Caroline Voaden MP: written questions
83 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Project Gigabit: South DevonDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110212More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when the Project Gigabit voucher scheme will reopen to communities in South Devon constituency.
Answer: Building Digital UK (BDUK) engaged suppliers at the end of 2025 on the potential for further Project Gigabit delivery, and several voucher suppliers expressed interest in delivering more voucher projects in South Devon. BDUK will make premises available t...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: MetersDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 2 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that households in areas with poor mobile signal are not excluded from smart meters.
Answer: The Data Communications Company (DCC) - the licensed body that is responsible for the provision of communication and data services for smart metering in GB - is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide smart meter network coverage to at le...
Answered 9 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Restoration FundDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104960More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Water Restoration Fund will open for new applications in 2026.
Answer: The Water Restoration Fund, funded by water company fines and penalties from April 2022 until October 2023, is now delivering on-the-ground improvements for water quality through 51 projects, directly benefitting the communities and the environment which ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEmpty PropertyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104908More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for trends in the number of long-term empty homes.
Answer: There are numerous reasons that homes are left empty, including probate and homes falling into disrepair. The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country. Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFisheriesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the fishing industry following recent changes to the EU regulations for UK vessels operating in EU waters.
Answer: The changes to the EU Control Regulation apply to all vessels fishing in EU waters including those of EU member states and the UK. All UK vessels licensed to fish in EU waters have been notified of the impending changes and further detail and guidance on ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAngling: White FishDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101200More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support recreational angling operators in the light of recent changes to pollack catch limits.
Answer: The pollack stock remains vulnerable and it is important we take steps to support its recovery. The recreational sector has shown leadership through the voluntary Pollack Pact, which we are building on by mandating a three-fish daily bag limit. This means...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFishing Vessels: WrecksDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101137More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has had with the fishing industry in the South West on the sinking of a vessel off the coast of South Devon on 11 October 2025.
Answer: The MCA did not liaise with the fishing industry in the South West during the operation pertaining to the sinking of a vessel off the coast of South Devon. The incident is currently subject to a debriefing process wherein upon completion there will be eng...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDelivery Services: ConsumersDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101136More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with OFCOM on levels of compliance of delivery companies with consumer rights legislation.
Answer: I have recently met with Ofcom to discuss a range of issues. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the seller is responsible for the delivery of goods bought online until they are in the consumer's physical possession and is thus responsible if anything goe...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordProperty Development: Coastal AreasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101135More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to prevent speculative development on greenfield sites in coastal locations.
Answer: The government is consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which includes a revised presumption in favour of sustainable development and new policies on development inside and outside settlements. These changes aim to provide for a mo...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPublic Libraries: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 8 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98134More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure local authorities are adequately funded to support public libraries.
Answer: The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils' Core Spending Power...
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Feed-in TariffsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97460More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to solar feed in tariff contract conditions on households with solar panels.
Answer: The Government is consulting on changes to how Feed-in Tariff payments are adjusted for inflation in future. The consultation includes an analytical annex which includes an assessment of the potential impacts of this policy. An updated version of this wil...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: AttendanceDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure SEND is taken into account in school attendance policies.
Answer: As set out in the department’s 2024 guidance ‘Working together to improve school attendance’, every pupil has a right to a full-time education, and high attendance expectations should be set for all pupils. A school’s attendance policy should account for ...
Answered 12 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: Telephone ServicesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 2 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 906763More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the responsiveness of his Department's helplines.
Answer: We are continuing our efforts to improve our telephony services.We have prioritised service reform through focusing extra resource to boost our performance.Our call answering rate has increased to 86 per cent, the average answering time improving from eig...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Overseas Territories: Tax EvasionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 906679More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle tax evasion in the Overseas Territories.
Answer: The Economic Secretary to the Treasury and I met with leaders from the Overseas Territories at the Joint Ministerial Council last week, where issues around the financial sector were discussed.All OTs with financial centres have committed to upholding inte...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordIVF: LGBT+ PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91848More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure female same-sex couples have access to NHS-funded IVF treatment.
Answer: The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand the offer around National Health Service-funded ...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: South WestDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 906329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress her Department has made on rolling out Project Gigabit in the South West.
Answer: Through Project Gigabit we are delivering gigabit-capable connections to premises across the South West that are not expected to be reached by the commercial market alone.Up to 31 March 2025, approximately 165,900 premises across the region have received ...
Answered 12 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDementiaDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure consistent access to post-diagnostic dementia support.
Answer: Our health system has struggled to support those with complex needs, including those with dementia. Under our 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.We will deliver the first ever Frail...
Answered 6 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSea Mines: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85548More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what process is in place to ensure mariners are notified of training mines set in UK waters.
Answer: Mariners are notified of training mines through Notices to Mariners, Navigational Warnings (NAVWARNs), and real-time Maritime Safety Information broadcasts. These are coordinated by the Ministry of Defence, the UK Hydrographic Office, and the Maritime and...
Answered 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPeatlands: Controlled BurningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85547More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the threshold is for Natural England to investigate reported burns on deep peat.
Answer: Defra takes any allegations of breaches of The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 seriously. With support from Natural England, a desk-based assessment is completed for all reports received. Where an offence cannot be ruled out, the...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCash DispensingTreasuryTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84496More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Financial Conduct Authority's regulatory regime entitled PS24/8: Access to cash.
Answer: The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed ...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: CCTVTreasuryTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84492More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of including CCTV systems as rateable items on businesses.
Answer: CCTV systems fall within the relevant business rates legislation relating to plant and machinery, and as such are rateable. The presence of small systems may be reflected in the overall value of the building, although more specialist systems may be separa...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: InnovationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84046More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support innovation in the agricultural sector.
Answer: The Farming Innovation Programme is supporting research and innovation in the agricultural sector to help English farmers and growers increase productivity, sustainability and resilience. The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June, recognis...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his planned timetable is for informing local transport authorities of their Local Transport Grant allocation.
Answer: The Local Transport Grant (LTG) is a £2.3bn grant for local transport enhancements and maintenance, comprising both capital and resource funding from 2026/27 onwards. The grant is allocated to local transport authorities in England outside of London and a...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Parks: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80390More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on levels
Answer: Government remains committed to safeguarding our National Parks and National Landscapes and enabling Protected Landscapes organisations to make land greener, wilder, and more accessible to all.
Answered 16 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDisability: VATTreasuryTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80389More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the guidance entitled Reliefs from VAT for disabled and older people (VAT Notice 701/7), published on 18 December 2014, for people with permanent disabilities who are
Answer: HMRC supports its customers by providing accessible digital services, tailored help for those with additional needs, and clear guidance to manage their tax affairs confidently. VAT Notice 701/7 - Reliefs from VAT for disabled and older people explains whi...
Answered 15 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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