Blake Stephenson MP: written questions
1633 published records · newest first.
Written questions
National 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 recordApprentices: Environmental HealthDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74973More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of apprenticeships on increasing the environmental health workforce.
Answer: Employers operating in environmental health have developed the environmental health practitioner level 6 degree apprenticeship to help them develop their workforces. Further detail about the apprenticeship can be found on the Skills England website at: ht...
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: BedfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74972More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press release entitled Patients and pupils to benefit from school and hospital repairs, published on 30 May 2025, whether any schools in Bedfordshire will be included.
Answer: This government has increased investment for improving school buildings to £2.1 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, almost £300 million more than last year. As part of that, close to £470 million has been made available to eligible schools and sixth-f...
Answered 3 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordApprentices: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74971More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on reducing funding for Level 7 apprenticeships.
Answer: This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity.From January 2026, the government will no longer fund level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to master’s degree level, except for young apprentices under the age of 22. This will ena...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74950More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commission an (a) independent and (b) peer reviewed study of the accuracy of AI in healthcare settings.
Answer: The National Health Service operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI), underpinned by rigorous standards established by numerous bodies including the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, National...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74695More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential cyber security implications of his policy to make the NHS the most artificial intelligence enabled care system in the world, as set out in the 10 Year
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan commit the Government to making the National Health Service become the most artificial intelligence (AI)-ready healthcare system in the world.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will review r...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordEurostar: BedfordDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74694More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending Eurostar services to Bedford in the context of the Universal UK theme park.
Answer: The Government fully supports the growth and expansion of international rail services given the benefits they provide, including more sustainable connections to Europe. Whilst it is a commercial decision for operators, the Government stands ready to engag...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAviation: Alternative FuelsDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74693More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on sourcing black bin waste from councils for use in the production of sustainable aviation fuels.
Answer: The Government is clear on the merits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and that increasing its use is a key measure to decarbonising aviation. We want the UK to capture its share of the global SAF market and are helping businesses in the UK play a leadi...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAviation: Alternative FuelsDepartment for TransportTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74692More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on increasing sustainable aviation fuel production in the UK.
Answer: The Government is clear on the merits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and that increasing its use is a key measure to decarbonising aviation. We want the UK to capture its share of the global SAF market and are helping businesses in the UK play a leadi...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74691More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of business rates on pub closures.
Answer: To deliver our manifesto pledge, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that RHL businesses benefit fro...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordInvestment ReturnsTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74690More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that savers have access to high return investment options.
Answer: The Government wants to see more people benefit from the higher returns and long-term financial resilience that investing can provide. That is why the Chancellor’s Leeds Reforms included bold actions to boost retail investment.In particular, the Treasury ...
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordNatWest Group: Government ShareholdingTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74689More
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, if she will publish Departmental analysis of the (a) chosen and (b) 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 recordTrade Agreements: IndiaDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74688More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has conducted an impact assessment for the UK-India trade deal.
Answer: I refer the member for Mid Bedfordshire to the answer my predecessor gave to UIN 73978 on 5 September 2025.
Answered 22 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordIncome TaxTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74687More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her planned thresholds are for income tax in 2029-30.
Answer: The Government is committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds.
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordImport Duties: USADepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74686More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the sectoral economic impact of US tariffs.
Answer: My department has been assessing the impact of US tariffs on the economy. This includes sector-by-sector impact assessments and scenario modelling. We are constantly engaging directly with businesses from across all sectors to gather real time intelligenc...
Answered 22 Sept 2025
Original Parliament record
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