Blake Stephenson MP: written questions 2026
336 published records · newest first.
Written questions
English Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126833More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what evidence on test security her Department reviewed as part of the market engagement process for the Home Office English Language tender.
Answer: During the market engagement process for the HOELT, the Home Office engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including existing Secure English Language Test (SELT) providers, assessment bodies, regulators such as Ofqual, and independent experts. Evidenc...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126832More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential risk that takers of the fully remote Home Office English Language Test may use artificial intelligence technology to circumvent testing integrity; and wha
Answer: The Home Office takes the integrity of the Home Office English Language Test seriously and has assessed a range of risks, including those posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence tools and wearable devices. The Department recognises ...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126831More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to identify and mitigate potential attempts at cheating resulting from the new Home Office English Language Test being taken outside secure test centres and wit
Answer: The Home Office is committed to ensuring the integrity of the Home Office English Language Test (HOELT). The procurement process requires any delivery model to meet appropriate integrity requirements. The Department is aware of the risks associated with r...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordIndustry: Working HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 119566 on Industry: Working Hours, when he plans to publish the public consultation on guaranteed hours.
Answer: The government will consult on the right to guaranteed hours in due course, to be sure to get the detail of the regulations right for both workers and employers across all sectors.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 908493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the conflict in Iran on energy prices.
Answer: Attacks have targeted energy production and export infrastructure across the Gulf. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and LNG is shipped, has declined very significantly. This is putting upward pressure on global price...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Working HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119567More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of guaranteed hours requirements on small and medium-sized enterprises operating in sectors reliant on temporary labour.
Answer: The government has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025.This analysis includes consideration of increases in labour costs and effects on flexibility for micro, ...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordIndustry: Working HoursDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119566More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Government plans to introduce sector-specific exemptions from the right to guaranteed hours in industries with seasonal or fluctuating demand.
Answer: Exemptions to the duty to offer guaranteed hours may be made by Ministers in regulations and will be subject to a full public consultation on how the measures are implemented. However, we envisage that any exemptions to the duty to offer guaranteed hours ...
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government FinanceWomen and EqualitiesTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 907538More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government of the potential impact of the fair funding formula on levels of inequality of access to services.
Answer: This government is delivering fairer funding for councils in England. By targeting money where it is needed most, these reforms will improve services for people in deprived places and have positive equalities impacts. Following extensive consultation and ...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRainforests: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107822More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made representations to the Foreign Secretary on the potential for British International Investment to contribute funding to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility.
Answer: The Government continues to be supportive of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility and has reviewed a range of options to support an investment, including the potential of BII to contribute to funding the Facility. The Secretary of State for Energy Securit...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: RainforestsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107821More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the British International Investment on the Tropical Forest Investment Fund.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 November in response to Question 87351.
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: RainforestsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107820More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of British International Investment contributing funding to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 November in response to Question 87351.
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVisas: Overseas StudentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104263More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of students obtaining a Student Visa for study at a higher education provider since July 2024 have provided a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider.
Answer: All successful Student visa applications from a Higher Education Provider (HEP) must demonstrate that the student has the required English Language.The Study Sponsor Guidance sets out the requirements for a sponsor’s duty for English Language assessment o...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVisas: Overseas StudentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104262More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of students obtaining a student visa for study at a higher education provider since July 2024 have provided proof that they can speak English.
Answer: All successful Student visa applications to study at a Higher Education Provider (HEP) must demonstrate that they meet the English language requirement as specified in the Immigration Rules.The ways that English language can be demonstrated can be found a...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104261More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the move to remote and digital by default English language testing for UK visas on the public purse.
Answer: Today’s Secure English Language Testing concessions collect all applicants’ fees with no return to the department to cover the costs of managing and overseeing delivery. There will be a net positive benefit to the public purse for this new HO ELT service.
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104260More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether foreign language courses taught at UK institutions are proof of English language for visa applications.
Answer: All applicants must be able to demonstrate the required level of English Language for any visa application as per the Immigration Rules.There are a variety of ways applicants can meet the English language requirement set out on the Immigration Rules, incl...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104259More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to hold a trial of the proposed remote and digital-by-default method of English language testing for visas.
Answer: As part of the procurement, we have undertaken significant Market Engagement that has already assessed the deliverability of the service and there will be robust processes for evaluation of bids and subsequent mobilisation that will assure that the servic...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104258More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of moving to digital by default on the security of English language testing.
Answer: We have engaged the market to understand what capability is available to maintain the high standards of security and integrity of the test and have developed a robust security schedule and solution requirements to ensure this remains at the heart of the d...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: AssessmentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104257More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of Secure English Language Tests were obtained via remote testing in 2024-25.
Answer: The current Secure English Language Testing contract is one that was tendered and awarded for physical test sites therefore, remote testing is not currently offered as part of the Secure English Language Test service.
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVisas: English LanguageHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104256More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of other countries that are using methods similar to the proposed remote and digital by default testing for English language requirements for UK vis
Answer: Home Office English Language Testing, post procurement and implementation in late 2027/ early 2028 will be one of the first primarily remote language testing services for government, with significant benefits to customers, strengthened identity management...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVisas: Overseas StudentsHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of higher education providers require Student Visa applicants to prove their knowledge of English before issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
Answer: To make a successful Student visa application, all international students must meet the relevant English Language requirement that applies to their circumstances, in line with Appendix Student of the Immigration Rules. The methods that a Student may rely ...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Workers: DeportationHome OfficeTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to written question 78022, what proportion of the 7,130 arrests have resulted in one or more deportations since 5 July 2024.
Answer: The information you have requested is published at Illegal working and enforcement activity to the end of December 2025 - GOV.UK
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHospices: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103536More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to ensure that hospices receive the funding required to raise staff pay in line with nationally agreed NHS pay rises.
Answer: Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.Hospices, as independent organisations, are...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNew Towns: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102970More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what changes he made to Departmental budgets in the Autumn Budget 2025 to fund the a) infrastructure and b) services required for new towns.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the independent New Towns Taskforce final report as well as the government’s initial response to it. Both can be found on gov.uk here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordProperty Development: FloodsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the effectiveness of the application of planning legislation relating to flooding, in the cont
Answer: Due to the quasi-judicial role of MHCLG Ministers in the planning system, I am unable to comment on the details of specific planning applications or appeals. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 100731 on 5 January 2026.
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNew TownsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to publish guidance for planning inspectors on how to approach local authorities which allocate housing sites later designated as new towns in emergi
Answer: In advance of the government confirming new town locations, local planning authorities for areas in which a new town may be located should continue with plan-making and continue to approach planning applications in these locations in a positive and proact...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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