Darren Paffey MP: written questions 2024
28 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Water Treatment: SouthamptonDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21550More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the wastewater licence at Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works in Southampton.
Answer: The adequacy of the Environmental Permit at Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in Southampton has been assessed through various modelling investigations and regulatory reviews. These have resulted in several improvements at Portswood including th...
Answered 16 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordBereavement Support PaymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17417More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the maximum number of months for which the Bereavement Support Payment can be paid beyond the existing cap of 18 monthly payments.
Answer: Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) helps people through the immediate period following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 monthly instalments. Where longer-term financial support is needed, benefits such as Universal Credit ha...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordCoroners and Forensic Science: FinanceMinistry of JusticeTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17416More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that there is adequate (a) funding and (b) support for (i) forensic investigation teams and (ii) coroner services to help minimise delays.
Answer: It is important that the death investigation process is as swift and efficient as possible to avoid additional distress for bereaved families at such a difficult time in their lives.Whilst the Ministry of Justice is responsible for coroner law and policy,...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPrison SentencesMinistry of JusticeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when she plans to publish an action plan for imprisonment for public protection sentences.
Answer: I am pleased to announce that on 15 November, the Lord Chancellor laid the first IPP Annual Report and a newly updated IPP Action Plan before Parliament. The Report and Plan can be accessed using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBeaches: Rescue ServicesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of lifeguard numbers on UK beaches; and whether he plans to improve beach safety.
Answer: We have made no such assessment. However, the responsibility for lifeguards on beaches is usually a matter for local authorities or private beach owners.
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordReparation by OffendersMinistry of JusticeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what her planned timeline is for the implementation of steps to transition toward restorative justice is; and what the key milestones toward this will be.
Answer: Restorative justice can, when delivered in the right circumstances, improve victim satisfaction and reduce reoffending. This not only benefits the victims and the offender but also their community.That is why, under the Code of Practice for Victims of Cri...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPrescriptions: Care LeaversDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12907More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential feasibility of extending free prescriptions to care leavers aged 18 to 25.
Answer: There are no current plans to make an assessment of the feasibility of extending free prescriptions to care leavers aged 18 to 25 years old.
Answered 12 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: TransportDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to reduce the cost to local authorities of home-to-school transport.
Answer: The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities must arrange free home-to-school travel for children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBreast Cancer: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10956More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will implement a national breast cancer screening awareness campaign to encourage people to attend appointments.
Answer: The NHS Breast Screening Programme has high levels of activity, however NHS England has advised that some women are simply not coming forward for screening. To address this, NHS England is carrying out research into the best approaches to target specific ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10955More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) social and (b) council housebuilding projects in Southampton are not delayed due to financial infeasibility.
Answer: I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 10272 on 28 October 2024.
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of (a) social and (b) council housebuilding projects in Southampton which are delayed due to financial infeasibility.
Answer: The Government has committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.On 30 July we announced a number of changes in planning policy designed to support the delivery of affordable homes and also confirmed a...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLegal Aid SchemeMinistry of JusticeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10271More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to review the eligibility criteria for legal aid.
Answer: This Government fully recognises that access to legal aid is central to helping those individuals who are unable to afford legal services to resolve their legal issues – provided it is in scope and meets the merits test. We are giving careful consideratio...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordVisas: ApplicationsHome OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10270More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for visa applications.
Answer: We are seeking to ensure visa applications are processed as quickly as possible. Customer service standards exist for all types of visa applications, however the time taken to process a visa application may take longer under certain circumstances such as ...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDrugs: Young PeopleHome OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to (a) support families of young people who die by suicide after taking illegal substances bought online and (b) raise awareness in schools and communities of this risk.
Answer: I am grateful for the Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue, and highlighting the dangers posed by the availability of illegal substances in online marketplaces, and the tragic consequences that can result from their purchase and consumption, bo...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDrugs: InternetHome OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10265More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle the (a) availability of illegal substances for sale via online platforms and (b) purchase of those substances by young people who subsequently die by suicide.
Answer: I am grateful for the Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue, and highlighting the dangers posed by the availability of illegal substances in online marketplaces, and the tragic consequences that can result from their purchase and consumption, bo...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBatteries: StorageDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9894More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing large-scale battery storage within the Port of Southampton area.
Answer: This Government recognises that batteries have a key role to play in decarbonising the power sector by 2030 by balancing the electricity system and facilitating the integration of renewable power. The Government does not intend to commission an assessment...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordADHD: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9850More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of NHS prescribers for ADHD medication.
Answer: No specific assessment has been made. It is the responsibility of integrated care boards to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services, in l...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordFurther Education: Southampton ItchenDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9849More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential (a) funding and (b) capital investment implications for her policies of trends in the number of 16-year olds entering further education in Southampton Itchen
Answer: Funding for the number of 16 year olds entering further education in Southampton Itchen constituency is part of the 16 to 19 funding allocations, which uses student numbers from the previous year as a basis for the calculation. To support providers that h...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordTeachers: PayDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9848More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to take steps to reduce pay differentials between (a) school teachers and (b) college lecturers.
Answer: The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE). This remains the responsibility of individual colleges who are free to implement pay arrangements in line with their local needs.The department recognises the vital role that FE teach...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordFurther Education: VATTreasuryTabled 16 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9625More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to reimburse VAT to colleges.
Answer: The Government strongly supports the work colleges do to enable people to gain the skills they need to thrive in the modern labour market. Maintained schools who are funded by local authorities are able to recover their VAT through the s33 VAT refund sche...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPrimodosDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will (a) review evidence on the health impacts of Primodos and (b) make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a financial redress scheme for people affected by Prim
Answer: We are hugely sympathetic to the families who believe that they have suffered because of using Hormone Pregnancy Tests (HPTs). Currently, the available scientific evidence does not support a causal association between the use HPTs during early pregnancy a...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSexual Dysfunction: Selective Serotonin Reuptake InhibitorsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9558More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress the Commission for Human Medicines has made on its review of how the risk of sexual dysfunction is communicated to patients; and whether that review includes the potential effects of
Answer: The first meeting of the Expert Working Group (EWG) on antidepressant risk minimisation convened by the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, on the advice of the Commission on Human Medicines, was held on 4 July 2024.At the initial meeting ...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordVisas: SponsorshipHome OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9325More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) steps her Department takes and (b) guidance her Department provides to ensure the process of obtaining visa sponsorship licences is accessible to companies.
Answer: Links to comprehensive guidance are available to companies wishing to obtain sponsor licences and sponsored workers wanting to switch sponsors on the Gov.uk website at: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMigrant Workers: SponsorshipHome OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department takes to enable foreign workers to switch sponsors when their original employer ceases trading, particularly where the individual (a) is actively seeking employment and (b) w
Answer: Links to comprehensive guidance are available to companies wishing to obtain sponsor licences and sponsored workers wanting to switch sponsors on the Gov.uk website at: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordChildren in Care: SouthamptonDepartment for EducationTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1849More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she plans to take to help improve the outcomes for care-experienced children and young people in Southampton.
Answer: Reforming children’s social care is critical to giving all our children and young people the start in life they deserve. The government is committed to working in partnership with local government to support children in care across all settings, and to im...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →