Bob Blackman MP: written questions 2025
121 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Children: Social ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84191More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to help improve the quality of local authority children's social care services.
Answer: The department has announced the biggest overhaul to children’s social care (CSC) in a generation, including increased investment and landmark legislation through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. From April 2025, we are making £500 million avail...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCats: Animal BreedingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of banning the cross-breeding of exotic cats with domestic cat breeds.
Answer: The Government welcomes the Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion on the welfare implications of current and emergent feline breeding practices which included their research into the management and welfare of hybrid breeding. We are carefully considering the...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCats: Animal BreedingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83266More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans her Department has to meet with animal welfare organisations to discuss tackling the illegal (a) breeding and (b) sale of hybrid cats.
Answer: The Department is kept up to date with developments in cat welfare through regular engagements with key sector organisations.
Answered 24 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMehran ShamlouiForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of Iran’s recent Supreme Court’s decision to deny a retrial for Mehran Shamloui; and what diplomat
Answer: We are concerned by Mehran Shamoui's case and by Iran's treatment of Christians, in particular Christian converts, more broadly. On 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council, UK Permanent Representative, Kumar Iyer, highlighted the targeting and s...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHakop GochumyanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterparts in Iran on Hakop Gochumyan; and whether she is taking diplomatic steps to help secure his release.
Answer: We are very concerned by Mr. Gochumyan's case and at Iran's treatment of Christians more broadly. On 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council, UK Permanent Representative, Kumar Iyer, highlighted the targeting and scapegoating of marginalised gro...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHakop GochumyanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 81286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Iranian authorities on Hakop Gochumyan; and what steps she is taking to ensure his release.
Answer: We are very concerned by Mr. Gochumyan's case and at Iran's treatment of Christians more broadly. On 23 September 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council, UK Permanent Representative, Kumar Iyer, highlighted the targeting and scapegoating of marginalised gro...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPakistan: WomenForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in Pakistan on allegations of (a) abduction and (b) trafficking of (i) Hindu and (ii) Christian women and girls; and
Answer: The UK is committed to addressing the abduction, trafficking, forced marriage and conversion of women and girls in Pakistan, including from Hindu and Christian communities. Further to the welcome passage of the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage R...
Answered 13 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPakistan: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75585More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Pakistani counterpart on the use of blasphemy legislation to target religious minorities.
Answer: The UK Government remains deeply concerned by the use of blasphemy laws to undermine human rights in Pakistan. We regularly raise this issue at the highest levels, pressing for due process to prevent wrongful convictions and ensure fair trials for those a...
Answered 3 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Products: ImportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75584More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether Monkeys will be included in the government's proposed hunting trophy ban.
Answer: Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope for the ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Species of conservation concern are listed primarily on Appendices I ...
Answered 12 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHuang YiziForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75048More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his Chinese counterparts on the detention of Pastor Huang Zi; and what steps he is taking to support his release.
Answer: The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Christians. This Government champions freedom of religion or belief for all abroad, and we continue to monitor developments closely and engage...
Answered 16 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTobacco: AdvertisingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74377More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for banning heated tobacco adverts following the Royal Assent of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forw
Answer: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has completed its Second Reading in the House of Lords, and Committee Stage will take place as soon as parliamentary time allows. We expect the bill to complete its passage within this parliamentary session.The Tobacco Advertisi...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordTobacco and Vapes BillDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74375More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to receive Royal Assent.
Answer: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has completed its Second Reading in the House of Lords, and Committee Stage will take place as soon as parliamentary time allows. We expect the bill to complete its passage within this parliamentary session.The Tobacco Advertisi...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHuntingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 74374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will set out the scope the proposed ban on trophy hunting imports.
Answer: Defra is continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to help determine the most appropriate scope of a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern. Species of conservation concern are listed on the Appendices of the Conv...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordLung Cancer: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have (a) been screened, (b) been diagnosed with lung cancer and (c) had an incidental finding of emphysema through the Targeted Lung Health Check programme since its launch in 2019.
Answer: The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is a National Health Service screening programme designed to identify cancers at an earlier stage. It is aimed at high-risk individuals or people with a history of smoking between the ages of 55 to 74 years old.From the...
Answered 25 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Seasonal Workers and Young PeopleDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring employment policies reflect the needs of sectors with high levels of (a) youth and (b) seasonal employment.
Answer: The Secretary of State, responsible Ministers and policy officials meet regularly with their counterparts in HM Treasury about a range of issues including on the Plan to Make Work Pay and the Employment Rights Bill.The Bill will deliver significant benefi...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBeer and Public Houses: Labour Turnover and RecruitmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65246More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) flexible and (b) seasonal work patterns in the (i) beer and (ii) pub sector the recruitment and retention of staff.
Answer: In my capacity as co-chair of the Hospitality Sector Council I regularly meet with businesses in these sectors to discuss the issues they face, including their challenges around recruitment and retention of staff. We have extended our Hospitality Sector W...
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Beer and Public HousesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65245More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the role (a) pubs and (b) brewers play on the provision of (i) first jobs and (ii) early career opportunities for young people.
Answer: We recognise that the pub and brewery industry is an important part of the Hospitality sector, and that it provides good prospects for young people to start their career. DWP’s Strategic Relationship Team actively works with trade bodies, including the Br...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Beer and Public HousesCabinet OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65244More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made of the beer and pub sector’s contribution to employment for 16- to 24-year-olds.
Answer: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th July is attached.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversities: AntisemitismDepartment for EducationTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64016More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with StandWithUs UK on its report entitled Voice of Students 2024-25, published on 7 May 2025.
Answer: The antisemitic incidents detailed in StandWithUs UK’s Voice of Students report are wholly unacceptable and the wellbeing and safety of our Jewish students remains a priority. That is why last month, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Educat...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPakistan: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64015More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) reports on the demolition of Ahmadiyya worship places, (b) the role of (i) Tehreek-e-Labbaik and (ii) extrem
Answer: We are deeply concerned by the desecration of Ahmadi mosques in Pakistan and continue to monitor the situation. Our High Commission in Islamabad regularly raises this issue with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. I raised the deteriorating ...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSupported HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61765More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish the outcomes of the recent consultation on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which closed on 15 Ma
Answer: The government has recently consulted on proposals for implementing the measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We are carefully considering all the responses and recognise that it is crucial that we get the details right to pro...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSupported HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61764More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish the final version of the regulations for implementing measures for a licensing regime for supported housing, as introduced under the Supported Housing (R
Answer: The government has recently consulted on proposals for implementing the measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We are carefully considering all the responses and recognise that it is crucial that we get the details right to pro...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordFujitsu: ContractsCabinet OfficeTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60431More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing Fujitsu’s access to public sector contract opportunities, in the context of the Horizon IT failures.
Answer: In January 2024, Fujitsu said it would withdraw from bidding for contracts with new Government customers until the Post Office Horizon inquiry concludes – it would only bid for work with existing Government customers where it already has a contract with t...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFujitsuDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60430More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is considering designating Fujitsu as a high-risk vendor, in the context of the failures of the Horizon system.
Answer: The High Risk Vendor process is not one that the Department for Business and Trade is responsible for. We welcome Fujitsu’s acknowledgement of their moral obligation to contribute to the cost of the Horizon scandal. Fujitsu have also announced they will v...
Answered 27 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: Employment and English LanguageMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60026More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to support displaced people to (a) build English language skills and (b) secure well-paid employment to support their ability to rent.
Answer: The Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities. We regularly monitor the English language and employm...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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