Blake Stephenson MP: written questions
865 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Solar Power: ParkingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the pot
Answer: DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, through a call for evidence which closes on June 18th. This include...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: ParkingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55500More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, what discussions he has had with the Secreta
Answer: The government is assessing the potential for the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. At this stage, no decision has been made, but as this policy develops of c...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: ParkingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55499More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide funding to local aut
Answer: The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the i...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: ParkingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide support to retrofit
Answer: The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the i...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: TebworthDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55497More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Tebworth solar farm on (a) access to countryside for local communities, (b) nature recovery and (c) the protection of wildlife.
Answer: It would not be appropriate for DESNZ Ministers to comment on matters related to any specific projects. However, all solar projects are subject to a rigorous planning process, in which the views and interests of local communities are considered. This incl...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMathematics: Mid BedfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55496More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 40352 on Mathematics: Mid Bedfordshire, when she plans to publish further details on (a) funding for the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme and (b) the fu
Answer: On 6 May 2025, the department announced £8.2 million of funding for the advanced maths support programme (AMSP). More information about this programme is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-girls-to-study-maths-under-plans-to-improve-p...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBreakfast Clubs: Per Capita CostsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55495More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding per pupil per school day will be provided to schools to fund universal breakfast clubs.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire to the answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 56756.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: FloodsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of days of education lost because of flooding in each of the last five academic years.
Answer: The information requested cannot be provided as this is not held by the department.
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: FloodsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an estimate of the number of schools that were affected by flooding in each of the last five academic years.
Answer: The department cannot provide the information requested for all schools. However, our Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) collects details of claims to its service. The table below shows the number of flooding related claims made to the RPA in each of the l...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: FloodsDepartment for EducationTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, whether her Department has held discussions with local authorities on insurance costs
Answer: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and the department’s Schools Water Strategy team work with delivery partners such as the Environment Agency, water companies and lead local flood authorities to deliver flood prevention measures i...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: VATDepartment for EducationTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing VAT on independent schools in (a) January, (b) August and (c) September 2025 on the number of independent school closures.
Answer: Tax policy is a matter for HM Treasury (HMT). HMT published a tax information and impact note concerning the introduction of VAT on independent school fees which is accessible here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees/app...
Answered 10 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: RecruitmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55490More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49573 on Armed Forces: Labour Turnover, what steps he is taking to increase the armed forces inflow.
Answer: The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve Armed Forces recruitment and retention.Since July 2024 we have taken decisive measures to redress the re...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Labour TurnoverMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49573 on Armed Forces: Labour Turnover, what steps he is taking to reduce the armed forces outflow.
Answer: The current Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and retention from the last administration. We have made a series of announcements to improve Armed Forces recruitment and retention.Since July 2024 we have taken decisive measures to redress the re...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Bases: ClosuresMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55488More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of closing RAF bases and using the land for housebuilding on national security.
Answer: The Royal Air Force would not recommend the disposal of any of its bases which were required for national security purposes. All Ministry of Defence sites identified for disposal are published on the disposal database on Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordTourism: National LandscapesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55487More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to encourage higher numbers of international tourists to visit protected landscapes.
Answer: Yes, we want to encourage international tourists to experience the full range of the UK’s visitor attractions including our world class museums, our internationally-renowned bars and restaurants, or indeed our protected landscapes. International tourists ...
Answered 10 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordTourism: Tax YieldsDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55486More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer on 7 February 2025 to Question 27307 on Tourism: Local Government, whether her Department has made an estimate of the potential impact of increasing inbound tourism by 50 m
Answer: The Department has not made an estimate of the potential tax receipts from an increase of 50 million inbound visitors per year.Inbound tourism already delivers significant value to the UK economy. In 2023, the tourism sector is estimated to have directly ...
Answered 10 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Bodies: ReviewsCabinet OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55254More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the review announced in his Department's press release entitled Hundreds of quangos to be examined for potential closure as Government takes back cont
Answer: The government is conducting a full line-by-line Spending Review which will cover the costs of proposed and existing ALBs to ensure value for money is being delivered for the taxpayer. On 6 April, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced a full ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordImport Duties: USADepartment for Business and TradeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make a comparative assessment of US tariffs on the UK (a) in July 2024 and (b) under the new UK-US trade deal.
Answer: On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. We’re the first country to secure a deal with the US which gives our companies a preferential tariff rate. Lowering or removing tariffs across a range of sectors will help to ease the burden on ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the cost of energy on automotive manufacturers.
Answer: We speak regularly to all major UK automotive stakeholders to understand the health of the sector and factors that impact competitiveness. Our modern Industrial Strategy will focus on tackling barriers to growth in areas important for automotive companies...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordCyprus: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55095More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25788 on Cyprus: Foreign Relations, whether the Sovereign Base Areas were discussed during those conversations.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Kombos discussed the role of the Sovereign Base Areas, including in humanitarian initiatives, as part of a broader exchange on defence and security cooperation. The Republic of Cyprus is a trusted and valuable pa...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGibraltar: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25787 on Spain: Foreign Relations, whether the Minister discussed the future of Gibraltar during his visit to Madrid on
Answer: My meetings with Spanish Foreign Minister Albares and State Secretary for the EU Fernando Sampedro were focussed on the UK's relationship with Spain. We also discussed the progress of the UK-EU negotiations in respect of Gibraltar's future relationship wi...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArgentina: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55093More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 25786 on Argentina: Foreign Relations, whether he discussed the future of the Falkland Islands in those conversations.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK's longstanding position on Falkland Islands sovereignty. While the UK recognises that a constructive relationship with Argentina is in our shared best interests, our commitment to defending the Falkland Islanders' r...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Landscapes: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54459More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to the level of funding for Natural England's National Landscapes programme on the number of tourists visiting protected landscap
Answer: Tourism is a critical part of the local economy, particularly in regions like Dorset, which benefit from a unique natural landscape and internationally recognised sites such as the Jurassic Coast.I am fully aware of the importance of protecting these natu...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordCulture and Tourism: Beer and Public HousesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54458More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the beer and pub sector on UK culture and tourism.
Answer: The Pub and beer sector hold a special place in British culture, as well as being a core attraction for tourists and local people alike. They are an essential part of the visitor economy and found in every single community across England. They are a place...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFilm: Government AssistanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54457More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the film industry, in the context of President Trump’s announcement of 100% tariffs in the US on films produced in the UK.
Answer: Although an authorisation for the Dept of Commerce to introduce tariffs on films produced outside the US was announced on 5 May, no such tariffs have so far been introduced.The deep ties between the US and UK film industries provide mutual economic and cu...
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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