Ben Spencer MP: written questions 2025
104 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Gender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43910More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gen
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordData, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent ReviewDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43556More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when his Department received the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.
Answer: The Review was received by the department on 23rd September 2024.
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordLarge Goods Vehicles: ConcreteDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38146More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2024 to Question 19765 on Large Goods Vehicles: Concrete, if she will publish the findings of the review of the call for evidence on the operation of Volumetric Concrete Mi
Answer: The Department has published its findings today. These can be accessed at the following link:gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review.
Answered 18 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34330More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to correspondence dated (a) 20 November 2024, (b) 7 January 2025 and (c) 10 February 2025 from the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge, case reference BS34018.
Answer: We have received the hon. Member’s correspondence of 20 November 2024, 7 January 2025 and 10 February 2025, and we will respond shortly.
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCivil Proceedings: StandardsMinistry of JusticeTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what performance metrics exist for the Civil National Business Centre; and whether those metrics are being met.
Answer: HM Courts & Tribunals Service publishes weekly performance metrics for the Civil National Business Centre. The target is 5 working days and 11 out of 15 workstreams are currently in target.
Answered 5 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Shaping the national cancer plan.
Answer: The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart, and reducing inequalities in cancer diagnosis and outcomes is a key priority for the plan. We are committed to engaging with patient groups and all communities to ensure the consultation process is...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCarbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International AviationDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation
Answer: The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable for...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCarbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International AviationDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled Implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Av
Answer: The Department for Transport published a consultation on implementing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in December 2024. There are multiple ways to respond to the consultation: by online form, downloadable for...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment of Health and Social Care: Annual ReportsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the DHSC group accounting manual 2025 to 2026 consultation exercise, published on 7 Februa
Answer: The Department launched the consultation, Changes to the DHSC Group Accounting Manual 2025 to 2026, on the GOV.UK website on 7 February 2025, with further information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changes-to-d...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFuel PovertyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy: consultation document, published on 7 Febru
Answer: The department launched the consultation ‘Review of the Fuel Poverty Strategy’ on 7 February 2025, with more information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-the-fuel-poverty-strategy(opens in a new tab) As...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Private Rented HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes.
Answer: The department launched the consultation ‘Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes’ on 7 February 2025, with more information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-performance-of...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUnited Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020Department for Business and TradeTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the UK Internal Market Act 2020.
Answer: The consultation on the UK Internal Market Act 2020 follows the UK Government Consultation principles (Consultation principles: guidance - GOV.UK).The consultation is available in HTML format to provide greater accessibility for users and all pages can be...
Answered 26 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNuclear Power Stations: Public ConsultationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31645More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generatio
Answer: The Department launched the consultation ‘Draft National Policy Statement for nuclear energy generation (EN-7)’ on 6 February 2025, with more information available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-national-policy-st...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: InspectionsDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31643More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Improving the way Ofsted inspects education, p
Answer: This is a matter for His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: AccountabilityDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31641More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled School accountability reform.
Answer: Consultation documents set out, within the first few pages, alternative ways that respondents can obtain copies in alternative formats, and how to respond through methods other than the online system.The department can be contacted by post or email to req...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Feed: Public ConsultationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31640More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation entitled Livestock feed controls review for England and Wale
Answer: The joint Defra and Welsh Government consultation on proposed changes to the current Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) related livestock feed controls opened on 4th February and will close on 1st April 2025. Online engagement is an efficien...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: Restraint TechniquesDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31530More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on the Use of reasonable force and other restrictive interventions guidance: proposed
Answer: Consultation documents set out, within the first few pages, alternative ways that respondents can obtain copies in alternative formats, and how to respond through methods other than the online system.The department can be contacted by post or email to req...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTerminally Ill Adults (End of Life) BillLeader of the HouseTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30221More
Question: To ask the Leader of the House, what steps she is taking to provide parliamentary scrutiny of Government involvement in amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by hon. Members not on the bill committee.
Answer: While the Government have a neutral position on the principles of the Bill, we have a responsibility to ensure that any Bill passed by the House is workable and operable. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was passed by the House at Second Readi...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHomelessness: Temporary AccommodationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29640More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Funding arrangements for the Homelessness Preventi
Answer: The department issued an open consultation on Funding arrangements for the Homelessness Prevention Grant from 2026/27 onwards.Details of how to respond, including by post, can be found under the ‘Basic Information’ section of the consultation document.
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCorporation Tax: Public ConsultationTreasuryTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29639More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Multinational Top-up Tax and Domestic Top-up Tax: Supplementary draft guidance.
Answer: As with all government consultations, paper copies and alternative formats are available free of charge on request. There has been no change to policy on ensuring the accessibility of government consultations, and the approach followed by this administrat...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: FranchisesDepartment for EducationTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29638More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Franchising in higher education.
Answer: The department’s consultation on franchising in higher education (HE) offers different alternatives to respond in order to meet the range of accessibility needs.There is an option to respond via post by using a printed copy of the consultation document, f...
Answered 20 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordLand Use: Public ConsultationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29637More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Land use in England.
Answer: The Land Use Consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on the 25th of April with the Government aiming to publish the final Land Use Framework later this year. The consultation is the start of a national conversation on how we best use our land, this wi...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordRailway Stations: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28597More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve accessibility at railway stations in Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.
Answer: We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Since April 2024, 19 stations have been completed with a further 8 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme ...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCurriculum: ReformDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) schools and (b) educators are adequately (i) informed and (ii) prepared for national curriculum reform.
Answer: The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is being undertaken in close consultation with education professionals, and will pay attention to the practicalities of implementation and the avoidance of unintended consequences and additional workload fo...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBridges: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26548More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 24940 on Bridges: Runnymede and Weybridge, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the response of the Environment Agency
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) prioritises public safety across all of the activities it carries out and also the assets it is responsible for. The towpath bridges that are currently closed will remain closed until the recommended refurbishment works have be...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
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