Chris Hinchliff MP: written questions
93 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Hospitals: ParkingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27409More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that private parking companies do not overcharge for facilities at hospitals.
Answer: National Health Service trusts are expected to comply with the NHS car parking guidance 2022 for NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts. This guidance states that charges, where they exist, should be reasonable for the area. This applies to all NHS trusts, ...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordYouth Mobility Scheme: EU CountriesCabinet OfficeTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27402More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will hold discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) civil servants on the potential merits of introducing a scheme to enable (i) cultural exchange by and (ii) increased mobility of young people betwe
Answer: The Government set out clear priorities for the reset with the EU in the manifesto. There are no plans for a Youth Mobility Scheme.
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordYouth ServicesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26659More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure a minimum level of provision for youth services across (a) North East Hertfordshire constituency and (b) the UK.
Answer: Local authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people. In September 2023 DCMS published updated statutory guidance to support l...
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: Diplomatic ServiceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26378More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of renewed operations by Israel around the refugee camp in Jenin; and what diplomatic representatio
Answer: Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time. The Israeli authorities must exercise restraint. We are urging both sides to ...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSupply Teachers: Conditions of Employment and PayDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23641More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what hat assessment she has made of potential steps to improve and the (a) pay and (b) working conditions of supply teachers in North East Hertfordshire constituency.
Answer: Supply teachers make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools by filling posts on a temporary basis and covering teacher absences.A supply teacher’s pay and working conditions will depend on who employs the supply teacher. Supply teacher...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordHorizon IT System: CompensationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21864More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to take steps to recover the costs of compensation from Fujitsu relating to failures of the Horizon Post Office IT system.
Answer: The Government welcomes Fujitsu’s acknowledgement of their moral obligation to make a contribution to the cost of the Horizon scandal. Fujitsu’s contribution will be decided once the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry has reviewed all the evidence and the Cha...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: IsraelForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20753More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Israel on hostages in Gaza.
Answer: Securing an immediate ceasefire and the safe release of all hostages, including Emily Damari and three other hostages with strong UK links, remains the UK's top priority. We have continuously supported hostage talks, and continue to work alongside our all...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNatural Gas: StorageDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20549More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of improving the longevity of gas storage capacity.
Answer: The Government recognises the value in having natural gas storage facilities in place as a source of balancing system flexibility when demand for gas is high and allowing for the future storage of hydrogen. Energy security remains a key priority for this ...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: NationalisationDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20546More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has prepared improvement action plans for rail franchises due to be brought back into public ownership.
Answer: There will be no immediate changes to the specifications of services at the point of transfer. All operators will continue to go through an annual planning process with the Department to agree plans for changes to service specifications, performance impro...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordYoung Offender InstitutionsMinistry of JusticeTabled 11 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19557More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of HM Inspectorate of Prisons' report entitled Separation of children in young offender institutions – review of progress, published o
Answer: Where there is a clear risk of harm, separation is used to prevent harm to the child or young person who is being separated, or to others. Separation should be a last resort when managing behaviour, but it can be critical to reducing the risk of harm in d...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordCommunity Ownership FundMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11941 on Community Ownership Fund, if she will publish details of options her Department is considering.
Answer: This Government is committed to community ownership, and through the English Devolution Bill will introduce a new Community Right to Buy, which will make it easier for communities to take on valued assets, such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces.Al...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVauxhall Motors: LutonDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16581More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Vauxhall's planned closure of its plant in Luton on North East Hertfordshire constituency; and if he will take steps to support (a) people and (b)
Answer: Stellantis announced on 26 November that it was starting a consultation with staff at its Luton plant on its plans for the future of its manufacturing there. The Department is actively engaging with the company and has asked them to share the full details...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVauxhall Motors: LutonDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16580More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had discussions with trade unions on Vauxhall's planned closure of its plant in Luton.
Answer: Stellantis announced on 26 November that it was starting a consultation with staff on its plans to consolidate its two UK manufacturing sites into one plant at Ellesmere Port. The Department is actively engaging with the company and has asked them to shar...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVauxhall Motors: LutonDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16579More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department is holding discussions with Stellantis on the announced closure of its Vauxhall plant in Luton.
Answer: The Secretary of State has been in contact with Stellantis since July to discuss the pressures in their UK and global business and the future of the Luton plant. He met them again on 26 November where they regrettably shared their proposals to consult on ...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16447More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the range of conditions that can be treated under the Pharmacy First service.
Answer: Pharmacy professionals are highly skilled clinicians who are experts in the use and management of medicines. The Pharmacy First Service, alongside other services that enable quicker and more convenient access to medicines, where it is safe to do so, suppo...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16446More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report entitled Pharmacy Pressures Survey 2024: Funding and Profitability Report, published on 19 October 2024.
Answer: As noted in the review by Lord Darzi, primary care is under pressure and in crisis. The Government recognises that pharmacies are an integral part of the fabric of our communities, as an easily accessible front door to the National Health Service, staffed...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBaldock Station: AccessDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of disabled access at Baldock station; and whether her Department plans to upgrade access to that station.
Answer: This government is committed to improving the accessibility of Britain’s railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.Ministers are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. We are unable...
Answered 2 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBirds of Prey: RodenticidesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15550More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of Wild Justice's report entitled Collateral Damage: The Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme - is it working?, published in Novem
Answer: The Rodenticides Stewardship Scheme was developed by The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use UK to promote responsible use and is overseen by the Government Oversight Group for Rodenticide Stewardship (GOG), chaired by the Health and Safety Executive...
Answered 28 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: TransportDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14195More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding free school transport access to include students between 16 and 19 years old.
Answer: The department recognises that the cost and availability of public transport can be an issue for some 16 to 19 year olds when travelling to their college or sixth form, particularly for those with special educational needs (SEN) or those living in rural a...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPost Offices: ClosuresDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what notice the Post Office plans to give of closure of branches; and what plans he has to to mitigate the potential impact of such closures on rural communities.
Answer: No decisions to close any or all of the remaining Directly Managed Branches in rural and urban areas have been taken as of yet. Given the difficult financial position the Post Office is in, it is right that it reviews the costs of its operations and consi...
Answered 25 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAviation and Railways: CostsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential economic impact of differences in the cost per mile of domestic (a) plane and (b) train travel; and if her Department will make an assessment of the pote
Answer: The UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. Airlines’ business models can at times accommodate more flexible pricing than the railway. The Government sets the percentage that regulated rail fares can be increased each year. Regula...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSchool MilkDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review the provisions for dairy free options for children with dairy (a) allergies and (b) intolerances in the school milk subsidy scheme.
Answer: This is a devolved matter, and I am answering with responsibility for the school milk scheme in England. Only milk and relevant dairy products are currently eligible for subsidy in the school milk scheme and there are no plans to subsidise dairy-free beve...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBeer and Cider: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8365More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of draught duty relief for (a) beer and (b) cider.
Answer: The current alcohol duty system supports the industry through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to pric...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 7 October 2024 to Question 5661 on Private Education: VAT, whether her Department has made a specific assessment of the potential impact of the policy on children with special educatio
Answer: This government is committed to ending the VAT exemption that private schools enjoy and will confirm the introduction of these changes at the Budget on 30 October. The Office for Budget Responsibility will also certify the government’s costings for these ...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Justice: LanguagesMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7164More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to publish the independent review of her Department’s language services.
Answer: We have been considering the findings of the independent review to help inform the development of new tender specifications. This is a complex process and covers a wide range of agencies within the Ministry of Justice. Once all internal governance has ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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