Catherine McKinnell MP: written questions
29 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Defence: Supply ChainsMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15330More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how the Defence Investment Plan will support the reduction of supply chain delays in the defence sector, including by addressing supply chain delays to the Challenger programme.
Answer: The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will help reduce supply chain delays by providing industry with greater certainty over future demand, enabling investment in skills, capacity and infrastructure. The DIP is supported by wider procurement reforms and suppl...
Answered 27 Aug 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: HousingMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage of a) new build and b) repaired old military homes, have been constructed using timber since the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy in December 2025, and whether his Department is conside
Answer: Since the publication of the Defence Housing Strategy in November 2025, the Department has not purchased any new build Service Family Accommodation (SFA) of timber frame construction. In relation to the repair or refurbishment of SFA, the Department is in...
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAir Force: HelmetsMinistry of DefenceTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to address delays to the Aircrew Helmet programme, and how he will make sure his department's approach to the procurement aligns with the objectives of the Defence Investment Plan to pr
Answer: The procurement strategy for the Aircrew Helmet Programme will align with the objectives of the Defence Investment Plan in promoting British manufacturing, sovereign capability, and SME participation, whilst also ensuring that the required safety and capa...
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: HousingMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122132More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has considered the potential merits of using timber to a) build new and b) repair old military homes.
Answer: The Defence Housing Strategy published on 3 November 2025, sets out a vision for the future transformation of military homes through a record £9 billion investment over a decade. The Department is in the early stages of the renovation programme. As we loo...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: Climate ChangeDepartment for EducationTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122131More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support schools to help tackle climate change.
Answer: The Education Estates Strategy sets out plans for an education estate that supports opportunity for all, with an education estate that is safe, suitable, sustainable and appropriately sufficiently sized. It is backed by a ten-year plan to deliver a decade...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: BuildingsDepartment for EducationTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has considered the potential merits of using timber materials in a) constructing and b) maintaining school buildings.
Answer: The government recognises that timber offers a solution as a renewable, low-carbon resource. It offers potential to reduce emissions and create jobs, as set out in the Timber in Construction Roadmap: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timber-in-co...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordObesity: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting lists for NHS-funded weight loss programmes.
Answer: The National Health Service provides a range of weight management services, and we recognise that waiting times for some programmes can be long. NHS England is taking steps to improve access. Access to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is being ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordClothing: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Department are taking to help tackle abusive purchasing practices in the fashion industry.
Answer: The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses. The government also l...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordClothing: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118176More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of fashion watchdog.
Answer: The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses. The government also l...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGroceries Code Adjudicator: Agricultural Supply Chain AdjudicatorDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the scope of the independent Groceries Code Adjudicator to include the functions of the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudica
Answer: The Government is undertaking the fourth statutory review into the effectiveness of the GCA, and covers the period from 31 March 2022 – 1 April 2025. The review sought input on the GCA’s effectiveness in enforcing the Code, its role alongside the Agricult...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGroceries Code AdjudicatorDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118174More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Government is taking to expand the remit of the Groceries Code Adjudicator to tackle unfair trading practices in supply chains.
Answer: The Government is undertaking the fourth statutory review into the effectiveness of the GCA, and covers the period from 31 March 2022 - 1 April 2025. The review sought input on the GCA's effectiveness in enforcing the Code, its role alongside the Agricult...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHM Passport OfficeHome OfficeTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101362More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review HM Passport Office's policy on considering urgent government business or compassionate reasons to include (a) scattering of ashes and (b) ritual and prayer ceremonies.
Answer: HM Passport Office policy already allows applications to be considered under compassionate grounds where there is a time-critical requirement arising from religious observance following a death. This includes the scattering of ashes or ritual and prayer c...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordStreaming: ViolenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84623More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of legislation governing the livestreaming of violent content.
