Ben Spencer MP: written questions 2024
122 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Social Services: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12582More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of raising employer’s National Insurance Contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the provision of care in the socia
Answer: On 4 July, the Government inherited public finances that were in their worst state since the Second World War. We have considered the cost pressures facing adult social care as part of the wider consideration of local government spending within the Spendi...
Answered 13 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordM25: A3Department for TransportTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12557More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she ask the Office of Road and Rail to undertake enforcement action against National Highways over ongoing disruption in the (a) Painshill roundabout and (b) local area due to the M25/A3 works.
Answer: Under the Infrastructure Act 2015, it is for ORR to determine whether National Highways is compliant with its directions and guidance and the road investment strategy (RIS) issued by government, and whether to take enforcement action.
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCharities: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12556More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, what discussions he has had with health and care charities on the potential impact of increased National Insuran
Answer: No discussions have taken place with health and care charities on the potential impact of increased National Insurance contributions on their ability to support and provide National Health Service care.To repair the public finances and help raise the reve...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: ClosuresDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12555More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October, whether he has made an estimate of the number of GP practices which will close as a result of increased Employer
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The Emp...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordThames Water: Employers' ContributionsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12554More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes in employers' National Insurance contributions on Thames Water's (a) financial viability and (b) infrastructure investm
Answer: To repair public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Government has been clear that we need to take difficult de...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPupils: HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11897More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with school leaders on the effectiveness of individual healthcare plans in schools for children with (a) epilepsy, (b) asthma, (c) a history of anaphylaxis, (d) severe allegories an
Answer: Statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’, recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. They can help schools support pupils with medical conditions, providing clarity about what needs to be done, whe...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPupils: HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11896More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will review the statutory guidance on Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 regarding individual healthcare plans in schools.
Answer: Statutory guidance, ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’, recommends the use of individual healthcare plans as good practice. They can help schools support pupils with medical conditions, providing clarity about what needs to be done, whe...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNHS: Public ConsultationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure the change.nhs.uk consultation is accessible to (a) people living with disabilities and (b) people without access to the internet.
Answer: The Change NHS engagement exercise will give the public, staff, and partners the opportunity to share their views and help develop the 10-Year Health Plan. This will be done through our recently launched online platform, change.NHS.UK, and through online ...
Answered 4 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Research on support for research into the (a) care and (b) treatment for people with brain tumours.
Answer: Research is crucial in tackling cancer. The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer being the largest area of spend, at over £121.8 mil...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what meetings he has had with (a) NHS clinical teams specialising in the care and treatment of brain tumours, (b) researchers, (c) patients and (d) patient group representatives on brain tumours.
Answer: Ministers regularly meet with a wide range of cancer partners, including brain cancer charities and patient groups. Ministers also regularly meet with teams from the National Health Service, including clinical specialists where this is appropriate. These ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to publish a brain tumour strategy.
Answer: Ministers regularly meet with a wide range of cancer partners, including brain cancer charities and patient groups. Ministers also regularly meet with teams from the National Health Service, including clinical specialists where this is appropriate. These ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBrain: TumoursDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the potential merits of reviewing guidance for the (a) diagnosis, (b) care and (c) treatment of brain tu
Answer: Officials in the Department regularly discuss a range of issues with colleagues in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), including proposals to review or update existing guidelines. NICE keeps its published guidelines under surveil...
Answered 7 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSouth Western Railway: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10778More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of levels of service provision on the Chertsey branch line on passenger safety at (a) Egham, (b) Chertsey, (c) Addlestone and (c) Weybridge
Answer: There are no current safety concerns that have been raised to Department officials on the Chertsey branch line. I would welcome further information on any concerns that the Member has.
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSouth Western Railway: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10777More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of levels of service provision on the Chertsey branch line at (a) Egham, (b) Chertsey, (c) Addlestone and (c) Weybridge stations on (i) school a
Answer: The Department is unaware of any negative impact that service provision had on the Chertsey branch line on school or college attendance in the 2023-2024 academic year. South Western Railway (SWR) is in regular direct contact with schools and colleges when...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSouth Western Railway: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10776More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with South Western Rail on the performance of the Chertsey branch line since July 2024.
Answer: Department officials are in regular conversation with South Western Railway (SWR) on its performance in all areas of its network, including the Chertsey branch line.
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: SurreyDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10775More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) motorway noise and (b) air pollution from the M25 on schools in (i) Addlestone, (ii) Chertsey, (iii) Downside, (iv) Egham, (v) New Haw and (vi)
Answer: Local outdoor air quality is the responsibility of local authorities who should prepare local air quality strategies to ensure that air quality in their area is improved.The department takes the health, safety, and wellbeing of school users very seriously...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSewers: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Thames Water on removing surface water from sewer systems by (a) sewer lining and (b) manhole sealing in the Runnymede and Weybridge Constituency since
Answer: Since July 2024 the Secretary of State has not had discussions with Thames water specifically on removing surface water from sewer systems by (a) sewer lining and (b) manhole sealing in the Runnymede and Weybridge Constituency. The Environment Agency has ...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInland WaterwaysDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many enforcement actions to require riparian landowners to discharge their watercourse maintenance obligations were taken by the Environment Agency in each constituency in 2023.
Answer: In 2023 the Environment Agency (EA) recorded 404 incidents nationally where riparian ownership was referenced. Where offences were identified the EA took action in line with their enforcement and sanctions policy to protect the environment. One warning le...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: SchoolsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what professional accreditations will new mental health practitioners employed in schools be required to hold.
Answer: We are currently working with colleagues at the Department for Education and NHS England to consider the options.
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordFloodsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Thames Water's operational response to flooding during Storm Henk (a) nationally and (b) in Surrey.
Answer: Storm Henk was the eighth named storm of the 2023/24 flood season, with flood warnings across the country from 02 to 09 January. River flooding impacts were due to heavy rainfall falling on saturated catchments. On 4 January, the impact from flooding in t...
Answered 25 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSewage: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9950More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Thames Water’s surface and foul water drainage asset management in the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.
Answer: It is important for companies to maintain assets to ensure compliance with legal obligations and continuity of service for customers now and into the future. There are two common performance commitments that Ofwat uses, alongside other information, to mon...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPension Credit: Park HomesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 18 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9949More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the impact of excluding pitch fees from pension credit applications on park home residents.
Answer: No such discussions have taken place. Pitch fees can usually be met through Housing Benefit. In cases where there is a tenancy of over 21 years, then the pitch fees are not eligible for Housing Benefit but instead may be met by the housing cost element in...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: SewersMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9948More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the impact of her increased housing targets on sewerage capacity by (a) water company region and (b) constituency.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of water and wastewater provision on new developments. Water companies are under a statutory duty to provide new water and sewage connections to residential properties, as well as planning to meet the needs of grow...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEducational Psychology: Labour Turnover and RecruitmentDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) train, (b) recruit and (c) retain educational psychologists.
Answer: Educational psychologists play a critical role in the support available to children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, the department knows that current workforce shortages are a barrier to d...
Answered 25 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: British Nationals AbroadDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with which countries she is negotiating a reciprocal agreement on uprating state pensions.
Answer: My department is not negotiating any reciprocal social security agreements.
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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