic...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMeans-tested Benefits: North CornwallDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7375More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the cost to (a) calculate and (b) distribute funding to people on means-tested benefits in North Cornwall constituency.
Answer: The department administers a wide variety of means-tested benefits and asked for clarification on which benefits you were specifically interested in. As no response was received we have interpreted the question to refer to the costs of administering all m...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordProstate Cancer: Health Education and ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4787More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of (a) prostate cancer risk factors and (b) eligibility for PSA testing of patients aged 50 and above in (i) Cornwall and (ii) England.
Answer: NHS England is taking steps to raise awareness of prostate cancer, where there are opportunities to do so. For example, NHS England partners with Cancer Alliances, charities, and local representatives to reach people through projects in the heart of their...
Answered 13 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Rented Housing: RentsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of requests for payment of several months rent in advance before securing a tenancy on the ability of people to find housing
Answer: We are currently monitoring the practice of landlords charging rent in advance to understand the impacts on tenants and will take action if necessary.The Government is committed to redressing the balance between landlord and tenant. The Renters’ Rights Bi...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to require developers to build homes for social rent as part of large developments.
Answer: Through local development plans, local planning authorities can set out policy expectations in relation to housing mix and they are already able to require developers to make contributions to affordable housing through Section 106 planning obligations. As...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: Rural AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3927More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to ensure that (a) Launceston, (b) North Cornwall and (c) other towns in rural areas without a railway station are served by inter-city coach services.
Answer: The Department recognises the importance of good transport links and it is the overall aim of this government to improve connections across towns and cities. We recognise the important role the coach sector can play in making these connections across the ...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: CornwallDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3926More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will hold discussions with representatives of National Express on the potential impact of the cancellation of its 503 service on people living in Launceston.
Answer: The Department recognises the importance of good transport links and it is the overall aim of this government to improve connections across towns and cities. We recognise the important role the coach sector can play in making these connections across the...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordWinter Fuel Payment: Motor Neurone DiseaseDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changing eligibility requirements for the winter fuel payment on the affordability of energy for people with motor neurone disease.
Answer: This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the governme...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordDriving TestsDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing compensation for loss of (a) income, (b) independence and (c) educational opportunities as a result of delayed or cancelled practical driving
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: CornwallDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) average waiting time and (b) longest waiting time for driving tests in Cornwall was in each of the last 10 years.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: North CornwallDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3650More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time was for a practical driving test appointment at test centres in North Cornwall constituency in the latest period for which data is available; and if she will make an estimate of th
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: North CornwallDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3649More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency on taking steps to reduce the number of short-notice cancellations of practical driving test appointments at (a) Launceston and (b) Bodm
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: North CornwallDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for practical driving tests at (a) Launceston and (b) Bodmin driving test centres.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards. As of 2 September 2024, there were 552,863 car practical driving tests booked, and 94,169 driving...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordFree School MealsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3647More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 627 on Free School Meals, if she will make it her policy to commission an assessment of the potential merits of broadening the eligibility criteria for childre
Answer: The department has not made a formal assessment of the merits of broadening the free school meals (FSM) eligibility criteria. The department is committed to tackling the grave issue of child poverty, which has gone up by 700,000 since 2010, with over four...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordBodmin Parkway Station: AccessDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3646More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility at Bodmin Parkway railway station.
Answer: We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Answered 5 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: WomenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3645More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman entitled Women’s State Pension age: our findings on injustice and associated issues, published on 21 March 2024, whether sh
Answer: We have not estimated the costs of providing redress in North Cornwall. The Ombudsman’s report (para 504) published on 21 March 2024 estimated that providing compensation to all 1950s women at the level 4 range would cost between around £3.5 and £10.5bn. ...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: CornwallMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3644More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions her Department has held with Natural England on the effect of nutrient neutrality rules on new housebuilding projects in the River Camel catchment Special
Answer: MHCLG continues to work closely with Natural England on the issue of nutrient neutrality across England. Engagement takes place regularly with Natural England and affected local authorities through the Planning Advisory Service - Nutrient Network.The Gove...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHospices: CornwallDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3643More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding for hospices in Cornwall.
Answer: Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supporting commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs i...
Answered 16 Sept 2024
Original Parliament record
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