Chi Onwurah MP: written questions
165 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Ministers: WhatsAppCabinet OfficeTabled 2 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15327More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 26 June 2026 to question 6356, what guidance he has issued on this topic.
Answer: The Cabinet Office issued the "Non-corporate communications channels" (NCCC) guidance on 30 March 2023. This is available on gov.uk.
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 900827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Defence Investment Plan on industry in the North East.
Answer: The North East already plays a vital role in our defence industrial base, and the Defence Investment Plan will create even greater opportunities, with £70 billion committed to air capabilities, £32 billion to maritime programmes and £1.1 billion to comple...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: Public BodiesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 22 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 11636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many positions on standards bodies does the department currently fund and how many will be funded in 2030 following the implementation of the UK's Digital Standards Strategy.
Answer: The Department participates in various international standards development organisations (SDOs), including the International Telecommunication Union, European Telecommunication Standards Institute and Internet Engineering Task Force, in line with the UK’s...
Answered 26 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMinisters: WhatsAppCabinet OfficeTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6356More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who in Government is responsible for issuing guidance and/or requirements for the retention, storage and back up of Cabinet ministers a) personal and b) professional whatsapp messages.
Answer: The Cabinet Office is responsible for issuing guidance for the retention, storage and back up of Cabinet ministers Whatsapp messages.
Answered 26 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: WiFiDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5918More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason she proposes to use Starlink to improve Wi-Fi connectivity on trains rather than oneweb.
Answer: Once the procurement for this programme goes live and is concluded, that will determine the choice of supplier. Until then, no decision has been made.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLondon North Eastern Railway: WiFiDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects the wifi on LNER to be improved.
Answer: Pending approval of the Business Case for low earth orbit satellite to improve passenger wifi, we will begin delivering the LEO upgrade in 2027, which will include LNER. Exact dates will be determined once the Business Case is approved.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDementia: ArtsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the role of creative therapies in the care of people living with dementia.
Answer: The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs) and may include creative therapies. We expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5915More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to with the Syrian government to open up an inclusive political process that grants rights to all communities, including Kurds,
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to my statement on GOV.UK marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, available at the link below, which set out the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian government to build a more stable, inclusive, ...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5914More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the levels of support for women's rights within the new Syrian government and its administration.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to my statement on GOV.UK marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, available at the link below, which set out the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian Government to build a more stable, inclusive, ...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5913More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what conditions are currently attached to UK financial support to the Syrian government; and whether she plans to make future support contingent on the inclusion of all minor
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to my statement on GOV.UK marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, available at the link below, which set out the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian government to build a more stable, inclusive, ...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSmart Devices: ProcurementDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the definition and application of trusted supplier in relation to cellular Internet of Things (IoT) modules.
Answer: Connected device security requires a layered approach that includes software, hardware and the processes that protect these devices against attack. Manufacturers of smart tech should use the device security principles, produced by the National Cyber Secur...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLondon North Eastern Railway: WiFiDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Apr 2026Awaiting answerUIN 129831More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve wifi on LNER; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of that wifi performance over the past three years.
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordCombined Authorities: IndustryMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128690More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how combined authorities are being supported to develop world-class industrial clusters as part of local growth plans.
Answer: Local Growth Plans are central to delivering growth and boosting living standards in every corner of the country. Government has worked directly in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to co-agree regional growth priorities, including ensuring t...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordClinical TrialsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128689More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of proposals in the ABPI report published in March 2026.
Answer: The Department has considered the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s (ABPI) March 2026 report, Globally competitive United Kingdom wide data-enabled clinical trials: the time is now, and its proposals on improving clinical trial set‑up a...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMedical Records: Data ProtectionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128688More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of patients in England have exercised their right to opt out of sharing their data for research purposes via the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).
Answer: The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) receives data from Optum, Vision, and TPP SystmOne practices, which represent the three largest clinical system providers to general practices (GPs). 32% of practices across all four nations currently partici...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128687More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of General Practices are signed up to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD); and what steps his Department is taking to help address (a) technical and (b) contractual barri
Answer: The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) receives data from Optum, Vision, and TPP SystmOne practices, which represent the three largest clinical system providers to general practices (GPs). 32% of practices across all four nations currently partici...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAI Growth Zones: North EastDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128686More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to WPQ 126560, whether Nscale will still be investing in the North East AI growth zone.
Answer: The government continues to work closely with the Combined Authority and commercial partners regarding the delivery of the North East AI Growth Zone. Discussions with individual companies are commercially sensitive, and we will provide further updates in ...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: InfrastructureDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127456More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how Green Book appraisal criteria are used to assess investments in energy infrastructure in regions with high industrial and renewable potential, including the North East.
Answer: HM Treasury’s Green Book sets out the framework for assessing value for money for taxpayers across different policy proposals. It is applied consistently across all regions. However, it also uses place-based analysis to account for differences between tow...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordOxford-Cambridge ArcTreasuryTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127455More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that national economic policy does not disproportionately impact the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor over regions with industrial, technology and energy capacity such as the North
Answer: The Government’s economic strategy aims to spread growth across Britain, supporting all regions by investing in transport, housing, skills, and key industrial sectors. The Chancellor has repeatedly emphasised that regional growth, including in the North a...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVenture CapitalDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127454More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of regional distribution of venture capital investment; and what steps she is taking to increase investment flows to the North East.
Answer: The number of equity deals in the North East increased 8.6% year on year in 2024, to 63 deals. Comparatively, London’s dominance of the UK equity market reduced slightly in 2024, with the share of deals in the capital dropping from 50.8% to 47.1% year-on-...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: FraudDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127453More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help tackle content advising individuals to misrepresent health conditions for financial gain though the benefits system.
Answer: I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 24th March 2026 to PQ 123138.
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPolice: FinanceHome OfficeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127452More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the 2026–27 police funding settlement in enabling Northumbria Police to bring officer numbers remain back to pre-2010 levels; and how many police forces
Answer: The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. That is why forces should have the right re...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence and Digital Technology: North EastDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127451More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to encourage (a) UK and (b) international technology firms to invest in AI and digital innovation clusters in the North East of England.
Answer: The Government is committed to driving regional growth by attracting AI and digital investment across the UK, including in the North East of England. The North East AI Growth Zone will provide secure, dedicated compute infrastructure, supporting innovatio...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127450More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether funding programmes are available to support inclusive founding teams in (a) technology, (b) creative industries, (c) green energy and (d) other high-growth sectors.
Answer: The Government provides a range of available funding programmes to support inclusive founding teams across high-growth sectors. For example, Innovate UK provides specialised funding through initiatives such as its £101 million Clean Growth Fund, and other...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBritish Business BankDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127449More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the British Business Bank on supporting access to capital for women-led and ethnic minority-led businesses.
Answer: The British Business Bank has numerous new and successful programmes to support access to capital for underrepresented groups, including:new £400 million Investor Pathways Capital initiative to reduce barriers to entry for new fund managers, with 50% of t...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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