Answer: The Online Safety Act (OSA) requires services to safeguard children and reduce the risk that they are used to facilitate illegal activity. Ofcom, the regulator, sets out the steps in its codes of practice that providers can take to fulfil these duties. It...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84622More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press notice entitled New online safety priorities for Ofcom and launch of study into effects of social media on children, published on 20 November 2024, what prog
Answer: The department is developing the evidence base around children’s online safety, including social media use, to continually inform our policy response.As part of this, DSIT commissioned a feasibility study into research on the impact of smartphones and soc...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84621More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on media literacy.
Answer: Ministers have regular meetings with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, including media literacy. The government is committed to a coordinated, cross-government approach to media literacy policy and delivery.
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84620More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Ofcom’s delivery of its statutory duties on media literacy.
Answer: The government supports Ofcom’s three-year Media Literacy Strategy as a solid foundation for delivering its updated media literacy duties. The Strategy sets out a credible programme focused on strengthening the evidence base, engaging platforms to improve...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes PlanDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84619More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to review (a) regulations and (b) consumer protections through the Warm Homes Plan.
Answer: This government is committed to protecting consumers undertaking home retrofit work, as well as improving the overall consumer journey. We are leading reform of a system which is clearly not fit for purpose. This reform will involve rapidly changing the l...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy Company Obligation: FraudDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84618More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on the adequacy of its counter-fraud policies, in the context of the National Audit Office’s report titled Energy efficiency installations under the Ene
Answer: Ofgem are the administrator for both ECO4 and GBIS and there is regular engagement between Ofgem and DESNZ on all aspects of the schemes. In regard to the NAO report, Ofgem are actively engaged in the review of evidence relating to possible fraud and they...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: Tax Rates and BandsTreasuryTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84617More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with Valuation Office Agency on its policy not to review the council tax bandings of multiple properties in one request.
Answer: Council Tax legislation only allows for a formal challenge of multiple properties in exceptional and very specific circumstances, as set in the Council Tax (Alteration of Lists and Appeals) (England) Regulations 2009. If the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) ...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84616More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will reform the current council tax system to reduce localised disparities in property valuations.
Answer: The valuation of all properties in England is carried out by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), who undertake this role independently of ministers. The Chancellor makes tax policy decisions at fiscal events. The Government remains committed to keeping all...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordTuring Scheme: SchoolsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84599More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to simplify the process for Turing Scheme applications for schools.
Answer: Since bringing management of the Turing Scheme in-house for the 2024/25 academic year, in response to feedback from the education sector, the department introduced a streamlined digital application service that was co-designed. The service also includes s...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTuring Scheme: SchoolsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support schools in disadvantaged areas with applications to the Turing scheme; and what assessment she has made of the trends in the level of concern that the current design of the a
Answer: In order to support schools, especially those in disadvantaged areas, the department provided guidance and webinars to enable potential applicants to find out more about the Turing Scheme, what it could offer their students and how to make their applicati...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTuring Scheme: Educational VisitsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84580More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to reduce the risk of schools in disadvantaged areas excluding pupils from Turing Scheme-funded excursions due to the cap on funding.
Answer: In the current academic year of the Turing Scheme, we applied a cap to the funding that schools could apply for. Schools could receive funding of up to £50,000 for a single application or, applying as a consortium, up to £50,000 per school to a maximum of...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTuring Scheme: SchoolsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that Turing grants to schools take into consideration the additional costs of (a) travel, (b) appropriate (i) clothing and (ii) equipment and (c) other items for children and
Answer: Turing Scheme funding is a contribution towards the costs of international educational placements. The scheme provides a contribution to the travel and living costs of students and accompanying staff. Additionally, the Turing Scheme provides readiness to ...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordErasmus+ Programme: SchoolsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84578More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what contingency plans his Department has in place to support schools during the transition period from the Turing Scheme to Erasmus+.
Answer: The UK and EU have agreed to work towards association to the Erasmus+ programme, on mutually agreed financial terms. Negotiations are underway and the terms of any association will be subject to further discussions. The department will have to consider th...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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