Ben Spencer MP: written questions
73 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Aviation: Alternative FuelsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of adjustments to sustainable aviation fuel manufacturing on increasing UK aviation fuel resilience in the context of the conflict in the Middle East.
Answer: The Government is monitoring the impact of conflict in the Middle East on fuel supplies, including its impact on the manufacturing of sustainable aviation fuel.The UK fuel system is built on diverse international supply chains, with multiple import routes...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAviation: FuelsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122834More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of the conflict in the middle east on uk aviation due to aviation fuel prices and supply disruption.
Answer: The UK fuel system is built on diverse international supply chains, with multiple import routes and suppliers, ensuring resilience. My Department and I are working closely with the industry to monitor supply and understand their mitigations and alternativ...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordKerosene: Supply ChainsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122832More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the resilience of the kerosene supply chain in the UK.
Answer: The Department continues to monitor the UK kerosene supply chain as part of its wider monitoring of the security of supply of fuels. The UK benefits from a diverse supply base, including domestic production and imports which are complimented by well‑estab...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the steps he is taking to help protect a) park home residents and b) heating oil users from spikes in energy prices.
Answer: The Government recognises that families and businesses across the country will see the recent global events and once again be concerned about the impact on their energy bills. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely over coming days ...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: Public ConsultationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118271More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has she made of a) the cybersecurity vulnerabilities and b) risk of data manipulation, of the Government Consultation, Growing up in the online world: a national consult
Answer: This consultation is being run in line with Government standard practice. The surveys ask for some non-identifying personal information, such the types of individuals and groups participating, for analytical purposes. We will process any personal data in ...
Answered 13 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEmergencies: PlanningMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117878More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of mechanisms of accountability of Local Resilience Forum Chairs to Members of Parliament.
Answer: Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, statutory duties for emergency planning rest with individual Category 1 responders, who fulfil these duties collaboratively through Local Resilience Forums (LRFs). LRFs are not statutory bodies and therefore hold no...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMaternity ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115542More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for publication of interim and final findings from the independent maternity services investigation.
Answer: On the 26 February Baroness Amos published her interim report on the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, and the final report and recommendations will follow in Spring 2026.The Government is also setting up a National Maternity and Neonatal Tas...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPregnancy: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115541More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of fetal growth monitoring practices across NHS Trusts.
Answer: To support the consistent delivery of evidence based best practice in regards to fetal growth monitoring, NHS England published the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle Version 3.2 in April 2025.The bundle covers six areas of clinical care, one of which is fe...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUK Emissions Trading Scheme: ShippingNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115540More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the differences in shipping tax between Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Wight under the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Answer: Reforms to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are agreed jointly by Ministers in all four nations who have equal decision-making power. We have consulted extensively on this since March 2022. Obligations under the scheme apply uniformly to all nations ...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordOffshore Industry: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 907999More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of North Sea oil and gas on the Scottish economy.
Answer: The Government is committed to managing existing oil and gas fields responsibly for the entirety of their full lifespan. Oil and gas will remain an important part of the UK’s energy mix for decades to come.We are also investing in our country's green ener...
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChronic Illnesses: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110472More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will review the cost of travel for all families of children with health conditions requiring repeated attendance at specialist centres.
Answer: The Government has committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever and recognises the challenges families of children needing regular specialist care can face. On 3 February 2026, Government announced a £10 million financial support packag...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110471More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Answer of Question 108286 on Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust: ADHD and Autism, what steps he is taking to help support Surrey and Borders to meet their dia
Answer: In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services. This guidance intends to help the National Health Service improve autism assessment services and improve the experience for those referred t...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Thames: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on the River Thames Scheme; what her planned timetable is for that scheme; and what the (a) current and (b) projected expenditure is for that sche
Answer: Significant progress has been made in preparing for The River Thames Scheme to undergo Statutory Consultation to inform the application of a Development Consent Order (DCO). The mid-project review, initiated by Project Sponsors: The Environment Agency (EA...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDrugs: Addictions and MisuseDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109840More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of support available for families of individuals with substance misuse and addiction.
Answer: From this year, all drug and alcohol treatment and recovery funding will be channelled through the Public Health Grant, with over £13.45 billion allocated across three years, including £3.4 billion ringfenced for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. L...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: InnovationMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 907611More
Question: What role the UK is playing in NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic programme.
Answer: The UK plays a leading role in NATO DIANA, hosting DIANA’s European Regional Office in London, where NATO staff develop defence innovation challenge programmes. The UK also provides an accelerator and five Test Centres to DIANA’s network. 27 UK start-ups ...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSewersDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 26 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to issue national guidance on the application of sustainable drainage systems.
Answer: The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). In December 2024, we made changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to support increased delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems.The depa...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSewersDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 26 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to increase the level of funding and resources for local authorities for the purpose of regulating and approving Sustainable Drainage Systems.
Answer: The Government is committed to improving the implementation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). As part of this commitment, we will consider local authority funding for regulating and approving SuDS.
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSewersDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 26 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 to be brought into force in England.
Answer: The Government is strongly committed to improving the implementation of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). In December 2024, we made changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to support increased delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems.The depa...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust on meeting national targets on Autism and ADHD assessments in children.
Answer: My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has regular discussions on a wide range of matters, including with trusts and integrated care boards (ICBs).The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for ne...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 29 September 2025, (b) 28 October 2025 and (c) 2 December 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS35015 and MC2025/93
Answer: The Department has responded to the correspondence in question on Tuesday 13th January 2026.
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99879More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with AI companies on the potential risks of the provision of advice by AI programmes that would otherwise be provided by a regulated individual or entity.
Answer: We regularly meet with industry stakeholders, including AI firms, on potential risks that AI poses to businesses and the public.There are a range of existing rules that already apply to AI systems to address risks, with the UK’s expert regulators empowere...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordCourt of ProtectionMinistry of JusticeTabled 10 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98977More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to improve timescales for cases in the Court of Protection.
Answer: HMCTS is working to increase overall system capacity to reduce processing times. Measures taken include a targeted action plan to allocate additional administrative resources in response to higher demand, as well as training and upskilling new staff. Addi...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordData Protection: EU LawDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill on the EU’s data adequacy decisions in relatio
Answer: The CSR Bill updates the UK’s cyber resilience framework set out in the NIS Regulations 2018 and does not impact the UK's key data protection legislation. It includes a range of measures that affect the Information Commission in its capacity as a NIS regu...
Answered 16 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordEmbassies: Electoral RegisterForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 906684More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the role of British embassies in encouraging overseas voter regis
Answer: We encourage all British nationals to register as overseas voters if they move or live abroad. British Nationals abroad can contact their local Embassy or High Commission for more information.
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordElectronic Government: OutagesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94452More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2025 to Question 92210 on Internet: Outages, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and
Answer: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recognises the importance of robust protections for the services essential to our society and economy. That is why we introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (CSRB) on 12 November - by...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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