Ben Maguire MP: written questions
371 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Legal Aid Agency: CybercrimeMinistry of JusticeTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53429More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to inform applicants for Legal Aid that their personal data was compromised in the cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency on 23 April 2025.
Answer: To ensure the best chance of reaching as many potentially impacted individuals as possible the Ministry of Justice published a notice as swiftly as possible at 08:15 on 19 May on GOV.UKThe statement provides information about the cyber attack and directs ...
Answered 27 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52814More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure that (a) schools, (b) hospitals, (c) sewage capacit
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 26106 on 5 February 2025.
Answered 23 May 2025
Original Parliament recordWater Companies: Public Benefit CorporationsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 15 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52813More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislation to force water companies to become public benefit corporations.
Answer: The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system and is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. It is considering a wide range of areas, includin...
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordGeneral PractitionersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52547More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of GP surgeries running above capacity on the delivery of health services.
Answer: The 2023 GP Patient Survey showed that of the patients who could not get an appointment at their general practice, over one in 10 went to accident and emergency, which has worse outcomes for patients and is more expensive for the taxpayer. To address this...
Answered 22 May 2025
Original Parliament recordPackaging: RecyclingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 14 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52546More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a comparative assessment of the potential impact of the Extended Producer Responsibility fees for (a) glass and (b) plastic packaging on small producers
Answer: In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by sector. The Government recognises the importance of prot...
Answered 22 May 2025
Original Parliament recordBeaches: North CornwallDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50807More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve water quality at beaches in North Cornwall constituency.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has recruited two new Water Industry Regulation teams who are increasing regulation of water company sites in Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, undertaking more compliance checks (including unannounced inspections), translat...
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordShipping: Exhaust EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50431More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems on marine vessels on the environment.
Answer: The UK is committed to reducing the impact of shipping on the environment. In April, we cosponsored a proposal at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to create a new Emission Control Area. This will reduce pollutants across all UK waters. The us...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordShipping: Waste DisposalDepartment for TransportTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50430More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on banning the discharge of wash water from open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems.
Answer: The UK is committed to reducing the impact of shipping on the environment. In April, we cosponsored a proposal at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to create a new Emission Control Area. This will reduce pollutants across all UK waters. The us...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordShipping: Waste DisposalDepartment for TransportTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50429More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will ban the discharge of wash water from open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems within UK territorial waters.
Answer: The UK is committed to reducing the impact of shipping on the environment. In April, we cosponsored a proposal at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to create a new Emission Control Area. This will reduce pollutants across all UK waters. The us...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMiscanthusDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential environmental merits of including Miscanthus as an incentivised crop under SFI 2026.
Answer: The publication cited has been superseded by the following: Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme: expanded offer for 2024 - GOV.UKCountryside Stewardship Higher Tier: get ready to apply - GOV.UK The moorland offer is designed to help deliver our environme...
Answered 9 May 2025
Original Parliament recordWater Supply: PollutionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49298More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to monitor the presence of (a) antidepressants, (b) contraceptives and (c) other over-the-counter medications in the water supply.
Answer: Water companies are required by law to assess and manage risks to drinking water quality, including those posed by pharmaceutical substances such as antidepressants, contraceptives and over-the-counter medications. Where a risk is identified, appropriate ...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordCycleways: CornwallDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47584More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will meet with the hon. Member for North Cornwall to discuss the potential availability of funding to extend the Camel Trail cycle path.
Answer: I commend the honourable gentleman for his continued advocacy for the Camel Trail cycle path in his constituency. As he will be aware, officials from the Department for Transport attended our meeting on 1 April, and prior input was sought from Active Trav...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: Rural AreasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47583More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the levels of availability of (a) affordable and (b) social housing on people living in (i) North Cornwa
Answer: It is for local authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require affordable housing, and to reflect this in their planning policies.However, the government have made clear...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordNorth Devon HospitalDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47582More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an updated impact assessment on the postponement of proposed upgrades to North Devon District Hospital.
Answer: As set out in the Plan for Implementation, the New Hospital Programme (NHP) review used a range of data to assess and scope schemes, including the North Devon District Hospital scheme. This included assessing each scheme under criteria for mitigated risk,...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSewage: WaterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47581More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing higher penalties for the failure of water companies to adequately (a) monitor and (b) report on sew
Answer: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Since 1 January 2025, water companies have been required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the dis...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: EligibilityMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reforming social housing eligibility criteria to include families local to the area being considered who cann
Answer: Local authorities are responsible for designing and managing their own social housing allocations policies to meet local need, including setting qualification criteria appropriate to their local area. These schemes are governed by a legal framework set by...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46611More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking additional steps to improve the quality of life of people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
Answer: We are committed to improving care and support for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). We recognise how devastating the symptoms can be, and the significant impact they can have on patients and their families.We aim ...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46610More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of funding research into the (a) causes of and (b) potential cures for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
Answer: As indicated in the interim delivery plan for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the Government is keen to increase and improve research in this area. ME/CFS can have a devastating effect on the lives of those who suffer from it,...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners and Out-patients: Visual ImpairmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of patients' (a) blindness and (b) partial sightedness on levels of attendance at (i) GP and (ii) hospital appointments.
Answer: The Department has made no formal assessment of the impact of visual impairment on levels of attendance. However, we are aware of the challenges that visual impairments can present when accessing healthcare services.Under the Equality Act (2010), health a...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordVisual Impairment: CharitiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support charities who help (a) blind and (b) visually-impaired people.
Answer: The Health and Wellbeing Alliance is the mechanism through which the Department, NHS England, and the UK Health Security Agency work together with voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector organisations to drive the transformation of the health a...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Visual ImpairmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46607More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the accessibility of health services for (a) blind and (b) partially sighted people in North Cornwall constituency.
Answer: Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning services to meet the needs of their local population, including blind and partially sighted people.Under the Equality Act (2010), health and social care organisations must make reasonable adjustment...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSewage: Pollution ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to criminalise the failure to prevent dumping of sewage into public waterways by water companies.
Answer: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Storm Overflows are strictly regulated by the Environment Agency (EA). Where breaches are found, EA will not hesitate to hold companies to account...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Young PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46605More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund.
Answer: The Department knows that the cost of travel is an important issue for many young cancer patients and their families. NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of their local communities...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Children and Young PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46604More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the average (a) distance travelled and (b) cost incurred by children and young people when attending cancer appointments in North Cornwall constituency.
Answer: The Department knows that the cost of travel is an important issue for many young cancer patients and their families. NHS England and the integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning and ensuring the healthcare needs of their local communities...
Answered 24 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMobile Homes Act 2013Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45427More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of undertaking a review of the Mobile Homes Act 2013 to help support full time residential park-home owners.
Answer: A review of the effectiveness of the Mobile Homes Act 2013 was undertaken in 2017 and it made a number of recommendations. Most have been implemented, such as the introduction of a fit and proper person test and changes to the pitch fee review inflationar...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →