Ben Spencer MP: written questions
198 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Space Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Innovate UK on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Natural Environment Research Council on its approach to support research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Medical Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Economic and Social Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had since with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18650More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 202
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18649More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with ARIA on support for research into space weather since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions and ARIA does not currently have a programme focused on space weather.As set out in ARIA’s Framework Agreement, ARIA has maximum autonomy over its research and project choice. Decisions on the programme portfolio are...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEpilepsy and Parkinson's Disease: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17898More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure consistency of the supply of medication for (a) epilepsy and b) Parkinson's disease patients.
Answer: The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including with s...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDiabetes: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the total amount of Government investment into type 1 diabetes disease research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: Through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the government committed £17.2 million funding for Type 1 Diabetes research in 2023 and 2024 (and includes funding from the Horizon Europe Guarantee). £8.3 million of this is through UKRI’s Medical Research Counc...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordKidney Diseases: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the total amount of Government investment into chronic kidney disease research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: Through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) the government committed £8.9 million for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2023 and 2024 is £8.9m. £5.8 million of this is through UKRI’s Medical Research Council funding, which includes research into CKD after pre...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17250More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with universities on the UK’s approach to research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities on a range of issues.
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with businesses on the UK’s approach to research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities on a range of issues.
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17248More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the UKRI on their approach to support research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the reply I gave in UIN 16568
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16571More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Economic and Social Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16570More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16568More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16567More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with ARIA on support for research into food biosecurity since July 2024.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Advanced Research & Invention Agency’s (ARIA) Synthetic Pl...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPost Office: DirectorsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14809More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Post Office board.
Answer: Annually, in line with the Financial Reporting Council’s Corporate Governance Code, the Post Office Board runs a Board Evaluation exercise to determine skills gaps on the Board and areas for improvement. The outcomes of this review are shared with DBT as ...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDogsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14802More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to regulate professional dog walkers.
Answer: Professional dog walkers must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and other relevant legislation, such as welfare in transport regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act, and any public liability or other insurance policy requirements. The Gove...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWater Companies: Employers' ContributionsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14792More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Ofwat on the potential impact of proposed changes to employers National Insurance contributions on the financial resilience of water companies.
Answer: The Secretary of State has not had any discussion with Ofwat on the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions. Given the principle of regulatory independence, Ofwat conducts the price control review process at a distance fro...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Services: ClosuresDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13810More
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 2024, whether he has made an estimate of the number of dental practices that will close as a result of the propos
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 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDentistry: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13809More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in the rate of employer National Insurance contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the pro
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 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record
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