Blake Stephenson MP: written questions 2025
1235 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Genomics: BabiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75403More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 12 of the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, how long individualised genomic data for newborns will be retai
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan set out an ambition to offer newborn genomic testing as part of routine care within the next decade. Delivering against this ambition will be subject to evidence gathered through the Generation Study. This research programme is eva...
Answered 9 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGenomics: BabiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75402More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 12 of the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, whether parents will be able to opt-out of universal newborn ge
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan set out an ambition to offer newborn genomic testing as part of routine care within the next decade. Delivering against this ambition will be subject to evidence gathered through the Generation Study. This research programme is eva...
Answered 25 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealthDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75401More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to page 12 of the policy paper entitled 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, published on 3 July 2025, what incentives will be provided for healthier choices.
Answer: The Department will shortly launch a market engagement process with business to inform the creation of the newly announced NHS Points digital scheme. This will include inviting views and evidence as to what types of incentives could be provided in return ...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: SoftwareDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75400More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether patients will be able to access private healthcare services provided through the NHS on the NHS app.
Answer: We estimate there are around 450 independent sector providers that are providing National Health Service services via the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). There is no classification of private healthcare or independent sector in the e-RS Directory of Servic...
Answered 25 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75399More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the size of the maintenance backlog in the NHS at the end of the 10 Year Health Plan.
Answer: Alongside the 10-Year Health Plan detailing our ambition to deliver a National Health Service fit for the future, the Government recently published a 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy setting out 10-year maintenance budgets for the public estate, with £6 bi...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: StrikesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75398More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doctors’ strikes on the measures in his 10 Year Health Plan.
Answer: Whilst the Department has not made a specific assessment, there is data which demonstrates the number of appointments rescheduled because of strike action. This is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/08/nhs-publishes-strike-imp...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPlanning: Flood ControlMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75371More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to bring forward legislation on the treatment of flooding in the planning system before the end of the current Session.
Answer: The government has no plans to bring forward primary legislation concerning the treatment of flooding in the planning system, given the strong safeguards which already exist in national planning policy.
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordNatWest Group: Government ShareholdingTreasuryTabled 5 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75370More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Government completes exit from NatWest, published on 30 May 2025, what estimate her Department has made of the potential income from the retail model of sale
Answer: On 30 May 2025, the government sold its remaining shares in NatWest Group, bringing to an end the public ownership of banks resulting from the 2007-2009 global financial crisis. The government focused on ensuring sales of NatWest shares were delivered in ...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordFlood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74990More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Ofwat to be abolished in biggest overhaul of water since privatisation, published on 21 July 2025, whether the new water regul
Answer: This Government has confirmed that it will abolish Ofwat and bring water functions from four different regulators into one – a single regulator responsible for the entire water sector. Until the single water regulator is fully established, the existing re...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordWater ChargesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to legislate to mandate the introduction of rising block tariffs for water bills.
Answer: The Government has no plans to mandate the introduction of rising block tariffs for water bills. Several water companies are currently trialling rising block tariffs. Through these trials the sector will learn how to best support customers, including fami...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordWater: MetersDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to legislate to mandate the installation of smart meters for water usage.
Answer: Water companies are already able to install smart meters in homes as part of their planning and, in areas of water stress, can charge on a mandatory basis where there is overall customer support and value for money for consumers has been proved. The Gover...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordWater ChargesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74987More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of rising block tariffs for water usage on (a) families with young children, (b) households of multiple occupancy and (c) multi-ge
Answer: The Government has no plans to mandate the introduction of rising block tariffs for water bills. Several water companies are currently trialling rising block tariffs. Through these trials the sector will learn how to best support customers, including fami...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BillingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74986More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Millions more families to get £150 off energy bills this winter, published on 19 June 2025, what support is available for families in
Answer: The Warm Home Discount is available for homes off the gas grid, as it is an electricity bill discount, not tied to gas supply.
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAviation: Alternative FuelsDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74985More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to support increasing the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels in addition to legislating for the certainty mechanism.
Answer: The SAF Bill, currently before the House, will deliver a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism that will help unlock investment in UK SAF production. In addition, we are building demand through the SAF Mandate introduced on 1 January. We are also supporting the...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Grid: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74984More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the cost of the (a) pylons, (b) cables and (c) batteries required for upgrading the power grid to net zero by 2030.
Answer: In the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the Department estimated that the plan would require around £40 billion of investment on average per year between 2025-2030, much of which will be private investment [1]. This included around £30 billion of investment ...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2025 to Question 64210 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the number of civilian visits to Diego Garcia on securit
Answer: Chagossian Heritage Visits to Diego Garcia were routine prior to COVID-19. They are not frequent, are limited in the number of participants and are tightly controlled. Any person visiting Diego Garcia is subject to a number of security protocols.
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: In-flight RefuellingMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of improving the UK’s capability to facilitate in air refuelling.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 63066 on 4 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Huntingdon.
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordF-35 Aircraft: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to confirm the (a) delivery and (b) in-service date for the new F35A jets.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave to Question 63225 on 7 July 2025 to the hon. Member for Poole.
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordCommunity Development: Young PeopleDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled Prime Minister unveils new opportunities for young people to re-connect with their communities, published on 5 August 2025, how much additional fundin
Answer: DCMS and the National Lottery Community Fund launched Phase 3 of the Million Hours Fund, a £19 million joint investment, to provide youth organisations with funding to deliver additional hours of positive activities for young people in areas with higher l...
Answered 23 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTechnical Excellence Colleges: ApprenticesDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74979More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2025 to Question 63763 on Technical Excellence Colleges: Apprentices, if she will provide funding for Level 7 apprenticeships undertaken by people over 22 at Technical Excellen
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire to the answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57098.
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordLiteracy: StandardsDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74978More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve adult literacy.
Answer: The government recognises the importance of adult literacy skills. That is why the department supports participation in English through our ‘essential skills’ entitlements funded through the adult skills fund (ASF). This provides the opportunity for fully...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Assistive TechnologyDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74977More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Thousands of children with SEND to benefit from assistive tech, published on 27 June 2025, which local authorities will receive that funding.
Answer: Digital assistive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that includes any device, software or system used to support individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). When used effectively, AT can play a vital role in supporting pupils wit...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: Private EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74976More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the reasons for changes to the number of private school pupils between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic year.
Answer: The latest school census data, as at January 2025, reveals pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns seen for over 20 years. This information can be accessed at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupil...
Answered 3 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordKimberley Sixth Form College: Flood ControlDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74975More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54102 on Schools: Flood Control, whether her Department has had discussions with Kimberley College in Stewartby on flood protections.
Answer: To date no correspondence has been received from the college on this matter, therefore my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education can confirm the department’s Schools Water Strategy has not held discussions with Kimberley College on flood ...
Answered 8 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordClassroom Assistants: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74974More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of teaching assistants on the provision of SEND support within schools.
Answer: Teaching assistants (TAs) play a vital role in children’s education, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).A departmental survey in 2023, ‘The use of teaching assistants in schools’, found that TAs across all school s...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament record
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